6 Powerful Immunity Boosting Tips
Got the late winter cold-season blues? Tired of sniffling and sneezing? Give your system a boost and avoid getting sick in the first place with these 6 natural immunity boosting tips!
The days may be getting longer, but we’re not out of the woods yet when it comes to cold & flu season. (In fact, last week I suffered through my first cold in over 2 years! Luckily, my immune system is in pretty good shape, so it was mercifully short.)
If you’re looking for some help boosting your immunity and reducing the frequency and duration of nasty colds and other common illnesses, try these 6 proven immunity boosting tips for staying healthy:
#1 – Stress LESS:
I know, dialing down your stress level is so much easier said than done. But I can’t express how important it is to your immune health….
Studies have found that being chronically stressed impairs your T cell function and other important aspects of your immune system making you more vulnerable to getting sick.
Start to dial back your stress levels simply by giving yourself permission to have downtime:
* Just say “no” to some commitments…
* Reconnect with nature…
* Make an effort to spend quality time with the family…#2– Sleep MORE:
Far too many of us cut corners when it comes to sleep. But studies clearly show that those of us who don’t—those of us who clock in at 7 to 8 hours of refreshing sleep every night—have superior immunity and are far less likely to get sick.
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………………………………………….#3– Slash Sugar:
Everybody knows eating too much processed sugars is bad for you. But did you know that loading up on sugary soda, candy and baked goods can literally suppress your immune system? In fact for up to 5 hours after consuming sugar, you’re more vulnerable to catching any bugs that happen to come along.
If you or a family member is starting to feel those first signs of coming down with something—or if you know one of you has spent some time around someone who is already sick—be extra vigilant about cutting back on sugar….
…………………………………………….#4– “Double down” on D:
Everyone knows that vitamin D is essential for building and repairing bones…. But vitamin D is also critical to keeping your immune system firing on all cylinders. Research has found that having enough D on board can help prevent colds and the flu.
We get most of our vitamin D from those times our skin is exposed to the sun. Which means that in the cooler months it can be nearly impossible to keep our D levels topped up. Your doctor can give you a 25-hydroxy Vitamin D blood test to identify if you’re not getting enough D.
…………………………………………..#5– Eat Elderberry:
The Elderberry plant is a power player when it comes to supporting your immune system. The flowers and berries of this potent plant are brimming with antioxidant flavonoids known as anthocyanins.
The anthocyanins not only protect your cells from damaging free radicals, they have anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties as well. Juice or syrup made from the Elderberry can shorten the length of a cold or bout of the flu and is great for soothing flu symptoms such as a sore throat, aches, fatigue, fever and a headache.
……………………………………………#6– Ward off bugs with water:
Moms deserve a lot of credit for getting so much of the common sense stuff right. When it comes to keeping colds and the flu at bay, mom was, once again, right on the money. Hands down the best thing you can do to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands frequently.
…………………………………………..But those hand washings should always be with plain soap and water. Skip the Triclosan and other antibacterial ingredients. Not only have studies made it perfectly clear that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than good old fashioned soap and warm water, there are some serious concerns about them contributing to the “super bug” problem by making bacteria more resistant.
For more details, check out the full article at HealthierTalk.com.
