Cold and flu season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to strengthen your immune system — especially with COVID-19 still hanging around. Although it may sound impossible, you can enjoy winter this year without having to spend days stuck in bed coughing and sneezing.
The best way to avoid coming down with a seasonal virus is to make your immune system as powerful as possible. This way, even if you do come into contact with virus-causing germs, your body will be better prepared to fight them off so you can continue making the most of the season.
Healthy diet
Having a healthy diet seems like the foundation for solving all health-related problems. You may be tired of hearing it, but it’s true. At least when it comes to improving your immune system. Healthy eating is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your immune system and prevent all kinds of illnesses, including colds and flues.
Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, antioxidants, and live active cultures are some of the best things to include in your diet to improve your immune system. You’ll find them in the following foods:
- Citrus fruits: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, clementines
- Red bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Spinach
- Greek yogurt
- Almonds
- Turmeric
- Green tea
Supplements for your immune system
Depending on your location, budget, and season, you may not always have easy access to immune-boosting foods. To get all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you need to strengthen your immune system, you can also consider introducing supplements into your diet.
It’s important to remember that taking supplements isn’t as effective as eating fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, spices, etc. But if you can’t get your hands on healthy ingredients, supplements are your next best option. Make sure you read the label carefully before taking your supplements. Sometimes you need to take them with food for the best results.
If you currently have a medical condition or are taking any kind of medicine, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before beginning to take supplements. They will be able to advise you on the best supplements to include in your diet and any you should avoid.
Exercise regularly and healthily
Healthy eating and regular exercise go hand-in-hand when it comes to well-being. When you eat healthier, you’ll find it easier to work out. At the same time, when you work out, you’ll be more motivated to eat healthier.
Exercising boosts your cardiovascular health, lowers your blood pressure, and helps you maintain a healthy weight. All of this boosts your overall health and therefore improves your ability to fight off disease.
Wash your hands
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we’ve all become increasingly aware of the importance of washing our hands thoroughly and often. Proper hygiene doesn’t just help prevent you from catching COVID-19, but it can also help you avoid catching a cold, the flu, and other winter illnesses.
It’s not always practical to wash your hands. If you know it’s going to be a little tricky where you’re going, consider taking a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you.
Get enough sleep
We all need a different amount of sleep, but most people need 7-9 hours of sleep every night to be healthy. If you sleep for less than six hours each night, you’re much more likely to get sick in winter than you are if you get an hour or two more.
Our bodies do all kinds of helpful things when we sleep, including producing cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that regulate your body’s immune response by directing cells to the parts of the body that need them most. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body can’t produce enough cytokines to properly distribute them. This means you can’t fight off viruses like colds and flu as effectively.
Visit a chiropractor
Chiropractic visits aren’t just for if you’ve been involved in an accident. Spinal adjustments can also boost your immune system by aligning your central nervous system. When your spine is properly aligned, it also allows your body to function at its best, keeping you healthy and free from disease.
Get ready for winter
Stay healthy this winter and book yourself a chiropractic appointment. Not only can spinal adjustments and massage therapy relieve general day-to-day discomfort and make you feel relaxed, but they can also improve your immune system so you’re able to fight off disease and enjoy the season. Think of it as an early Christmas gift to yourself!
About the author
Matt has been helping providers within the healthcare setting for over a decade. He realizes how best to solve a patient’s problem by understanding the individualism of each patient. Therefore knowing what their true needs are. To focus on the patient and the “Why” they need their particular service that goes beyond the initial reason for them to seek treatment.
Matt has been with Veeva since 2018. He also has access to over 75 years of combined real-life hands-on experiences from the many doctors within the Veeva Chiropractic landscape.
