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With summer drawing to a close and fall approaching fast, I find myself looking forward to cooler weather, warm, knitted sweaters, hot drinks, and all things pumpkin.
One thing I’m not looking forward to, however, is the inevitable sickness that seems to always follow with the onset of autumn.
The cold. The flu. Unexplainable fits of coughing. A stuffy nose. It all sounds miserable, right?
That’s why I’m making a pledge to start ramping up my immune system NOW to avoid the worst of fall sickness, and to keep my health in check.
Learn how you can boost your immune system too this fall with these 8 easy tips.
8 Simple Ways to Support Your Immune System
1. Get some shut eye. One of the best life habits you can ever take up is getting adequate sleep consistently. Why? When you allow your body to rest, you also allow your body to maintain its natural immune defenses, including the release of the immune proteins, cytokines. Cytokines are what signal your body to ramp up its immune system when it senses a bug or illness coming on. Thus, they can actually prevent you from getting sick; that is, if you’re getting enough sleep. So indulge yourself when it comes to sleep. Your body will thank you!
2. Dose up on that Vitamin D. There’s nothing like a hit of Vitamin D to amp up your energy and boost your mood. But did you know that Vitamin D can also prevent illness? Make sure you’re spending a few minutes outside every day in the sun to ensure you’re getting enough of this vitamin, and if you can’t get outside regularly, grab a supplement at your health food store.
3. Find time to unwind and de stress. We all know by now just how bad stress can be for your health (and let’s face it, your life overall). But did you know that experiencing stress on a chronic basis can severely weaken your immune system? When you’re chronically stressed, your body releases the hormone, cortisol, which suppresses healthy immune system functioning. Seriously, stress is real, and so are its effects. Find ways to regularly de stress, whether it’s doing yoga for a few minutes every night, reading a book, or walking over your lunch break.
4. Don’t skimp on the fruits and veggies. Fruits and veggies provide your body with the exact nutrients your body needs to maintain a healthy immune system. Make sure you’re including plenty of them in all your meals, and when you snack.
5. Pop a probiotic. Studies have shown that probiotics are immensely effective in guarding against illness, especially respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Make probiotics a staple in your vitamin regimen. Not only will they lead to improved digestion, but they’ll also strengthen your immunity.
6. Make garlic a seasoning staple. Garlic is a natural microbial agent and an all-around super star when it comes to boosting your immune system. Add it in to your cooking as much as you can to reap its full benefits.
7. Drink immune boosting teas. Drinking tea presents a wealth of immune boosting benefits, and is one of the best ways to fight off illness. Some of the best immune support teas include: chamomile, ginseng, green, holy basil, and dandelion tea.
8. Exercise regularly. There’s far more to exercise than just toning up and keeping a slim waistline. Exercise is one of the best ways you can keep your body strong, especially when it comes to fighting off infection. Research has shown that people that exercise more are far less likely to develop illness than those who are sedentary. So make working out a consistent component of your lifestyle.
8 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out in the Morning.
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