The winter can be a beautiful time, with the skies sprinkled with snowflakes and opportunities to reunite with family and friends. Unfortunately, the cold weather and close proximity to others can also signal the spread of germs and illness. Stay healthy and keep your immune system in top shape with these natural immune-boosting tips!
1. Work out When you work out regularly, you flush bacteria out of your lungs and airways to help reduce your chances of getting sick. Working out also has anti-inflammatory benefits. According to WebMD, you’re improving your overall fitness when you work out, which causes the body to produce a higher number of white blood cells. White blood cells are assigned to attack bacteria and fight infections.
2. Sleep The Mayo Clinic recommends seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep is immensely important to the health of your skin, brain and, of course, your immune system. When you’re consistently sleeping enough, your body has a chance to restore itself and your immune system can produce amino acids that fight infections and inflammation.
3. Immune-boosting food Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, is also thought to increase the production of white blood cells in the body. These include your typical lemon, lime and grapefruit, but also red bell peppers! Healthline also lists these foods as natural immune-boosters: garlic, ginger (also decreases inflammation), turmeric and spinach.
4. Tea Green tea is full of antioxidants that have a myriad of benefits. Catechin builds the immune system up to better fight off infections. Polyphenols, also found in green tea, have anti-inflammatory properties. Teas that typically include ingredients like cocoa, ginger and turmeric are beneficial to your immune system. Check out these organic teas.
It’s hard to enjoy the holidays when you’re under the weather, so protect yourself and start implementing these tips now. Also check out these immune-system boosting recipes. You’ll be thanking yourself when you don’t have to miss out on any holiday festivities!