Knowing how to boost your immune system could be the difference between getting sick or staying healthy.
It’s officially cold and flu season season, so keeping our communities safe should be a top priority for all of us. We have you covered with seven ways to boost your immune system this winter.
“All the things we can do to keep ourselves healthy – spiritually and emotionally, fueling, eating, hydrating, moving your body, activities to reduce stress levels and maintain emotional health – will absolutely reduce your likelihood of getting sick,” Emily Simpson, MD, an infectious diseases physician at Mercy Health – Anderson Infectious Disease, shares.
First, reduce your stress levels.
Stress has various effects on your body, including reducing the effectiveness of your immune system. If you come down with an illness, being stressed can make it last longer than normal. To help in reducing stress levels, try practicing meditation each day.
Next, moderate your alcohol intake.
Think twice about having another cocktail and reach for a mocktail instead. This is because excess alcohol can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to colds, flu or other illnesses.
Third, be sure to consume power foods.
Getting your vitamins through fruits and vegetables is a great way to boost your immune system. Peppers, garlic, ginger, turmeric, citrus fruit and spinach are just a few power foods to keep in your healthy diet this time of year.
Don’t skip the exercise.
With busy schedules, physical activity can easily fall off your to-do list. However, exercise contributes to your health in many ways. Studies show that moving accelerates the circulation of disease-fighting white blood cells, which are needed to fight illnesses.
Also, get more sleep.
Aim to get a minimum of eight hours a night. It helps your body recharge, which can help you resist viruses and help strengthen your immune system.
Stop smoking.
According to the CDC, smoking harms the immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight against cold and flu viruses. If you are a smoker, talk to your primary care provider today about quitting. Quitting will help your overall health as well.
And lastly, wash your hands.
Avoid infections by regularly washing your hands. This habit helps remove and prevent the spread of germs.
And while taking more holistic approaches to keeping the immune system strong can help, it is still very important to stay up to date on your vaccines, like the flu shot.
“Nothing supplants the role of vaccines,” Dr. Simpson adds.
Learn about the primary care services we provide at Mercy Health.
