Boost Your Immune System This Flu Season!
Boost Your Immune System This Flu Season
Rejoice! Flu season is upon us. It’s not for nothing they call this the most wonderful time of the year: ‘Tis the season to go in a seemingly endless loop from chest cold to head cold, with maybe a bad stomach thrown in for variety.
Everywhere you look people are coughing, sneezing and sniffling, making you feel like you’re in a video game trying to dodge germs left, right and center. Even better, word on the street is that it’s a particularly saucy kind of flu this time around.
But don’t despair: there are things you can do to increase your chances to avoid this year’s bug altogether and get out of the flu season unscathed. In case you don’t, the tips below will help you get better faster, too. So read on and look at the silver lining: you’re not going to get the same one twice!
Double Your Water Intake
Now, if you are one of those people who carries a water bottle everywhere and has skin like a baby’s bottom, doubling down on the water may not be necessary. But most of us do not get enough fluids in on a daily basis, whether we realize or not, so it won’t hurt to drink twice the amount for a while. And no, coffee does not count, no matter how much of it you have. If you must get your caffeine fix, make it green tea and reap the benefits of the antioxidants in it.
Chicken Broth
Just like the one grandma used to make. Take a tip from granny’s playbook and get some good old chicken broth cooking. Also, try and visit her more often – maybe not when you have the flu, though. The minerals and vitamins in this simple health elixir are essential for a healthy body, and you can dress up your soup with almost any vegetable or one of the things below:
Garlic, Ginger, Chilli
What these three have in common is that they give a kick to any dish you add them to, which is sort of what they do to germs trying to get you down this winter. Why not spice things up and help your system defend itself with these fiery extras? Remember that all three are most effective when raw.
Organic Supplements
Everybody knows it is harder to get the nutrients your body needs in the dead of winter. Virtually nothing is in season, except for the potato, which is not much in the way of help. Sometimes, we just need a little extra something. Don’t be afraid to take supplements to, well, supplement your diet with vitamins – just try and make it organic, with the minerals derived from plants. These are absorbed easier and are naturally better for you.
Layer
Make sure you dress for the occasion – flu season is the time to trot out your winter Sunday best. While the cold is not what causes the flu, when your body cools down it has to work harder to fight off attacks. So layer and don’t forget your gloves.
Get Out
Now that you are dressed properly, go out to get some fresh winter air. We tend to forget going outside just for a walk when the quicksilver is low, but a brisk pace and deep breaths can do wonders to our health and mood. Also remember to air out your house every day if you can – your body will thank you.
Yoga
We move a lot less in the winter, and our bodies notice. Do yourself a favor and get stretching: yoga is the perfect indoor exercise that requires close to no equipment, has proven immunity boosting qualities, will warm your winter bones and soothe your soul.
Meditate
You’re taking care of your body, take care of your mind, too! It may not be obvious, but people who meditate are shown to have better immune response and fall sick less. Healthy mind in a healthy body!