10 Great Ways to Boost Your Immune System Ready for Winter

As the nights draw in and the weather starts to turn cold, you may be starting to think about ways to boost your immune system. While winter coughs, colds and other bugs are normal and in most cases totally harmless, they can be annoying, slow you down and leave you feeling down and depressed. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to boost your immunity, helping you to fight off illnesses all year around. 

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Eat Well

Eating the right foods can go a long way to boosting your immunity. Avoid foods high in saturated fats and sugars, swap your carbs for brown versions and eat foods rich in immune boosting vitamins such as D and B12.

Take Supplements

While you can get all your vitamins from the foods you eat, it’s a good idea to give your immune system a little extra boost. doTERRA products could be just what you need. doTERRA oils can boost your immunity while also killing off harmful bacteria, which diet alone can’t do.

Exercise

Exercise keeps your body fit and healthy, which will mean it’s less likely to succumb to illness and is better at fighting it when it does. Try to get at least three cardio workouts a week to keep yourself in top shape.

Get Lots of Rest

Sleep is your body’s chance to recover from the day. If you don’t sleep well, you’re always starting a new day at less than 100%. Regularly not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of contracting many different illnesses, both physical and mental.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being over or underweight is another thing that means your body cannot function at its best. Eating well and exercising will help you stay at an ideal weight, but if you are struggling, see a doctor for more help.

Practice Good Hygiene

One of the best ways to prevent illness is not letting the germs into your body. The less your immune system has to deal with, the better equipped it will be when it does. Make sure you wash your hands regularly and generally practice good hygiene.

Keep Your Home Clean and Warm

Keeping your home clean and warm will also prevent the spread of germs. Clean with anti-bacterial detergent and make sure everything is washed regularly.

Cut Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol can stop all of your body’s functions from working at their best, including your immune system. Try not to drink more than the recommended amount and make sure you have at least three days a week where you don’t drink at all.

Watch Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack in time, but it can also affect your immune system. Get yours checked at the doctors and follow any guidance they give you.

Get a Flu Shot

If you work with children or the elderly, you are pregnant, or are suffering from a long-term health condition, you may be entitled to a free flu shot. But, even if you’re not, you can pay for one. It won’t protect you from coughs and colds but the flu is awful, so it’s worth getting vaccinated.

While nothing can stop you getting ill, these things will reduce your risks of picking up minor bugs and help to make sure you are in the best condition to fight off anything you do pick up as fast as you can.