5 Ways to Prepare Your Immune System for Fall
by Cascade Ice on September 10, 2020
With experts predicting that this year’s flu season will be more serious than most, people will be looking for ways to prepare their bodies to fight off infection and even shorten or lessen the severity of seasonal illnesses. And as COVID-19 still looms, now is a great time to do all that you can to stay healthy and keep your body strong. After all, when your body is working well, it can help you avoid illness. But if you let it get run down, you’re more likely to get sick.
Your immune system is a complex system of cells and organs that work in harmony to protect you against disease, and stops bacteria and viruses from entering your body. Here are 5 simple ways to keep your body running the best it can be heading into the Fall season.
Take a probiotic
About 80 percent of your immune system reaction happens in your gut, so it’s very important to keep it healthy. Recent studies concluded that probiotics can boost the body’s immune response, helping it to better prepare to fight infections including the common cold. There are many probiotics available in drug stores or grocery stores near you – choose one with a few different strains of good bacteria.
Eat the Rainbow
We all know that a well-balanced diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, but did you know that the immune system needs nutrients from all kinds of different foods to function at its best? Try to include many different types of foods in your diet that include vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates and protein. Red, orange and yellow vegetables contain Vitamin C, and leafy greens include vitamins C, E and K, folate and other minerals.
Go outside
Getting outside each day has too many benefits to name, but the most important benefit during colder months is getting Vitamin D from sunlight. Daily exposure to the sun can also help your body better absorb vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. Being in nature and getting fresh air can also reduce anxiety, improve your sleep cycles, and help you to be social during COVID-19 when it’s much safer to interact with others outdoors.
Use a humidifier
Several studies have shown that viruses like the flu may spread more easily in dry air. Humidifiers work to add moisture to the air in your home. Humid air has also been shown to make virus particles more likely to fall out of the air quickly after an infected person has breathed or coughed. And, if you do come down with the sniffles, a humidifier will keep your nasal passages lubricated so there is less discomfort.
Hydrate Your Body
One of the most important but often most overlooked factor in keeping the body functioning its best to prevent illness is staying hydrated daily. Drinking more fluids may even boost immune system function, helping you fend off illness during the fall and winter months. You can even give your water a boost of natural vitamins by adding lemon, honey or even mint. If regular water gets boring, try a zero-calorie Cascade Ice Sparkling Water – available in many flavor options to keep you hydrated each day.
How do you keep your immune system running great? Tell us in the comments below! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
