If we’ve learned anything this year, I hope many of us come out realizing the importance of our health. As temperatures cool down drier air affects the body’s ability to fight off certain germs, like those that cause the common cold and flu. Colder weather also means more reason to stay inside, where central heating can dry out nasal passages and make it easier for germs to get into our systems.
Here to educate and address all things health and wellness the Nupeutics Health team – led by founder Dr. Munzer Sundos, Ph.D and in-house health advisor Bernadette Judge, RN (“Nurse B”) -urge everyone to boost our body’s ability to fight off germs before they make us sick. Here are 5 proven ways to give yourself added protection from illness.
- Create a happy gut. Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract makes up a large part of your immune system – up to 70 percent! The holidays often tempt us to overindulge in high-sugar or processed food and alcohol, which force our gut to work harder and reduce our natural immune abilities. While these yummy treats are fine in moderation, try eating more balanced meals and snacks as much as possible to give your gut a fighting chance against germs.
- Practice good hygiene. Your first line of defense is to keep the germs away with good personal cleansing habits. Wash hands frequently with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Thoroughly clean and cover all open cuts. These simple actions alone can help power away germs before they ever get a chance to reach your system.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Studies show that not getting enough sleep greatly affects how well your immunity cells function. While you sleep, your body is able to rest and recharge itself. So, make a sleep routine and stick to it. Be sure to turn off all electronics at least one hour before bed to help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
- Take your vitamins. Making sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs to function properly is essential to smooth immune function. Some of these we can consume by eating lots of leafy greens, fruits, and other whole foods. However, supplementing with over-the-counter products helps us get everything we need to fight wintertime germs. For example, Vitamin D can help lower your risk of chronic infections, while Vitamin C is linked to better immunity. Elderberry is also a fantastic natural supplement, proven to help boost immunity as part of a healthy diet. Not sure which supplement to choose? Click here to browse the Nupeutics collection of best-selling wellness blends.
- Watch your stress levels. The bottom line: stress hurts our immune system. The holidays are a challenging and busy time, so making sure to keep stress levels low can help maintain your good health. If you start to feel overwhelmed with holiday pressures, schedule time for yourself, try deep breathing exercises, or practice yoga and meditation. Studies also show that supportive relationships and healthy social interactions can help to lower stress. Need more ideas? Visit our recent post with tips for naturally reducing holiday stress!
The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
