Tips to Stay Healthy in Colder Weather
Tips to stay healthy
There are a handful of easy, preventative things you can do to strengthen your immune system. A strong immune system allows your body to fight off viruses better and is the best way we have to stay healthy. Nobody likes to get sick, especially when there are so many things to get done each day. So we’ve outlined four ways you can protect yourself.
Increase your Vitamin C intake
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant found in fresh fruits and vegetables. It supports our immune system and helps to treat and prevent many diseases and viruses. You can either buy vitamin C in supplement form or get it from your food. Citrus fruits like, oranges, lemons, limes or grapefruits are the most well-known sources. Vegetables like green peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, dark leafy greens and cabbage are also good sources of vitamin C. In addition, they are less sweet than the fruit options. However, it’s best to eat these raw, since the vitamin C content is generally lost with cooking.
Eat more garlic to stay healthy
Garlic will strengthen your immune system. This popular food not only makes a great addition to most dishes, it also has antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic and antifungal properties. It can allow relieve symptoms of the flu, sinusitis and act as a fever reducer. Studies on garlic have even shown its effects to be comparable to prescription antibiotics. Incorporating more garlic into your diet can be an easy way to bolster your immune system.
Take Echinacea daily
Echinacea is another strong immune-support. This herb is antiviral, antibacterial and increases cell production and cell activity. Additionally, it is incredibly helpful to prevent colds. There have been several studies that show Echinacea to reduce the duration of the common cold. It has even been shown to stop a cold that has already begun.
Lower your sugar intake
Sugar is a huge cause in a weak immune system. This includes all forms of sugar including alcohol. Try the best you can to limit your intake. How a person eats plays a serious role in how strong our immune system is. That’s why it’s so important to drink a lot of water, eat plenty of vegetables and other healthy, wholesome foods.
Reduce stress
Meditate to reduce stress
Spend a few minutes to meditate each day. Research suggests that meditation can alter your brain so that you are more resilient to stress. To meditate, just sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Then close your eyes and try to quiet your mind. Focus on positive thoughts or mantras. You can also use this time as quiet reflection. Meditation can either be done quietly or by reciting out loud.
Listen to music
Music is linked to lower blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety. Soft classical music can help you focus your mind and relax. Or, if you’re looking to blow off some steam, you can rock out to your favorite rock songs, releasing stress by singing along and jamming out.
Exercise
When a person exercises it can quickly reduce stress. Not only does it release feel-good endorphins, but it can help ease depression and anxiety. All types of exercise can be good for your mental health, whether it be running the treadmill at the gym, or going for a walk or dancing. Just get moving.
How to get help if you feel overwhelmed
Lifeline Connections offers an integrated, holistic approach that includes therapy and case management. In addition, our doctors specialize in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Above all, they can work to design a custom plan for wellness. Additionally, secure treatment is over the phone or computer with telehealth, providing coping skills for grief, loss, depression and anxiety. In short, they will work with you one-on-one to get you feeling better. So, contact us and reclaim your life.
