How to Build a Stronger Immune System

With cold season just around the bend, many people’s thoughts turn to keeping themselves healthy.  If you tend to get cold after cold, you may have a weak immune system.  If you think this may be the case, then it is time to boost it up!  Here are some ways to build a stronger immune system. 

Dieting

The first thing that will need your attention is your diet.  What you eat each day directly affects how your immune system is works.  Think of your body like a car.  If you put the best quality fuel in it, it runs great and lasts a long time.  If, however, you are buying cheap gas or, worse yet, filling your tank up with things that aren’t even gas, you are going to have a problem.  Junk food, fast food, and a stream of sodium laden microwave dinners are not going to keep your body running at its best.  Start slowly and make small changes one at a time to your eating habits so the changes will stick.  Instead of sugary, full of nothing good candy bars you pull out of the vending machines at work, why not keep fresh fruit, nuts, and other healthy choices at your desk? 

Some of the top immune boosting foods and spices include berries such as blueberries and raspberries, garlic, yogurt, green tea, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, broccoli, oranges, spinach, mushrooms, carrots, asparagus, parsley, thyme, turmeric, eggs, tomatoes, walnuts, and apples.  Basically, if it comes from a box or requires a ton of packaging it is probably best to skip.  If it is in the produce section, can be eaten raw, or has little to no packaging, it is your immune system's friend, so load up on it!  A diet that is diverse in healthy foods will give you an immune system that is in top shape.    

Boosting Your Immune System

The next step to boost your immune system?  Exercise!  I know, first we tell you to eat healthy, and now this.  In all honesty exercise is important if you want a healthy immune system and a healthy body.  Just 30 minutes of exercise a day will help.  If you think about it; that is a very small investment when it comes to your 24-hour day. And is one with a lot of payback.  Besides boosting up the immune system exercise increases your circulation, keeps your weight down, and helps your brain function at its peak too. 

Next, you need to get plenty of sleep.  Finally a step that requires very little effort on your part!  Sleep is the time the body repairs itself and produces things that help fight off illnesses.  If you don’t get enough sleep not only are you more likely to get sick this season, it will also take a lot longer for you to get well. 

Attitude

Smile.  No really!  Smiling helps relieve stress, and stress is directly related to a weak immune system.  Try to take some time for yourself each day to breathe deeply, let go of the tensions of the day and let your whole body relax.  Even if all you can spare is 15 minutes a day you may see a big difference.  Cultivating an overall positive attitude has even been shown in studies to boost the immune system, so think happy thoughts too! 

Hand washing, taking a multivitamin, avoiding toxins such as nicotine, and only taking antibiotics when you absolutely have to will help keep your immune system running well. 

Follow these steps and you can be at your healthy best and soon flu and cold season may simply turn into fun in the wintery cold season.