Cold and flu season is coming and COVID isn’t going anywhere. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting out and enjoying Fall festivities. During the Fall season, I want to visit an apple orchard, go on long hikes, and watch my nieces and nephews play soccer and baseball. I can’t do any of these fun activities if I’m at home sick. Are you looking for simple strategies to support your immune system? If you are keep reading.
What are immune systems?
The body’s defense against infections. Our immune system attacks germs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa to keep you and me healthy. You can’t have good immunity with a poor diet. Adding a variety of nutrient-rich foods to your plate is a vital part of supporting a functioning immune system.
Nutrient-rich foods are vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seafood, fish, legumes, poultry, dairy products, nuts, and seeds.
Here Are 5 Ways to Support Your Immune System Now
- Cook more at home. Restaurant foods tend to be less healthy than foods cooked at home. Restaurant food contains more calories per meal, more saturated fat, more sugar, and more sodium.
- Be more active daily. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. For adults, getting less than seven hours of sleep a night on a regular basis has been linked with poor health, including weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression.
- Manage stress levels. Chronic stress is not good for anyone’s health. Chronic stress may increase blood pressure and heart rate, headaches, depression/anxiety, and over the long term, an increased risk for heart disease.
- Go outdoors often. Studies show that being outside in green spaces increases life expectancy, improves sleep quality, and reduces cancer risk. Walking outside in nature is relaxing, reducing our stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension, and heart rates.
How will you support your immune system?
Nutritionally Yours,
Jerlyn
