Every one around you is getting sick! How do you stay healthy? By boosting your immune system! There are so many reasons why people get sick more often during this time of year and no, it has nothing to do with the cold weather. That’s one thing our grandmothers were wrong about. You’re not going to catch a cold because you didn’t zip up your jacket…sorry grandma! So what causes us to get sick during this time of year and how can we protect ourselves?
Our bodies were created to protect us from sickness. We have an amazing system inside of us that is created to fight off anything that tries to stop our bodies from working properly. As I’m sure you know, I’m talking about our immune system. But if you don’t give your immune system the resources it needs to function, then it can’t do its job. Sort of like your car, if you don’t put gas in your car, or change the oil, or have tires with good tread, it may work for a short period of time, but eventually it will break down. Your body works the same way. You can only function for so long without giving it the proper resources.
I know I’ll probably jinx myself by saying this, but I haven’t had a full blown cold in about 3 years (the same exact time I started to workout 3 days a week and eat healthier). Even if you aren’t able to increase your workout out time or drastically change your diet, there are still small changes that can have a huge impact on fighting off the flu season.
Boost Your Immune System by… Adding to your Diet!
Add to your diet. Yes, I said add. Add water and vegetables. Increasing your consumption of vital vitamins and minerals while flushing out any toxins, will allow your body to protect itself from viruses and bacteria that cause us to get sick. Most of us do not get enough vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. While supplements can help (I know it’s a debatable topic), nothing compares to the nutritional value of the food we were created to consume. Some of us go days without eating a vegetable. That’s days without a significant source of vitamins and nutrients that build a healthy immune system. If you can be intentional about adding a cup of veggies and more water to your diet each day, you would be amazed at the benefits. Clear, glowing skin, more energy, strong immune system, and less aches and pains. For more details and simple ways to add veggies to your diet, check out my blog from November.
Boost Your Immune System by… Moving Your Body!
Move your body. Movement is so key. You don’t have to join a gym or aerobics class to add movement to your day. It can be as simple as taking your dog for a walk, parking at the back of the lot (shouldn’t be a problem this time of year), or do jumping jacks and push ups while you watch the Hallmark Christmas movies. Even a small amount of movement can increase your body’s ability to fight off a cold.
Boost Your Immune System by…Getting More Sleep!
Get enough sleep. This. Is. So. Important. Your body needs time to rest and replenish so that it can work hard all day to fight off all those germs you’re naturally exposed to. When you sleep, your body heals damaged cells, your brain recharges, and your IMMUNE SYSTEM IS BOOSTED. You can google all the scientific details on how this happens, but it’s the way our bodies were created. To rest. To replenish. To repair.
If you don’t give your body the resources that it needs, it can’t do its job very well. Fueling your body with the right foods, moving it daily and resting to restore its resources, are all simple, easy ways to keep yourself well during the winter months. Of course, good hygiene always helps too! Grandma was right about washing your hands.
To your health,
Coach Leslie J.
