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7 Tips For a Healthy Immune System During Cold and Flu Season
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Keep Your Body Moving
Because of increased traveling around the holidays, many people all but give up on their exercise routines. “Make a conscious effort to stay active while on the road,” advises Dr. Reeves. “If visiting relatives over the holidays, try coordinating a family walk during the warmest part of the day as a way to burn some calories and still spend quality time with the people you are there to visit.” Photo: stock exchange
Take Your Vitamins And Supplements
“As the hustle and bustle of the holidays ensues, it’s common for us to reach for pre-packaged snacks and convenience foods more often then we normally would. Clearly, these types of foods are not as high in essential vitamins and minerals as is freshly prepared fare,” Dr. Reeves explains. Make taking a multivitamin part of your daily routine. Consider adding other types of beneficial daily supplements, such as Vitamin D, fish oil, an optimized juice concentrate – like grape or the exotic mangosteen.
Eat Vitamin C-Rich Foods
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body against oxidative stress, and is an effective way to help bolster the immune system. There are several fruits high in Vitamin C that are readily available in the colder months: grapefruits, kiwis and oranges.
Keep It Clean
Experts agree that frequent hand washing using soap and water effectively removes potentially infectious material from the skin. “With all the hand-shaking and hugging you might be doing at holiday parties, being diligent about washing your hands is a no-brainer,” comments Dr. Reeves. “If you are in a pinch and can’t find a sink, use individually wrapped antibacterial towelettes or a small bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.”
Don’t Ditch The Doctor
At a time when you are worrying about what to buy and do for everyone on your holiday gift list, it’s hard to make time for yourself, especially in terms of a regular trip to the doctor’s office. To stay organized, Dr. Reeves advises signing-up for a reminder service such as MyHealthTestReminder.org, a free service that will send you an e-mail letting you know you when you are due for your next medical appointment, cholesterol test, colon cancer screening, diabetes test, mammogram, pap test or blood donation.
Get Vaccinated
Vaccinations aren’t just for kids! If you’re not allergic to seasonal flu vaccinations, it’s smart to get one as early as possible. In most places, flu shots will be available starting mid-fall.
Make Time To Rest
Just as daytime marathon shopping trips can exhaust you, the late nights of holiday parties can affect the quality and quantity of your sleep. “People typically over-schedule themselves during the holidays, which can take a major toll on the body,” explains Dr. Reeves. “In the evenings, don’t feel guilty about ducking out of an event early. The extra hour of sleep is much more beneficial to you than mingling until 1 a.m.”
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