Top 5 Tips for Staying Healthy This Season

You know what a drag it is to get sick. You wake up in the morning and can feel the beginning signs of that sore throat or upset stomach on the horizon.  You wish it away, drink a glass of orange juice and head off to work or school hoping you are just imagining things. But you only get about half-way through your day before the realty starts sinking in…dum da dum dum…You are getting sick.

With the change in the season and school-spread germs back in action after summer recess, you are more susceptible to fall time colds, flu’s and sinus infections. The good news is that you DO stand a fighting change to ward off sicknesses by arming your immune system with an arsenal of healthy habits.

Top 5 Tips for Staying Healthy this Season

#5- Sleep! In a recent survey by the Center for Disease Control, only 30 percent of respondents said they got sufficient sleep. Your body needs restful sleep in order to keep your immune system functioning correctly. Not only that, but sufficient sleep has been linked to healthy weight as well so make sure you are getting your 8 hours a night.

#4- Eat the Part. Vegetables and fruits are nature’s multivitamin. Eat plenty of vegetables that are high in vitamin C, zinc, beta carotene and other important nutrients. Use this great vitamin chart to see what veggies will give you the best bang for your buck.

#3- Move it! Don’t quit your exercise regimen now.  Keep your body strong and your immune system will follow. Do 30 minutes of cardio 2 or 3 times/week to keep yourself in tip top shape. Even better- get outdoors. Natural sunlight helps your body produce Vitamin D!

#2- Supplement. Getting your nutrients from vegetables and fruits is important but not always enough. Take a multivitamin recommended by your pharmacist or doctor to make sure you are giving your immune system the strength it needs.

#1- Wash Up. Be mindful of germy areas and keep your hands clean as much as possible. Especially after using a shopping cart, public bathrooms, etc- be sure to wash your hands. Hand sanitizers are also useful and can be used when you don’t have running water and hand soap available.

If you can avoid even one nastly cold this fall season using the steps above, that’s what we call health “assurance”.