20 ways to boost your immune system heading into cold and flu season

If you’re tired heading into cold and flu season, great news: sleep will help boost your immune system. Enough and quality sleep shouldn’t be reserved for when you’re sick. Get into a good rhythm so you can prevent sickness rather than using it as a tool to get over something. 

Alcohol is a toxin, and drinking too much of it can have serious adverse effects on your health. If you’re looking to boost your immune system, examine your relationship with alcohol. If there are ways you can cut back, do. Your body will thank you for it. 

On the other hand, water is great for your body. If you’d rather incorporate something into your diet than remove something, drink more water. It’ll prepare your body to fend off viruses that float around the next few months. 

Your body needs nutrients to ward off potentially harmful viruses, so load up on vegetables. Anything green is a good place to start, particularly leafy greens, broccoli, and asparagus, all of which are plentiful as summer ends and fall begins. 

The pirates were on to something when they advised their crew to eat plenty of citrus fruits. Granted, that was to avoid getting scurvy, but the advice is applicable to the common cold and flu. 

Easier said than done, but reducing your stress levels will go a long way in keeping you healthy ahead of cold and flu season. If you’re feeling particularly stressed heading into fall and winter, identify the reason(s) and see what you can do to alleviate how you’re feeling. 

Stopping smoking is good for your health in many ways, but it’s especially helpful if you’re looking to boost your immune system. Both your heart and your lungs will function better without a smoking habit — and that goes for all substances. 

Regular exercise also boosts the immune system. Fall is a great time to set up new routines, so if you haven’t incorporated exercise into your daily life already, now is a great time to start. 

Be sure to maintain a healthy weight to boost your immune system, too. But remember that dozens of factors go into a healthy weight, and it means something different for everyone, so consult your doctor if you have any questions. 

If you’re not getting all the recommended minerals and nutrients through your diet, consider taking supplements to make up for that loss. Talk to your doctor before doing so, but know that it’s an option if you’re looking for ways to boost your immune system. 

If you’ve been go, go, go this summer, take the fall to relax and unwind if you can. It’ll allow your body time to catch up and reset, which will help your immune system. Running on empty is a surefire way to come down with an illness.

Don’t totally retreat, though. Socialization is great for your physical and mental health, and being around others will likely expose you to some viruses, which can also boost your immune system. 

If you’re laughing at this tip, good. Laughter truly is great medicine. Laughter boosts your mood, and when you’re in good spirits, your health is better, too. If you’ve been toying with binging a must-see sitcom, now is the time to do it. 

Some of the most basic tips are the most important. If you want to keep your immune system healthy, make sure you’re washing your hands. Scrub them down whenever necessary to avoid spreading unwanted germs. 

Probiotics can help boost immunity, so if you’re low on ingesting them, find ways to incorporate them into your diet. You can take a supplement, or you can eat them through foods like yogurt, kombucha, and kimchi. 

Ginger is a great immune-boosting food. If you don’t get enough of it, try incorporating it into your smoothies, tea, or even your coffee. There are also plenty of ginger supplements available. 

Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against certain illnesses, too. Plenty of virus strains circulate every year that are totally preventable, so ask if getting a yearly vaccination is a good choice for you. 

Nuts are wonderful for your immune system, so start eating more. Have them by the handful, use them to top a salad, or even use them as a garnish on a sundae. Do whatever it takes to increase your nut intake.  

Did you know that exposure to animals is good for your immune system? Those who spend more time with pets are less likely to experience certain illnesses. If you don’t have a pet of your own, ask a friend or family member if you can spend some time at their house. 

It might be tough to do, but you’ll feel much better if you reduce the amount of added sugar you eat. If you crave sweets, try to sate it by eating foods with natural sugars. Berries are a particularly good option as they have immune-boosting powers.