1. Keep Your Immune System Functioning Properly
Your immune system defends your body against infection. That’s why keeping your immune system functioning properly during cold and flu season is so important.
Three diet and lifestyle factors that can influence your immune response in a positive way are exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
2. Eat Seasonally
Fruits and vegetables that are grown and consumed during proper seasons are more nutritionally dense than out-of-season produce. A study monitoring the vitamin C content of broccoli found that broccoli grown during its peak season in the fall had double the amount of vitamin C compared to vitamin C grown in the spring.
In addition to containing more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, seasonal foodsare also less expensive, richer in flavor, and more environmentally friendly. Some fruits and veggies that are in season during the fall months are apples, cranberries, pears, arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, eggplant, peppers, pumpkin, kale, squash, sweet potatoes, wild mushrooms, and zucchini.
3. Get Enough Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and immune system function. Typically, your body absorbs vitamin D through your skin’s exposure to the sun. However, as autumn days get shorter, you have to be even more mindful about your vitamin D intake and make sure that you’re getting enough vitamin D each and every day.
While spending time in the sun is a good way to get your daily dose of vitamin D, you can also get vitamin D through your diet. Some foods that are rich in vitamin Dare fatty fish (like salmon), eggs, mushrooms, and fortified foods such as cow’s milk, soy milk, orange juice, oatmeal, and cereal. Vitamin D supplements can also be taken to maintain appropriate vitamin D levels throughout the fall and winter.
4. Switch Up Your Fitness Routine
Physical activity helps maintain a healthy lifestyle and improves blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels, which are all extremely important to heart health. And since we want you to keep your heart happy, make sure not to let the cooler weather stop you from exercising if you live in a colder climate.
All you have to do is simply switch up your fitness routine. So, if you’re someone who likes to run outdoors, try a new indoor class like kickboxing or salsa instead this fall. You can also workout at the gym or at home, too.
5. Allow Your Body To Rest And Recharge
If you want your immune system to function at full strength in order to give yourself the best shot at avoiding illness during cold and flu season, you need to allow your body to rest and recover from the day. One of the best way to do this is by getting seven to nine hours of consistent, high-quality sleep each night, which is what your body requires to recharge and keep your immune system strong.
6. Make Sure To Hydrate
You’re actually at a higher risk of becoming dehydrated during the autumn months than you are in the summer. Sounds crazy, right?
Well, it turns out that in the hot summer months, we’re more aware of the fact that we need to hydrate. However, in the fall, we’re not as likely to drink as much water since we’re usually drinking warm beverages like coffee, tea, or hot cider instead. So, make sure that you’re hydrating properly and drinking enough water throughout the entire fall season.
7. Stop The Spread Of Germs
There are several preventative actions that you can take every day in order to stop the spread of germs. Some of these preventative actions include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands often with soap and water, and not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth since that’s how germs spread.
By taking care of yourself this fall, you’ll be setting yourself up for excellent winter health!
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