Although the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in everyday colds and flus, there’s no doubt that our bodies are still more susceptible to common sniffles and aches and pains during the winter months. Knowing how to winter-proof your immune system naturally will help you feel better during the colder seasons.
Seasonal flu, for example, can make us feel like our bodies are wholly shut down. We feel pretty helpless, even if our immune systems are working hard behind the scenes to fight off the virus. Our immune systems are just like overprotective parents; it wants to shield us from harm!
In a nutshell, our immune systems protect bodies from infection. They are the first line of defence when fighting harmful pollutants and viruses, which are particularly rampant during the colder months.
Knowing how hard-working and vital immune systems are to overall health, we must look after and optimise them.
Here’s how to winter-proof your immune system naturally
Firstly, how do our immune systems work?
They create, store, and distribute the white blood cells that fight bacteria and viruses.
When the immune system comes into contact with a pathogen, it triggers an immune response. Our bodies then release antibodies that attach to antigens on the pathogens and kill them. Amazing!
How to boost your body naturally
There’s no single way to keep your immune system in top shape. It’s a complex system that requires several factors to operate efficiently. That’s because the immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balance and harmony. Thankfully, healthy habits and lifestyles go a long way.
Those include:
Fight flu with food. While food alone cannot fight off viruses, what you consume directly impacts everything from digestion to sleep. Friendly bacteria in foods like yoghurt, vitamin C-rich foods like oranges and peppers, and fruit and veg packed with antioxidants are all great at building protection against viruses. Protein furthermore protects the body; it builds and repairs tissues and helps make vital hormones and enzymes.
Support quality supplements that can help fill any nutritional gaps and support your overall health. KeyForHer supplements are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to the immune system's normal function.
Take a common-sense approach to well-being – that means not smoking, taking alcohol in moderation, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. Keep going with the hygiene lessons we learned from COVID-19; wash your hands frequently, wear a mask in crowded, public places, and avoid close contact with sick people.
Take more care as you age. That’s because our immune responses reduce over time. Getting older means you’re more likely to contract infectious diseases like seasonal flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia. So everyday hygiene precautions become more and more important the older we get.
Reduce stress levels. Chronic stress can significantly impact our health. When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. Stress also causes the release of the hormone cortisol; this hormone interferes and reduces the white blood cells present in our body. Consider mindfulness, deep breathing, and exercises to help calm your nervous system and reduce inflammation.
If you want to know more about how to boost your immune system, read our article on what are the best vitamins to take.
