Think about all the things you can’t do when you’re not feeling well. Basically everything you love is less than pleasant if you’re under the weather; brunch with friends needs to be postponed, exercise is difficult, and family fun has to wait.
Your immune system is the number one defender against all sorts of maladies, from winter colds to helping heal cuts and scrapes. It’s constantly working to keep you feeling your best — even your skin gets involved! We’ve already examined how the immune system works, so let’s talk about why it’s important to do everything you can to keep it in optimal shape and how to support your immune health.
Cold and flu season is on the horizon.
Supporting your immune health is important all the time, not just when you feel like you’re getting sick. The better prepared your body is for potential viruses and colds, the better your chances are of bouncing back quicker.
There are a few things you can do to get ready for the season of sniffles and sore throats, starting with your nutrition. Eating a healthy diet of leafy greens and colorful fruits is one of the best ways to support your immune system — and your health in general. Kale, spinach, broccoli, citrus fruits, and strawberries are all excellent sources of vitamin C, one of the most important vitamins for supporting immune health.
Keep antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer in your car, your bag, and by the door for any guests who may visit. Be sure to wash your hands frequently with hot water. It’s a simple thing you can do to reduce the number of germs transmitted from everything from door handles to the office coffeemaker. Regularly wipe down your phone too; it’s constantly in your hand and could probably use a good cleaning.
Your immune health can impact many organs and body functions.
The immune system itself is made up of different organs and systems working together to protect and heal you. When you’re not feeling well, this can impact all sorts of processes in your body, from your respiratory function to your digestion. Think about how you feel when you’ve got a sinus infection or stuffy nose or when you’re dealing with food poisoning or a stomach bug.
You have so much going on — and so much to look forward to.
Nothing derails your life like getting a cold or being struck by the flu. You may have to reschedule events or take PTO from work as you recover, and that’s basically the opposite of fun. When you focus on supporting your immune health, you’re less likely to have to skip a birthday party or use up that precious vacation time.
Other people’s health depends on you.
If you have children in school or daycare, you know how quickly bugs and colds get passed around. Keeping on top of your immune health helps protect the people you see every day, from your family to friends and neighbors to coworkers and teachers, as well as yourself.
While you can’t walk around in bubble wrap to prevent yourself from getting sick, you can take the necessary precautions to support and strengthen your immune system to feel your best every day.
