26 Jan How to Boost Your Immune System During Cold and Flu Season
With cold and flu season already upon us, it is crucial to keep our immune system running at peak performance. There are many activities that we can add to our daily routine to help our bodies stay strong during the Winter. Prescott Dentistry encourages their patients to use these immune system boosting tips to stay healthy through this cold and flu season.
- Drink plenty of water! Drinking water helps flush out any toxins from our system, especially toxins that can make us ill. Drinking water is also important for our teeth, too! Water contains many minerals necessary for proper physical and dental health.
- Eat Citrus! Citrus fruits, such as oranges, are high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C can stop a cold at the first sign of symptoms and is crucial for our health. Vitamin C is important for our immune system, as it is a natural cold fighter. If you do not like citrus fruitss, there are many daily supplements out there that are high in Vitamin C.
- Get some rest! Your body’s immune system is weak when it is running on low energy. Repeated days of not getting a full night’s sleep can really wear down your immune system. Sleep is essential for fighting colds and keeping our bodies healthy. It is recommended to get at least seven or eight hours of sleep per night to maintain your health.
- Make your stomach happy! The health of your stomach and intestines is crucial for digestion and for fighting off colds. Fermented foods, such as kombucha or sauerkraut, improve digestion by introducing healthy bacteria. If you are not interested in fermented foods, probiotics are also a stomach-approved way to keep good bacteria in your stomach that will naturally fight illness.
Because winter is known for an increased number of colds, changing our daily routine to be more health-oriented may help us to avoid many cases of cold and flu spreading across the US. These four tips are easy to add into our lifestyle and will ultimately lower our risk of contracting a seasonal illness. At Prescott Dentistry, we know that no one wants to start off 2018 with a cold! While you’re helping your immune system stay strong, don’t forget to floss and brush your teeth! Reducing the amount of “bad” bacteria in your mouth will also keep you healthy during cold and flu season. Prescott Dentistry wishes you a happy and healthy start to the new year!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/1/2017) Push Doctor (Flickr)