Most cold and flu infections are seasonal. And it is usually experienced during the winter months. Of course, we cannot prevent every disease. However, by taking some precautions, we can protect our bodies against flu and cold infections. Who wouldn't want a healthy body instead of a sore body, an irritated, red nose, cough, and sore throat? You can fight germs more easily with restorative living measures that support your immune system. With this list full of tips to help you prevent seasonal flu, you can spend the winter without the disease.
1. Take a More Balanced Diet
Balanced nutrition is the basis of a long and healthy life. In order to stay away from seasonal flu and similar viral illnesses, you need to pay attention to your diet. Try to include foods and beverages rich in prebiotics and probiotics whenever possible.
Make sure that the meals you create by focusing on fruits and vegetables are "colorful." Don't let viruses pass with lycopene-rich red, beta-carotene-yellow vegetables, and antioxidant-rich purple vegetables. Take care to consume antioxidant broccoli, which is a healthy source on its own, throughout the season. Do not miss spinach from your table, which strengthens the immune system's fight against infection.
2. Use Vitamin D Supplements
Studies show that most of us cannot meet our daily vitamin D needs. Vitamin D deficiency affects our body in an extensive range. Vitamin D deficiency, which causes the immune system to be weakened, can manifest itself as symptoms such as growth retardation and cardiovascular disorders.
Our body may not get the vitamin D it needs in the winter months from the sun. That can leave the body vulnerable to disease. You can take advantage of vitamin D supplements to increase body resistance against infections such as the flu. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for the best supplement dosage for you.
3. Remember to Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise provides benefits beyond keeping your body in shape. By exercising, you can boost the circulation of disease-fighting white blood cells. Besides, regular exercise prevents chronic diseases as well as inflammation. Hormones secreted during exercise reduce your stress level. You can make your body more resistant to infections by walking three days a week.
4. Don't Be a Night Owl
Regardless of the sickness period, regular sleep is essential for a fit body. We need at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day to maintain our mental and physical functions healthy. Balanced and quality sleep is essential for the secretion of cytokines, a type of protein that helps the body fight infection.
Try not to compromise on sleep quality and regularity to be resistant to viruses and feel better. Moreover, regular sleep supports your immune system by keeping your circadian rhythm in balance.
5. Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
Alcohol lowers the body's immune-enhancing capacity by damaging vital parts of the immune system. Thus, alcohol leaves the body vulnerable to diseases. In addition, regular alcohol consumption leaves the body dehydrated. Since the dehydrated body cannot remove toxins, the immune system weakens.
Similarly, smoking increases the risk of infection by causing structural changes in the respiratory system. You can try to reduce alcohol and cigarette consumption to step into a healthier life and avoid the flu.
6.Smile More
We now know that stress and anxiety threaten our physical health as well as the quality of life. New research shows that thinking positively by managing personal stress is very useful in fighting flu. You can try yoga, meditation, breathing, and conscious awareness practices to combat stress, one of the biggest problems of the modern age, and taste the long-term effects of happiness and inner peace on your health.
7. Take Care of Personal Hygiene
You can reduce your chances of getting the flu by paying a little more attention to personal hygiene. In order not to be the target of quickly spreading viruses such as the flu, you can abandon the use of everyday items. It is also possible to provide extra protection by frequently disinfecting electronic items such as mobile phones and tablets that you often use during the day.
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