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The advent of autumn brings pleasant weather, college football, and cozy sweaters. However, fall also brings cold and flu germs with it. Don’t let the sneaky transition into cooler weather leave you with a compromised immune system. Follow these tips to stay healthy so you won’t miss a minute of everything fall has to offer.
Cut down on processed food. During the enrichment and refinement process, packaged foods lose important nutrients, some which are then artificially added back in, reported R. Morgan Griffin on Web MD. This procedure leaves processed foods filled with artificial chemicals and a significantly reduced amount of nutrients. As the weather cools down, stick to whole fruits and vegetables, which are loaded with vitamins and minerals vital to staying healthy.
Stay stress-free. When our bodies are put under excessive stress, they aren’t able to function at 100 percent. The energy expended handling stress compromises our ability to get enough sleep and effectively fight viruses. Take a yoga class, read a book, get a massage, or even take a day off work and let yourself relax.
Drink water. Although drinking plenty of water cannot flush out viruses, it can prevent them from attacking. Real Simple reports that “staying well hydrated keeps the tissues of the respiratory system moist and helps the immune system work properly.” The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking between two and three liters per day to stay fully hydrated.
Get enough sleep. People who get less than seven hours of sleep per night are three times as likely to get sick as people who sleep eight hours or more, reported U.S. News. Sleep allows our bodies to replenish energy stores (link to article) and rejuvenate itself. Sleep deprivation or interrupted sleep hinders this process, keeping our bodies from recovering and preparing for the next day. Fitting in at least eight hours per night will help keep your immune system from slowing and becoming susceptible to cold and flu germs.
Don’t forget the old standbys. You’ve probably received much of the same advice year after year, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. As the weather cools down and cold and flu season heats up, remember to wash your hands frequently, dress appropriately for the weather, and get plenty of Vitamin C, which can be found in foods such as oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers.