How to Stay Healthy During Cold/Flu Season

Well is that time of the year again when the cold and flu are the most active. So I'm dedicating this month to how to take care of the immune system which is super important to stay healthy during this time of the year. ​The complex processes of your ​immune system are vital to your 

health. ​​When the immune system is compromised, even the most  common, harmless infections become a serious threat. The good news is there are things we can do to ensure the optimal functioning of our immune system. Without the immune system to help destroy these infectious agents, we'd all be sick all the time. So it is super important during this time to take care of the immune system as much as possible.

Your daily habits – including the foods you eat, exercise, sleep routines, environmental toxins, and emotional stress, have a significant effect on your immune function and can conspire to weaken immunity. To support your immune system, try to follow these lifestyle suggestions:

• Don't smoke.
• Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat. Preferably follow an anti-inflammatory diet.
• Reduce or eliminate refined sugar intake. Instead, moderately use sugar substitutes such as honey, agave, and maple syrup.
• Exercise regularly but not in excess. Studies show that at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week increases immune function. However, excessive exercise regimes can temporarily hinder immune function.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Control your blood pressure.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
• Reduce or eliminate your coffee intake (1 or 2 cups per day). There are also quite a few coffee substitute products that may be used as safe alternatives to coffee. Teeccino or Dandy Blend are great herbal substitutes.
• Stay Warm. Maintaining your body temperature helps your body defend against invasion by viruses. Viruses thrive and replicate faster when your body temperature drops;  even a drop of one degree leaves it more vulnerable to developing a full-blown illness.  If your temperature drops further (to the point of shivering), it is almost a sure thing that you will get sick, especially when combined with exposure to other elements such as wind, rain, or snow.

As you can see there are quite a few lifestyle changes that you can make to stay healthy this cold/flu season. Remember, I'm always here to help if you have any questions on how to take care of your immune system email me at Toni@drToniCamacho.com and click here to view my herbal formulas for immune support and cold/flu fighters.

See you next week
Toni