Mama said it best: eat your vegetables and get to bed on time — that’s the secret to staying healthy.
Fall is the most wonderful time of the year. Children get back into a routine, the often oppressive heat of the summer dissipates, and the leaves show us all how beautiful it is to let go. Unfortunately, while beauty is in the air, so is the flu. Fall is the best time to put a renewed focus on your health and prepare for the winter months. Here are some of the best ways to boost your immune system.
Get More Sleep
Staying healthy isn’t just about what you eat or drink. It’s about looking at the bigger picture and evaluating how you care for your mind and body. Who are the people you spend the most time with? Where does your health fall on your list of priorities?
A critical aspect of holistic health is getting enough sleep. Not only does it help with hormonal regulation and weight management, but rest also gives your body what it needs to fight infections and offset illness.
Work on creating a sleep schedule to ensure that you’re getting the recommended eight hours a night. Here are a few tips for effective sleep:
- Unplug from technology at least an hour before bedtime. Leave your phone in another room or an inconvenient location to remove temptation.
- Create an atmosphere for sleep: dark, moderately cool, noise-blocking capabilities, etc.
- Use a sleep tracker app to help identify changes in your sleep cycle.
The nights are getting longer. Take advantage and get some sleep.
Eat Veggies at Every Meal
A lot of modern diets focus on the macronutrients– carbohydrates, fat, and protein. These are the nutrients your body needs in large quantities to function.
To boost your immune system, start focusing more on your micronutrients– the vitamins and minerals that work hard behind the scenes. The easiest way to do this is to start eating a serving of vegetables at every meal. Yes, even breakfast.
Your vegetables don’t need to be elaborate. Having a small breakfast salad with your eggs or throwing spinach in a smoothie is all it takes to start your day off right. Add a cup or two of raw carrots to the side of your sandwich at lunch and steam some cauliflower to go with dinner. Start small to create a habit. Your body will thank you.
Take Vitamin Supplements
While getting your vitamins and minerals from whole foods (vegetables, fruit, unprocessed foodstuffs, etc.) is ideal, sometimes you need a little help to fill the gaps.
Consider taking a vitamin supplement to help ensure your body is getting what it needs. A simple multi-vitamin is often enough for a boost. If you are prone to seasonal depression, talk to a medical professional about adding a separate vitamin D supplement to keep you happy and healthy during the fall and winter months.
Drink Lots of Water
Water is the elixir of life. Drinking enough water is especially vital in the fall for maintaining and boosting your immunity. Not only does it help your body function at an optimal level, but water also flushes toxins from your system regularly. By drinking enough water, you’re not giving germs a chance.
These simple tasks could make all the difference as we get into the flu season. Mama said it best: eat your vegetables and get to bed on time — that’s the secret to staying healthy.
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