Staying Healthy During Flu Season
Here at Empowering Punch, of course we aim to keep you fit and healthy, but a big part of our job is to also equip you with tools and information to allow you to live your best life and share your knowledge with friends and loved ones.
With good reason, many of us are extra-anxious about entering flu season this year. We’ve all been masked up for 7 months trying to stay safe from Covid, and now we’re on guard trying to avoid the dreaded seasonal flu.
Empowering Punch is here to give you some tips and tricks on how to stay healthy and avoid getting ‘knocked out’ this cold and flu season.
According to Harvard Medical School, the idea of boosting your immunity is enticing, but the ability to do so has proved elusive for several reasons. The immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. With that said, you are definitely increasing your odds of side-stepping those microbial invaders by living a healthy lifestyle.
You can set yourself up for success by following some simple strategies:
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- 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.
- Try to minimize stress.
According to Huffington Post, “Eating a balanced diet to ensure you’re not deficient in any key nutrients is a key way to help your immune system function at its best. ‘That’s not just the classic vitamin C and zinc, but all the essential nutrients and getting enough protein, because that’s the building block of all the cells and antibodies in our immune system,’ Jenna Macciochi, an immunologist based at the University of Sussex, interjects.”
Another way to stay on the defensive is to ensure your diet is flourished with whole plant foods. Healthline reports that fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that may give you an upper hand against harmful pathogens. It’s the fiber in plant foods that feeds your gut microbiome, or the community of healthy bacteria in your gut. A robust gut microbiome can improve your immunity and help keep harmful pathogens from entering your body via your digestive tract
And what if you’d like to add some flavor to your flu-fighting regimen? According to Longevity, some immunity-boosting foods include ginger, elderberries and mushrooms. Sometimes, garlic intake may even do the trick. “You often see people preparing garlic concoctions for the flu and colds. One primary uses of garlic is to boost immune function.”
Lastly, a regular exercise regime brings it all together. As MedlinePlus suggests, physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways, which can reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness. Exercise improves circulation and reduces inflammation in the body.
How are you planning on boosting your immune system to fight the flu season? Comments are always welcome.
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This article was originally published on the Empowering Punch website.
And for more information on Paul Scianna, co-owner of Empowering Punch, head here. He’ll get you in the best shape of your life — faster than ever! Custom workouts, easy-to-follow nutrition and priceless accountability — all at your fingertips!
Notable Resources:
Exercise and Immunity. (2020, October 8).
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How to Boost Your Immune System. (2014, September).
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Shoemaker, SaVanna. (2020, April 1). 9 Ways to Boost Your Body’s Natural Defenses.
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https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-boost-immune-health#6.-Engage-in- moderate-exercise
