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Are you worried about all the colds, flus, and viruses going around? Or would you just like to stay healthy overall? Here are 8 tips for staying healthy!
1. Wash Your Hands
This one is a no-brainer, something parents, grandparents, and teachers have all been telling us to do for years. Washing your hands prevents the spread of germs. So, anytime you open a door or shake hands, wash your hands,
2. Eat Whole Foods
Last year we did a whole post on why you should eat fresh and organic food; you can check that out here.
Whole foods are full of nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to keep you healthy and well. By eating whole foods all the time, you build up your immune system so that you have a healthy army ready to defend you anytime any germs get in. Think of eating whole foods as a preventive and one of your best defenses.
3. Cut Back on Sugar and Alcohol
Just like eating whole foods cutting back on sugar will help your immune system. Sugar starts compromising your immune system thirty minutes after you ingest it and can continue to compromise it for up to five hours!
Since alcohol turns into sugar in the blood, the same holds true for it; you may be thinking that's not a big deal, but...that's just eating one sugary thing. What if you ate sugary cereal for breakfast, a little cake at lunch, a soda during the afternoon, and after dinner you decided to have a piece of pie...you've kept your immune system compromised for the entire day, leaving it susceptible to any and all germs you came in contact with.
Cutting back on sugar is a big undertaking, but one your immune system and your body will thank you for!
4. Exercise regularly
Exercising regularly helps you move toxins out of your body by activating your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of all your lymph nodes, and often when you are sick or fighting something, the lymph nodes in your neck swell.
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, helping keep you healthy and well. When you exercise and move, it helps your lymphatic system to push the germs from your body, thus helping you stay well. As a bonus, if you exercise outside, the fresh air helps to cleanse your body, also helping to keep you healthy! So by exercising outside, you can reap the benefits of both!
5. Stay Hydrated
Drinking water will help your body function properly, helping it stay on top of any threats to your health. It is estimated that around 75% of adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic dehydration, drinking only 2.5 cups a day on average.
Most people live their lives on soda, coffee, or other such beverage, and the problem with that is soda and coffee dehydrate the body further.
Your goal should be to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, though half your body weight in ounces is the recommended daily amount.
6. Take Vitamins
We did a post back at the beginning of the school year on vitamins to stay healthy, and those apply here; you can look at that post here.
As mentioned in the post linked above, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Vitamin C are some of the best vitamins and minerals to help support your immune system.
7. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep needs can vary from person to person, but in general, it is recommended that healthy adults sleep an average of 7 to 9 hours per night. That means getting to bed by 10:30 PM so you can get up and get ready for work by 6:00 AM the next morning.
You, as a whole person, will function much better if you get the right amount of sleep. Making you not only a healthier person but a more present person as well.
8. Manage Your Stress
High amounts of stress take a toll on the immune system, suppressing it and wearing it down. Managing your stress will help you ward off sickness and help you feel better overall.
Some ways to help manage stress are to practice deep breathing, restorative exercises, and spend time outside.
You could even try this anxiety-reducing smoothie to kick your morning off!
Conclusion
Sometimes staying healthy is a hard task, and if you follow all these tips, there is no guarantee you won't get sick, but I can say for sure that you won't get sick as often. Try them out and see for yourself!