Autumn is now here and with it come the ills and chills. Discover five immune-boosting tips to keep them away.
1. Exercise
Short days and cold weather make it tempting to stay inside and ignore your workout, but if you do, your immune system will suffer. People who exercised at least five days a week had 43 percent fewer days with a cold during autumn and winter than those who broke a sweat less often. That's because during exercise and for three hours afterward, your body steps up the production of important germ-fighting cells called neutrophils. However, it's all about balance and moderation, so don't overdo it and run yourself into the ground. If your body starts to perceive your exercise as a stress, your immune system won't function well.
2. Stress
Stress creates biochemical changes in the body that cause the immune system to function less efficiently. If you're stressed out at work, ask a co-worker out to lunch, or go for a short walk. If you need extra support, try using Healthzone Stress Zone to support your stress levels and calm your body.
3. Vitamin D
The days are not only colder, but shorter. This means we don't see the sun as often, and find ourselves driving to work in the dark and returning home in the dark. If we work in an office, this may mean we might not even get the chance to enjoy a little bit of sunshine. Our bodies convert the sun’s rays into vitamin D, and without adequate levels of this vitamin, our immune cells produce fewer antibacterial proteins. This means they are less efficient at killing viruses and bacteria. Try eating more vitamin D-rich foods, such as fatty fish, (salmon, mackerel, etc) or try taking a daily supplement like Lighthouse Vitamin D3 with Coconut Oil.
4. Veges, veges and more veges
Comfort foods can be our best friend in the colder months, however, try to make comfort foods that are loaded with veges. Without enough nutrients from fruit and veges, the immune system becomes ill-equipped to prevent viruses from replicating, making you sick. Try to incorporate green vegetables like spinach, kale, bok choy, Brussels sprouts and broccoli into at least two meals a day.
5. Don't hibernate
Curling up on the couch may seem like a good way to shield yourself from illness, but going out with friends may actually keep you healthier. People with more friends, work pals and exercise buddies, are less likely to get sick than homebodies. Part of the reason may be that the super social people tend to take better care of themselves, eat healthier and exercise more. So this autumn make a point in replying “yes" to as many invitations as you can.
If you want any more information on immunity, see our caring staff at your local Health 2000 store.
By VANESSA SAYWELL
1. Exercise
Short days and cold weather make it tempting to stay inside and ignore your workout, but if you do, your immune system will suffer. People who exercised at least five days a week had 43 percent fewer days with a cold during autumn and winter than those who broke a sweat less often. That's because during exercise and for three hours afterward, your body steps up the production of important germ-fighting cells called neutrophils. However, it's all about balance and moderation, so don't overdo it and run yourself into the ground. If your body starts to perceive your exercise as a stress, your immune system won't function well.
2. Stress
Stress creates biochemical changes in the body that cause the immune system to function less efficiently. If you're stressed out at work, ask a co-worker out to lunch, or go for a short walk. If you need extra support, try using Healthzone Stress Zone to support your stress levels and calm your body.
3. Vitamin D
The days are not only colder, but shorter. This means we don't see the sun as often, and find ourselves driving to work in the dark and returning home in the dark. If we work in an office, this may mean we might not even get the chance to enjoy a little bit of sunshine. Our bodies convert the sun’s rays into vitamin D, and without adequate levels of this vitamin, our immune cells produce fewer antibacterial proteins. This means they are less efficient at killing viruses and bacteria. Try eating more vitamin D-rich foods, such as fatty fish, (salmon, mackerel, etc) or try taking a daily supplement like Lighthouse Vitamin D3 with Coconut Oil.
4. Veges, veges and more veges
Comfort foods can be our best friend in the colder months, however, try to make comfort foods that are loaded with veges. Without enough nutrients from fruit and veges, the immune system becomes ill-equipped to prevent viruses from replicating, making you sick. Try to incorporate green vegetables like spinach, kale, bok choy, Brussels sprouts and broccoli into at least two meals a day.
5. Don't hibernate
Curling up on the couch may seem like a good way to shield yourself from illness, but going out with friends may actually keep you healthier. People with more friends, work pals and exercise buddies, are less likely to get sick than homebodies. Part of the reason may be that the super social people tend to take better care of themselves, eat healthier and exercise more. So this autumn make a point in replying “yes" to as many invitations as you can.
If you want any more information on immunity, see our caring staff at your local Health 2000 store.
By VANESSA SAYWELL
Five immune boosting tips
Autumn is now here and with it come the ills and chills. Discover five immune-boosting tips to keep them away.