Flu season is upon us. And between my daughter starting grade 1 and my son going off to preschool I need all the help I can get! So I have put together my list of immune system boosting tips to try and help you and your family get sick fewer times this flu season.
1. Elderberry Syrup
Health benefits of the elder plant include naturally improving colds, the flu, sinus issues, nerve pain, inflammation, chronic fatigue, allergies, constipation, and even cancer.
We get our elderberry syrup from Feel Good Syrup that is made here in Edmonton. My kiddos can’t get enough of this stuff and actually beg me for it.
For more great information all about Elderberries and how they help boost your immune system click here.
2. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep!
I know as parents this can be a tough one as the evening is our time. However, not getting your 8 hours a night could be putting your immune system at risk.
3. Take IV therapy
As the weather gets colder, it’s important to make sure you’re getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system. Vitamin C is particularly important for boosting immunity, so make sure to get plenty of citrus fruits or supplements. Other essential nutrients include vitamin D, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. One of the ways to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need is through an IV treatment. IV therapy delivers vitamins, and minerals directly into the bloodstream, so it’s a quick and effective way to get the benefits you need. Plus, there are many location-based therapies that can be tailored to your specific needs. Those who live in the US can consider getting local therapies, for example, there is IV vitamin therapy in Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio giving a variety of IV treatments that can be customized to your unique needs. Moreover, treatments are also administered by experienced and certified professionals.
4. Invest In Some Supplements
Supplements are great to add to your arsenal of defense against getting sick. But, there are certain ones that work better for others such as:
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Zinc
Echinacea
I usually take vitamin D and probiotics daily, but during this flu season, I’ll be enhancing my supplement routine with additional support. Incorporating specialized supplements like Gundry MD Mushroom Vitality steps in to fill these nutritional gaps, providing comprehensive nourishment to boost overall well-being.
5. Wash Your Hands
This is an obvious one but a crucial way to stopping the spread of illness. Did you know that handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections? I often carry a bottle of hand sanitizer in case I’m not able to wash my hands properly. But, I try to not use it TOO much ( it’s especially hard when they smell amazing) since it can also kill good bacteria on your hands.
6. Exercise
Yes, just some good old fashioned exercise can give that immune system the boost it needs.
Did you know that…
- Physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness.
- Exercise causes a change in antibodies and white blood cells. WBCs are the body’s immune system cells that fight disease. These antibodies or WBCs circulate more rapidly, so they could detect illnesses earlier than they might have before. However, no one knows whether these changes help prevent infections.
- The brief rise in body temperature during and right after exercise may prevent bacteria from growing. This temperature rise may help the body fight infection better. (This is similar to what happens when you have a fever.)
- Exercise slows down the release of stress hormones. Some stress increases the chance of illness. Lower stress hormones may protect against illness.
Information from Medline Plus