Flu season is approaching, and this year, there are heightened concerns and uncertainties and even more reason to be prepared. Flu season generally peaks from December to February, but it’s wise to plan and focus now on boosting your immunity to help mitigate against flu and other viruses.
Before we talk about immune support though, let’s take a closer look at the immune system.
What is the immune system?
Your immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues and organs that together help the body fight infections and other diseases. When germs such as bacteria or viruses invade your body, they attack and multiply — this is an infection. The infection causes disease that makes you sick, and it’s your immune system that protects you from the disease by fighting off the germs.
Only a healthy, balanced immune system can protect against the threat of a single or multiple viruses, strengthen a strong response for vaccination and help with stress and various other health concerns we expect during the fall and winter seasons.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your immune system is working well. The good news is there are certain things you can do to protect and boost your immune system.
Tips to boost your immune system
Look for opportunities to reduce stress. Lowering your stress levels is crucial and may be one of the most important changes you can make. Consider daily meditation or a 10-minute yoga flow, either to start or end your day. Look for opportunities to build some downtime into your day whether it’s to take a walk on your lunch break or enjoy a cup of tea. Finding time to unwind is so important and will make a difference in how you feel and enhance your immune system.
Make time for exercise. Exercise increases metabolic activity, mitochondria functions, better absorption from food, and better blood flow that increases nutrition supply to cells and detoxification processes on the cell and organ level. With better cell nutrition and energy supply, all organs work better, including the brain. Exercise helps to reduce stress and your immune system to perform at a high level. You should try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate cardio like walking, swimming, biking or running each day.
Don’t neglect sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, when it comes to your health, sleep plays an important role. Without sufficient sleep, your body makes fewer cytokines, which is a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, which is responsible for effectively creating an immune response. Additionally, chronic sleep loss makes the flu vaccine less effective by reducing your body’s ability to respond, so make sure you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night to boost your defenses.
Enhance your immune system. Find an immune support supplement that will complement your immune system and help protect it against the threat of virus. del-IMMUNE V is an immunomodulator that supports the immune system’s ability to protect the body against all kinds of pathogens and threats, including viruses. It also protects against bacteria, traumas, environmental aggressive agents and stress. del-IMMUNE V provides immediate immune support, but it’s worth taking all year long, and, specifically during flu season.
Practice good hygiene. Hygiene is high on the list of priorities these days, and for good reason. Washing your hands, alone, is a small activity that can lead to big health benefits. Here are some others to consider this season.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay at least 6 feet from other people when outside your home.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
· Cover coughs and sneezes.
· Clean and disinfect.
· Monitor your health daily.
Take time to get a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine to help protect against flu viruses and is emphasizing that getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 will be more important than ever. We encourage you to discuss vaccination with your doctor to help you make the best decision around flu vaccination this season.
The benefits of making these healthy changes far outweigh the risk of flu. So, follow these best practices, and keep your defenses up. Ultimately, they will help you maintain a healthy immune system now and throughout the year.
