Ways to Stay Healthy All Winter Long

Since it's the time of year for sniffling and sneezing, I thought it might be a good time to go over ways to stay healthy all winter long.  Below are some great tips to help avoid germs and keep your immune system working; thus, decrease your chance for illness.  So let's raise our glasses to a happy and healthy holiday season!!

Tip #1 - Eat to beat illness!

That's right I said it, the foods we eat help to keep our bodies and immune system running.  Foods that help keep us at our prime include high-quality protein (fish, lean meats, and beans), brightly colored fruits and veggies and omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish, walnuts, and flax seed).  Load up your plate with these power players and keep your immune system in tip top shape!!

Tip #2 - Keep moving!

Exercise can keep you from getting sick by stimulating your immune cells  that target cold infections.  Studies show that people would did moderate activity for 30 minutes most days averaged less colds per season than a less active person.  So put down the remote and get moving and say bye bye to the cold bug. 

P.S.  The general tip for exercising when sick is to listen to your body.  If the systems are below the neck, relax and recover.  If the systems are above the neck keep moving but don't overdo it!

Tip #3 - Keep hydrated!

Drink plenty of water and keep the air at home warm and moist (room temp at about 69).  Humidity helps to kill the flu virus so if you live in Denver like me where there is zero humidity you may need to enlist in a nice humidifier. 

Tip #4 - Befriend bacteria!

The good kind, that is!  Probiotics are friendly microbes that may strengthen the immune system by crowding out the bad germs that make us sick.  Probiotic rick food (yogurt, aged cheese, or kefir, to name a few) may help shorten bouts of the common cold and reduce the severity of symptoms. 

Tip #5 - Get some rest!

Getting less than seven hours of sleep in the weeks before being exposed to a cold virus can make you 3 times more likely to develop a respiratory illness than if you got eight or more hours, according to a recent study.  That's because even minor sleep deprivation suppresses immune function.  So use this as an excuse to sleep in and get those much needed ZZZZs!

Tip #6 - Wash Up! 

Your biggest defense against germs is old-fashioned hand washing.  Soap up long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" twice through, about 20 seconds.  If you can't wash than use a hand sanitizer, especially after touching very germy surfaces, I'm thinking doorknobs, TV remotes, and money.  Also, do you best to prevent the spread of germs.  If you are sick, sneeze into your sleeve, toss tissues immediately, and if you can stay home until you feel better because let's be honest, no one likes it when a stranger coughs right in your face!!!

Hopefully some of these tips will help reduce the amount of time you spend sick or help you improve your winter time habits!

E-