5 Tips for Boosting your Immune System this Cold and Flu Season

Looking after your personal wellness is important all of the time, but especially during cold and flu season. Give your immune system a boost with these 5 tips!

Now more than ever it’s important to prioritize our health and wellness. According to HealthlinkBC, your immune system is your body’s natural defense system – the different parts of the immune system work together to protect your body against bacteria and viruses. As cold and flu season is upon us, take small steps towards giving your immune system a boost!

1. Get the Flu Shot

Help keep yourself and your loved ones safe this flu season with a flu shot. Flu clinics began on October 19th and the vaccine is available through public health clinics across Saskatchewan, some physician and nurse practitioner offices and in local pharmacies. Getting vaccinated is especially important for people at high-risk of influenza complications (pregnant women, young children, elderly, persons with underlying health conditions, immune-compromised) and their caregivers. Take a few minutes to find a clinic near you.

Learn more about the flu shot in Saskatchewan here: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/Services-Locations/flu

2. Eat nutritious foods

Eating nutritious foods may help keep your immune system strong to help prevent colds, the flu, and other infections.

• Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections.
• Add flavour and fragrance to your cooking with garlic – the immune-boosting properties in garlic seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds (such as allicin), ginger – which may help decrease inflammation and may help with nausea, and turmeric – which is also used an an anti-inflammatory.
• Also try incorporating veggies like red bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach into your meals for their nutritious properties.

See Healthline for more info on immune boosting foods.

3. Stay active

Keeping up with your regular workout routines is important to keeping healthy. Although a change in weather can sometimes make this more challenging, stick with your healthy habits this Fall and Winter!

By engaging in regular, moderate exercises, this may reduce inflammation and help your immune cells regenerate regularly. Moderate exercise can also help to reduce inflammation and promote the healthy turnover of immune cells.

Jogging, biking, walking, and swimming are a few great exercises to give your immune system a boost.

Learn more about exercise and your immune system here.

4. Manage your stress level

Unfortunately stress can sometimes be a part of life. When you’re not feeling your best, your body notices. According to Healthline, long-term stress promotes inflammation, as well as imbalances in immune cell function. Finding activities that help you manage your stress can help to keep your immune system functioning properly.

5. Get plenty of sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep really can do wonders to keep you feeling your best! According to Healthline, inadequate sleep or poor quality sleep is linked to a higher susceptibility to sickness. When busy schedules keep us up past our regular bedtime our bodies feel the impact. Sleep also becomes more important with age as sleep helps improve brain function, concentration, and memory.

To learn more about the importance of getting enough sleep and tips for getting a good sleep, check out our blog post: Sleep 101.

Keep yourself feeling great with regular visits to Health Practitioners. A Personal Health Plan from Saskatchewan Blue Cross offers coverage for Health Practitioners like Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, and Physiotherapists.