Maintaining and supporting a healthy immune system is essential to keeping you healthy year-round.
While trying fads that are a quick fix might be tempting, incorporating effective lifestyle changes can also help support your immune system.
Learn how you can support your immune system with these four tips.
How to support your immune system in the colder months
While we’ve found some tips to keep your immune system stronger year-round, it’s also important to keep it nice and strong during cold and flu season so you don’t get sick.
You can get cold any time of the year, but it’s more likely to occur during the colder weather of Autumn and Winter. This is because the weather is colder, and more people are trying to stay warm inside.
There are many different strains of viruses that can cause a cold, and the common cold is spread through droplets in the air from people sneezing or coughing. It’s essential then you keep your immune system strong, to help the body be better prepared to fight off sickness.
Manage your symptoms if you do get sick
Despite your best efforts, you may have caught a cold from a crowded bus or that friend you saw two days ago. In addition to staying hydrated and getting enough rest, over-the-counter medications can help ease symptoms.
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Get enough regular exercise
There is a fine line between the right amount of exercise and too much. Too much exercise can suppress your immune system, whereas moderate exercise can give it a boost.
Research has shown that just one moderate exercise session may help make some vaccines more effective in people with weaker immune systems, such as the elderly and patients with certain other medical conditions 1.
If you need to check if your current exercise is moderate, it's an activity that gets you moving fast enough to raise your heart rate and make you breathe faster. An excellent way to tell if you're exercising moderately is if you can still talk but can't sing while doing the activity 2.
Some people prefer brisk walks, hiking, tennis or swimming. If you need to decide which activity type you'd like, try going with a friend first.
Make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals
Ensuring you're getting enough of the right vitamins and minerals can support your immune system in the fight against infections.
This includes 3:
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C (found in oranges, kiwi fruit and broccoli)
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D (found in eggs, oily fish such as salmon and through the sun)
- Iron
- Zinc (found in fish, shellfish and nuts)
Manage your stress levels
It's essential to manage your stress levels effectively, as too much or prolonged periods of stress can impact your moods, lower immunity levels and can result in other health issues3.
You can manage your stress in several ways, including 4:
- Reviewing your lifestyle. Are you taking on too much responsibility at work and home? What things can you let go of? How much do you prioritise rest and relaxation?
- Practising mindfulness through meditation can reduce the effects of stress and anxiety.
- Being kind to yourself through positive self-talk and realising that everyone has bad days.
- Getting professional help from your GP if you need it. It's okay to ask for help if you feel like you're struggling to manage your stress levels on your own in a healthy way.
Everyone needs help managing their stress levels sometimes. By working with your support system, you can make sure your current stress levels are manageable.
This is a sponsored article in partnership with Demazin. You can shop Demazin products here.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
References
1National Library of Medicine, Exercise and the Regulation of Immune Functions, accessed 20 May 2024
2Healthdirect, How to start exercising, accessed 20 May 2024
3Healthdirect, How to power up and boost your immunity ASAP, accessed 20 May 2024
4Mental Health Foundation, How to manage and reduce stress, accessed 20 May 2024