As we near towards Winter, we also move into the heart of the dreaded cold and flu season. That given, there’s no reason to resign yourself to living off cold medicine and cough drops for the next few months as there are plenty of natural remedies to help you boost your immune system and stay healthy all season long.
Before we dive in, let me clear up a major misconception about why more people get sick in the winter compared to warmer times of the year: There is no such thing as “catching a cold” from cold. In fact, there are multiple studies that show exposure to cold actually increases your immunity!
So then, why do more people get sick in the winter? There’s no crystal clear answer. Some scientists think it’s because we tend to stay inside more, giving us more opportunity to expose each other to germs and viruses. Others think it could be tied to the strength of the sun’s rays,
and how this affects your health. Whatever the reason, it’s nothing you can’t beat with a little healthy advice and prevention!So without further ado, here are seven ways to boost your immune system this season:
You might be surprised to know that most people have low vitamin D levels (especially in the Winter). Sometimes dangerously low. Some people I know who thought they were reasonably healthy actually had levels below 20 ng/ml,
a range that could severely limit your immune system and hormone balance.It’s best to get your vitamin D from the sun if you can. The sun is the absolute best source of vitamin D,and it contributes to a powerful strengthening of your immune system when your body can naturally produce vitamin D from moderate sun exposure.
When the UVB rays (not UVA rays) from midday sun hit your skin, they react with oils in your skin to produce vitamin D that is slowly absorbed by your body. Note that sunscreens block the ability of your body to produce vitamin D.
