5 Easy Ways To Boost Your Immune System

It’s about that time, cold and flu season*! And according to the CDC, this one is going to be a doozy. Granted, a chunk of staying healthy during gold and flue season is pure dumb luck, but are things we can do to stack the odds in our favor. In addition to the usual; washing hands, covering mouths, and you know, just not being gross, there are easy little additions and tweaks that can boost your immune system.

Get A Hobby

First of all it’s just plain to do something you enjoy, but research has shown people with hobbies are less likely to be stressed out. Do you know what stress does? It promotes inflammation. And do you know what inflammation does? It suppresses your immune system. PS bonus points for bobbies like yoga, hiking, journaling, gardening…

Go To Bed An Hour Earlier

I know, I know, easier said than done, but you gotta get those Zs if you want to boost your immune system. Now I’m not nowhere near qualified to even begin to discuss the science of sleep, so I’ll just quote the scourge of TikTok Bethenny Frankel, “go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep”. People who don’t get enough high quality sleep, myself included, are more likely to get sick if exposed to a virus. That rerun of The Office can wait, go to bed!

Add Red Bell Pepper To Your Grocery List

Did you know one red bell pepper has almost 160% of your recommended daily Vitamin C? Of course you don’t because the big orange lobby spends lots of money keeping that kind of info under wraps. Vitamin C is powerful antioxidant that fights cell damage, reduces inflammation, and boosts your immune systems response to microbes aka cooties. Red bell peppers are also one of the foods highest in beta carotene; which has been shown to increase immune cell numbers and activity. IDK why it’s an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Go For A Walk

I know, I know, Hot Girl Walks are having a moment, but this isn’t just me jumping on the trend. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise can help stimulate your immune system. And regular moderate exercise can reduce inflammation, help immune cells regenerate, and boost overall circulation.

Take Your Water Bottle Everywhere

I like to think of myself as an early adapter of water bottle culture; I had an emotional support water bottle before it was cool! Our circulatory system carries cootie-fighting immune cells through our body via lymph. Lymph is a liquid made largely of water, so if you’re not drinking enough water your lymph is going to move slow as hell, leading to immune system that isn’t exactly up to snuff.

*Cold and flu season is from October to May which seems a little excessive

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