Take Responsibility For Your Health: How To Boost Your Immune System

It's fall y'all! And of course with fall comes back to school, flu season, clearly all of the fun stuff. Heading into the fall/winter season, it is important to keep your immune system strong to ward off illness. It's time to take some responsibility and take care of your body... you only get one! I have compiled some of my tips for how to boost your immune system yourself!

1. Take Vitamins/Supplements

    In my own health journey, I have began taking daily vitamins and supplements for areas I am deficient in. How do you find out what you are deficient in? Ask your doctor for a full blood-work panel and you may be surprised what comes up. For example: I am deficient in Vitamin D and I didn't know until this year that I was! So I now take Vitamin D daily to try to improve that deficiency. Taking a multivitamin daily is a great way to get added vitamins/minerals in, also if you find that you are deficient in a specific vitamin you could take that as well. Boosting your immune system with Vitamin C is also a great idea because it helps your cells functions within your immune system to work the most efficiently. Consult your doctor first before starting any new vitamin regime.

2. Move Your Body

    MOVE YOUR BODY!! By moving your body at least, 30 minutes per day for 3+ days/week can help improve your immune system and overall health. A healthy body is an immune strong body. The more "in-shape" you are, the easier it can be for your body to fight infections/illness. What do I need to do for 30 minutes/day? You could go for a brisk walk, do yoga, take a BMF online class ;), resistance training, run, bike, anything really that gets you up and moving with purpose!

3. Eat More Nutrient Dense Foods

    Let's make this one easy... eat less processed junk, eat more food that is natural. What is a natural food? Food that has not been changed; for example: broccoli, apples, bananas, peppers, unsalted/unflavored nuts, beans, avocados, etc. Anything that is not processed!! Now that doesn't mean you can't eat processed foods, like: bread, meat, rice, oats, etc. Just limit the intake of processed foods and watch for all the added sugars to maintain and healthy body.

4. Drink Water

    You should be intaking 1/2 of your bodyweight in ounces daily! Start with water and once you have finished your ounces then see if you still want all of those other drinks. Water helps your body remove toxins and also helps your systems function properly, so water is an easy fix for immune support!

5. Get Enough Sleep

    Lack of sleep is a HUGE reason why a lot of people get sick. Their body is tired, the systems in their body are tired and then they get a cold. Adults(18 and older) need 7+ hours of sleep every night to function optimally. Sleep is where your body fights off infectious diseases; while your sleeping your body repairs cells, muscles, and regulates your hormones. So you need to get some sleep to have a great immune system!

By using these 5 tips, I have successfully boosted my own immune system this year. Does that mean I don't still get sick here or there... no. But when I do, I can fight off illnesses easier than if I hadn't already been using these tips. I hope this blog helps you take your health to the next level and boost your immune systems in the process! 

- Britt