Flu and Cold Season is right around the corner. As a mom of two young kids that just started school I am already stressing about my kiddos getting sick because then that means I will be more likely to get sick as well! But this mama, sure does love the snuggles 🙂
As women we wear many hats and lots of people depend on us to stay healthy. So what are some methods that we can adopt to help to combat this 2025 season the best we can? I can’t guarantee that you still won’t get sick this season I can tell you that these methods are simple to incorporate in your daily life.
The reason why these methods are so important is because it helps to strengthen your immune system. Your immune system is what kicks on when an infection occurs whether that be viral or bacterial. There are several factors that can impact your immune system:
- Sleep Deprivation
- High Stress (High Cortisol)
- Diet High in sugar and processed foods consumption
- Lack of Exercise
- Dehydration
What all of these factors eventually lead to is an unhealthy gut microbiome. To function optimally your gut microbiome needs to have a combination of good and bad gut bacteria. With daily unhealthy habits this can compromise the microbiome which decreases the efficiency of your immune system. I’m not saying you have to be perfect but if you don’t implement daily healthy habits 80% of the time then your risk increases of getting sick this winter season.
A diet that is comprised of eating less than 4 meals a day, low in protein, high in sugar and processed carbs can severely impact your immune system. This leads to gut inflammation, an accumulation of bad bacteria in the gut, poor digestion, and nutrient malnutrition. Without the proper nutrients, then your body can perform optimally! This can also lead to chronic gut inflammation which can lead to leaky gut syndrome. This activates your immune system when an infection is not even present in the body. This is because inflammation expands the gut and causes holes to form since the gut lining is only 1 cell layer thick. These holes allow for food particles to go through the gut lining and activate the immune system because the food particles are foreign and need to be removed. Our white cell count then goes up and our immune system is activated. If this is activated chronically then we are already exhausting our immune system and therefore it weakens for when an actual infection occurs. This is how we get sick!
So what do we do?! How do we help our body to be strong and healthy to help combat the possible infections we can acquire this season. I tell you these methods are nothing new, but they are simple…
- Get 6-8 hours of sleep per night
- Hydrate
- Eat a diet rich in whole foods
- Exercise Consistently
- Decrease Stress
Implementing these basics help your body to work optimally and be supported. You are doing what is within your control to help take care of your body. This is all you need to do to help your body fight infections. It doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming, but it does need to be consistent. I understand that life happens and we might get off track but just get back to it when you have the time. Make sure that your priorities fit your schedule so that you can be as consistent as you can. These simple daily habits are important because you aren’t exhausting your immune systems before it needs to be engaged to fight a real infection during flu and cold season.
If you need help, then maybe my monthly fitness and nutrition program is for you! Click here to learn more or set up a consultation. These simple daily habits are important because you aren’t exhausting your immune systems before it needs to be engaged to fight a real infection during flu and cold season.
Other supportive tips could be to make sure you’re getting adequate Vitamin C, elderberry, and raw honey. These supplements can help give your immune system a boost! Remember to always consult with your physician to make sure that supplements don’t interfere with your medications and make sure that they are usp verified for efficacy.
Good Luck!