We are in the middle of cold and flu season, but that doesn’t mean you have to get sick! There are simple steps you can take to supercharge your immune system and avoid sickness. I’ve been flu-free for years, so here are few of my QUICK TIPS how to avoid winter colds and flu NATURALLY.
A few years back, when I was still leading a very unhealthy lifestyle, I was sick all the time. I would constantly have inflammation, U.T.I.s and other infections. Every single winter I was sick. And during cold and flu season, I used to visit doctors as if the doctor’s office was a weekly subscription. Doctors pumped me full of antibiotics, and I was swallowing endless vitamins supplements just to keep my body functioning. It was awful.
After a while, antibiotics stopped working, and as a result of taking so much medication, I started to have serious gut and digestion problems. It led to a point where I couldn’t take antibiotics anymore because I felt so sick when I take them.
Luckily, at that point, I started to take my health more seriously. I started changing my lifestyle and switched to a healthy WHOLESOME diet that healed my gut, strengthened my immune system and healed my body.
So when it comes to colds and flu, your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward naturally keeping your immune system strong and healthy.
We can all agree that it’s so much easier to prevent illness than spend time visiting doctors and going through endless rounds of antibiotics. So here are few of my QUICK TIPS on How To Avoid Winter Colds And Flu naturally:
1. USE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SPICES DAILY
The immune system and inflammation go hand in hand, and causing an inflammatory response is one major way the immune system responds to a threat and starts to fight off bacteria or tissue damage. That’s why anti-inflammatory spices like ginger, turmeric, cayenne, cinnamon, and garlic are staples in my kitchen, and I use them daily all year round. But during winter I kinda increase my usage. I incorporate these super spices into each of my meal – a double dose. I use them in everything from soups, to salads, to drinks.
These spices are like inexpensive secret weapons that just about everyone can take advantage of. Have Orange Mango Turmeric Smoothie Bowl for breakfast or Carrot Ginger Soup for dinner. Both are delicious and super-spice powered up!
2. LOAD UP PLATES WITH COLORFUL FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Healthy immune system warriors need good regular nourishment so make sure you load your plates with lots of colorful fruits and veggies. And while all fruit and veggies are healthy, some deserve special mention for their ability to quell inflammation in our body. Like citrus fruits. Or dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens and Swiss chard. They all contain powerful antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C – all of which help protect against colds and flu. Also, blueberries rate very high in antioxidant capacity compared to other fruits and vegetables.
How does Blueberry Chia Smoothie sound? Yummy, right! And for an extra immunity punch, you can add anti-inflammatory spices to your fruits and vegetables to increase their antioxidant capacity. Like this cinnamon-packed Spicy Broccoli Soup.
3. DRINK HERBAL TEAS
Herbal teas are a great way to prevent illness. Not only do you get the medicinal benefits, but they are also great for soothing, warming, and relaxing. During cold winter days, I have lots and lots of tea. Nothing warms me better than a cup of tea, that’s an honest truth. I love to have a cup of chamomile tea with fresh ginger root and a bit of honey in the evening. Also, green tea, matcha tea, black tea and other beautiful flu-fighting teas are on my menu daily.
If you’re into lattes (like me) – great. How about frothy warming Matcha Green Tea Latte?
4. EAT FERMENTED FOODS
Optimizing your gut flora is important for a well-functioning immune system, which protects our body from colds and flu. In fact, the majority of inflammatory diseases start in your gut, as the result of an imbalanced gut flora.
Fermented foods, such as kefir, kimchi, miso, pickles, sauerkraut, olives, and other fermented vegetables, help with reseeding your gut with good bacteria. Fermented foods can also help your body get rid of harmful toxins.
5. TAKE YOUR PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT
Taking in fermented foods is the optimal way to sustain your digestive health. But in these modern times, the community of our beneficial bacteria in our gut are under constant attack from the environment. Our poor diet, daily stress, over-medicating… all of these things disrupt the healthy balance of our gut flora. We can combat this by eating probiotics foods, but sometimes that just isn’t enough.
Taking a probiotic supplement as a part of our daily routine is the way to ensure a sufficient amount of good bacteria that will keep our gut and our immune system in good shape.
6. HYDRATE YOUR BODY
Keeping your body well hydrated helps your immune system function efficiently, so make sure you drink a lot of fluids. Pure water is the best, so keep your water bottle filled up and at hand all the time. If you’re using reusable bottles, just make sure you wash it with hot soapy water every day because reusable bottles can breed bacteria.
I really love Ello Glass Water Bottle, and if you’re more stainless steel type, then you may want to check these sleek MIRA ones.
7. GET THE HUMIDIFIER
The humidifier is one amazing device and the best investment if you’re aiming to reduce your sensitivity to infection. It helps prevent you from getting sick in the first place and relieves cold and flu symptoms if you already caught a virus. It also keeps your face, lips, and hair from completely drying out during the winter.
Anjou Humidifier is a great bedroom pick for a number of reasons. It’s quiet, compact, and effective. It’s a combined oil diffuser and humidifier, so you can reap the benefits of essential oils for cold and flu prevention as well.
8. GET ENOUGH OF SLEEP
You may have noticed you’re more likely to catch a cold or other infection when you’re not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep leads to higher levels of a stress hormone – cortisol, that fires up inflammation in our body. Getting plenty of rest strengthens our immune system and protect us from nasty diseases. Usually, 7 to 9 hours for an adult is enough. I try to sleep at least 8 hours a day. Sleeping is a key for good mood and health.
These are my recommendation for healthier winter:
While adding all these amazing superfoods in your diet, having plenty of sleep, and drinking water, it’s also important to avoid those nasty pro-inflammatory processed foods like refined sugars, trans fats, and unhealthy cooking oils. Replacing processed foods with whole foods will affect not only your immunity system but overall body health.
The key to avoiding getting colds and flu every winter is keeping your body at optimal health all year round. That means having your immunity boosted up all the time. Avoiding getting sick starts with your diet. Food is an incredibly powerful tool.
Have you tried any of these strategies? If so, how have they worked? What are your favorite tips for preventing colds and flus? Let me know in comments below.
Xoxo, Natalie
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I do agree that eating well, exercising and sleeping enough are all ways to boost your immune system. I am so much healthier since I started running
Absolutely. It’s a foundation of overall good health ;)
I’ve been putting cumin, coriander, and turmeric on everything! Great tips to stay well.
Oh I loveeee coriander. One of my winter fav too ;)
Some great tips for sure. No flu shots needed.. just taking extra special care of our bodies and our health is what’s needed.
Exactly Mikki. I’m glad we agree ;)
Great tips! I always load up on more veggies during flu season!
Thanks Abbey. Veggies are out pals ;)
I use a humidifier, and it makes such a difference! I also totally agree on sleep – it sure does help everything, doesn’t it?
I loveeee my humidifier. It’s great for everything.. skin, hair, you name it. Thanks Kim ;)
This is such a great list! I’m not a huge fan of most fermented foods, but I’ve been trying to eat the ones I *do* like, and also introduce my kids to some that aren’t to my taste, because they might enjoy them anyway.
We also take elderberry syrup/elderberry shots on a regular basis, particularly during this “season.”
Oh I have to check those elderberry shots! Anything berry is GREAT for out immunity ;) Thanks!
Potpuno se slažem, umerenost u svemu, i pre svega respektovanje signala koje nam naše telo šalje ,su najbitniji. Esencijalna ulja su naš porodični član već dugo, a začini i začinsko bilje ne izlaze iz naših tanjira.??
Bravo bravo Sunčica! Drago mi je to čuti. Ja sam poprilično nova u eteričnom svijetu ali vidim koliko mi to zbilja pomaže i za opuštanje i za dišne puteve. Hvala!
Great article! Anyone interested in this stuff should definitely check out the book Everyday Roots. It teaches you how to replace all the toxic chemicals in your life with healthy organic alternatives. Its completely changed my life and how I feel everyday! :)
Heres a great review of everday roots: http://reggiesreview.weebly.com/everyday-roots-review.html
Keep up the great content!
Thank you so much Jamie. I’ll definitely check out the book you’ve recommended. We need to change our perspective on health. Nature (and food) offer great medicine.
Love all these tips! I need to get better about eating fermented foods. There was this amazing fermented cauliflower I tried at a food festival a while back and I cannot for the life of me remember the brand – I want to find it again because it was soooo good!