This post about how to increase immunity naturally is part of a sponsored conversation with Ricola Herb Drops and SocialStars. All opinions are my own. #RicolaCrowd
Looking for healthy ways to strengthen your immune system? With all the cold and flu germs going around right now, I know I certainly am. Vitamins, herbs, and supplements to stay healthy are great, but so is minimizing exposure to germs! Since we can’t always avoid viruses and bacteria, learn how to increase immunity naturally and visit your doctor LESS!
Table of Contents
How to Visit Your Doctor Less
I can honestly say that I detest going to the doctor. I don’t understand their online appointment system, their phone people are less than helpful, and no matter what time I make my appointment for I end up waiting for an hour to see the doctor.
Of course, then I get in the exam room and they have to poke and prod and ask for bodily fluids and look at me like I am an idiot for letting myself get so sick. Okay, I get it. I should come in to see you before I am on death’s door. If I could prescribe myself antibiotics I wouldn’t be sitting on the exam table shivering with my head about to explode.
How to Increase Immunity Naturally
As the kids head back to school, I find myself wondering what sort of nasty germs they are bringing home. I am determined to increase immunity naturally this winter, despite our chaotic schedules. If you seem to get sick more often once the kids go back to school, here are a few tips to boost immunity for better health!
Get plenty of sleep:
Your body needs sleep in order to heal and repair itself. Lack of sleep really may make us more prone to catching colds and the flu. Thus, a few extra Zzzz’s on your part may be just the thing you need to fight off the next cold.
Make sure you don’t overschedule you or your children. Try to limit the after school activities you participate in so that they can get homework finished early and you can get your to-do list tackled at a decent hour.
Get your body moving:
Try to get regular, daily exercise. It can help your immune system fight infection. In the winter, it isn’t always easy to get out and about. Taking a walk isn’t really pleasant with 6 inches of snow on the ground or frigid temperatures.
Even if you just do 30 minutes of yoga in your living room, you are getting your body warmed up and boosting immunity (check out my post about how running boosts immunity!). Try jogging up and down your stairs or doing a few situps. If you have the extra funds, join a gym and really step up your workout routine.
Watch your diet:
According to WebMD, eating or drinking too much sugar curbs immune system cells that attack bacteria. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains but skip the sugary soft drinks and candy bars.
Drink water instead of juice, tea or soda. Finding fresh fruits and veggies in the fall and winter isn’t always as easy as it is in summer but frozen is a great substitute and still provides plenty of nutrients for your body to heal itself and fight off infection. Frozen fruits go great in smoothies!
Eat foods that fight infection:
There are certain foods that are well known for fighting off infection. Load up on the following foods whenever possible:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Horseradish
- Vitamin C.
- Manuka Honey
- Cinnamon
- Apple-Cider Vinegar
Take the Right Supplements:
I am very lazy about my vitamins and supplements during the summer. We are all generally healthy during the heat of summer and don’t succumb to the first colds until the kids are back in school and the cool weather hits. Once that happens, then I start loading up on acidophilus, garlic, Vitamin C and my good old fashioned multivitamin. This year, I am also adding in Ricola Herbal Immunity Lozenges to help increase immunity naturally. Read my post about pill swallowing techniques if you struggle with taking vitamins.)
Ricola Herbal Immunity Lozenges
Ricola Herbal Immunity harnesses the power of herbs, ginseng and vitamins B6, B12 and C to boost immunity and fight fatigue. These lozenges help you stay well and give you the power to always bring your “A Game”. As a busy mom, I don’t have time to get sick.
Do you know what happened last year when I had surgery? I was out of commission for a couple of weeks and WOW, did life get a bit crazy. Sure, the kids got fed and the homework got done but there was so much that I needed to do that I just couldn’t manage. I need to stay healthy so I can keep this house running smoothly. Or, at least with only a few minor bumps along the way!
New Ricola Herbal Immunity is available in two varieties: Ricola Herbal Immunity Honey Herb Lozenges and Ricola Herbal Immunity Citrus Herb Lozenges. They will be available early September in CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid stores nationwide.
I’m sharing these tips to increase immunity naturally as part of a #Ricola sponsored series for Socialstars™. All opinions are my own. For more info on Ricola visit them on Facebook & Twitter
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire and has worked in cancer research, academics, and biotechnology. Concern over the growing incidence of human disease and the birth of her children led her to begin living a more natural life. She quickly realized that the information she was learning along the way could be beneficial to many others and started blogging and freelance writing to share this knowledge with others. Learn more about her HERE.
I haven’t seen the immunity ones before. I definitely need to look for those.