By Zeesha Brownstein
The news media is reporting that flu season could be bad this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says are more cases than normal so far with 90 percent of U.S. states report some type of local, regional or widespread flu activity.
And it’s just the beginning of flu season.
The good news is that you avoid influenza thanks to a few tried and true tricks for a stronger, healthier winter. How? It’s called Immunity Boost.
The key is to take care of yourself. Studies show that people that lead healthier lifestyles have a stronger immune system. Use this 5 step plan to boost your immunity and stay healthy and hearty this winter.
Take note of the next few tips as well. Keep them up regularly and they will help you to be better equipped to deal with stress in your day to day life.
1. Manage your stress.
Stress raises your blood pressure. Being in a fixed state of stress weakens the immune system and the heart. Instead of getting overwhelmed and letting yourself get worked up, learn time management skills, go for a walk, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths – it really helps. The principal is to take control of your stress – don’t let it control you.
2. Exercise.
People that move have gotten sick much less frequently and for a shorter duration of time than people who don’t. Make exercise a part of your routine. It will help you manage your stress levels and improve the quality of your sleep. Staying active also releases endorphins – it makes you feel good and can put you on a high.
3. Get sleep.
Everyone knows that sleep is important, but you may not realize how crucial it is. Sleep helps your body recharge, heal and repair your organs. Just a few nights of interrupted sleep can increase your chances of getting sick and leave you worn out. A good night of sleep will enhance your problem-solving skills, improve your decision making and willpower. Try to get to sleep before midnight, and stop looking at your phone! Keep it far away from your bed. Proper sleep can be the magic key that enables you to accomplish everything you set out to.
4. Optimal nutrition.
Lots of people think they eat well, but when there are so many woozy germs flying around, you need to be at your best. With a few tweaks, you can be eating better in no time. First step, add healthy foods to your diet before eliminating the unhealthy ones. That way you won’t be hungry and falling back into unhealthy habits. Healthy food is not synonymous with boring food; there are oodles of gourmet recipes that are 100% healthy.
Which foods are healthy vs. unhealthy? Fresh veggies and fruits, healthy fats like those found in avocado and salmon, and lean proteins will give you the best nutrients, vitamins and minerals. When eating carbs, try to stick with whole foods. Refined sugar, and preservatives found in processed foods are not great for you. If you don’t recognize the word – your body probably doesn’t recognize it as food.
5. Vitamins.
It is best to get your vitamins from food – this is one of the reasons that nutrition is so important. Your body is like a machine that works hard day and night. There are some vitamins that are essential to keep it oiled and working well. Try to make sure you get enough vitamins C, B & D. These vitamins help fight inflammation, and if you do get sick they can also help you recover faster. Amazingly, people have seen results from vitamin C in just a few short hours!
These 5 tips work really well together, yet even making small changes slowly can help.
–Zeesha Brownstein is a certified health coach and holistic nutritionist. She works with clients individually far and wide and travels for workshops and speaking engagements. Follow her @healthcoach_brooklyn or email [email protected] or at healthcoachbrklyn.com
happy chanukah, stay healthy!
RELAX! No where in the article does it say to avoid vaccines!
B”H We all know somebody who crossed the street and was hit by a car, it should never happen again! Does that mean never cross the street?!?!? Yes, the 5 tips can be helpful. However, The Rebbe himself said to consult a medical doctor. Let’s listen to The Rebbe!!!!!!!!! If somebody got the flu or had a reaction to a vaccine, that does NOT mean that people should stop being vaccinated!!!!! Do the people who are against vaccines ever cross the street? Do they tell people they may care about or even the community at large never to cross the… Read more »
got it once .. never again!
had sever allergic reaction to it and was bed bound for 2 months paralyzed down one side of my body.
it’s poison !
one year i did not get vaccinated, and got the flu. erev pesach i was burning in a fever, i could not start shuclan orech nor finish the seder, and i passed out from fever a few times that night. another year, i ended up in the emergency room also from passing out from fever. both years i had not been vaccinated, yet every year where i took the vaccine i had only a few days’ expected minor reaction. would i say my advice is from experience? you bet!
I expected a bunch of narishkeit. Apologies. Perfect advise and right on target. I do all these things and flu and pneumonia vaccine and get one mild cold a year. Good genes also a benefit. Thanks for a normal practical article
Make it a criminal offense not to vaccinate children. Please no response.
Grt read thanks for sharing. I look forward to more of your articles
I do recipe revamps for people- if you have some favorite recipes that you would want to try in a healthier way – email [email protected]
Every doctor will tell you that shots and medication are not enough.
If you want to live well/ thrive you need to take care of yourself. If you have an expensive car would you use the cheapest gas? You need to fuel your body properly and that means getting the right nutrients/vitamins/minerals
I Just checked out your Insta, would you share your doughnut recipe for your out of town readers? I always try to eat well one Chanukah but get lost somewhere between the plaster of latkes and doughnuts.
How can you say that if you are a chossid you vaccinate? That’s quite absurd. Are there only 2 doctors that the entire Lubavitch should trust? Every doctor will tell you that the flu vaccine only protects against very specific stains of flu and the medical world has no way to know which stains will appear each year. Therefore, may I suggest, that if you are a chossid, vnishmarten es nafshoseichem” would mean doing what you can to stay healthy. I actually learned a loor from the above and hope I can implement it and stay healthy.
But just get the flu shot and be absolutely certain that you will stay healthy this winter. Our lives are so busy in 2017, no need to go crazy with all these good ideas… get the shot and stop thinking about it.
Zeesha Grossbaum 🙂 🙂
Interesting how a great post on preventive health turned into a vaccine forum
Thanks those truffles are great! The recipe is posted in the comments of the original post
ZB
You bring up good points. This article did not mention not to get the flu shot, but it doesn’t always work. These are additional measures to take.
Sincerely, ZB
Everyone has stress in their lives, just the fact that you are a human… what people dont realize is that it can actually cause one to be physically ill. If you get it under control and manage it well, it will have less negative affects on your health.
Still important to boost your immune system. A stronger body is less prone to illnesses.
Google it. It’s basically a vitamin you take but it’s not a pill. It really does help with flu and cold.
To #2, time to get enlightened.
OMG those Chocolate Truffles on your instagram looks great! Can you please post the recipe?
Vaccines are the best preventive measure. You can be as healthy as you want. You can still get the flu. This immune system boost is just a fad, a marketing hot word to sell the obvious idea that one needs to eat a balanced diet and exercise. But that is not enough. Go ask Dr Eli Rosen or Dr. Allan Plaut or any other prominent physicians in CH. They will tell you that. In fact, if you think you know more than them, why dont you go and arrange a time to lecture them? Teach them some medicine!!! You know… Read more »
Nice insightful article, practical ways to an easier and healthier lifestyle…
sorry if it didnt help you… it should help most ppl. although of course you can go to the doctor and should visit as often as you need. taking preventative measures is always the BEST. also if you take the ‘common sense’ thing into action it will probably do you well… cheers to a healthy winter for all!
Happy Chanukah.
Let’s keep this positive 🙂
Less “stress”
🙂
A chosid should follow the instructions of the Rebbe. For health concerns, in particular how to prevent flu, a chosid should consult a PHYSICIAN. To my understanding all the famous physicians in Crown Heights, who were already respected and sought after even during the Rebbe’s terrestrial life time, ALL RECOMMEND VACCINATIONS AS THE BEST TOOL AGAINST FLU.
The tips this mommy give us eat well and exercise is very good but not enough. Now, to not to mention the opinion of the physicians is almost an insult to the readers.
vaccinated won’t help you, even those people are usually the sickist-the best thing is to take responibly for your own health
Great tips!