Fall is here! Just because the summer months are gone doesn't mean you should stop focusing on your health. It is the perfect time to reset and prioritize habits that can keep you full of energy and healthy. With a few tweaks to your daily routine you can stay focused on your goals.
Flu season is right around the corner. Start loading up on foods that help boost your immune system. Foods that are rich in vitamin C, like citrus fruits, berries and peppers are a great addition to your daily diet. You should also be incorporating foods with vitamin D, like eggs and fatty fish such as Alaska salmon. Yogurt is a great source of probiotics that help with digestion. Foods that are high in beta carotene, like sweet potatoes and butternut squash, are good for immunity.
Start paying attention to what your are drinking. Sugary beverages like soda and booze can dehydrate you. Cutting back on these drinks can help keep you hydrated which keeps your nose from getting too dry. Your nostrils help trap viruses and bacteria. If you are dehydrated your nose will dry out on the inside and will not be able to properly filter out the things that make you sick.
Sleeping should be a priority. Try drinking tea before bed instead of that nightcap to help ease you to sleep. By turning off all devices at least an hour before bed your body can start to release the hormone, melatonin, for sleepiness to set in.
Start exercising. Working out can reduce your stress levels and even boost your immunity. By getting rid of that pent up energy you can sleep easier at night. If you workout outside in the sunshine, for at least 20 minutes, you will increasing the amount of vitamin D your body is taking in and it can help reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.
Of course, with the Covid pandemic still at our heels, make sure you are following basic safety protocols. You can get vaccinated, wear a mask that fits snugly in public indoor spaces, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands and of course maintain social distance from others.
Routine doctor and dentist appointments are also important and you should be keeping up with them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you are up to date on all your screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies. By being proactive you can stay on top of your health and be able to manage something before it gets out of control.
Make sure you plan fun things for yourself! A good mood can help improve your outlook on life. By having things planned that you can look forward to doing you can increase your happiness.
Check out the article at Today.com