Have you been sick this winter?  There is so much going around that it is hard not to be exposed to something.  I have several family members that have had bad colds this year, but I managed to dodge those bullets.  Part of the reason why I don’t get as many illnesses is that I take an active role in trying to stay healthy.  I have created a cold-fighting arsenal to keep illnesses at bay.

It is not as difficult as you might think to keep your immune system strong so that you can fight off illnesses.  All it takes is a little proactive planning to stay healthy.  Here are my top cold fighting weapons that I use to stay healthy all year long.

 Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System

Healthy Eating

• Fruits and Vegetables provide a large variety of antioxidants that can help to protect your cells and tissues.  Choose a wide selection of brightly colored produce such as broccoli, kale, spinach, oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, and red peppers.
• Yogurt and other foods with live bacterial cultures are good for improving healthy bacterial colonies in your colon.
• Fiber-rich foods provide the fuel your bacteria need to thrive.  Eating legumes, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and whole grains are good choices.
• Cut back on sugary foods and beverages.

Stay Hydrated

Consume plenty of water each day to keep your cells hydrated.  Some other excellent choices include herbal, green or black teas.  I enjoy my Sage, Honey and Lemon Tea on a regular basis during the winter months.  Broth-based soups such as chicken noodle and vegetable can also add fluid to your body.   Although an occasional drink is nice, avoid an excessive amount of alcohol.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Adequate sleep is vital to a healthy body.  When you don’t get enough rest your body’s defenses are not as strong.

Keep Active

Being physically active is a wonderful way to keep yourself healthy.  It can be difficult to exercise when it’s cold outside.  Motivate yourself by exercising with a friend or treat yourself to a fun activity after exercising.

 This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase something it can provide a small commission for me.  It does not increase your cost!  See my blog privacy page for more information.

Use Herbs to Strengthen your Immune System

• My favorite cold fighter is Elderberry Syrup.  Some studies show that elderberries might strengthen your immune system and reduce the risk of colds and flu.  I typically make this from fresh berries but it is easy to make from dried berries as well.  You can also purchase the syrup pre-made at most pharmacies, health foods stores and on Amazon.  My Elderberry Syrup recipe comes from herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.  Her book Medicinal Herbs contains many wonderful herbal recipes.
• Ginger has been linked to immune health.  Ginger is very easy to grow in your summer garden.  You can also purchase it fresh at your local grocery store.  Add it to teas, soups, and fire cider.  Fire Cider is a mix of apple cider vinegar, horseradish, garlic, onion, ginger, and other spices.  Although many people drink it straight, I tend to use it in cooking and salad dressings.
• Garlic has been used for immune function for many years.  There are so many ways to use fresh and dried garlic.

Wash Your Hands Frequently

This is one of the most important things that you can do to lower your risk of infections.  By washing your hands frequently you can reduce your exposure to viruses.

As you can see from my arsenal, I do not fight off infections and strengthen my immune system with supplements, pills, and immune fighting products.  So many of the products for sale are not going to help keep you healthy.  Instead, I use whole basic foods such as the fruits and vegetables and I engage in healthy lifestyle habits.  These suggestions are not going to prevent all infections but as you begin to follow a healthy lifestyle, eat more immune strengthening foods and herbs, your body will be able to fight off more infections.