Though flu season is already well under way, you can still squeeze in your ounce or two of prevention to keep yourself healthy. Here are three great tips on how to strengthen your immune system to ward off sickness, brought to you by the fine people at Soho Sanctuary in NYC.
1. Eat Your Veggies
Colorful vegetables are chock full of the vitamins you need to boost your immune system during cold and flu season. Kale and its leafy siblings are excellent sources of calcium and vitamin K, while carrots provide a whole mess of vital antioxidants. The great news is that these two veggies happen to go particularly well together! Try this Kale Slaw from Ingredients Inc, or this Lentil and Carrot Salad with Kale from Serious Eats.
2. Do Some Yoga
Besides being wonderfully invigorating during these chilly months, yoga is also excellent for your digestive and immune systems. Check out this immunity-building yoga sequence from Yoga Journal, with tips about practicing at home.
3. Try Meditating
Even if you’ve never tried meditation before, building in a few minutes of quiet into your day can do wonders for your mind and body. Try setting aside five minutes for a go at meditation. Simply find a comfortable sitting position, close your eyes, and breathe slowly and deeply. Try and focus solely on your breathing, but don’t worry about being “good” at this task. With time, you’ll find that it gets easier.
If you’ve discovered any surefire ways of fighting off the flu, share them with us in the comments!
Photo via Yoga Journal