You likely already know the importance of getting your flu shot, but there are a few other lifestyle tweaks you can make to decrease your risk of getting sick this cold and flu season.
The good news: Now that your body is rid of toxins from substance abuse, it will be a lot easier to boost your immune system and fend off germs.
Start with these tips.
- Don’t get lazy about laundry. This is especially important when it comes to sheets and towels, which should be sanitized in hot water more often during cold and flu season.
- Crack the windows: Did you know that indoor air is up to five times as polluted as outdoor air? Letting in a little fresh air can go a long way toward chasing away these germs.
- Strive for solid shut-eye. Lack of sleep leads to low immunity, so it's super important to get in those seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Remember: Try to keep your sleep schedule consistent, even on weekends.
- Make more effort to move. Regular exercise won’t kill germs but it may cut down on the number of sick days due to colds or sore throats, according to experts at American Council on Exercise.
- Say no to processed foods. Foods high in fats, salt and sugar can suppress your immune system, making it that much harder to fend off any germs this cold and flu season. Instead, load up on fall superfoods like kale, sweet potatoes, apples and pumpkin.
- Keep stress at bay. Whether mediation, yoga or deep breathing, making relaxation strategies part of your day to day can help manage stress, which has been study-proven to ravage the immune system.
Stay Well Year-Round
Learning to make healthy choices is a key element of the sober living program at Haus Recovery. During your stay, you will learn to maintain your abstinence, embrace the fun in a life of recovery and acquire the skills needed to make these changes last. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.