You’ve confidently avoided the nasty flu that forced half your coworkers to call in sick last month, but your receptionist’s hacking cough and sniffling signal doom that you’ll soon succumb to whatever virus she has.
Take control now and you’ll minimize your risk. You can’t completely become virus-proof, but with these 5 strategies you’ll be far less likely to crash and burn during the menacing cold and flu season.
1.Spend more time beneath the sheets. Just 1 terrible night’s sleep can raise your stress hormones and lower immune function. You’re more susceptible to whatever is going around your office. Poor sleep also increases your appetite, making you crave sugar, which further weakens your immunity. You need 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep each night to boost your immune system. Power down an hour before bed, take a hot bath with chamomile tea and a trashy novel, and take an herbal based natural sleep aid if you really have trouble getting solid shut-eye.
2.Stress less. Ever notice how an argument with your significant other or a brutal week at work can bring on a cold or flu? It’s not your imagination: a meta-analysis of 300 studies found chronic stress could seriously mangle your immune system. Stress does its damage by lowering natural killer (NK) cell activity (a major player in a healthy immune system), raising fat-storing cortisol, and depleting vitamin C. If you can’t eliminate stress, then reduce its impact with a massage, yoga, meditation, or whatever else can create added bliss.
3.Step it up. One study found moderate exercise could increase your body’s macrophage production, which helps strengthen your immune system. Contrary to what you might hear, running, aerobics classes, and treadmill marathons all raise cortisol, which can break down muscle and weaken the immune system. (You probably know a compulsive runner or spin-class fiend who’s always sick.) Ditch those wasted hours with my 4 x 4 Workouts (grab one FREE here), which combine burst training and resistance training that can boost your immune system and spark fast fat loss.
4.Get the right breakfast. Starting your day with the right nutrients and keeping balanced blood sugar levels are your best dietary defenses against nasty colds, flus, and whatever other viruses are going around. Make breakfast The Virgin Diet All-in-One Shakes, available in delicious chocolate, vanilla, or my favorite, chai. The plant-based protein blend and added nutrients give your body the tools to optimize immunity and ward off colds. Vitamin C-rich berries and kale, flax or chia seeds, and coconut milk provide additional immune oomph and keep you satiated for hours.
5.Optimize your D. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found vitamin D can activate your immune defenses. I know numerous nutrition experts who immediately reach for the D when they feel that first sign of a cold coming on. (Yes, even us nutritionists occasionally get sick!) Without sufficient vitamin D, your immune system has a difficult time fighting infections. You’re probably not making enough D from sunlight during winter months, and few foods contain optimal levels, so supplementing with a high-quality vitamin D is your best bet.
If you’re like me, life’s numerous demands mean you can’t take a sick day. That’s why I take every last precaution to protect against whatever’s going around. Promoting The Virgin Diet all over the world (airports are the worst for viruses) and caring for my son leave absolutely no time for a cold or flu.
I’ve pulled together my top immune-boosting supplements in a brand-new Immune Boost Package. These are the same supplements I use to ward off whatever’s going around so I can juggle numerous life and work demands. For the first time ever, I’m offering this same professionals-only package exclusively to you. Learn more about this package here and dramatically reduce your risk of needing to take another sick day.
© 2012 JJ Virgin & Associates, Inc. Celebrity Nutrition & Fitness Expert JJ Virgin helps clients lose weight fast by breaking free from food allergies. She is the bestselling author of Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy, a Huffington Post blogger, creator of the 4X4 Burst Training Workout & co-star of TLC’s Freaky Eaters. Her latest book, New York Times Bestseller The Virgin Diet: Drop 7 Foods, Lose 7 Pounds, Just 7 Days, is out now. Learn more at www.thevirgindiet.com.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Unfortunately, I do have the flu, I’m at the end of the cycle, but the cough is holding on. It’s been over 2 weeks now but I’m finally starting to feel better. I started the Virgin diet on Monday Jan 7th and even not feeling well I’ve been able to stick to it. I don’t know how but everything that you wrote in your book is true, at least for me anyway.
I’ve ordered your shake deal with the chai, expected deliver time is Tuesday the 15th..can’t wait to be able to try a different flavor. I got the shake recipe book that was emailed to me and there are quite a few choices, I was really surprised.
I’ve tried all the diets out there, WW, Jennie Craig, Atkins, and you know they were okay but hard to stick to, I’m hoping that the Virgin Diet will be the one that keeps me on track. I am determined and am planning to do my best to make it to my goal which is to lose about 60 lbs. Thank you JJ for sharing this with us…..
I do have a cold already, what cough drops can I use during my first week?