Preventing a cold or the flu is actually easier than getting rid of it once you do get sick. To keep your immune system strong and fight off infections, follow these four steps to staying well.

During cold & flu season, it seems like everyone gets sick. This season seems to be particularly challenging. To protect our bodies, we must go beyond a healthy diet, lifestyle, and exercise and be proactive in our approach to support optimum health and immunity.  Preventing a cold or the flu is actually easier than getting rid of it once you do get sick. So to keep your immune system strong and fight off infections, remember these key steps.

Control Stress.  Stress can weaken your immune system, so stress reduction techniques including exercise and getting adequate rest can help your body handle stress.  Adaptogen herbs, such as Rhodiola and Eleuthero root, help balance out the effects of stress in the body, helping your body adapt to stress better and reducing the negative effects of stress.

Fight the Bad with the Good.  Probiotics, the good bacteria in the intestinal tract, enhance digestion and support overall immune health, keeping bad bacteria and viruses from taking hold in the body. Probiotics can be helpful both for kids and adults.  Probiotics are commonly found in cultured yogurt, kefir fermented milk, miso, tempeh and other cultured foods.

Enhance with C&D. Vitamin C in an essential nutrient for immune health.  It is a potent antioxidant that is necessary for normal white blood cell function, part of the immune system.  Vitamin C has anti-viral properties making daily use of vitamin C essential for healthy immunity, both for kids and adults. Vitamin D plays an important role in strengthening your defense system to fight any invading viruses and bacteria. In fact, one study found that people using vitamin D had less upper respiratory tract infections than those who were deficient in vitamin D.

Add Herbal Immune Boosters. Keep an immune support formula on hand to boost defenses during cold and flu season. Look for key ingredients, including echinacea and astragalus for broad immune support, and medicinal mushrooms like reishi and maitake for deep immune health benefits. Research has shown that elderberry enhances immune function, helps fight influenza (flu), and may ease symptoms of a cold. Oregano oil is a powerful antimicrobial that is very effective with upper respiratory challenges.

Be proactive in your approach to fight off colds and flu and stay well this winter season.