Don't be a SICKO!

Is it me or has this been the "sickest" winter ever....I swear that everyone I know has been pretty sick, more than once, over the past few months. The amount of stress we experience daily is certainly not of any help to us when it comes to staying healthy because it affects the way we care for ourselves. We lose sleep, miss workouts, and eat junk when we feel stressed...thus the vicious cycle of not feeling well and being vulnerable to the germs surrounding us. So, instead of just lying down and taking it...fight back! Here are 5 ways you can boost your immune system and stay on the road of wellness:

1. Walk! Studies show that 30 minutes of walking each day stimulates the immune system and results in you getting sick less often!
2. Get your antioxidants! Antioxidants, found in fruits and veggies, are the superheros of your immune system, they swoop in and capture invaders and save your butt from lying on the couch for the next 5 days in a row. So eat lots of fruits and veggies everyday!
3. Eat your vitamins and minerals! That's right, I said eat them not take them.Eating a well balanced diet that includes all the food groups and limits the twinkie groups provides you with the vitamins and minerals you need to be healthy...the synergistic effect that those foods have when working together also helps to provide for your health needs. Now, of course if you do not eat an adequate diet, feel free to take a multi-vitamin (guys, and gals in menopause, you do not need one with iron in it unless you are told by your Dr.)...In addition, you do not need to take separate vitamins and minerals unless your Dr. has recommended it.
4. Go Pro>>>>That is, eat probiotic rich foods, such as yogurt. Probiotics keep the healthy bacteria in your intestines thriving, thus keeping you healthier.
5. De-Stress! Take deep breathes, listen to music that you associate with happy times, watch your favorite movie, take a bath, meditate, get plenty of sleep, exercise, talk about it with a friend...be pro-active about getting rid of stress!

Live Well!