With the cooler season starting to make its way in, you’ve likely been looking at ways to naturally support your immune system. Now is the time to prepare your body for colder conditions, especially as we become more vulnerable to infection during this season. 

Whether it’s by eating a diverse diet or getting your hands on a probiotic, there are plenty of ways you can prepare your immune system for autumn. 

If you’re wondering how to increase your immunity naturally, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ve covered everything you need to know about getting your immune system ready for autumn. Find out more below. 

Why Is Immunity Important?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s cover the basics - why is our immunity important during the cooler seasons? Don’t get us wrong, our immune system is crucial year-round. It protects us from illness by identifying harmful pathogens in our bodies and fighting off these disease-causing substances. 

That being said, our immune system will be working overtime as autumn and winter take full effect - so it’s important that we help out however we can.

The colder conditions and lower humidity of autumn and winter allow viruses to survive longer. Plus, as we tend to spend more time indoors during these colder months, it’s much easier for viruses to spread among people - causing an increased risk of infection. 

Fortunately, there are a few things we can do to ensure our immune systems are in tip-top shape. 

How To Increase Your Immunity Naturally 

Are you ready to give your immune system the boost it deserves? Learn how to increase your immunity naturally with these 7 handy tips below. 

Eat More Fruit & Vegetables

Adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet is one of the best things you can do to support your immune system.

Citrus fruits and leafy greens are packed to the brim with antioxidants, which can help to support various functions of your immune system. 

Try replacing those fried foods or sweet treats in your diet with oranges, blueberries, spinach, apples, grapefruit, and ginger. Your immune system will thank you.

Good Sleep Is Critical

There are plenty of reasons why you should strive for quality sleep. After all, a good rest can improve your mental health, assist with weight management, improve your mood, and help support your immunity. 

When we’re lacking in sleep, our immunity suffers. The body isn’t able to produce sufficient amounts of essential immune cells, which can increase our risk of infection. 

To keep your immunity in the best condition, you should aim for 7 to 9 hours each night - though, for some, this is a lot easier said than done. If you’re struggling with your sleep, try creating a resting schedule, stop napping, and limit your caffeine intake in the afternoons. 

Manage Stress Levels 

As much as we hate to admit it, stress can be a tricky thing to avoid. 

At first glance, it might not seem like a major issue. Though, too much stress and anxiety in our lives can harm our immune function - which is why it’s important to manage stress however possible. 

Without proper management, our immunity can’t function optimally. The hormones linked with stress can impair immune function, making us more susceptible to infection.

Whether you’re dealing with personal or professional stress, try to reduce it however you can. For example, you could try avoiding triggers, exercising to relieve anxiety, or meditating daily. 

Exercise Regularly 

Physical activity benefits so many aspects of our general health and wellbeing, so it should come as no surprise that it’s also great for our immunity. 

Regular exercise helps by strengthening antibodies, easing inflammation, and boosting blood flow to improve immune function. Not to mention, it’s also great for removing bacteria from the lungs to prevent infection. 

If you’re looking for easy ways to get moving, try going for a jog, swimming, or jumping rope. 

Stay Hydrated 

One of the easiest things you can do to support your immune system is to make sure you’re drinking enough water. 

Just by being mindful of your water intake and staying hydrated, you can help your immune system flush out toxins from the body and operate effectively.

Though the exact amount of water you should be consuming daily will vary from person to person, aiming for about 8 glasses is a great starting point. 

Grab A Probiotic 

The digestive benefits of probiotics are very well known, though did you know a healthy dose of this good bacteria can also help support your immunity? 

Recent research suggests that probiotics can assist with certain functions in the immune system - specifically by encouraging antibody production and supporting immune cells. 

For an in-depth look into the scientific evidence, we’d suggest reading Ross Barnard’s analysis of probiotics Lactobacillus Casei and Bifidobacterium.

With these 6 handy hints by your side, getting your immune system ready for Winter couldn’t be easier. If you’re looking for more health hacks, be sure to read our recent post: ‘How To Heal Gut Health Naturally’.