10 Tips for Runners to Help Boost Immune System
Even before this “new reality” we all have been thrown into, many women I know have been living increasingly stressful lives. Myself included. Juggling relationships and kids with full-time careers or ambitious personal goals, I know we all have hit those moments where they have felt like the to-do lists are endless. Add to it the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the current coronavirus pandemic, and it’s safe to say many of us are living a bit more on the edge than ever before.
If there’s one silver lining I’ve been able to find in this gloomy situation is that it’s forcing us to make lifestyle changes that will benefit our overall health and wellness for years to come. I’ve seen more and more people asking what they can do to boost their immune system; while there is no evidence that we can take preventative steps to ward off COVID-19 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus), strengthening your immune system is something we should all be making a priority—pandemic or not.
This past year our household has seen its fair share of colds (our toddler just entered his first year of preschool). Despite sleepless nights and endless snuggles with sick kiddos, I’ve managed to stay healthy through the winter.
It’s probably not a big surprise that many of my tips relate to food. Good nutrition fuels the specialized cells and antibodies that fight off germs. If you’re prone to catching colds that’s an immediate sign that your body is rundown and asking for help—from good food, better sleep, and less stress.
Fighting off the cold or flu is, of course, not the same as what we’re up against now. But I think in times like these, when so much feels outside of our control, being able to do something feels better than doing nothing. The following tips and routines have always helped to keep my family healthy, and I hope they help you too.
Click here to continue reading my first "Food is Fuel" column for Women's Running...
(You can also find one of my favorite comforting soup recipes here.)