3 Natural Immune Boosters for Winter

You don’t know what you have until it’s gone- like waking up with a sore throat and daydreaming about the non-sick days you took for granted. We’ve all been there.

The world of immune system medicine is often filled with gimmicky products and bold (unsubstantiated) claims, but making sure your body is in tip-top shape to fight off winter viruses can take a more natural form. 

You are what you eat. 

Studies have found that deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can lead to a weakened immune system and increase your susceptibility to infection. Boost your immune system and brighten up your diet with immunity-rich foods like citrus fruits, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach, yogurt, and almonds. 

This immune boosting soup, chock full of immune system booster foods like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and chicken, is definitely on our menu this week.  

Clean hands are healthy hands.

When was the last time you washed your hands? Clean hands are one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds regularly throughout the day. Where’s the restroom!? If you’re out and about without access to a sink, a keychain hand sanitizer will become your immune system’s best friend. 

If you’re using hand sanitizer as often as you should be, you’ll likely notice your skin becoming dry and cracked. Dry skin is more susceptible to germs, so a hydrating hand sanitizer is a must! Thankfully, the world of hand sanitizer has come a long way since goopy, sticky gels. OLIKA hydrating hand sanitizer pairs effective germ-fighting science with hydrating ingredients to make for the best on-the-go alternative. Plus, they’re refillable!

Take your vitamins. 

Back in the 18th century, scurvy taught us that vitamin C is a key nutrient for the immune system. Vitamin C helps rapidly increase your B and T cells, the white blood cells that secrete antibodies and kill off infections. While vitamin C alone won’t reduce your risk of catching a cold, studies have shown it may lessen the duration of symptoms by nearly one day for most people. 

70% of the immune system is housed in your digestive tract, so a happy gut = healthy days ahead. Probiotic supplements or fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha are all great ways to strengthen your intestinal immunity. 

As long as you’re restocking your vitamin cabinet, make sure you also have other immune system booster vitamins like zinc, echinacea, iron, and vitamin A on hand. 

Bonus Tip: Get some shut-eye.

Great news, your immune system called and asked you to press snooze tomorrow morning. Studies show that people lacking quality sleep are more likely to get sick and take longer to recover from an illness. Plus, another study (ok, an office survey we just conducted) shows that winter mornings are more bearable with extra cozy time in bed. Win-win!

Get OLIKA hydrating hand sanitizer and other immune-boosting goodies delivered right to your door with Thrive Market.