Wellness Wednesday

As we enter the traditional cold and flu season, there are a number of things to avoid in order to stay healthy.  Each of the follow items weakens your immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds and flu:

1. Sugar and artificial sweeteners - these weaken the immune system
2. Being a couch potato - a healthy immune system needs exercise
3. Stress - stress is linked to 99% of illnesses
4. Drinking alcohol - heavy alcohol use suppresses the immune system and dehydrates the body
5. Smoking - smokers have more severe and more frequent illnesses than nonsmokers
6. Processed food - makes your body work harder and suppresses the immune system
7. Staying up late - for your health's sake, aim for 8-10 hours of sleep
8. Being negative - positive thoughts help your immune system
9. Artificial heat - dries out your nasal passages making you more susceptible to colds and flu; use a humidifier to counter the negative effects

Source:  MindBodyGreen