6 affordable ways to boost your immune system

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Cold and flu season is here, and the best offense is a good defense. You can protect yourself by heading out into the world from a place of optimum health.

Here are tangible things you can to get healthy going into flu season.

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1. Stock up on fruits & vegetables

According to Harvard Medical School, there’s no silver bullet for boosting your immune system, despite what countless bottles of tinctures, pills and powders may claim. Instead, a healthy lifestyle and diet put you in the best position to ward off colds and flu viruses. Ample amounts of fruits and vegetables are integral to balanced nutrition.

Wary of the price of incorporating more green into your diet? Check out our guide on ways to save on fruits and vegetables.

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2. Stay up to date with immunizations

No one likes shots, but a flu shot is quick, easy and helpful to your health. This one is free for most, too. Routine immunizations, including the annual flu shot, are included with your health insurance. You can read more about preventative services included with your plan here.

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3. Wash your hands

Washing your hands frequently is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your immune system during cold and flu season.

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4. Exercise regularly

Are you seeing a pattern here? All the things you do to keep healthy in a general sense are the same things you need to do to stay healthy during cold and flu season. If gym membership fees are a turnoff, you may be able to get reimbursed by your health insurance.

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5. Get your eight hours

Getting enough sleep is huge for keeping your immune system running properly. If you have trouble sleeping, a sleep-tracking app could help you pinpoint the problem.

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6. Don’t rely on the supplement aisle

It can be so tempting to drop money on supplements that promise to keep you from getting sick, especially when it seems like those around you are dropping like flies. But there’s no evidence that any supplement or high dose of a vitamin can ward off sickness. Save your money, eat good food, get some rest and wash your hands, and you’ll be better equipped to make it through flu season.

The holidays aren’t that far off and that means traveling and avoiding germs on airplanes. Learn more about staying healthy while traveling here.

This article originally appeared on Policygenius and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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