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WHAT'S NEW
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5 ways to fend off colds
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Adopt healthy habits that keep your immune system in fighting condition
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By Emily Kimber
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3. Sweat it away
Sticking to a regular exercise routine can also help keep the doctor away. Find an activity you enjoy -- walking the dog, an aerobics tape or hopping on the step machine at the gym -- and you'll reap the benefits. "Exercise is linked to a robust immune system," says Hoekman, adding that obesity and inactivity negatively affect your body's ability to fight off viruses.
4. Get some shut-eye
Yes, it's hard to get the recommended eight hours with all you've got going on, but now is not the time to skimp on sleep. According to the Better Sleep Council of Canada, " sleep deprivation lowers the immune system, making us more susceptible to colds and flus throughout the year." The amount of sleep needed to stay healthy varies with each individual -- aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep a night is a safe bet. Think about it: If your body gets a chance to recoup while you sleep, what chance are you giving yourself by staying up late and waking with the sun?
5. Calm down
"Chronic stress is the bugaboo," says Hoekman. "Intermittent short-term stress can actually stimulate the immune system, but sustained intense (stress) corrodes it." In other words, don't grit your teeth over the so-slow Barista at the coffee shop but if your boss is making your pull out your hair on a regular basis, know that your immune system will suffer. Find a way to work out your issues so they don't affect your insides. "Exercise is often a good antidote to chronic stress," says Hoekman. "So (there's) a double benefit there."
Retain your quest to stay healthy this year but if you find yourself under the weather, try implementing a few of Hoekman's immunity-boosting tips. The benefits of these habits will keep you breathing easy and make you less anxious the next time the sniffles start going around.
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