The human immune system is a remarkable thing. It will quickly pick up on harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and other foreign or harmful substances.

All day and all night, your trusty immune system works to fight off infection and protect your body against disease, activating defences in the form of skin and mucous membranes, antibodies and chemical agents.

During peak cold and flu season, it can’t hurt to give your immune system a boost. Reducing your risk of sickness is definitely better than a cure. Proactively working to maintain a healthy immunity will help strengthen your body’s defences, to help you enjoy a happier, healthier life.

Set up your immune system with a good night’s sleep.

Late nights are fun, but back them up and your immune system might take a battering.

Staying up late, whether you’re out and about, binging your fave TV series or travelling across time zones, can compromise your immune system.

Try to keep to a regular sleep routine and catch as many Zs as you can.   

Eat your way to good health.

Try and eat a rainbow for every meal. Fruit and veggies look good and taste even better, plus they’re wonderfully versatile ingredients.

Where possible, eat in season veggies and drink filtered water.

You may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet so make a habit of taking dietary supplements. There’s no need to panic buy but make sure you have a bottle of multi vitamins on hand.

Vitamin C is key — so tuck into oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, strawberries, capsicums, spinach, kale and broccoli as often as you can.

Vitamin B6 is another key player in the immunity game. It’s vital for supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system so start to hero chicken, cold water fish (such as tuna and salmon) and chickpeas in your cooking.

Nuts, seeds and spinach are packed with vitamin E, which will give your immune system a major boost. Go forth, eat and prosper!

Protect yourself with a flu jab.

Prevention is better than cure so stop the flu before you spread it. An annual flu shot is the best way to protect your immune system against the flu — which can be life threatening.

Head into your local Blooms The Chemist and ask one of the friendly pharmacists for your flu vaccination. They’ll also be able to give advice on how best to manage colds and flu this season.

Drop into your local pharmacy before you show symptoms to discuss preventative measures you can take. Your pharmacist will suggest options for medications and vaccines, as well as ways to relieve your discomfort if you’re already showing symptoms. 

Presented in partnership with Blooms The Chemist.

Blooms The Chemist is here for you.

If you are feeling unwell or do not feel comfortable leaving your home, Blooms The Chemist offers free local delivery for customers. We can deliver anything available in store – even prescriptions! Visit bloomsthechemist.com.au for more information about home delivery service.

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