Flu season is knocking at the door, and the last thing you want to do is answer when your body is unprepared to fight off the illness. To improve your chances of recovering quickly from the seasonal flu or any other illness you may encounter, it’s important to prepare your body. Here are a few healthy ways to detox in preparation of the flu season hitting full force. 

Listen to Your Body

Your body is exposed to toxins and pollutants on a daily basis. Your body’s natural defenses help to block some of them out, but it’s inevitable that some will gain entry to your body. As toxins build up internally, they can weaken your body’s immune system and make it more difficult to fight off illnesses.

To determine if your body is being negatively affected by pollutants and toxins, it’s important to listen to your body and pay attention to any symptoms you may experience. Here are a few indications it may be time for a detox:

• Headaches
• Chronic fatigue
• Frequent illness
• Insomnia
• Rashes, acne and other skin problems
• Digestive issues, including diarrhea and constipation
• Lower back pain
• Food intolerances
• General aches and pains
• Increased anxiety and irritability

If you experience any of these symptoms or a combination of them, it’s time to consider detoxing your body. There are many ways you can do this. Here are a few of the most effective detoxing options you should try if you want to strengthen your immune system for flu season.

Cut Out Sugar & Processed Foods

Studies show that spikes in sugar consumption suppress immunity. When your immune system can’t function optimally, you’re more likely to get sick as a result. Eating sugary and processed foods can not only increase your frequency of illness, but the severity of illness you experience as well.

Refined carbohydrates are processed like sugar and include pizza dough, pastries, white bread, white flour, sweet desserts, many breakfast cereals and pasta. Instead of indulging in these foods, detox your body before flu season by trading sugary and processed foods with foods to cleanse your gut, such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Nuts and seeds are also a great addition to any detox because they help stabilize blood sugar and provide high fiber content that promotes regularity.

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Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Excessive alcohol is shown in studies to significantly weaken immunity. It impairs key cells within the body’s organs and makes it much harder for the immune system to respond to threats effectively. To detox your body from alcohol, try to limit or stop your intake altogether, starting today. Your body needs time to rebuild its damaged cells so it can respond effectively to invasion by germs.

Work Out Regularly

Working out causes the body to sweat, which is a natural way to push toxic substances out through the pores. Additionally, working out regularly helps promote good circulation, which helps to send white blood cells throughout the body where they can cleanse various organs and fight off infection. Keep in mind that working out when you’re already ill can be counterproductive because it can wear your body out so it doesn’t have the resources to fight off your illness. Most doctors recommend walking or moving your body in low-impact ways when you’re already sick.

Manage & Reduce Stress

One of the most important things you can do to detoxify and prepare for flu season is to manage and reduce stress in your life. There are many ways to do this, such as the following:

• Practice meditation
• Take more walks outside
• Focus on yourself
• Take a bath before bed

Detoxing during flu season can be extremely beneficial for your day-to-day life. However, if you are already feeling symptoms and you need a little something extra to get yourself feeling healthy again, try an over-the-counter medicine, like Brillia Health's cold-flu medication. Created without any harmful chemicals, it works to help reduce the duration of your sickness and feel better faster. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Erica Garza

Erica Garza is an author and essayist from Los Angeles. She holds an MFA from Columbia University and a certificate in Narrative Therapy. Her writing has appeared in TIME, Health, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and VICE.