Sleep

If you can't resist that late-night talk show or find yourself tossing and turning in bed, you're more likely to get sick this winter. That's because a strong immune system depends on getting enough sleep.

If you don't get enough sleep, you're far more likely to get infected a virus or bacteria than someone who gets adequate shut-eye. Your body needs lots of deep, restorative sleep to repair and strengthen itself so it's better able to battle disease-causing microbes. There are many common-sense tips to increase the amount and the quality of your sleep. In this section you'll learn:

  • How what you eat and drink can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep
  • What common habits interfere with a good night's sleep
  • The sleep problem affecting millions of people who don't even know it

Diet

Sugary treats and convenience foods seem like a good idea when you're choosing them, but they may be inviting a cold or the flu. Some foods actually feed bad bacteria and viruses, while other foods protect you from illness. You'll have fewer sick days when you avoid the bad and embrace the good.

You may not realize you're eating foods that actually encourage disease-causing viruses and bacteria to take hold of your body. On the other hand, consuming healthy foods help your body kill harmful invaders like the common cold. The health of your GI tract also determines how well your immune system functions. In this section you'll learn which foods:

  • Make it easier for us to get sick
  • Protect us against colds and flu
  • Ensure our immune cells in our GI tract work properly

Supplements

Chances are, you are not getting all the important nutrients you need to maintain a strong immune system. Our lifestyles and food supply make it nearly impossible to acquire all of the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary to fight-off invading bacteria and viruses.

If you're like most people, the idea of buying vitamins is overwhelming. There are so many kinds of vitamins it's difficult to know which ones are right for you and your family. It also can be confusing trying to choose which brand you can trust. This section will help you understand which vitamins are most beneficial to strengthening your immune system. You'll learn:

  • Why diet and lifestyle don't provide the necessary nutrients
  • Which supplements help prevent colds and flu
  • How to choose the right brand

Stress

Traffic, the empty nest and an impossible-to-please boss ... if you're not careful, your response to these things can make you sick. Negative thoughts and feelings have a devastating impact on your body's ability to fight disease. But you can learn to properly deal with stress.

Our emotional health is closely tied to our physical health. When you are stressed-out, your immune system is significantly weakened, and less likely to protect you from intruding pathogens. You may be surprised to know what types of feelings are most stressful. Stress depletes your body's resources. Therefore, your immune system can't function properly. In this section you'll learn:

  • Why stress opens the door to illness
  • What types of emotions cause stress
  • How to effectively deal with stress in your life

Exercise

If you spend most of your life sitting on your duff, you're setting yourself up for a world of hurt this cold and flu season. That's because your body requires movement in order for your immune system to work properly. Exercise strengthens your body's ability to fend-off attacks by unhealthy bacteria and viruses.

Moving your body triggers a cascade of events that activate disease-fighting antibodies. There are lots of exercise options to suit your fitness level, even if you struggle with joint pain or obesity. The good news is you don't have to exercise very hard. There are many ways to incorporate movement into your work day, even if you have a desk job! In this section you'll find out:

  • How a sedentary lifestyle makes you more susceptible to illness
  • What types of exercise and how much of it strengthen your immune system
  • How to mix physical activity into your work day

Web Extras

Videos from the health experts featured on the "Protect Your Health!" DVD

Tom Kramer on CPAP machines
Dr. Levine on sedentary lifestyles
Dr. Millistine on dietary supplements
Dr. Neides on the impacts of stress
Dr. Roizen on balanced nutrition
Dr. Waters on sleep and the immune system