Winter is in full swing for many of us. This also means more germs and viruses floating around. Many people find themselves getting at least one bad cold or flu bug each winter season. If you also have little children, those germs can seem like they multiply much more quickly!

Thankfully, there are lots of things we can do to help protect our families from all the winter bugs that float around. Along with the simple routine of regular, thorough hand-washing, working to increase our immunity and keep our overall health in good shape can really help when it comes to preventing the spread of germs. Today I’m bringing you 6 easy ways to help boost your immunity and staying healthy this winter.

Disclosure: I am part of the Mom It Forward Influencer Network and am being compensated by Life Supplemented CRN for this campaign. All opinions in here are my own.

How to Stay Healthy in the Winter

Make time to get outside – I know, getting outside in the winter can some times be a bit hard. If you have children, it means bundling up little people every time you want some fresh air, which is often no easy feat. It’s also often really cold, which means lots of layers. But the outdoors and fresh air is so important and can be really beneficial at keeping those pesky cold and flu germs away. Try to make a point of going for a good winter walk every single day. Being active outdoors will make you (almost) forget about the cold and also help boost your immune system.

Lots of Vitamin C – Stock up on citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. Strawberries, red peppers, kale and broccoli also pack a good amount of vitamin C, which will help protect your body from all the germs going around. You can take a supplement as well, especially if you feel an illness coming on.

Think about Supplements – While I take certain supplements year-round, the winter is especially a good time to think about adding them to your daily routine. Along with a good probiotic, vitamin C and D are great to take in the winter-time. We should all be taking vitamin D from May-October if we live north of the equator. A multi-vitamin is a great way to ensure you’re getting everything you need, which is probably why it’s the most popular supplement out there. Dietary supplements can play a big role in our overall health, but we just need to remember they are supplements and not substitutes for healthy eating, so we still really need to focus on eating well. Still, it can some times be difficult to get all the nutrients we need and most of us busy moms don’t have a perfect diet, so supplements can really help fill in the gap and also make sure we’re at our healthiest.

Eat Well – While many of us go into somewhat of a hibernation mode in winter during the coldest months, it shouldn’t be an excuse to gouge ourselves on unhealthy and sugary foods. Keeping our bodies healthy with lots of vegetables, fruit and enough water each day can do wonders at keeping us in our optimal health. For comfort foods, think about warm soups, hearty stews and delicious energy bars. You can sneak lots of veggies into soups and even baked goods like muffins.

Hit the Hay – Sleep is vital to replenishing our bodies and helping us stay strong and healthy. If we are running low on sleep, our bodies become more susceptible to picking up all those yucky germs that float around in the winter time. Try to refrain from pulling all-nighters by getting enough sleep at night or even napping whenever possible if you have a new baby. If necessary, ask someone for help so you can get some much-needed sleep.

Exercise – Don’t forget about stretching your muscles and exercising. Whether you’re a runner or a yogi, any form of exercise is good for your body and is much needed to keep your immunity high. Get out for a nature walk with the kids, make a regular plan to hit the gym or the yoga studio, or even just set aside time each week to do some exercises at home. Family yoga is also a fun activity to do together!

As a Mom it is all too easy to put yourself on the back burner as you tend to your family’s needs. But taking care of yourself is so important! Plus, it makes you a great role-model for your little ones too.

Take care of yourselves this winter Mamas. Thank you so much for reading!