There’s a lot of awesome things about being vegan, but one of the best perks of plant-based power is an immune system from the Gods. It wasn’t always that way though. I used to be sick, stuffy and blah pretty much all the time, but veganism improved my health in a big way and now I’m never ill. Vegan at Heart’s Marisa Miller Wolfson shares my sickless stride and talks all about it in her latest Weekly Mission. Check it out below!

Weekly Mission: How Not to Be a Sicky Sickerson During the Holidays

Today your mission is to read some simple tips that will help keep you healthy this holiday season.

You know how unfun it is to be the Sicky Sickerson at holiday celebrations: groggy, foggy, sniffly, snotty, coked up on cold medicine, trailing tissues wherever you go.

I used to get colds or flus twice a year. After going vegan, I’d only get hit once a year, but it would always be around the holidays. My family got used to greeting me at the airport with a nasty cold sore on my lip and a nose red enough to give Rudolph a run for his money.

I hated it so much that I’ve put a lot of energy into not getting sick, and guess what? I’ve succeeded! I haven’t had a full-blown cold or flu in over THREE years! As soon as I feel oogie, I batten down the hatches and keep the bug at bay. I’ve gotten this down to a science, and I’m eager to share my insights with you:

1. GET PLENTY OF SLEEP
A new study comes out every year supporting the importance of sleep in immune function. In fact, a 2009 study suggests that the whole reason why animals even evolved to sleep was to maintain our immune systems. Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. If you fall asleep within 10 minutes of hitting the hay, it means you’re not getting enough sleep.

If I’m suddenly overcome with a feeling of utter exhaustion, it means I’ll be sick the next day. Now, whenever that happens, I cancel all plans and go to bed early.

2. LEARN HOW TO SAY “NO”
If you start to get that ominous tickle in the throat, say “no” to social obligations. While your friends will miss you at the cookie swap, they’ll be glad not to have your germs near their ginger snaps. And while your boss might miss you at the holiday party, she’ll miss you more when you have to call in sick. It’s just not worth being miserable or unproductive (and infectious) for days or weeks for just one night of “fun.”

3. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS AND DRINK YOUR WATER
This hearkens back to Mission #3. You don’t need me to tell you why vitamins are helpful in fighting illness. And water is the most important element for sustaining life and health. Drink it! Staying hydrated will keep you energetic and healthy. Anecdotally, I’ve noticed that I’ve often gotten sick after I’ve scarfed down salty snacks that dried me out.

4. AVOID TOO MUCH ALCOHOL OR CAFFEINE
While it’s tempting to lean on alcohol or caffeine during high-stress times, they’ll come back and bite you in the booty. They’re natural diuretics that deplete your body of essential hydration, leading to headaches, lethargy, and skin breakouts. Unless you want to spend 30 minutes photoshopping holiday snapshots, avoid them. If you do indulge in a pumpkin spiced latte or some spiked soy nog, be sure to drink an equal amount of water with it. Better alternative to caffeine: have a green drink that will give you a healthy jolt of energy.

5. HAVE A GREEN DRINK EVERY DAY IF POSSIBLE
I ran into a friend recently who successfully fought off ovarian cancer and insists that her success is due in part to consuming one green juice every day. Your body’s defense against cancer is the same defense against the common cold–the immune system! No better way of boosting it than drinking a health cocktail packed with immune-boosting antioxidants and phytochemicals from whole fruits and veggies.

Try making your own juice or blended salad. Here’s a recipe from Dr. Oz, but don’t feel like you need an exact recipe. Experiment with a mix of veggies and fruits until you find a mix that you like.

6. WASH THOSE HANDIES!
You’re allowed to get a little OCD about germs during flu season. Be sure to wash often and wash well; get fingertips and thumbs, which are often missed. According to flu expert Dr. Michael Greger, germs don’t care if you use cold or hot water. Just wash long enough to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice…in your head or to the stranger’s ankles in the bathroom stall behind you.

7. TAKE ZINC
As soon as you start to feel cold/flu symptoms coming on, take a zinc supplement. Zinc is a well-known immune booster that finds its way into many immune-boosting supplements. I credit Cold-Eeze with nipping my colds in the bud. Sore throats and sniffles don’t last more than a couple of days after I start taking this Wonder Lozenge. Put it on your shopping list to buy at a drugstore near you and keep a couple of lozenges in your bag so you can always have a stash on hand.

Hope this is helpful. Enjoy being a Healthy Healtherson over the holidays!

Your fan,
Marisa