Strengthen your immune system in autumn - use regional products

Summer is saying goodbye and the first fresh morning breezes are a reminder that a new season is beginning. On the Costa Blanca, we also feel the change in September: shorter days, changeable weather, more temperature fluctuations. It is precisely during this transitional period that our bodies react more sensitively. It's worth giving your defences a little boost now - and the best way to do this is with what the region has to offer anyway.

Vitamins from the region
Many people reflexively turn to vitamin supplements in autumn, as if health could be preserved in tablet form. However, high doses of vitamin C do not prevent infections. What really counts grows right on our doorstep: with the citrus harvest, the markets are filled with oranges, mandarins, lemons and grapefruits - rich in vitamins and antioxidants. They are complemented by pomegranates and persimmons, which are in season in autumn and additionally support the immune system with secondary plant substances. Almonds, which are traditionally harvested in autumn, are also real mineral bombs. Those who regularly integrate this variety into their diet are doing their immune system a real favour.

Exercise in everyday life - better than any powder
It doesn't have to be hours of training to get the immune system going. Even a daily walk through the town, a short hike into the hinterland or a bike ride along the coast have a lasting effect. Studies show: Moderate, regular exercise boosts the production of defence cells and lowers stress hormones at the same time. Those who exercise regularly benefit twice over - body and soul are brought into balance.

Sleep: the silent source of health
Restful sleep remains an often underestimated foundation. Especially in the transitional months, when the rhythm fluctuates between long summer nights and shorter autumn days, the body reacts sensitively to a lack of sleep. While we sleep, it repairs cells and produces immune defence substances. Those who sleep too little weaken this mechanism considerably. Regular bedtimes, a darkened bedroom and consciously not using your mobile phone or tablet before going to sleep are small adjustments with a big effect.

Sun and Mediterranean cuisine as a wild card
A decisive advantage of the Costa Blanca is the climate. Even in autumn, the sun still ensures the production of vitamin D - an important building block of the immune system. Combined with Mediterranean cuisine, this results in an almost ideal protective shield: vegetables in all their varieties, fresh fish, pulses, nuts and herbs provide the body with everything it needs for a stable immune system. And what's more, eating seasonally and locally is a pleasure.

Cold shower or warm myth?
Whether it's contrast showers, saunas or ice baths - opinions differ. There is no clear scientific evidence of the long-term effect on the immune system. If you enjoy it, you are welcome to incorporate such rituals into your daily routine, but they are not compulsory. The main thing to remember is that the immune system loves consistency: regularity in eating, sufficient exercise and restful sleep.

Small habits, big impact
Not everything has to be complicated. A glass of water in the morning, a handful of almonds in between, a walk in the evening - it's the little routines that make the difference in the long term. Social contacts are also an underestimated factor: people who laugh, exchange ideas and experience community have been proven to strengthen the body's defences.
Autumn doesn't have to be the season of infections. If you use regional products, pay attention to exercise and sleep and consciously live a Mediterranean lifestyle, you will also strengthen your immune system. And the best thing about it: it tastes good, is fun - and fits in perfectly with the Costa Blanca.