• As we enter into a new year, COVID-19 is still going strong — we need to do everything we can to have a strong immune system
• Dr. Fauci recommends these 4 essential ways to boost your immunity
• We’ve compiled a list of our favorite, doctor-recommended options for you here

Since March, the U.S. has had over 13 million cases of COVID-19, with 269k+ deaths from the virus, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As we try to combat the spread of Coronavirus, Dr. Fauci — a key leader in the Coronavirus Task Force and director of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — reminds us of ways we can further protect ourselves and others with a strong immune system.

As we head into the fall and winter, it’s important to remain vigilant and prioritize keeping ourselves, our loved ones and others safe and healthy. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the U.S., these are some of the small but essential ways Dr. Fauci says we need to utilize in order to have a strong immune system.

Incorporate Dr. Fauci’s recommendations for a healthy, strong immune system with these simple additions to your life, below.

Dr. Fauci’s 4 tips to boosting a strong immune system — and where to find them

1. Incorporate Vitamin D into your life

Vitamin D supplements are great for so many reasons: it can decrease your risk of developing heart disease, aid in healthy weight loss, help in battling depression and even can help boost your immune system as part of overall good health. Recently appearing on an Instagram Live session with actress Jennifer Garner, Dr. Fauci explained why he’d recommend taking it.

“If you are deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection. So I would not mind recommending, and I do it myself, taking vitamin D supplements,” Dr. Fauci said.

Vitamin D can be taken in liquid, capsule or gummy formulations.

2. Make sure to get a good night’s rest

Are you getting a good night’s rest? If not, your immune system is suffering. Sleep is extremely important in helping your body defend itself — especially right now. Dr. Fauci told Business Insider recently in order to effectively support your immune system you must, “get a reasonable amount of sleep.”

There are many ways to approach getting a good night of sleep. Meditation, sleep hygiene, eating no later than 4 hours before going to sleep and supplements such as magnesium and melatonin are common remedies that people practice.

If you’re struggling with getting quality sleep, try this solution: the Sleep Fix Cognitive Therapy Course. This powerful, easy 8-session course is aimed at getting you back to the pleasure of sleeping soundly in just a few short weeks. Dr. Michael Grandnew Ph.D., the Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Sleep and Health Research at the University of Arizona, guides you through the course to achieve better overall health, improved productivity and a better quality of life.

3. Get Vitamin C for a strong immune system

Another powerful, small way to boost your immune system right now, is through getting in your Vitamin C. The vitamin strengthens your body’s natural defenses, can help in lowering blood pressure, boosts immunity and more. When it comes to having a strong immune system, even Dr. Fauci recommends it.

<“It’s a good antioxidant.” Dr. Fauci explains, “if people want to take a gram or so of vitamin C, that would be fine.”

Vitamin C can be found in various fruits and vegetables or as powder, liquid, gummy or pill form supplements.

4. Manage the amount of stress in your life

Are you stressed? Right now, it’s understandable to be a little on edge. But it’s important to lower your stress levels. Stress can negatively impact our mental health and our immune system. According to Dr. Fauci, we should “try to avoid or alleviate severe stress, which we know can sometimes impact the immune system.”

If you’re looking to alleviate your stress, we recommend this innovative and transformational cognitive therapy course aimed at busting the stress in your life. In this interactive, easy-to-use course, Dr. Diane Hambrick M.D. teaches how to live easy by changing the way you respond to stress through retraining our brain’s habitual, impulsive reactions to triggering life events and situations. Learn to take back your life by ridding yourself of unnecessary stressors.