How to Boost Immunity in This Virus-Laden World
The coronavirus pandemic has given everyone a reason to look for ways to build immunity. But getting an immunity boost might require a lifestyle change. Remember, your immune system is your body’s warden against germs, viruses, pathogens, and disease. So that means it has to be strong enough to fight all of these health scares. Now you don’t want it to be too strong that you develop an autoimmune disorder. Luckily, there are a few lifestyle habits that you want to focus on to build immunity so your body functions optimally.
Are you eating healthy?
What goes in decides how strong your body is. A healthy diet is key to building a strong body and immunity. Now what is healthy? Well, your diet should include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, legumes, and lean protein in order to be termed healthy.
Refined ingredients and processed foods that are highly addictive are not your health buddies. You want to make sure you are taking enough nutrition to ward off illness and maintain immune health. Eating a balanced diet is the key to supporting your immune system naturally instead of reaching out to immunity-boosting supplements.
Are you drinking enough liquid?
You want to strengthen your immune health but don’t want to reach out to that glass of plain water. Well, did you know that water is critical to having strong immunity? Your circulatory system comprises a fluid (known as lymph) that carries infection-fighting cells around the body. If you do not drink a lot of water, dehydration compromises with the movement of lymph in the body, resulting in an impaired immune system. The loss of water in the form of sweat or urine further aggravates the problem. Boosting your immune health gets easier when you develop a habit of drinking enough water to stay hydrated and keep the lymph circulating.
Are you taking a lot of stress?
Stress is your foe that you want to stay away from for all the bad reasons. It might start slowly, but unless you take action, stress builds over time and starts to affect your overall health. A stressed body and mind responds by initiating a stress response that suppresses the immune system. Stress compromises the ability of the immune system to fight off antigens, making you susceptible to infection. Additionally, corticosteroid stress hormone is believed to lower the number of lymphocytes, thus suppressing immune health.
Are you exercising daily?
No, you don’t need to hit the gym every day in order to stay fit and healthy. A brisk long walk is a good way to keep yourself active and kicking. Regular activity keeps blood pressure under control while maintaining blood sugar. When you exercise regularly, you can enjoy a healthy weight and good heart health and also ward off stress.
Exercise improves blood circulation, clears airways, strengthens antibodies to fight infection, reduces inflammation, and causes a brief rise in body temperature.
Are you sleeping sound?
You may not realize that sleep aids in immunity. Studies show that lack of sleep puts you at a higher risk of disease and infection. When you are asleep, your immune system releases cytokines, proteins that aid in sleep. Prolonged sleep deprivation or insomnia may reduce the production of these protective proteins. Even worse, when you do not get enough sleep, your antibodies and cells are reduced, putting you at a high risk of infection.
These tips should come in handy to strengthen your body’s defences and ward off illness. Stay healthy, active and kicking!
