As the new coronavirus spreads across the country, it is important to have your immune system ready to fight against any infection even against the common cold. This does not involve taking supplements or any additional products to enhance your immunity, we focus on more natural & healthier ways.
The immune system is your body’s ecosystem to combat disease causing organisms. Sometimes it fails because the body gets overwhelmed by germs that get into the body making you ill.
HOW DO I BOOST MY IMMUNITY?
Your immune system is affected by what you eat & your lifestyle. This means you will need some lifestyle modification to enhance your immune system.
- GET SUFFICIENT SLEEP
Your body’s ability to fight infections is altered when you don’t get enough sleep. Try to sleep at least seven to eight hours each night. You should talk to your doctor if you have trouble falling or staying asleep.
- EXERCISE REGULARLY
Regular exercise generally improves heart health, lowers the blood pressure & helps to protect against a variety of diseases. It also contributes directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and work efficiently. However, continuous rigorous workout weakens the immune system, leaving you prone to flu and viral infections.
- REDUCE YOUR STRESS LEVEL
Your immune system ability to fight infection is reduced when you are stressed. This is why we fall ill when stressed. Here are a few tips on how to relax when stressed:
- Take five minutes each day to meditate another five minutes to breathe deeply. These helps reduce stress by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure
- Eat a healthy diet and drink a lot of water
- Exercise regularly
- Find an enjoyable hobby e.g. reading, music, buying health insurance plans for others etc.
- Connect with friends, talk to friends and share what is going on.
- Laugh more. Laughing lowers stress hormones and increases endorphins that will help lighten you up
- DRINK LESS ALCOHOL – DRINK MORE WATER
The excess intake of alcohol can cause complications that will tamper with the immune system. Drinking water is the best and healthiest form of hydration. It helps to transport oxygen to your cells & also works to flush toxins from the body. You should drink up to 3 litres of water a day.
- INCREASE YOUR INTAKE OF VITAMINS
Vitamin A, B6, C, D and E are essential vitamins that help increase the strength of the immune system. Vitamin C is a prime booster & can be gotten from citrus fruits like Orange, Grapefruit, mango, pineapple, watermelon, etc. as well as vegetables like cabbage and peppers.
- TRY COLOSTRUM
Colostrum is the fluid that is released first from the breast before the milk. The colostrum contains protective antibodies that help fight against infections. You can get powder form, obtained from cows, goats and other mammals, these antibodies can be mixed with water, juice, and shakes.
- EAT MORE VEGETABLES
Vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts such as kiwi, spinach, red bell pepper, pawpaw, turmeric, garlic, almonds, yogurts, ginger, etc. are filled with nutrients that are essential for our immune system. Overcooking vegetables will lead to the loss of essential nutrients.
- END TOBACCO USE
Tobacco kills up to half of its users. According to the WHO, 8 million people die from tobacco use each year and 1.2 million of the deaths are non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Smoking impairs the immune system, weakening it and gives way for other diseases.
- STAY AWAY FROM;
- Processed foods
- Food and drinks with high sugar
- Alcohol
- Refined carbohydrates
Remember, a healthy immune system lives in a healthy body. The stronger your immune system, the lesser your chances of falling ill. But then again, having a strong immune system doesn’t make you invincible. #STAYSAFE.
