Maintaining a healthy immune system is more important now than ever. The ability to fight off viruses and remain healthy not only helps you but also helps stop the spread of disease and keeps others safe. As COVID-19 spreads around the globe, individuals are doing everything in their power to remain well.
According to Harvard University Medical School, boosting your immune system takes more than one action. You need a comprehensive approach that addresses each aspect of your body. Here are 7 ways to start boosting immunity today.
1. Get Enough Sleep
Keeping a healthy immune system is about more than taking supplements. Your body requires the proper amount of sleep to reset and rejuvenate each night. Lack of sleep can also slow down your body’s healing process.
Check out these bedroom hacks to help you sleep better every night.
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Make sure your diet is packed with fresh foods that are rich in essential nutrients. Experts state that individuals with low levels of micronutrients such as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin E are more likely to have a poor immune function.
Check out the best fresh foods to support your health.
3. Exercise
Exercise is another crucial element in helping your immune system function at its best. Experts state that when you exercise, your body circulates antibodies and white blood cells, which are essential to fighting off infection and disease.
You might be stuck at home right now, so check out the best fitness channels on YouTube to get your fitness on right in your living room.
4. Reduce Stress
Stress wreaks havoc on our bodies in many ways, and impacting how well your immune system works is just one of them. Studies show that adults under severe stress are twice as likely to get sick with colds and respiratory infections than those who aren’t.
Check out these quick and easy stress relievers that you can do anywhere.
5. Don’t Smoke
Smoking affects more than your lungs. Experts state that those who smoke are more likely to get the flu and pneumonia. Smokers have lower levels of antioxidants in their bodies and can have a much longer recovery time when they do get sick compared to those who don’t smoke. Additionally, children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are also more likely to get sick.
Take this quiz to see if your lungs need a detox.
6. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Studies show that the more alcohol you consume, the more likely you are to experience respiratory symptoms, pneumonia, and other illnesses. Alcohol lowers your body’s ability to fight off infection. If you do drink, moderation is key as an individual’s susceptibility to illness increases with the more alcohol they consume.
If you’re looking for GR8 non-alcoholic beverages, try these mocktail recipes.
7. Maintain Sanitary Practices
Taking steps to boost your immune system is vital, but maintaining safe practices to protect yourself is also essential. The experts at Harvard Medical School recommend taking the usual precautions of washing your hands and covering your mouth. But also ensuring that you wash and cover all cuts and scrapes as soon as possible as they give bacteria and viruses a way to get inside your body. Avoid popping pimples, rinse all meat before cooking, take travel precautions, and stay up to date on vaccinations.
If you’re looking for simple ways to disinfect everything in your house, check out these tips.
Keeping Yourself and Your Family Safe
We know that keeping yourself and your family safe is your main concern at this time. Taking the right steps to ensure your immune system at its very best is one way to help. Additionally, remain calm and follow the advice of public health officials. To learn more about every stage of fitness read our complete body care guide.