Maintain A Healthy Immune System
COVID-19 has sent many people into a frenzy of maintaining their health, with good reason. Many of us want a quick fix to boost our immune systems. But we fail to recognize that you cannot build a healthy immune system overnight. While physical distancing and good hand hygiene are important, there are even more healthy habits you can implement to strengthen your immune system over time.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is vital to your body’s overall health and ensuring your various systems are functioning correctly. Water not only helps prevent dehydration, but moves oxygen around your body, protects you from toxins and germs, and keeps your body balanced.
Keep A Good Diet
Overall, what you put in your body ultimately affects your body. It is essential that your diet is balanced and includes fruits and vegetables. Eating foods rich in Iron, Zinc, and Vitamins C, D, A, and E are crucial
in equipping your body with the means necessary to protect itself and fight harmful diseases and infections.
Stress Less
When a person is stressed, the body produces a hormone called cortisol, which can suppress the effectiveness of your immune system. Stressing can also cause other unhealthy behaviors like drinking, smoking, or eating to cope with stress. It is crucial to identify the cause of stress and deal with it healthily.
Move Your Body & Get Outside
Participating in 30 minutes of physical activity each day can help stimulate your immune system. Exercise can also help reduce your cortisol levels which also combats stress. Furthermore, regular exercise also benefits the body by promoting better sleep.
Get Enough Sleep
Do not miss out on sleep if you can help it. Seven hours of sleep is the recommended amount of sleep a person should aim for each night. It’s during those hours of rest that the immune system revs up to help repair wounds and fight off infection. So get as much rest as you can!
Quit Smoking
The chemicals in cigarettes are detrimental to the lungs and immune system, putting your body at risk when it comes to effectively fighting off infections. Already present lung diseases and reduced lung capacity put smokers at higher risk for infection. However, when you quit smoking, the immune system can rebound without exposure to harmful chemicals.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation
Like smoking, drinking alcohol in excess can suppress your immune system. Furthermore, it also makes it harder for your body to recognize infections and fight against them. It’s imperative to avoid heavy and binge drinking, but even moderate drinking can negatively impact the body. To keep your immune system healthy, avoiding drinking altogether is recommended. If you feel sick or under the weather, it’s also wise not to drink.
The biggest takeaway we find in searching for the best way to boost your immune system is the complexity of our immune systems. There are many variables and factors that can negatively or positively affect it. Furthermore, it’s crucial to take care of your body on an ongoing basis to ensure its capability of responding well when it faces infection or illness. You can also learn more about best strategies for strengthening your immune system by scheduling regular appointments with your primary care physician.
