Instead of seeking relief through subpar over-the-counter tablets and pricey doctors visits, why not try to avoid the sickness altogether this season?
Here are five easy ways you can strengthen your immune system naturally. So, go ahead and cancel that bulk tissue order and try out these methods to give your body the boost it needs to keep you feeling happy and healthy all year long!
Number 1: Get more sleep.
There is so much evidence to show the connection between immunity and sleep. While it may not seem like an active process, many important things happen within the body while we’re asleep. A recent study has found that quality shuteye can support T cells that fight off infection, reduce inflammation, and speed up the recovery process of sickness and injury by targeting foreign substances in the body. Therefore, those who do not get enough sleep are more likely to get sick after exposure to viruses and other illness-causing pathogens.
To give your immune system the best chance of fighting off unwanted illness, it’s recommended that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Teenagers need closer to 10 hours, and younger children and toddlers need up to 14 hours of sleep daily.
Number 2: Incorporate more fermented foods into your diet
Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha, and tempeh are rich in healthy bacteria that support your digestive tract. They foster a flourishing network of gut bacteria that can assist the immune system in telling the difference between healthy cells and harmful invader organisms that could make you sick.
If fermented foods aren’t in your daily rotation, a high-quality probiotic supplement is another option.
Number 3: Engage in regular exercise.
Aside from being great for your mental, respiratory, and heart health, frequent moderate exercise can effectively reduce inflammation and promote the regeneration of immune cells. Experts have found that engaging in 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day can boost overall blood circulation and stimulate the immune system by helping infection-fighting molecules travel throughout the body.
Moderate exercise includes bike riding, light jogging, swimming, weight lifting, and hiking.
Number 4: Reduce stress levels.
Stress affects our health in several ways, both chronic and periodic. During periods of stress, the body initiates a response that suppresses the immune system and makes you more susceptible to illness or infection. Practicing mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and other self-care practices are a great way to reduce stress levels and keep anxiety and tension at bay.
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Number 5: Stay hydrated
Water does wonders for the body! First and foremost, it helps carry oxygen to the cells, which leads to properly functioning body systems. It also flushes toxins from the body that could harm your immune health. A vital fluid in your circulatory system, lymph, is primarily water and carries essential infection-fighting cells throughout the body. If you become dehydrated, it slows down the production and movement of lymph which causes the immune system to become impaired.
By hitting your daily water goal, which should be approximately half your body weight in ounces, you are helping your body stay hydrated and perform to the best of its ability!
For more tips and tricks about healthy habits, sustainable living, and holistic skincare, be sure to check us out on social media at @keeperscollective_
January 01, 2022