Tips on Strengthening your Immune System

With the arrival of the COVID-19 virus, comes the importance of putting our health first. There are claims that having a healthy and strong immune system can help with fighting off viruses as well as decreasing your likelihood of getting a virus. Therefore, on top of washing our hands, practising social distancing, leaving the house when it is only essential, we can implement steps to increase our immune systems. A healthy immune system is not just necessary for a virus but it is a vital function of the body that helps protect us.

Tips on Strengthening your Immune System

1. Sleep
– Poor sleep is linked to the susceptibility of illness. Our bodies need adequate sleep in order to regenerate and rest. Good sleep is scientifically linked with T cells which are part of the immune system
– Therefore, if you’re having difficulty with sleep, try and limit technology use before bed, try blue light glasses, use some essential oils or practise other sleep hygiene methods.

2. Vitamins/Supplements
– Vitamins and supplements are a great way to supplement what our bodies are missing in order to help the body run as efficiently as possible. It is best to get yourself tested to see what you are missing. However, humans are often deficient in b vitamins, and magnesium which are essential for the body.
– Vitamin D and Vitamin C are also closely linked to the immune system. We are often missing vitamin D in the cold months and therefore it is important to supplement this missing vitamin.

3. Exercise
– Moderate exercise has been shown to increase your immune system. Try going for a walk, bike ride, or swim for 30 minutes.
– DO NOT overdue your exercise as this has been shown to suppress your immunity.
– Exercise has been shown to reduce inflammation and regenerate your immune cells

4. Reduce Stress
– Stress is an underlying factor for many illnesses. We know that stress negatively affects the body by releasing stress hormones which can lead to inflammation and can cause us to get sick
– Decreasing our stress is important for mind and body
– Try implementing a meditation routine, breathing techniques or massages into your routines.

5. Laughter
– Laughter decreases the stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection fighting anti-bodies!
– So, facetime a friend or family member and start laughing, watch a funny movie or practise laughing yoga! It is healthy to laugh.

All of this advice should be consulted with your doctor as our bodies are all different and may need different things.
The important thing is that we try our best to implement routines and items that make our bodies feel good. Often we have so much going on that we forget to take care of our bodies. This is the time to ensure that we are properly taking care of our bodies. They are most important and we cannot go on without a healthy body.