Health
Boost Your Immune System Naturally
If you live in an area where four seasons are the norm, you likely become wary of viruses when the fall season occurs. This is an excellent time for infections, as most thrive in colder conditions. And with so many children being placed together in schoolroom situations, viruses and germs can spread like wildfire.
But just because the conditions seem to be on the viruses’ side, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. There are a number of ways that you can avoid getting infected by a virus this season.
Outside Factors Which Boost Your Immune System
Moving, breathing, and your level of self-care all contribute to a robust immune system.
Exercise
If you’re getting tired of hearing doctors talk about the importance of exercise, don’t expect that it will end anytime soon; this is because exercise helps your body, not only to look good but to more efficiently do its job of distributing lymph.
Lymph is the liquid in your body responsible for the elimination of bacteria. And when you exercise, lymph gets circulated throughout your body more quickly, allowing for more efficient cleaning. And the only way to get lymph going is by moving.
Air
The cleanliness of the air you breathe is vital. Thousands of bacteria and viruses can be present in the air. But that doesn’t mean that you have to wear a mask whenever you step outside your door; viruses can also help the immune system to build more resistance.
And while you are unlikely to be breathing ‘pure’ air even in the remotest of locations, your body already has filters which can help you to process any potential bacteria, which are the hairs in your nose and the cilia in your lungs. Bacteria and viruses are caught in these filters, and then become dislodged when we cough or sneeze.
Of course, it makes sense that any habits which reduce the function of these natural filters, such as smoking, should be avoided if at all possible.
Self-Care
You may be a busy parent who spends a lot of time tending to their children. While this may make your mom or dad of the year, when coupled with the stresses of a job, it can make your immune system weaker than ever.
Finding even just a few minutes a day to truly relax can do wonders for your immune system. Adopting a hobby that gets you moving or puts you in the company of like-minded individuals is another excellent way to boost your immune system.
Immune System Boosting From The Inside
What you eat can have an incredible effect on how well your body fights off viruses. And there could be ingredients present in your kitchen right now that, when added to tonight’s meal, can do wonders for your immune system.
Garlic
Garlic is an ancient vegetable that has been used for generations as a way to fight all sorts of bacteria and viruses. This vegetable costs next to nothing, but can offer a host of benefits to anyone who consumes it. Whether you’re having soup, stir fry, or a morning omelet, garlic can be added to just about any meal to add wonderful flavor and immune-boosting benefits.
Omega-3s
You’ve probably heard a recent commercial singing the praises of Omega-3s. These fatty acids can be found in flax oil and fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel. Omega-3s, when they enter the human body to boost the immune system by increasing white blood cell activity. Not only that, but they also protect the body from the damage that can be caused when it over-reacts to infection.
Yogurt
Many people believe that the health of the digestive system is directly related to the strength of your immune system. To that end, yogurt is one delicious way to boost your defenses. This and other cultured foods, such as sauerkraut and kefir, contain a wealth of the good bacteria needed by your digestive system to fight infection.
Vitamin C
If you want to stimulate your antibodies, there’s no better way than to give your body some Vitamin C. This popular vitamin can be found in high concentration in the form of kiwi fruit, oranges, strawberries, and papaya, as well as red and green sweet peppers, mango and guava.