A StrongWell Work By: Jason Lewis.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, many people have been looking at ways to boost their immune system. This is your body’s natural defense against viruses and other foreign invaders. While there is no single action you can take to improve your immune system, everything you do to bolster your health puts it in a better position to protect you when you need it most.
Improve Your Health
If you’re overweight, lack muscle definition, or simply don’t feel like the best version of yourself, you can improve your health by starting a fitness routine. Many gyms offer classes for both beginners and advanced students. You can also connect with personal trainers who offer their services online. Physical activity will help your respiratory and circulatory system, and may even help you lose weight when combined with a healthy diet.
If you want a little something to help keep you motivated, consider investing in a smartphone or fitness tracker to help you stay on top of your exercise routine. If you decide to put some money into one of these devices, it may help to purchase a study watch band.
While exercise is crucial, you also have to change your dietary habits to take full control of your health. This does not mean immediately engaging in a fad diet, but eating food that promotes good health. Many healthcare physicians suggest Mediterranean eating habits, which include healthy fats, such as olive oil, plenty of vegetables and whole grains, and fruit. You can even have a glass of wine each day, which will boost satiety and may deliver a dose of antioxidants where you need it most.
Once you have your fitness and eating habits in check, your next step is to reduce stress. According to AARP, there is an undeniable link between your immune health and your mental state. This is because stress floods the body with cortisol, a hormone known to suppress the immune response. Ways to beat stress include meditating and taking frequent breaks from your day-to-day routine. You can also enlist the help of others to take on stressful activities, such as cleaning the house or caring for an aging loved one.
Finally, make it a point to prioritize sleep. Alaska Sleep Clinic explains that sleeping enough will prevent you from getting ill, but going without can leave a definite gap in your immune system. Clear your calendar each day so that you can devote at least eight hours to sleep. If this is impossible, do strive for no less than seven hours in one stretch and take one mid-day nap.
Signs of A Weakened Immune System
It’s almost impossible to know if your immune system is “strong” or not. But if you experience any of the following, the tips above can help you flex your immunity muscles against the invisible dangers we all face each day:
- Perpetual cold/flu symptoms
- Extreme stress
- Recurrent gastrointestinal issues
- Slow-healing wounds
- Frequent infections
- Continual fatigue
You can’t see your immune system, but you can bet that you will feel the effects of it not being at its best. Because the coronavirus is still fairly new, the science behind how the immune system responds to it is still evolving. And although we do not know exactly why some people’s immune responses work and others don’t, we do know one thing: prioritizing your health all the time is your best first line of defense against disease. So get active, eat well, and do what you can today to stay healthy. Your body will repay you by defending you against COVID-19 and other threats.
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Special Thanks to Jason Lewis for writing this post on the topic and allowing me to share it on my platform as well! Go check out his website, Strongwell.org for more senior catered nutrition/fitness/health tips and solid information!