Lifestyle Changes to Boost Your Immune System

Winter is coming and that can mean only one thing. Cold and flu season. The good news is you don’t have to completely fall victim to all the nasty germs and bugs floating around with a little diligence. That is right, it is possible to kick your immune system up a notch or two by making good choices for your health. Below we will provide you with some basic ideas on how to fire up your immune system and ward off the unpleasant sicknesses on the horizon.

Five Ways to Boost Your Immunity

1. Make sure you are getting enough sleep. The number one way to assure you will get sick is by not getting the sleep your body requires to stay healthy and strong. You should be at least getting six hours of sleep a night. Seven to eight hours is even better. Not only does sleep strengthen your natural immunity, it also helps your immune system fight off whatever diseases are floating around better. In order to get your best sleep, make sure you are turning electronics off an hour before bed, sleeping in a completely dark space and exercising regularly.

2. Keep your diet healthy. Whole plant foods, fermented foods and healthy fats are your friend when it comes to immune system boosting. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes are all high in antioxidants and can help fight inflammation. The high fiber content of these foods is also great for keeping your gut happy which also plays into a stronger immune system. Along the same lines fermented foods provide necessary probiotics for your gut, keeping it healthy and your immune system in full gear, while healthy fats also combat inflammation.

3. Get your body moving. All it takes is moderate exercise to give your immune system a boost. Moderate exercise helps to cut down on inflammation while also getting your immune cells to regenerate regularly. Go for a brisk walk, steady cycle, jog, swim or even a light hike to bump up your immune power immediately.

4. Stay hydrated. Hydration isn’t so much about protection as it is about prevention. When you are dehydrated you can suffer from headaches which then hinder the rest of your physical prowess and make you more susceptible to sickness. If you drink when you are thirsty and stop when you aren’t you should be in good shape.

5. Keep your stress down. Long term stress can promote inflammation and imbalances in the immune cell function which means you are more likely to get sick. Taking time to meditate, practice yoga or breathing is important to keep you stress level down and your immune system up.

All of these lifestyle changes can go a long way to keeping your body strong and well enough to fight off whatever bugs are on the prowl, however, they are not fool proof. If you find yourself seriously sick (think Covid-19) it is important to seek professional health and not leave it up to your body to over come it on its own.