We’ve all heard the clich “at least you have your health.” It’s true that our health and wellbeing are some of the most worthwhile things on which we can focus. When you’re felling your best, everything else in life comes more naturally.
But what can you do to improve your overall health? Are there ways to reduce how often you get sick? The short answer is yes. There are things you can do, and foods you can eat that will help boost your immune system.
Here are some excellent tips for a more robust immune system.
Quit Smoking
It is a well-known fact that annually more people die from tobacco-related illnesses, than from car accidents, drugs or alcohol. So, to balance your immune system first of all you can start from quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke, too.
Eat More Antioxidants
Antioxidants help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation has links to a whole host of issues, including heart disease. Some research suggests that antioxidants also ease cold and flu symptoms.
Antioxidants are present in fruits and vegetables and many types of green tea.
Try Manuka Honey
If you enjoy a little sweetness in your tea or baked goods, try alternatives to sugar, such as healthy honey. With its source as the manuka bush, manuka honey has antibacterial properties and provides excellent immune system support. It’s also quite tasty.
Fear Not Healthy Fats
Similarly to antioxidants, healthy fats decrease inflammation, helping your body fight pathogens. Healthy fat is present in chia seeds, olive oil, and salmon. Try substituting olive oil for butter next time you’re cooking.
One Word: Water
Dehydration is detrimental to your overall health. It can cause headaches, fatigue, and eventually, heart and kidney issues. Drinking water daily and avoiding sugary juices and soft drinks will keep your body functioning correctly. You’ll feel more alert as well.
Be Good to your Gut
Stomach health is an integral part of your overall wellness. Bacteria in your stomach can help your immune system tell the difference between healthy cells and harmful cells. Naturally, you should make sure that helpful bacteria flourishes.
Fermented foods are rich in probiotics, another name for that beneficial stomach bacteria. Foods like yogurt and kimchi are excellent sources of probiotics. You can also take a probiotics supplement.
Get Some Sleep
Not getting enough sleep leads directly to a higher susceptibility to illness. You may have had the experience of getting sick when you haven’t been eating right or sleeping well. Adults should get at least seven hours of sleep a night.
If you’re not feeling well, you may need more sleep than usual to allow your body to fight off the illness.
Exercise
Moderate exercise is a fantastic way to boost your immune system as it reduces inflammation and helps your cells regenerate regularly. Try incorporating jogging, hiking, bicycling, or brisk walking into your routine. Your body will thank you for it.
Skip the Sugar
It’s alright to indulge now and then, but a diet with too much added sugar could cause obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which weaken the immune system. Some studies show that vaccines are less useful for obese individuals.
Limiting your sugar intake will improve your overall health.
Meditate
Stress can cause imbalances in immune cell function as well as inflammation. Keeping your stress levels in check is equally critical for your mental and physical health. Meditation is an excellent way to curb stress. It can lower your heart rate and blood pressure over time, decreasing your risk of heart disease.
If meditation isn’t for you, try a different stress-relieving activity such as journaling, yoga, or aromatherapy.
Final Thoughts
These tips shouldn’t replace regular visits to a practicing physician, but they can help you maintain a healthy immune system and get sick less often.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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