Now more than ever, immune health is something many people are taking more seriously. If you have a strong immune system, you’ll be more capable of fighting off diseases and infections, and you’ll likely be sick a lot less often.
Whether you already have good habits and want to be in even better shape, or if you are just learning about healthy living, you’ll find three great tips for strengthening your immune system below.
1. Take supplements
Your gut health has a direct tie to your immune system. While you should always try to eat a well-rounded diet with whole grains, fruit, and vegetables, you still may not get all of the vitamins you need. If you’re not getting the necessary vitamins from a nutritious diet, you may want to consider taking supplements. Some supplements that may directly strengthen your immune system include vitamin C, zinc, and elderberry, and it’s also helpful to take a probiotic or eat foods like yogurt that strengthen your gut health.
Aside from individual nutrients, you can also take an immune booster supplement, which has a combination of vitamins that support your immune system, energy, and overall wellness. The added benefits from an immune booster supplement will ensure you have all the essential nutrients to maintain a strong immune system. Before you take supplements, make sure you consult your doctor or dietician to see where you have gaps in your vitamin intake.
2. Watch your stress levels
High levels of stress are an easy way to damage your immune system. When you’re under extreme stress, your body releases stress hormones that suppress your immune system. Studies show that the more stressed you are, the more likely you are to get sick with colds and other viral infections. Stress can also contribute to a lack of adequate sleep, which can hurt your immunity even more.
While some things are out of your control and will undoubtedly lead to stress, try to do what you can to mitigate your stress levels. Start yoga or other meditative practices, take up relaxing hobbies, or just take a break when you need it. You may also want to consider therapy if you find it difficult to cope with stress and anxiety. Mental health and physical health are directly related, especially when it comes to your immune system.
3. Get regular exercise
Exercise is often lauded as one of the best ways to stay physically healthy. Research shows that exercise can shorten the duration of colds by strengthening your adaptive immune response. Staying active and getting regular exercise keeps your blood pumping, which allows your white blood cells to find and attack diseases more quickly. Regular exercise also helps to control body weight and lower your blood pressure and equips your body with extra energy to fight off viral infections.
When considering exercise regimens to start, make sure you keep your routine moderate. If you do too much physical activity, you can stress your body out to the point where you hurt your immune system. Try to keep your workouts to 30 or 60 minutes at a time, and make sure you’re doing enough to get your heart pumping, but not so much that you’re putting a toll on yourself.
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many people have begun to take their health and immunity more seriously. Some of the best ways to strengthen your immune response are to make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins and nutrients, keeping your stress levels as low as possible, and getting a healthy dose of exercise. If you work hard to maintain good habits, you’ll find yourself getting sick less often and enjoying the beneficial effects of a healthy immune system.
