5 Tips to support your Immune System

By Joanie in Health Tips, Lifestyle Tips on 6 April 2020

At the moment, we seem to be completely bombarded with news about the Coronavirus and the effect it is having on our world. We’ve have been given a lot information that focuses on the preventative measures that will help protect us from the virus such as washing our hands, using sanitizers and keeping social distance. However, we don’t seem to be getting any information about how important it is to boost our immune system during this time, which is vital for optimum health.

While its important to educate ourselves about the Coronavirus, it’s also just as important to manage our stress or anxiety levels that may come with it, as stress is shown to lower your immunity to illness.

The good news is there are many things we can do to lower stress and give the immune system a boost. Below are 5 easy ways to ensure our bodies and minds are best prepared to fight the virus if we come into contact with it.

 

• Meditate— Since your immune system responds to both negative & positive thoughts, meditation creates a positive mental environment for the immune system to flourish. It also creates a deep state of rest that triggers the brain to release neurotransmitters that enhance feelings of wellbeing.

 

• Breathe — Doing some slow, belly breathing can calm the mind, which in turn strengthens the immune system. When we slow down the breath, we calm the stress response that can weaken the immune system. Try counting to 4 or 5 with each inhalation and exhalation to slow down your breathing.

 

• Sleep— Sleep has been known to boost T-cells which help us fight disease, especially viral diseases. Get at least 7-8 hours of natural, restful sleep.

 

• Eat well– Eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables are vital for our immune system as the vitamins, antioxidants and micronutrients that they contain keep our cells healthy, like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, zinc and other trace elements needed to support our immune system.

 

• Get regular exercise — Exercise can contribute to overall good health and therefore to a healthy immune system. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.