Your immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining your overall health. It is responsible for defending your body against viruses that can cause different illnesses. Your immunity, though, highly depends on the things that you do. If you take good care of yourself like you are supposed to, then this particular system of your body will be able to function well.
With that said, here are 10 ways to boost your immune system starting today:
1. Eat Healthy Food
Needless to say, a healthy diet, especially one that includes fruits and vegetables, is essential in strengthening your defense against diseases. These food items provide your body with vitamins and minerals. Citrus fruits, like oranges, are a good source of Vitamin C, which is quite useful in improving your natural defense.
2. Exercise Regularly
We all know how important regular exercise is when it comes to health. Aside from it is a great aid in losing weight, it is also an excellent way to maintain the strength of the immune system.
3. Get Enough Sleep
If your body is weak and tired, it will be easier for bacteria and virus to attack it. For this reason, getting enough sleep is also crucial. Ideally, you should get at least eight hours of sleep at night.
4. Avoid Stress
Did you know that stress can adversely affect the functioning of your immune system? If you are stressed out, it won’t be able to work well. Your cortisol levels will also be high, and this hinders your body’s defense from gearing up.
5. Stay Away From Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages, particularly when consumed in high amounts, are bad for your health. One negative effect is it lowers your immunity because when you have too much alcohol in your system, your body will be forced to focus on detoxifying it. And at this moment, you become vulnerable to sicknesses.
6. Stop Smoking
If you are a smoker yourself, then you are putting more toxins in your body, and this won’t do you any good. In fact, the carbon dioxide, nicotine, and other toxins from tobacco products can negatively affect the growth and functioning of your immune cells.
7. Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands properly is the simplest thing that you can do to help your immune system. If you make this a habit, you will be able to prevent the germs from spreading. And in turn, you won’t have to worry about getting sick.
8. Manage Your Weight
Obesity has numerous unwanted effects on the human body. Aside from it makes you susceptible to life-threatening illnesses, it also weakens your immunity. And if that happens, you will be more prone to more serious health conditions.
9. Get Your Shots
Some people tend to neglect the importance of getting their vaccines as they think that their body can do the job without any help. But this is absolutely wrong. Through vaccinations, your immune system will be trained on how to better fight different types of diseases.
10. Limit Your Sugar Intake
You might not be aware, but high sugar intake actually impairs your natural defense. This weakens the white blood cells and they won’t be able to perform their duty to safeguard your health.