Our immune system uses a number of tools to fight off any disease that we are exposed to. Over the course of the coronavirus, millions of people have fallen seriously ill to a life-threatening extent, and many have lost their lives as well. In order to combat this virus, it is important to stay in the best of health and keep your mind and body in a healthy state so that they are able to fight their virus. Your immunity system is your means of fighting this virus and surviving the pandemic, which is why you should be doing all you can to boost your immunity.
There are a number of things you can do to boost your immunity which include getting vaccinated against the virus, exercising regularly, maintaining a well-balanced diet and incorporating immune boosting foods in it, taking your vitamins, staying hydrated, taking essential oils, stepping outside for fresh air and sunlight, getting proper sleep, and meditating and staying connected to your loved ones to reduce stress levels thereby boosting your immune system.
Another great way to boost your immunity is by exercising regularly. While quarantining or social distancing, it can become common to lead a stagnant life. This is bad for your health and weakens your immune system.
Exercise helps immune cells perform efficiently by increasing blood flow and reducing stress and inflammation, thereby strengthening antibodies, which are helpful in your fight against the virus. This is why it is important to incorporate exercise into your routine, whether it is done indoors by following a YouTube tutorial or a run in the park while your local park is empty at night.
A healthy diet, focusing mainly on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins and reducing saturated fats, cholesterol, and sugars can go a long way in building a strong immune system.
Aside from maintain a well-balanced diet; it is important to consumes foods that strengthen the immune system during Covid times. Nutritional deficiencies make humans more susceptible to viruses. This includes increasing vitamin C in your diet, which can be found in oranges, kiwi, broccoli and potatoes and also anti-oxidants, which are found in dark chocolate, blueberries, herbal tea, etc and also prebiotics, found abundantly in apples, bananas, and cocoa.
Another important thing to do in order to keep your immune system at its optimum is regularly taking vitamins prescribed by a healthcare worker.
Some supplements recommended by medical professionals that should be consumed during Covid-19 times are vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, probiotics, and garlic supplements. Taken regularly, they can help boost function and regulation of the immune system, fight off infections, and reduce severity of respiratory infections.
It is important to understand that these must only be consumed in quantities recommended by your healthcare provider.
One thing people rarely do focus on when focusing on boosting immunity is drink an ample amount of water during the day.
The reason water is such an essential part of maintain a strong immune system is that our immune system is dependent on the nutrients in our blood stream, and our blood stream greatly consists of water. Dehydration can have an impact on this mechanism.
It is recommended to drink at least eight 8 oz (approximately 235 ml) glasses of water in a day.
The benefits of oils are many, and strengthening of the immune system stands out as a major one.
Some oils which are beneficial for the immune system include lavender which has antioxidant properties, eucalyptus and tea tree which are anti-viral and anti-bacterial, and rosemary which is especially helpful for respiratory immunity.
The intake of these oils can be in a number of ways. You may add them to a warm bath, use an oil diffuser, or even incorporate them into your homemade hand sanitiser.
Stepping outside has become less common for most people in the light of social distancing and quarantining, owing to Covid-19.
Because of this indoor oriented routine, people have less exposure to sunlight and fresh air. This can be harmful to the immune system. For one, the body is not receiving fresh oxygen from the outside, which weakens the immune cells. At the same time, vitamin D, which promotes immunity, is received from sunlight. With little exposure, vitamin D levels can drop.
This is why it is recommended to step out regularly despite the virus while maintaining social distancing.
Lack of sleep can impact your immune system. For decades, studies have shown that people who get little sleep are more likely to get sick and take longer time to recover if they are exposed to a virus.
At the same time, getting little sleep can increase your stress levels, which can inadvertently affect your immune system as well.
For these reasons, in spite of any overwhelming work load or temptation to stream another episode of your favourite show, you must focus on getting a good night’s sleep.
In addition to reducing stress and mental apprehension, research suggests that mindfulness also improves the immune system.
This is because mindfulness reduces the blood pressure and enhances cognitive function of the human body. It also dampens the activity of genes associated with inflammation. In this way, mindfulness can be good for your immunity against the coronavirus.
The most common way of practising mindfulness is through meditation. It involves training yourself to get rid of racing thoughts and negativity and calming down your mind and body. You can play your part in boosting your immune system by making meditation a part of your routine.
Possibly one of the things most emphasised on by healthcare professionals is to stay connected with your loved ones during the Covid times.
Due to social distancing and quarantine, a lot of people have become isolated during these times which can lead to depression and anxiety, which is often combined with coronavirus anxiety, which can have adverse effects on your immune system.
To combat loneliness in such a tough situation, one must remember to stay in touch with their friends and family, whether it is through text messages, phone calls, video calls, or the occasional meet up after all parties involved get vaccinated and tested. Being surrounded by people you love reduces stress levels, thereby helping your immunity.
