4 Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Photo by Truong Dat on Unsplash

Having an overall healthy lifestyle is the simplest way to naturally boost your immune system. It benefits your body in multiple ways, from reducing the risk of contracting infections and the flu to maintaining healthy sleeping habits and making a difference in your energy and stress levels. To achieve a stronger, healthier immune system, we suggest that you start by following these simple and natural steps. 

Follow a Healthy Diet 

Consuming your five a day and following a healthy diet that includes a mixture of antioxidants and nutrients provides your body with a good source of vitamins, improving your immune system’s strength against fighting diseases. Giving your body the right amount of vitamins A, C, and E daily is essential to naturally boost your immune system. Mixing your vitamins in a nutrient-filled smoothie is a popular and common way of ensuring you are giving yourself the correct amount of fruits and vegetables. Try adding these ten superfoods to your diet to encourage good health:

• Broccoli 

• Spinach 

• Kale

• Red bell peppers

• Mushrooms

• Garlic 

• Ginger 

• Lemons

• Avocados

• Blueberries

Night Time Routine

Having a good night’s sleep plays an important part in your body’s immunity and strength. Not getting enough sleep weakens your body’s ability to produce cytokines which can affect your immune system’s response to targeting infections. Getting a full 7-8 hours of sleep a night is a key factor in staying fit and boosting your energy. Sleeping the recommended amount also benefits your mood, reduces stress, helps maintain your weight, supports healthy skin, and can improve memory and brain health. It is crucial to obtain a comfortable environment where you sleep. Using fewer pillows and investing in an adjustable bed can help you get a night of better sleep by preventing insomnia, decreasing tossing and turning, and reducing aches and pains in your body that may be causing you to have difficulty sleeping. If you’re interested in switching to an adjustable bed, you can see the details here. 

Exercising to Help Body and Mind

Try introducing a regular workout routine into your week. Getting enough exercise is scientifically proven to boost your immune system, as exercise is commonly known to support weight loss, muscle strength, and heart health. Physical activity produces endorphins that act as natural painkillers, assisting your mental health and stress levels, a vital role in taking care of yourself. The immune system is impacted by stress, so it is important to keep your stress levels as low as possible. Exercising for at least thirty minutes, three days a week will help towards lowering your stress levels and keeping fit. We recommend trying these five moderate exercises:

• Walking/jogging

• Swimming

• Yoga

• Dancing

• Cycling

Lifestyle

There are many good habits that can be easily followed to help support a healthy lifestyle, such as spending an appropriate amount of time outside in the sunlight, staying hydrated by drinking the recommended 1-2 liters of water per day, and washing your hands frequently. Getting outdoors is great for your health - you have probably noticed the difference that going for a walk in the fresh air can make. Even sitting outside in the sunlight can help as it is a great source of Vitamin D, but make sure that you apply plenty of sunblock to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays too. Reminders on your smartphone are a really simple yet effective way to make sure that you wash your hands, drink water, and spend a little time outside daily. 

A healthy immune system helps you fight off disease and be a stronger, healthier person all-round. Healthy lifestyle habits, a good diet, exercise, and good-quality sleep provides your immune system with everything it needs.