There are a number of ways to boost your immune system naturally. Exercise, meditation, yoga, and drinking plenty of water are just a few of these ways. You can also use your social skills to help strengthen your immune system. The University of Virginia found that socializing stimulates the immune system, but as the immune system declines, so does the desire to socialize. The best way to boost your immune system naturally is to avoid eating processed food and alcohol, which are high in calories and contain little nutritional value.
Exercise
According to John Campbell, an expert in immune system function, exercise boosts your immune system. Exercising improves circulation and triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, which produces stress hormones. When the immune system is strengthened through exercise, it is more able to combat germs and viruses. Further benefits of exercise depend on the type of exercise you do, how long you exercise, and how often.
Meditation
The benefits of meditation are well-documented. Recent studies show that it boosts immune system activity in the form of an increase in CD-4 cells. These cells are the scouts of the immune system, alerting other cells to fight off infections. Another study from UCLA found that meditation increased the number of CD4 T cells, which are the most important cells in the immune system. The more T-cells you have, the better your immune system is able to protect you from invading bacteria and viruses.
Yoga
One of the best ways to build your immune system is through the practice of pranayama. This form of meditation improves your ability to fight off infections and is easy to do anywhere. Practice pranayama by taking deep breaths. Hold each breath for at least ten seconds, and take in and exhale fully through the nose. During your practice, focus on relaxing your body and improving your posture. Then, try to do as many of these as you can – building your way to 100 pumping breaths.
Drinking plenty of water
There are numerous benefits to drinking water daily. It is one of the most natural immune system boosters and it does wonders for the body, especially during Corona seasons. When combined with proper diet and exercise, water can help keep you healthy and free from illness. Experts explain the connection between water and the immune system, and how it can help to boost your immunity. Staying hydrated is critical for your overall health and well-being.
Taking multivitamins
If you are constantly feeling run down, you may want to consider taking multivitamins to boost your immune system. Although your immune system is designed to protect you from illness, it’s not perfect, and it can be compromised by industrialization. Fortunately, you can boost your immune response by eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water. Vitamin D, zinc, and selenium supplements are all effective at boosting your immune system. Taking zinc supplements can even shorten the duration of common cold symptoms.
Avoiding smoking
In addition to depleting your energy levels, smoking can weaken your immune system. Tobacco contains more than 7000 different chemical compounds, which negatively impact the immune system and reduce your body’s natural ability to fight disease. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals like nicotine, which interfere with the body’s ability to produce antibodies and inhibit immune cell activity. Not only does this weaken your immune system, but smoking also increases your risk of getting different types of cancer.
Getting enough sleep
Getting enough sleep has several benefits for your immune system. It helps build immunological memory, a process in which your immune system remembers a particular invader and mounts an effective targeted attack. Sleep also improves your memory, and scientists believe that getting enough sleep helps you remember things better. However, it isn’t clear exactly how much sleep boosts your immune system. If you’re looking for an overall immune system boost, you should try to get at least seven to nine hours a night.