Today, the world is smaller than ever before. You could start your day with a hearty breakfast in Peoria, IL and end it with a late-night dinner on the Nile. Unfortunately, along with your return baggage, you may also bring with you an unintended souvenir: bacteria and viruses. The best defense against these kinds of invaders is a strong immune system. Building a strong immune system isn’t hard but does take some consistency.
Eat Healthy Foods
Sure, lots of orange juice is important―Vitamin C is one of the best immune system boosters there is but antioxidants like blueberries, watermelon, wheat germ, tea, and ginger are important too. Vitamin B12 is also needed for a strong immune system and can be found naturally in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. Breakfast cereals are often fortified with vitamins including B12 so vegans can get some B12 there. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Water carries oxygen to your cells throughout your body which helps all systems work properly.
Get Exercise
There is some debate on whether or not exercise boosts the immune system and for athletes who exercise extensively, there may be something to that argument. But for most people, regular, moderate exercise will only have positive effects. It improves circulation throughout the body and helps your body to be healthy and function as it should. Yoga is a great exercise for boosting immunity because it helps fight stress that damages your immune system.
Reduce Stress
When you are stressed, your body produces cortisol, a stress hormone that, in small quantities, boosts your immunity. If you experience chronic or sustained stress, your body becomes used to this amount of cortisol being produced and it loses its effectiveness. Additionally, lymphocytes are reduced―these are white blood cells that are so important in fighting infections.
Reduce stress by listening to calming music, doing yoga, and meditation. If you have people in your life that cause you a lot of stress, consider seeing them less frequently.
Don’t Smoke
It should go without saying that you shouldn’t ever smoke. Along with the many other problems it can cause, smoking restricts blood vessels which impedes oxygen from getting to your cells. Quitting smoking will improve your circulation which will help your immune system.
Get Enough Sleep
When you don’t get enough quality sleep, your body produces fewer cytokines and other antibodies that fight infections. Getting enough sleep (7 to 8 per night for adults) is an important part of your overall health and can reduce stress, improve memory, lower inflammation, and reduce your risk for depression.
See Your Chiropractor
You heard that right. Chiropractic adjustments that align your spine align nerves as well and allows your central nervous system to function as it should. When messages can’t get through to the brain and immune system, it can’t fight off invading germs. By putting everything back in proper alignment, messages get through and your immune system can do its job.
The world isn’t getting any bigger. By making these changes to your lifestyle and following handwashing guidelines, you can better stave off infections and lead a healthier life.
At North County Pain Relief, we take a holistic approach to your health. Upon your initial consultation and exam, we’ll come up with a plan to treat your pain and ailments to improve your whole health as well as boost your immune system. If you’re from the St. Louis area, call North County Pain Relief today at (314) 731-4201 to schedule a free initial consultation. We’re here to help improve your health.
