How to Strengthen Your Immune System with These 13 Healthy Tips is a guide on how to fortify your immune system against illnesses and diseases. Read how relaxation, lovemaking, healthy relationships, exercise, laughter, healthy eating, restful sleep, positive thoughts, and other tips help strengthen your immune system.
Relaxation
While good stress helps your body stay alert in a challenge, it is bad for your health if it lasts too long. Research shows stress can destabilize your defense system. So avoid stress and make relaxation part of your daily routine to unwind and do things you enjoy.
Make Love More
Making love with your spouse not only makes you feel good; it’s also good for your health. One study found a link between a healthy immune system and frequent lovemaking. Those who engage in sexual activity more often had higher levels of a cold-fighting substance in their bodies.
Build Healthy Relationships
A healthy social network is good. Strong social ties can also have a big effect on your health. You are likely to outlive people with poor social ties if your relationship is healthy. So nurture the bonds you have already. And widen your social circle by volunteering, joining a group that interests you.
Have Positive Thoughts
When you think positive thoughts, your body’s defenses are more efficient. Therefore, if you desire to stay in a happy space, reflect on good memories, savor the things you enjoy, and look for a positive aspect of a tough time. Also, try not to ruminate on bad moments.
Laugh Often
A laugh or two is good for you. Laughter makes you feel better without any shortcomings. One study found that after people laughed out loud at funny videos, their immune systems were more efficient. However, the study didn’t specify if this finding means fewer illnesses in the long run.
Exercise
Exercise is a simple way to boost your defense system. It can also reduce your stress, making you less likely to get osteoporosis, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. You’ll get the most results for your exercise if you do about half an hour a day. The exercise can be riding a bike, walking, doing yoga, swimming, or playing golf.
Get a Restful Sleep
Without restful sleep, your immune system won’t have the strength it needs to fight off illness. Most adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. For better sleep, adhere to a regular bedtime schedule, stay active during the day, and avoid caffeine and alcohol near bedtime. Likewise, keep the bedroom cool, and try to unwind at the end of the day.
Get a Pet
There’s a reason we call them “man’s best friend.” Dogs and other pets aren’t just good friends; they also give you a reason to exercise, hence, boost your health in another way. Studies have shown that pet owners have lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and healthier hearts. Besides, dogs can help your child’s immune response and make him less likely to get allergies.
Eat Your Veggies And Fruits
Colorful fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants. These nutrients block free radicals, molecules that can harm your cells. To get a wide range of veggies and fruits, choose beetroot, leafy greens, green peppers, broccoli, carrots, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, papaya, watermelon, and cantaloupe.
Play Safe with Herbs and Supplements
Some herbs and supplements can help your immune system. However, you should do more research to know for sure if they’re really good for you. This is because they can interact with other medicines. So, let your doctor know if you want to try them. Your doctors will help you decide which ones are safe for you.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol plays a major role in the way you socialize and celebrate. However, drinking too much can weaken your defenses and trigger frequent sickness. Alcohol consumption becomes too much when you drink more than two drinks a day for men and more than one for women.
Stop Smoking
When you stop smoking, you’ll be doing your immune system a good turn. So don’t give up, even if it takes you a couple of tries before you quit for good. Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking. Also, remember to avoid secondhand smoke.
Wash or Sanitize Your Hands
If you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, using soap and clean running water, you will be sending those germs down the drain before your body ever has to fight them off. But if you don’t have access to soap and water, a hand sanitizer can help (unless your skin is caked with dirt and grease). Choose one with at least 60% alcohol. Remember that hand sanitizer won’t remove all germs and other bacteria.