9 Things You Can Be Doing Right Now To Boost Your Immune System
What can you do to boost your immune system?
Turns out, there's a lot of natural ways to help your immune system stay active, strong, and ready to fight off whatever nature throws at it.
What you can do right now to boost your immune system:
1. Getting Enough Sleep For Your Immune System
You should be getting enough sleep, and you know that. Probably what you didn't know is that your immune system works twice as hard while you're sleeping. It takes the time of rest to clear out wastes and other undesirable invaders.
But, there's a second boost: during sleep, your digestive system calms down and nearly stops. With 70% of your immune system in your gut, this allows that focus to go to the rest of your body. So, while you sleep, your immune system takes care of you. And, studies show, when you don't sleep well, you get sick more often.
2. Get Out In The Sun
The sun is one of the best-kept secrets. Getting out of the sun will allow you to produce vitamin D, one of the most potent antioxidants you have in your body. These antioxidants destroy bacteria and viruses.
Plus, being in the sun helps destroy viruses and bacteria directly. The UV radiation breaks down the protective coating on these invaders, rendering them harmless. (Yes, sunlight kills COVID, too)
Even if you think that was great, here's one more: being in the sun changes the serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain, making you happier. And happy people have a stronger immune system. So, smile and go out and get some sun.
3. The Right Foods Boost Your Immune System
Eating healthy gives your body the energy it needs and the nutrients it needs. Fruits and vegetables are filled with antioxidants and phytonutrients that can destroy viruses and bacteria and give your immune system a boost. The best fruits and vegetables are the ones with the most color. Try these fruits and vegetables to boost your immune system:
- Citrus fruits
- Red bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Spinach
- Yogurt
- Almonds
- Sunflower seeds
- Turmeric
- Green tea
- Papaya
- Kiwi
- Poultry
- Shellfish
4. Introduce Healthy Bacteria – Probiotics Save
You might not think taking more bacteria into your system will do you any good, but these tiny probiotics are your first line of defense. This is definitely a case of the good guys beat the bad guys.
Not only do they crowd out the harmful bacteria, but research shows that your immune system reacts positively to the right probiotics. The mechanism is not understood yet, but doctors know your immune system gets a boost with healthy probiotics. Keep eating those fermented foods:
- Sauerkraut
- Yogurt
- Kombucha
- Kiefer
- Natto
5. Reduce Your Sugar Intake
What's the worst thing you could do while being sick? Eat a ton of sugary foods: bread, pasta, donuts, cookies… Sugars, especially added sugars, tells the immune system to go to sleep. Research on diabetics shows that the higher a person's carbohydrate intake is, the sicker they are.
6. Drink More Water
Your immune system relies on the lymphatic system to get the immune system where it needs to be and flush out any toxic residue. When you're dehydrated, that system gets clogged up and sticky. It just can't do what it needs to if you're not drinking enough water.
And unfortunately, most Americans are dehydrated. Do you want to feel well? Aim for a gallon of water per day.
7. Homeopath Immune Boosters
Yes, homeopathic medicine works. Homeopathic blends have many different blends that help your body boost your immune system, clear out congestion, feel better, and do numerous other healthy things. And because homeopathic medicine works with your body's natural systems, you're not forcing an unnatural reaction. That means you get better faster, and it can help prevent future reoccurrences.
8. Best Immune System Supplements
Supplementing before you're ever sick can keep your immune system working strong. When it has the nutrients it needs and the energy to go forward, it can tackle all types of viruses and bacteria without breaking a sweat. Certain herbs like astragalus and eleuthero root target the immune system to help it be strong enough to fight infections. Echinacea is excellent when you are sick. If you want to keep well now, focus on prevention.
9. Get Out and Exercise
Finally, exercise. It makes you feel good, helps move around your lymphatic system, gets the antioxidants flowing through your blood, and clears you out. Regular exercise, particularly if you get outdoors, can give you a boost greater than any vaccine coming out.