The stronger the immunity, the higher the body’s resistance to attacks by viruses and bacteria. In spring and autumn, this is especially true since infectious diseases and allergy attacks occur more often in the off-season.
If the immune system is seriously weakened, then it is necessary to undergo a course of its restoration under the supervision of a doctor and taking appropriate medications. But it is best to carry out prevention on time and strengthen the immune system with the help of good daily habits.
Habits That Strengthen Your Immunity Level
Here is the list of habits that can help to boost immunity levels to deal with seasonal illness.
1. Keep Your Body Hydrated
The correct balance of water in the body has a positive effect on immunity. The fluid helps to eliminate toxins and ensures that the cells of all organs receive an adequate supply of oxygen. This means that the organ system will function as a clock. Adequately drinking water helps to digest food properly, which is important for maintaining the immune system.
It is advisable, in addition to tea and coffee, to try to drink clean, filtered water every day. When traveling internationally, remember that not all countries have strict safety standards for water. Therefore, it is better to give up the habit of drinking tap water in foreign hotels so as not to get a dangerous infection. It is advisable to purchase drinking water only in sealed containers.
2. Limit Smoking And Alcohol
This is your responsibility to keep yourself healthy and abandon bad habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Quitting bad habits significantly increases the body’s susceptibility to infections; it means your immunity level gets strengthened. But can you quit these habits on your own?
In most cases, people are unable to let go of bad habits on their own, even if they want to. For such people, there are several rehab centers available that offer a wide range of treatments. If you also want to get rid of nicotine or alcohol addiction, get help from inpatient rehab centers located in your area. These rehabs will help you recover from addiction that will boost your immunity level.
3. Maintain Body Hygiene
If the body is kept clean, microbes are less likely to enter the body. At the same time, daily hygiene prevents the further spread of the infection. This is why it is important to wash your hands regularly with soap and water during illness. To maintain cleanliness and health, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Wash hands, especially after coming from outside and before eating foods
- Thoroughly wipe your hands and body after washing – germs can multiply more easily in a humid environment
- If water and soap are not at hand, it is better to use disinfectant wipes and gels
- Wash towels regularly and avoid using wet towels
- Take a warm bath or shower daily
- Carefully treat wounds with disinfectants and antiseptics, protecting the body from germs
4. Laughter Therapy
If anger and depression can significantly weaken health, then perky laughter has the opposite effect. Sincere fun and joy give a powerful boost to the immune system, improving the quality of life. Healthy laughter increases antibodies, as well as the level of T-lymphocytes in the blood, which destroy foreign antigens.
Large amounts of antibodies on mucous membranes (particularly in the upper and lower respiratory tract) reduce microbial permeability. What’s more, laughter lowers blood pressure, improves circulation, reduces muscle tone, and stimulates digestion. A healthy dose of laughter is a great way to start your day.
5. Sunbathing
Sunlight produces vitamin D in the body, a substance that increases the protective functions of the immune system. When the concentration of vitamin D in the body is low, a person is at an increased risk of infection.
The likelihood of oncology and cardiovascular diseases also increases. Medical research shows that vitamin D deficiency triggers autoimmune diseases. Therefore, daily exposure to the sun for 10 to 15 minutes is simply necessary for the body to produce enough vitamin D.
6. Meditation
Meditation, in many of its forms, can improve the functioning of the immune system. Relaxation of the mind and body creates a positive psychological environment for the immune system, reducing the level of anxiety and depression.
Research in psychosomatic medicine shows that even a short session of meditation has beneficial effects on the brain and immune function. In this regard, it is recommended to practice meditation every day in a quiet and peaceful place for at least 10-15 minutes.
7. Be Optimistic
Being optimistic means striving to be vigorous and healthy. After all, many thoughts and feelings are directly transmitted to the immune system. It has been proven that a positive attitude towards life improves the performance of immune cells. People who are cheerful are less likely than others to have a stroke or heart attack. Optimism and love of life are excellent habits for both the psychological and physical health of a person.
8. Control Sugar Consumption
A large amount of sugar does not affect the body in the best way, so it is important to control, and it is better to minimize its consumption. Refined sugar dramatically reduces immune function, making a person more vulnerable to colds, flu, and other infections.
This sweet food affects the function of the white blood cells, which are designed to kill bacteria and viruses. Thus, the more sugar you consume, the less vitamin C will reach the leukocytes. And this leads to a weakening of the immune system. So you need to stay away from sugar, and this applies to refined white sugar as well as to sweet pastries and carbonated sweet drinks.
9. Eat Vegetables And Fruits
Anyone who gives up the habit of eating daily breakfast causes serious damage to their body. Breakfast is very important for health and immunity. Vegetables and fruits work well for a proper breakfast. They help the immune system double its resistance to disease.
Immunity needs many nutrients for normal functioning, such as antioxidants, vitamins C, E, A, magnesium, selenium, potassium, etc. If you have little time in the morning, you can mix some vegetables and fruits in a blender to make a tasty and healthy smoothie – a real vitamin explosion.
Bottom Line
Without strengthened immunity, your whole body would collapse when the weather changes. Thus, we mentioned some useful habits and lifestyle changes, such as eating more fruits, be optimistic, and limit alcohol to fight seasonal sickness.