3 Key Ways to Boost your Immune System
Your immune system is the first line of defense against any invading viruses, germs, or other bugs that want to ruin your whole day. Nobody wants to waste a day in bed when they could be out enjoying all of what life has to offer. Having a functional immune system will help you fight off infections, recover from illnesses that do sneak by, and get you back on the road to wellness.
Tip #1: Your kindergarten teacher's advice is still true today: Proper hygiene is essential! Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze to prevent the spread of germs, and stay current with the immunizations your doctor recommends. Give your immune system the support it needs to fight infections before they become a problem.
Tip #2: Eat the rainbow! And no, we're not talking about multi-colored candy. Eating fruits and veggies all across the rainbow will provide a wide array of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help keep a body strong, and an immune system supported. From delicious red beets, strawberries, and tomatoes to rich purple grapes, plums, and eggplants, fruits and vegetables are amazing for your immune system. And don't forget those dark, leafy greens! They're a natural source of iron.
Tip #3: Stay hydrated. Our bodies depend on regular water to keep things going. You don't need to go crazy and carry around an entire drinking fountain each day, but try to tune in to your body's cues to refresh and rehydrate throughout the day. And remember, soda, juice and sugar-filled coffee can't hold a candle to sweet, clear water. Go get a glass! Your immune system will thank you!
Tip #4: Don't forget to balance stress with rest. Seriously - Stress is no joke. Take time to rest, recover, and balance out all of that busy, go-go-go with the right number of hours each night. Sleep helps your brain and your body, and it's how we recover from the stresses of the day.
Tip #5: Finally, try and stay active. Whatever your exercise of choice is, from running to biking to hiking, indulge yourself with thirty minutes of movement every day, if you can. Not only is this great for your immune system, but your joints and muscles will benefit, too!
Staying healthy is sometimes out of our control, but there are things we can do. Your future is up to you. What are you going to do about it?