The Best Ways to Boost Immunity Naturally
/The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) has sent shockwaves around the Globe. People are asking is “how can I improve my immune system and protect my family and friends that may be at greater risk of infection?.”
Everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed, panicked and scared, this is normal.
What is important that you know there are things that you can do for yourself that are simple and will have a positive impact on your health and immunity.
I am sharing a full list on “how to boost your immune system”, that was partly included in the published article for Askmen.com.
The best way to boost immunity naturally is to take something that you already do (such as sleep, eat and think) and make small shifts so that it becomes part of a routine.
Drink Tea as well as water! Both green and black teas (Camellia Sinensis family) have shown to have natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties . The antioxidants in black help prevent stomach cancers and have a direct bactericidal effect against Streptococcus mutans. The throat is the gateway for bacteria and viruses to enter the body so Tea is what the doctor ordered.
Coconut oil: With all the hand washing, the natural oils and bacteria that act as a barrier of protection get washed away. Dry cracked skin is an easy target for infection. Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal and moisturizing at the same time. You can also swish coconut oil in your mouth to help fight gum irritation too.
Limit the electronics: We have so much media consumption with fear about the future is emotionally draining. Communicating via email or texts is isolating and can lead to depression. Lack of human contact has a toll on your health. Face-to-face socializing reduces depression. Instead have a conversation on the phone, or make a point of smiling or saying hello to a stranger.
Sleep: One of the best ways to boost immunity is to get quality sleep. It is during sleep that we are able to regenerate and heal. We also produce cytokines, a protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response. Long term sleep problems are associated with many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and pain.
Digestion: Gut health on the inside is what will protect you from viruses and bacterial infections on the outside. Gut homeostasis helps reduce body inflammations and helps with brain functioning. There is a brain gut connection with over 90% of serotonin being produced in the digestive tract. Taking Probiotics and Prebiotics to help keep your digestion in order as well as your emotional resilience.
Food as medicine: Incorporate superfoods into your diet. Superfoods such as dark vegetable, mushrooms, berries, avocado, nuts and seeds and more. These are also nutrient dense and have health benefits beyond their nutrients.
Mindfulness: We have a monkey brain and when we worry too much our nervous system goes into stress mode, fight or flight. The release of adrenaline and cortisol on a constant low level damages our connective tissues and immune system. Focusing 10 minutes a day on clearing your mind of mental chatter and doing walking outdoors, stretching, or a moving meditation such as Tai Chi, QI Gong or Yoga helps to rewire the brain and strengthen the mind body connection and support overall health.
Longevity mindset: Acupuncture and Chinese is based on the principles of balance. Seek out someone with a holistic health perspective that looks at your health individually and will teach you how to maximize your health.
When this health crisis has settled we can look at what we can do better.