9 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

Our immune system is what keeps us going and when the system is weak, it is unable to fight off infections. There many natural ways in which you can ensure your body is at it’s fighting best. Depending on your location, you’ve probably been advised to social distance and stay indoors during this pandemic. However, due to people staying indoors, many people might find themselves with more “relaxed” immune systems. People who have low vitamin D levels are at a higher risk of viral infections related to the respiratory tract like influenza. Since most people gain vitamin D from the sun, not going outside might compromise our systems. Here are nine natural ways in which you can improve your immune system (1):

1. Stay Hydrated

The most essential but often ignored factor is hydration. Your body needs to be hydrated in order to flush out toxins that could build up and harm your body. To prevent Dehydration, you need to keep a check on the color of your urine. If it is darker than pale yellow, this is usually a sign of dehydration. While increasing your intake of water, ensure you don’t increase your intake of artificial fruit juice and sodas (1).

2. Consume Citrus Fruits

This isn’t just an old wives’ tale. Many women immediately turn to citrus fruits when they catch even a common cold. The natural vitamin C present in these fruits are said to help increase the production of white blood cells in your system. Since these are the key components required to fight off infections, they need to be energized. Hence Vitamin C filled fruits and supplements are a good option. You can eat grapefruits and oranges or drink lemon juice with honey (2).

3. Try Going For A Walk

If you are in an area that is not under lockdown, you can wear a mask and take a walk in the early morning to get a good dose fo vitamin D. If you’re in a place where there is a lockdown, see if you can access a terrace or balcony and try sitting outside for maybe 20 minutes or so. If you do choose to go for a walk outside, make sure you social distance from other people (3).

4. Add Broccoli To Your Diet

This super vegetable is charged with immune-boosting vitamins and minerals like A, E, and C. It is also enriched with antioxidants and fiber, thus helping improve the health of your gut as well. The best way to consume the vegetable is to have it steamed so you can preserve all the nutrients (4).

5. Make Use Of Aromatherapy

Stress can have a major impact on your immune system and can cause it to weaken. It’s important to keep calm during times of uncertainty like this and if you are able to, invest in an aromatherapy kit. You can get essential oils like Lavender and others to help induce good sleep and relaxation. Peppermint oil is also very soothing for people who suffer from migraines and sinus problems (5).

6. Add Some Spice In Your Life

Yes, spicy food can actually be pretty beneficial to our immune systems. Pungent foods that include garlic as seasoning are great for your system because garlic is enriched with antimicrobial and cancer-fighting agents. Ginger too is a remedy passed down to us through our parents and it works effectively in tackling cold and flu (6).

7. Try Consuming More Pro-biotics

Food items like curds, kimchi, etc are great to boost your body’s gut health. In a study conducted on athletes, it was found that probiotic supplements helped prevent and combat colds. However, you can get the same nutrients from yogurt and other foods like Tempeh and Soy sauce (7).

8. Get At least 6-8 Hours Of Sleep

The easiest and most important way to keep your immune system in check is to ensure that you get the right amount of sleep. While you may find yourself facing sleepless nights often during this time, it’s essential that you relax and find ways to make sure your sleep cycle stays on point. You could maintain a journal and monitor your sleep schedule so you can follow a sleep pattern (8).

9. Cut Down On Artificial Sugar

As difficult as this might seem, it is important to cut down on your sugar intake. Excess sugar can lead to inflammation and in the long term could make you obese. Curbing your consumption can lower your risk of health problems like diabetes, heart problems, or any other conditions associated with the problem. This, along with a regular exercise routine can also aid in weight loss (9).

These are just some of the numerous methods that there are. You can find many ways to boost your system if you look online. In the end, one must just ensure that they keep a cool mind, get adequate sleep, food, and water, and ensure that they stay safe. Everything else is secondary. Do let us know your thoughts on this article in the comment section below.