Ways to Build Your Immune System Naturally
Getting sick is something that can be prevented with natural solutions. We do not have to get sick; we can stop it and build our immune system. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and avoiding stress is the first thing we should do to stay healthy. Here are six ways we can prevent getting sick:
Move the body regularly
Get yourself moving. Exercise boosts the production of antibodies, which help fight off infections. But don’t overdo it to the point where you get sicker or break down instead of building up your immune system. Listen to your body and take a rest when it tells you to do so.
If you don’t move your body regularly, it will be weak. Therefore, it can’t fight off infections as well as it should. So get yourself moving by exercising regularly, even if you have to start with just a little bit every day. Doing so helps build your immune system.
Avoid Sugar
Sugar causes the body to produce more insulin. And since sugar is sticky, it attaches itself to protein and fat molecules in the bloodstream. This makes these substances less able to fight infections.
Having a piece of candy or drinking a soda once in a while shouldn’t give you too much trouble, but if you eat or drink a lot of sweets on most days, that can have the reverse effect, slowing down your immune system’s ability to fight infection.
Get Rid of Pests and Mold
Pests and mold can carry viruses and bacteria, which they transfer to food and your surroundings. Avoid unnecessary exposure to these elements by getting rid of pests such as roaches and rodents and regularly cleaning surfaces with mold.
If mosquitoes frequent your home, use natural mosquito repellents and plant-based insecticides. Make sure to rid your home of places where water can accumulate, such as potted plants and flower vases. If the problem with mosquitoes is serious and you cannot handle it yourself, contact a mosquito control company to help you get rid of these sickness-causing insects.
Eat More Fiber
Fiber is found in plant-based food such as whole grain, beans, avocados, and fresh fruits. It helps prevent constipation and other digestive disorders. Fiber also helps you feel full longer, making it less likely for you to overeat, resulting in weight gain that can weaken your immune system.
Fiber is vital in keeping the digestive system running well. If you don’t have enough fiber in your diet, you can be constipated or suffer from indigestion and other digestive disorders. These problems can lower your immune system to help fight infection.
Avoid Stress
Stress can weaken your immune system by forcing the body to overproduce the hormone cortisol. When cortisol is constantly high, it prevents white blood cells from doing their job to kill germs and bacteria and prevent infections and diseases like flu and colds. Too much stress might even affect how we age because of its effects on the production of hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, fertility, sex drive, and sleep patterns. The best way to manage stress is through relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises. These can help you cope with stress and allow your immune system to do its job of fighting infection.
If you find yourself stressed out too often, think about what’s making you feel that way and try to minimize it. There might be instances when you’re not able to avoid it, but there are things that can help you manage stress such as talking to friends or family, meditating, drinking water, and exercising regularly.
Get Enough Sleep
Get the right amount of sleep every night. When you are well-rested, your immune system works better to fight off infections. Having said that, there is no exact number of hours that suits everybody’s body type. So do some experimenting and see how many hours of sleep are just right for you.
But remember that getting too little or too much sleep can compromise your health and weaken your immune system. If you can’t get enough quantity and quality in the proper proportions, try changing things up a bit by going to bed earlier or waking up earlier than usual on weekends, especially after a busy week at work.
Sleeping less than five hours each night is considered insufficient, while sleeping more than eight hours each night is considered excessive.
To keep your immune system strong, avoid too much sugar and stay away from pollutants. Get the right amount of sleep every night to allow for better functioning of all bodily systems that can strengthen immunity. Eat more fiber than you usually would so as not to feel hungry all the time, which could lead to overeating. Reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises when needed, and finally, get enough exercise regularly.
