How well your immune system is working is a good indicator of your current overall health. If you find yourself getting sick more than usual or your sickness is worse than that of those around you, than your immune system is not working as well as it should. There are several easy steps you can take to give your immune system a boost.
Eating healthy is helpful not only to your immune system, but your overall health, energy, and wellness. It is good to remember that what you put into your body is what you will get out of it. Try to increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, assorted nuts (for extra protein) and lots of water. It is hard for most people to follow a completely healthy diet 100% of the time, and you don’t have to change your diet dramatically, just put an effort into including these foods into your daily diet in whatever way is easiest for you.
Stress takes a big toll on your body and your immune system. People are found to get sick easier when they are under high levels of stress. If you cant eliminate or reduce the number of sources of stress in your daily life, try to do things that aid you in relaxation. Allow yourself more quiet time, spend more time doing things that you enjoy, try new hobbies and activities like yoga, sports, etc.
Taking a daily multivitamin does wonders for the immune system. Even if you aren’t eating your best, taking a multivitamin will at least give your body a good amount of the vitamins and minerals it needs to run proficiently. If you are a vegetarian or vegan make sure to also take a B-12 daily supplement, which will help your overall body health and immune system.
Exercise is another great way to significantly improve your immune system and give your body a healthy kick start. Finding the time to exercise is hard for some people, but it is well worth it. If you have kids or a dog, you can go on short 20 minutes walks every day or every other day. If you like sports, try to find the time to play a few days a week for short periods. Going to the gym is a great way to get exercise also.
Sleep is a key factor in how your body performs. If you don’t give your body enough rest, or good quality of rest, your body wont function properly and your immune system can become weaker. Sleeping a full 8 hours a night (unless you are a child or adolescent, which requires more sleep) is a good goal to strive for. It is also very helpful to develop a regular sleep pattern. Try to go to sleep around the same time every night and wake up around the same time every morning so your body knows what to expect.
How well you eat, sleep, and exercise from day to day are very important factors in your immune system proficiency. Reducing stress and taking a daily multivitamin are just as important. Nobody likes to be sick often, and one of the only ways to prevent it is to develop a strong immune system. If you find it difficult to change your eating, sleeping, and exercise habits, to remember to take a daily multi vitamin, and to reduce stress in your life, just start with baby steps and do what you can do each day.