Everywhere we turn it's impossible to avoid hearing about the coronavirus. Whether it be how fast it's appearing in new cities or the number of deaths worldwide and how many are infected, there is a sense of fear that surrounds us all. Not only do we know very little about its health impact, but we are unsure about how to approach what is to come. While we await more definitive advice and policies on prevention, here are some steps you can take immediately to protect your health by boosting your immune system.
Have you noticed that some people get really sick with the virus and others don't? The answer comes down to one thing...the strength of your immune system. The immune system is your body's defense against infections, and when it’s working well, it can help you avoid illness. Priming your immune system cannot only prevent illness, but shorten the infection time.
Here are some things I recommend to support your immune health.
1. Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables: Different fruits and vegetables contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Eating the rainbow (purple, yellow, green, orange, white, red) provides your immune system with powerful antioxidant support. Antioxidants help your body repair cells damaged by free radicals (free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing aging and illness).
2. Wash your hands frequently with natural soap and don't touch your face.
3. Avoid sugar: Sugar suppresses your immune system. "Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of two-and-a-half 12-ounce cans of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40 percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours."-Dr. Sears
4. Take Vitamin D: Vitamin D could rightly be described as a “miracle nutrient” for your immune system. It enables your body to produce well over 200 antimicrobial peptides which help fight off all sorts of infections.
5. Get proper sleep: Fatigue increases your susceptibility to illness, and insomnia can increase inflammation. The right amount of sleep gives your body the time to repair and rejuvenate itself. You require 7-8 hours a night to boost your body's defenses.
6. Move your body daily: Movement stimulates the lymphatic system and increases the level of leukocytes in your body, an infection-fighting immune system cell. Movement can be anything from walking, dancing, cleaning, jumping rope, yoga, etc. Just get moving at least 30 minutes a day.
GET EVEN HEALTHIER!
This is also a great time to get and stay your healthiest. Are you curious about how health coaching can help you? Let’s talk! Schedule a complimentary consultation with me today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about!
To your health & happiness,
Amy