5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System
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As the cooler months are approaching, your chances of getting sick increase. Luckily, there are several different ways you can support your immune system to get ahead of fall and winter time sicknesses. Written below, we have 5 ways you can boost your immune system.
Get Plenty of Sleep
It has been shown time and time again that sleep helps the immune system. It makes sense that doctors' orders for recovering from an illness usually include a lot of rest. It has been found that quality sleep improves the body's T cells, which are immune cells.
Sleeping allows our bodies to take a break from the stresses of daily living, and stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline are inflammatory and harmful when you’re trying to recover. Prioritizing good sleep will help prepare your body to effectively fight off pathogens.
Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important tool that helps us keep our bodies protected from more serious illnesses. Vaccines give your immune system some extra help to fight infections more quickly and effectively.
Our immune systems remember the germs they encountered before, so by introducing your immune system to a germ in a controlled environment (with a vaccine), your body will be able to fight it off if it ever enters your system again.
Hydrate
Our bodies are made up of mostly water, so we have to consistently hydrate for our bodies to work optimally. One of the ways drinking water helps the immune system is by carrying oxygen to all the different cells in your body. Without adequate oxygen, the different systems in our bodies won’t have the ability to work properly.
When our bodies are hydrated, we are better able to eliminate the toxins we’ve come in contact with. This usually happens by supporting good digestion and regulating our other organs.
Vitamin C
Supplementation can be really helpful when it comes to giving your immune system a boost. Vitamin C is particularly helpful if you are experiencing symptoms of a sickness, or you’re trying to prevent sickness. According to the National Library of Medicine, “…The supplementation with vitamin C appears to be able to both prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections.”
You can find vitamin C supplements at most drug stores, and you may consider squeezing some lemon into your water to give you an extra boost as well.
Wash your hands
It may sound simple, but washing your hands frequently is one of the best ways you can keep your immune system working optimally. Washing your hands often is going to help you prevent infection by killing germs before they have a chance to enter your system.
Washing your hands regularly will also help the people around you stay healthier because you won’t be spreading as many germs.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Primary Care Provider
If you’re not feeling your best, health care providers at INTEGRIS Health can give you the tools and resources you need to get your health back on track. We are dedicated to providing individualized care that will help you live happily and healthily. Contact us today for more information.
