Immunity Boosting Tips.

Well...

What can I say that hasn't already been said over 1,000 times by every news station in every corner of our lovely planet? These are extraordinary times, and I hope you are keeping well and not letting it get you down. For a change, I decided to look at something that we all should be thinking of, now more than ever: how to boost our immune systems. Increasing your immunity is quickly done with some simple steps in the right direction. Adopting a wide-reaching approach will not only sure up your defences, but there is evidence to suggest it will even extend your life. Let's start nice and easy, hey?

Don't be afraid to put your feet up and relax.

Stress reduction must be one of the most overlooked immune enhancers. Plenty of research suggests that some stress can be a good thing as it prepares your body to fight off nasty's which may harm us. However, there is a tipping point, and the threshold is relatively low, which results in notable detriment to your immune system once your stress levels rise too far and stay above a certain level for a prolonged period. So don't be afraid to kick back and relax; you're helping your immune response and mental health. Win-win! My daily mantra is 'roll with the good days and get through the bad!' If that means I'm not home-schooling as I can't face any more questions, then so be it; I'll get through the day and pick up the schoolwork another day. Or I'm having a great day and dancing around the kitchen with a beer/ beverage in my hand at 4:00 p.m., then great, I'm just going to go with it! 

More social interaction, please! Positive influences around you will always be beneficial, but we underestimate the impact on overall health. People with active and healthy relationships will likely live longer than those with poor social interaction. You don't have to seek out all your old school chums on Facebook mind; volunteering and taking up a group activity or class will also see you enjoy the immune-boosting benefits. Please add me on Facebook; I'm trying to post more and engage with people to give them suggestions on ways to get through these times. I'd love to hear from you :-) 

Laugh your way to a longer life. 

We've all heard that laughter is the best medicine, and it's not just hot air. There is no downside to having a giggle; not only does it lift the spirits and burn a surprisingly large amount of calories - laughing for 2 minutes burns more calories than cycling for 2 minutes; we didn't believe it at first, but it's true! One study found that after people had laughed out loud, their immune systems performed better; this is also true if the laughter is forced and not because of you witnessing anything funny. 

Eating the colours of the rainbow

I've touched on this in a previous blog, but variety is the spice of life. A wide-ranging diet with colourful fruits and vegetables ensures you ingest a full spectrum of vitamins and antioxidants; this will guard against pesky free radicals that can harm your cells. Plus, there are plenty more benefits to eating a well-balanced and varied diet. 

Get active and exercise.

Exercise is a surefire way to kick-start your immune response. It also is a considerable stress beater and helps release many chemicals that boost your mood, help you get a good night's sleep and make you less likely to get heart disease and many types of cancer.

You want to be aiming for at least half an hour a day. You don't have to go wild with it either; any movement is good: ride a bike, walk, swim, or even skip - whatever floats your boat! I'm waking with Poppy every day on her scooter; I've also set us a challenge: her being able to ride a bike by the end of the lockdown. Could you set yourself a goal? 

Sleep is your superpower.  

I don't know about you, but I'm still determining how I will get up again for work or the school run in the morning. It seems that I'm sleeping more than ever! But, as each day passes, more and more research is coming out to support the theory that regular, good-quality sleep and a robust immune system go hand in hand. Most adults need 7 - 9 hours of sleep a night. If, like many, you struggle with good-quality sleep, try to stick to a strict bedtime routine. Keeping active throughout the day while allowing yourself some quality downtime before bed will help immensely, and avoiding screentime, caffeine and alcohol near bedtime are also vital components to getting sound immune-boosting sleep. 

Nicotine, say no! 

It may not come as a surprise, but smoking is just about the worst thing you can do. Do your immune system a solid and give up yesterday! Even if it takes you multiple attempts before quitting for good, crack on! Each lung full of smoke is putting pressure on your immune system and shortening your life. These steps are simple enough for everyone to follow and will have the desired effect, so let me know how you get on! Until next time, stay safe.:)Sophie x

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