While spring may be peeking its way around the corner, it’s still too early to say cold and flu season has passed. The question is: How many times thus far have you been sick? If you’ve had to take several sick days off and worry about having to take another, then working to boost your immune system could be the answer.
Your immune system is a unique and highly specialized network whose primary aim is to protect your body from disease and infection. Composed of special organs, chemicals and cells, the immune system keeps a record of the previously destroyed microbes to seek out, recognize and destroy those that return and new ones that infect you. But just as mechanical systems need to be maintained to keep them properly working, your immune system needs certain things to keep it in top condition and capable of warding off microbes such as those that lead to the flu and common cold. The following is a look at a few simple, everyday things you can do to improve and keep your immune system in top shape.
3 Ways to Boost Your Immune System & Keep It Working Well
- Get a full 8 hours of sleep. Stop thinking that you can make do with 5 or 6 hours of sleep. You may think you’re functioning all right with so little sleep, but in truth, key body processes like your immune system suffer for it. Sleep keeps your hormones level and offers other key benefits that increase the immune system’s functionality.
- Get out of your seat. Getting regular exercise is another incredibly important building block on your way to a healthier immune system. While studies are still ongoing to determine exactly what it is about exercise that boosts the body’s ability to ward off disease, the studies do conclusively show that exercise helps. One of the leading reasons for this is because the immune system seems to work better when the body is heated up, similar to how fevers work, and your body heats up during and following exercise. Researchers also believe that the more your blood pumps when exercise, the more quickly your immune system operates to detect and stop potential diseases. Whatever the reason, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to keep the doctor away.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables. You know the saying, “you are what you eat,” and a person who doesn’t eat well often doesn’t feel well. Make today the day you’ll change that. Choose a more varied diet that’s rich with vegetables, fruits and nuts to ensure your immune system gets the nutrients it needs for peak performance. Learn more from Herbalife Nutrition about other immune system boosting tips at com.
