When you have the cold or flu, you just want to crawl in your bed and not come out for a few days. Being sick can make you feel weak, tired and not like yourself at all. If you start taking better care of yourself, you can improve your immune system and be sick less often. Here are five effective ways to boost your immune system:
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
If you want your immune system to be stronger, you should definitely include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain vitamins A, C and E, which are important for a healthy immune system. Blueberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli and kale, for example, are great for your health.
Avoid Secondhand Smoke
Even if you are not a smoker yourself, you can still be affected by secondhand smoke. Being around people who smoke can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to viruses like pneumonia. To avoid getting sick, try to stay away from individuals who smoke tobacco as much as possible.
Cut Down on Alcohol
While it is perfectly alright to have the occasional glass of wine for dinner, drinking too many alcoholic beverages throughout the week is not good for your personal health. Consuming too much alcohol can impair your immune system and increase your chances of getting sick, so go easy on the alcohol.
Control Your Stress
It is easy to get stressed when you have a lot of responsibilities, but allowing it to control your life is bad for your health. Too much stress can actually suppress your immune system. If you are feeling very overwhelmed, find different ways to relax. For example, you could go for a brisk walk or do some yoga before you go to work every morning.
Don't Forget About Exercise
Regular physical activity is also important for your immune system. When you exercise, you will improve blood circulation throughout your body and make your immune system stronger. Whether you decide to jog around your neighborhood or get a gym membership, exercise will do your body good and decrease your chances of getting sick.
If you follow these helpful tips, you will feel healthier and reduce your risk of catching viruses. However, if you still get sick, you should stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids. If your symptoms do not improve within several days, call your doctor.
Share18 February 2016
As a child, I used to spend my days roaming through the woods. I climbed trees, smelled the flowers, and laid in the grass looking at the clouds. My love for nature continued through my teen years, but when I turned 23, I began to sneeze whenever I left my home. I could no longer enjoy my outdoor hikes and I started taking antihistamines so I could at least open my windows on warm days. My allergies got worse though and I met with an allergist who completed a variety of skin tests. I started receiving allergy shots and my allergist taught me about natural cleaning processes and sinus rinses. The injections and natural treatments improved my quality of life greatly. Even if you do not want to start allergy injections, you have a variety of options that can lessen your symptoms, and you should learn what these options are.
