When there’s a pandemic like the Covid-19 or Coronavirus, there’s worry all around the world.
People are dying and this is no joke. We must do everything we need to stop spread the virus and keep the situation contained.
More than treating a disease, precaution is the best way to prevent the same stop spreading as well.
One of the ways to practice precaution is to boost your immune system.
Most infections of viruses like Covid-19 can be stopped right away if you have a strong immune system.
In today’s video, let’s talk about how you can boost your immune system.
Don’t panic
Stress and anxiety will highly affect your immune system. In particular, stress can increase your chance of catching a respiratory illness.
A study has reported that it is highly likely that you can catch a flu if you are stressed out.
Also if you happen to get sick, your body can fight off the illness better if you are not stressed out!
Which is why it pays to be relaxed.
Exercise
Don’t underestimate the power of exercise! Exercise not only helps you to stay fit and lose weight.
The chemicals released during a workout help boost your immune system as well as reset your immunity if you have been running low on it.
Don’t hit the gym when you are advised to practice social distancing. Rather, workout at home.
You can walk on the treadmill for a few minutes, do aerobics, and use the props available at home.
Even if you are totally clueless, there are loads of workout videos on YouTube.
Food
Yes of course there are various things you can eat to boost your immune system.
For one, probiotics encourage the growth of good bacteria and hence improve your gut health.
You can get your dose of probiotics by eating yoghurt and fermented foods.
Eat a well balanced diet and include lots of greens in your food. The phytonutrients present in greens will help you fight off diseases.
You need your dose of carbohydrates, vitamins, healthy fats and the like to stay put. So choose your food wisely.
Make sure you get your dose of Vitamin C by including citrus fruits in your diet.
You also need anti-inflammatory foods to boost your immune system.
Alcohol consumption
Remember that alcohol disrupts your immune system.
While drinking in moderation is OK, you must also take into account the long term effects of alcohol to your body.
In particular, alcohol damages your mucosal immune system and hence your body loses the ability to identify and fight off pathogens.
So, in general it is good to stay away from alcohol consumption as much as possible.
And in particular, during a pandemic like Coronavirus, it is absolutely not advisable to consume alcohol.
Sleep is so crucial
Your immune system is not effective if you are sleep deprived. You must aim to get at least 7 hours of good sleep everyday.
If you have trouble falling asleep watch out for drinks or food that might disrupt your sleep schedule.
If you drink coffee a few hours before bed time, you will definitely have trouble falling asleep.
Similarly alcohol might seem to doze you off, but the effects are rather the opposite.
Even though you initially feel dizzy, after a while, it will make you dehydrated, and restless and rob you off your sleep.
Also, make sure you limit your liquid intake right before bed, as you might have to sacrifice your sleep and take trips to the toilet.
If you have trouble falling asleep or if you want to know how sleep deprivation can affect your or if you need help falling asleep, check out the links below!
Stop smoking
Just like alcohol, smoking also badly affects your immune system.
In particular, smoking affects your lungs very badly and you lose your power to fight off respiratory diseases.
Smoking also increases inflammation and reduces your ability to fight an infection.
In particular, it makes the symptoms worse in the case of a Covid-19 infection and reduces the chances of recovery.
So, even though smoking or having a few drinks might seem like good ways to spend your quarantine time, they just make you more vulnerable to Covid-19.
Also giving up on smoking and alcohol will improve your immune system relatively rapidly than other methods, and it is crucial at times of a pandemic.
Remember, boosting your immune system is not an overnight activity. It takes a change in your lifestyle and food habits.
But it pays really well in times of crisis like the novel Coronavirus outbreak. And it is never too late to start now.
Stay indoors, stay safe. Eat mindfully, move accordingly. And hope this Covid-19 too shall pass.
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