4 Ways To Improve Your Immunity

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3. Sleep

Make sure you are getting enough sleep. It has been conclusively proven that not getting enough sleep can weaken your immunity, making you more susceptible to disease, and increasing the time it takes you to recover from health problems like the common cold.

In today’s world of busy schedules, commutes and too much caffeine, it can be easy to fall into the habit of getting insufficient sleep. Everyone’s body is different, but it is generally a good idea to shoot for eight hours per night. Avoid using electronic devices one hour before bed, and be mindful of how much caffeine you consume, as both of these can make the brain take longer to fall asleep.

 

4. Reducing Stress

Perhaps the single biggest thing you can do to improve your immunity in terms of your behavior is to reduce the amount of stress in your life. Stress, whether it is caused by problems in our relationships, work, or anything else, all has the same effect: a reduced ability to fight disease.

When your body is stressed, it releases a hormone called cortisol, sometimes known as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol serves some important functions, but it also has side effects. One of these is that it temporarily suppresses the immune system, making it less effective. Chronic stress can reduce your overall immunity. If you have a lot of stress in your life, you will probably notice that you tend to get sick more often.

Do whatever you can to lower the amount of stress in your life. Start doing yoga. Exercise. Identify the people, problems, and situations that cause you stress, and take steps to fix or eliminate them from your life.

Life is already too short, and stress will only make it shorter and less pleasant.

 

READ ALSO: 10 Natural Ways To Boost Your Immune System Infographic

 

Take these four simple steps — a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes — and you could see a significant improvement in your health, thanks to a robust immune system.

References:

www.health.harvard.edu

www.medlineplus.gov

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One Comment

  1. Ramona Flowers

    May 16, 2017 at 6:42 pm

    Thanks I really need this! As I have read in the Consumer Health Digest, flu season is almost upon as, I need to prepare for that, I dont want to stay home and be sick, i do want to use my sick leaves when I am not sick