Have you started your day full of energy only to end it lagging and struggling to finish? You take a nap hoping things will get better and you are more tired than before. To make matters even worse, you start feeling feverish and realize you’re not just tired: You’re sick!

Everyone gets sick but some people manage it better than others. You may already know about the immune system and how it is responsible for fighting off colds and helping you recover quicker. This largely depends on your immune system’s health and response to defend your body.

It is imperative to maintain a healthy immune system if you want your immune system to work when you need it most — but unlike the battery indicator on your phone, you cannot accurately measure your immunity. You just need to pay attention and do the things that are proven to help strengthen your immunity, which we will cover in more detail below.

Fortunately, you can give your immunity a boost and we will be exploring several ways to enhance your immune system so you remain healthy, happy, and productive.

Moving forward…

Here are things you should avoid:

Excess Alcohol Consumption

The liver is responsible for detoxification which is tantamount to keeping you healthy. One of the compounds it detoxifies is alcohol. After the short-lived euphoria, if it remains in your system, it causes more harm than good. In as much as your liver works hard to keep you clean, it can be overworked — so it is advisable to stay away from alcohol if you want a healthy liver. Research has also shown a direct correlation between alcohol and susceptibility to respiratory diseases.

A glass of red wine is not too much but one or two bottles would mean crossing a line.

Excess nicotine intake

There are a number of reasons smokers are liable to die young and this happens to be one of them. Nicotine, which is the chief ingredient of the cigarette, is described as an immunosuppressive substance that inhibits both the innate and adaptive immune response.

To be on the safe side, avoid the substance completely, or better, reduce the intake to the minimum. This is really a no-brainer when it comes to easy ways to preserve your immune system.

Reduce caffeine

Coffee lovers should not take this with a pinch of salt but if you want to boost your immunity you should reduce caffeine intake and here’s why: Studies have shown that people who consume large amounts of caffeine produce high increased levels of the stress hormone (Cortisol), which deals with physical and mental stress. How? By triggering the release of sugar (Glycogen) and fats (Glycerol) stored in your system. In the process, this usually results in high blood sugar levels and an increase in cholesterol which overall is not the best approach.

This doesn’t mean you need to completely cut coffee out of your diet but it does help to mix it up with a variety of other beverages with little or no caffeine.

Stress

Well, can you avoid it is the question only you can answer? As mentioned above, stress leads to the production of cortisol which is not a beneficial hormone. Along with changing your dietary habits, you can reduce stress by exercising more, meditating, and spending time in the sauna. This all starts with being intentional about your commitment to staying stress-free. You should have the intent to worry less as your mental and physical health will be greatly rewarded down the road.

Reduce Radiation Exposure

Studies have found that increased exposure to radiation may weaken your immune system. It is highly advisable to stay away from UV radiation especially when recovering.

Do more of these:

Increase Your Vitamin D levels

If you did not already know, our system needs vitamin D to produce antimicrobial proteins responsible for killing bacteria and protecting against viruses. Lack of vitamin D in the system means you’re less likely to produce these proteins, leaving you vulnerable to illness.

Interestingly, vitamin D is a chief component of some of our diets such as fish (fatty fishes), milk, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolk. We can also induce vitamin D levels by periodic exposure to sunlight. Some supplements such as Cod liver oil and Virmunity might help boost your vitamin D levels.  You should check your vitamin D levels with your health specialists.

Monitor Your Sleep Habits

Using your car for days without switching off the engine is not only bad practice but a terrible idea. In the same vein, you cannot leave your body’s immune system running unthinkable hours without experiencing wears and tears. Best practice includes substantial sleep (6-9 hrs), as this gives time for repairs and replacements of damaged cells.

Nutrition

Tasty fried chicken is finger-licking good, but it will do you more good if you have a balanced diet. A diet that has greens, less fried stuff, and preferably homemade, is always more nutritious. If you’re on-the-go, to boost your immune system, you should also try some fresh juice as they contain more vitamin C and chlorophyll.

Take More Tea

Staying hydrated is very essential but adding some electrolytes from either black or green tea with no sugar is even better. Research has shown that tea drinkers immunity responded twice as fast to viruses and bacteria compared to the coffee drinkers.

Final thoughts

Reading these tips will not do much, but applying them into your life could save you frequent visits to the doctor, and in turn, save a few bucks. Curious to know if your immune system is compromised? You might want to check the Reasonable Remedies line of all-natural products designed to protect your immune system.

What are your favorite tips for boosting the immune system?

Share your thoughts and comments with us.

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