What a challenging time this is for the world. It may seem easy to focus on the adverse effects of the COVID-19 virus on the world, but I believe there are and will be many positive outcomes from this global crisis. In fact, where are already seeing them in action. Communities are coming together, humans are showing kindness in so many beautiful ways, mother earth is getting a much-needed break from pollution, and people all over the world are deciding to learn new skills or read that book that’s been gathering dust on the bookshelf. I’m not trying to downplay the stress, heartache, and devastation that many people are facing at the moment. I want to point out that with the negative, comes lots of positive as well. I am going to discuss 7 Immunity-Boosting Tips today.

As a health coach, one of the things I encourage is taking radical responsibility for our own health. I believe that we are seeing, in the midst of this crisis, how powerful it is to take your health into your own hands. If you have a robust immune system, if you take good care of your body, you are much less susceptible to all forms of the disease. You have the power to take preventive measures to ensure that you don’t face medical conditions such as lung disease, diabetes, and heart disease.

Do you want to have a rock-solid immune system? It’s easier than you think and goes hand in hand with living a healthy lifestyle. Read on for these seven, easy to implement Immunity-Boosting Tips.

Get adequate sleep

In our fast-paced society, sleep is undervalued. Ever heard the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead?” How ridiculous, but I’m sure I said it once or twice during my college days. Sleep quality and sleep quantity are both significant here, and the number of hours needed can vary from person to person. Some fundamental processes take place while we are sleeping, including hormone regulation, muscle repair, and memory consolidation. When our sleep cycle is cut short, those vital processes cannot take place. A lack of sleep adversely affects the immune system. The relationship between the immune system and sleep is relatively complex, but in short, studies show that T-cells and cytokines decrease, hindering immune system function. So prioritize sleep to help your immune system help you! 

Minimize stress 

Unfortunately, chronic stress has become a common factor in modern-day life. Many studies have been conducted showing that chronic stress can cause disease. When the body and mind are under constant pressure, the immune system is unable to respond appropriately, leading to increased inflammation and infection.

Here are some tips to reduce stress:

• Practice calming activities such as yoga or mediation
• I love the mediation apps calm and headspace
• Organize your home and workspace to be a calm environment
• Delegate tasks whenever practical/possible
• Avoid coffee if you are caffeine sensitive. Try out some coffee alternatives like matcha or cacao. 
• Call a friend! Talk it out
• Understand that stress is something that we are creating in our minds. We cannot control events outside of us, but we can control our own thoughts and reactions. 

Supplement with Vitamin C 

I swear by supplementing with vitamin C. Of course, when possible, try to obtain Vitamin C from whole food sources, but there’s nothing wrong with adding extra Vitamin C into your diet. There have been countless studies on the positive correlation between vitamin C intake and the immune system’s ability to fight off infection. 

Try out bee propolis

While bee propolis is not as well known as Vitamin C, it can work wonders for the immune system. Propolis is a substance made by honeybees, a plant resin collected by bees for use around the beehive. It contains properties to fight off germs naturally, is filled with antioxidants and over 300 beneficial compounds. It’s a great tool to have in your pocket to fight off colds and infections. 

Incorporate functional mushrooms 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I am a functional mushroom fanatic! I love how mushrooms can work in harmony with the human body and boost immunity, support brain health, and reduce inflammation, to name a few. Therefore, I have considered this in my 7 Immunity-Boosting Tips. My favorite mushroom product right now is the mushroom blend, from Four Sigmatic. It contains ten different mushrooms and rosehip to supercharge your body and support your immune system and overall wellbeing. (My readers can use code LWWA10 for 10% off of your Four Sigmatic order!) 

Eat fresh, local food 

Eating plenty of fruit and veggies is a given, but it is also imperative to be mindful of where your food comes from. Vegetables you bought this morning at the farmers market or picked from your garden are going to be far more nutritious than produce on your supermarket shelves that may have been picked weeks ago. There have been many studies to prove this. Purchase local produce whenever possible! And if you’re feeling ambitious and have the space, start growing your own food. 

Move your body 

Exercise is known to improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, and provide protection against disease. In short, it contributes to overall good health, contributing to a robust immune system as well. Find a type of exercise you enjoy and get your body moving! For me right now, that’s been walking/jogging, lunges/squats and yoga. 

I hope these tips inspire you to take care of your body and support your immune system! I would love to hear what you think. Please reach out if you want to chat. So these were the 7 Immunity-Boosting Tips, that you should consider in this COVID-Era.

Also Read : Can a Gratitude Practice Change Your Life?