Get your zzzzz’s
Sleep is a time for the body to rest and recover. It is a time for cell and muscle rejuvenation and allows the body to focus on killing off any nasties you may have come across throughout the day. Sleep has also been shown to improve the memory of the immune system to fight off previously met viruses or bacterial invaders. This means that our body has the power it needs to respond promptly to attacks from foreign materials that may be out to make you sick.
If you are struggling to get a peaceful night’s sleep, talk to your nutrition professional about the benefits of magnesium. You may also like to try sipping on a comforting, warming cup of chamomile tea before bed to relax.
Stay active
Physical activity enhances circulation and increases the immune systems ability to find and fight off harmful invaders such as bacteria and virus. Being active also produces sweat through our skin. The skin is one of the major detoxing organs, forcing out unwelcome sicknesses.
Even low intensity exercise plays a role in stimulating healthy circulation and immune responses. Just move as much as you can safely.
Eat more antioxidants
Consuming foods high in antioxidants enhance the activity of the immune system and reduces toxic materials such as bacteria and viruses from taking hold in the body. Foods with bright rich colours posses the greatest amounts of antioxidants. For example, capsicum, berries, tomatoes, beetroot, leafy greens etc.
Get your daily dose of D
Safe sun exposure can improve immune function and reduce the duration and frequency of cold and flu. Even in winter the sun can still burn so short amounts of time spent in the sun is advised.
Take a bath with double the benefits
Epsom salts have been shown to reduce toxins in the body. There is nothing better than taking a warm relaxing bath in Winter. The relaxation that Epsom salts offers is a bonus to the immune system, allowing it to rejuvenate, because we all know the impact stress has on our health!
Bend it like Beckham
Yoga is an effective circulatory stimulant, digestive activator and endocrine system booster. All of these systems work together to form part of a high-quality immune system. Yoga’s ability to stimulate circulation, reduce stress and support relaxation makes it a powerful immune fighting tool to add to your daily routine.
Step away from the desk
A sedentary lifestyle, common in todays white collar, technology dominated world, can reduce the rate of circulation around our body. This means toxins are unable to be identified readily by our immune system. Getting up and moving and … even better, moving outdoors, for even a brief 15 minutes a few times a day can greatly improve your circulation and get you away from the recirculating bugs that float around in the office air-conditioning.
Be sure to breathe deeply
The simple action of breathing increases the free flowing of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the lungs and blood stream. With these breaths nasty foreign materials are also exhaled. The oxygen that is breathed in supports immune cell health, improving the force of the all-important warrior we call our immune system. Further, taking deep breaths has been shown to reduce stress and enhance relaxation.
Indulge in a Massage
Massages that focus on the lymphatic system, help to circulate and drain the body of toxic blockages that may be backing up and contributing to frequent illnesses. Relax in style and allow your body and mind to sink away while feeling the undeniable benefits of a massage.
Dance, jump and shout and let it all out!
Dancing and jumping around forcefully pushes toxins out through sweat and all other eliminatory organs such as the kidneys, liver and digestive system. Why not have some fun while working on your immune system.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Being angry and frustrated certainly takes its toll on your stress levels and your immune system. The simple act of being angry impacts greatly on hormones and gut which play a large role in immunity.
Be at one with your body. Listen to its cues. Give it the nutrients and TLC its needs and desires!
Xx Danielle Catherine