How to supercharge your immune system during COVID-19

Keeping your immune system healthy is always essential, but during a global pandemic, it should be a priority. There are many ways to make sure you’re in top health to fight off any potential diseases, and most of these are simple adjustments that can be implemented easily. Keep reading for a rundown of some of the most critical steps-

Stress

It’s challenging to stay on top of your mental health in a time like this, but it’s in your body’s best interest to keep stress and anxiety to a minimum. Stress has a profound physical effect on your body, getting in the way of truly restful sleep and making you more susceptible to illness.

Meditation, mindfulness and reconnecting with nature have all been proven to reverse the effects of stress, as does simply curling up with a good book or taking time away to listen to your favourite music. It’s essential to make time to switch off each day, especially if your schedule is busy.

Stay Hydrated

Water is incredibly important and often overlooked. It is the most important thing that we put in our bodies, and if we don’t drink enough, our bodies will soon show signs of dehydration. However, a lot of us aren’t in tune with those signals, and only a tiny minority of people drink enough water to get their bodies running at optimal capacity. Adults should drink around 1.5 litres of water a day to replace the fluid lost, and this should increase in hotter weather. A good tip is to carry around a water bottle.

Things to Avoid

You might be considering cutting down or even cutting out the consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, or other unhealthy substances. Now would be an excellent time to do so, considering the effect that things like that can have on your body. Even if you manage to do nothing else on this list besides addressing your consumption of alcohol, cigarettes or recreational drugs, you are still profoundly improving your health.

Sleep

Sleep is another vital part of our lives that can often fall to the wayside. We can easily forget about the importance of sleep with so many other things to worry about. Adults should get 7 – 9 hours of sleep, teenagers should get 8 – 10, and children should be getting 9 – 11. If you can, you should always aim to go to bed earlier instead of sleeping later in the night. You’ll be aligned with the rising sun and your natural rhythm, and you will feel more energised.

Immune-Boosting Foods

Putting the right things into your body is a powerful tool for staving off illness, and you should always aim to include a variety of healthy foods in your diet. Three vitamins below are crucial for the immune response-

Vitamin C

Grapefruit, oranges, clementines, and bell peppers. Bell peppers have even more vitamin C packed in than citrus. Because Vitamin C can’t be stored in the body, you need a constant supply each day.

Vitamin E

A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E is crucial for fighting off infections. Get your fill from almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, and broccoli.

Vitamin B6

Another essential vitamin for immune response, a healthy amount of B6 means increased production of antibodies for a more vigorous defence against infections. B6 can be a little harder to work consistently into your diet, but its more prevalent in chicken, wholegrain cereals, eggs and sweet potatoes.