Your immune system is a surprisingly complicated mechanism within your body. Its basic role is to use its network of cells and proteins to protect your body from invasion by foreign cells. These are the cells that cause infection and other illnesses.

But, what may surprise you is that your immune system does more than just fight invasions. It also keeps a record of every germ that enters your body and how it defeated them. It can then use this data to deal with any repeat invasions in the future!

You owe it to your body and yourself to boost your immune system in any way you can. Fortunately, there are five things you can do which will help.

Don’t forget that this is a complex system, designed to react strongly when needed but not over-react the rest of the time. The key to building immunity is not in adding chemicals and supplements to your diet, it’s in building healthy habits.

  1. Drink Water

Your body is approximately 60% water. It’s in every cell of your body and is essential to moving nutrients into cells while removing toxins and cell waste. This is then carried to your kidneys and excreted from your body.

To maintain the health of your body and it’s immune system you need to replenish this water regularly. That means drinking water and avoiding sugary drinks.

Don’t forget that the purer the water the better. Although the water from your tap is certified when it leaves the treatment plant, it can pick up contaminants between the plant and your home. You also have to consider the chlorine that has been added to the water. It kills bacteria but is not beneficial for humans.

The best idea is to take a look at some of these great water filters and have one fitted to your home. Then you’ll know you have plenty of high-quality water to drink.

  1. Eat Well

Alongside water, your body needs food to provide it with nutrients and energy. To build immunity you want to avoid processed foods and stick to those that are natural, whole grains.


All foods are beneficial, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, even carbohydrates. The key is to avoid processed and eat in moderation.

  1. Exercise

Exercise will inevitably appear on any list to improve health. Exercising increases blood flow, which improves the supply of nutrients to the cells and organs in your body. That includes the immune system. The better the blood flow the easier it is for the cells to get the nutrients they need and perform their job.

You should aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.

  1. Sleep

Sleep is essential to your body and your immune system. When you sleep your body recovers and repairs itself. This is when the immune system has the most resources available to deal with any attacks.

Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to become ill, aim to get between 6-8 hours every night.

  1. Reduce Stress

When you’re stressed your body releases the hormone cortisol. This prevents many other hormones from being produced and suppresses the natural instincts of the immune system.

The purpose is to get you ready to fight or flight. But, as modern life is generally very stressful, it can simply result in your immune system not responding when it needs to.

Identify stressful situations and find ways to avoid them or deal with them in an alternative way. Your body will thank you for it.

 

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