The COVID-19 pandemic left us all scared, which is why many people searched for the best ways to provide immune system support. However, what many don’t realize is that imbalanced immunity can affect many mood disorders, such as OCD, anxiety, and depression. Luckily, there are many natural ways to support the immune system – make sure you keep reading to find out more.
What Is an Immunity?
Your immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect your body from foreign invaders. These foreign invaders can be anything from bacteria and viruses to toxins and parasites. Your immune system recognizes these factors as harmful and works to destroy them.
However, not all individuals have well-balanced immunity – and people with weak immunity are more prone to frequent infections and more severe symptoms. That is why good immunity is necessary – but how to support your immune system in order to achieve it? We will provide you with proven methods and tips.
#1 Eat Healthy and Improve Your Diet
Many people realize the importance of eating for well-being, both mental and physical. However, remember that a healthy diet is one of the best natural ways to boost the immune system and vice versa – unhealthy eating habits can cause inflammation. Therefore, you should try to eat more of:
- Foods rich in vitamin C, E, A, D, iron, zinc, and fiber – all of those nutrients can be found in fruits and vegetables, so make sure you consume them as much as possible,
- Whole-grains cereals – such as barley, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, and products made from them,
- Lean protein – you can get it from turkey, chicken, fish, lentils, peas, beans, tofu, and foods alike.
- Healthy fats – not all fats are bad; moreover, unsaturated fats can improve the function of leukocytes.
Aside from good nutrition, ensure you hydrate regularly – hydration is necessary for your immunity to function properly. It supports blood volume, lymphatic system, histamine balance, and biochemical pathways.
Should You Use Vitamin Supplements to Boost Immunity Against Flu and Cold?
Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that a person’s nutritional needs need to be met primarily through food. Although taking supplements may be a convenient way of immunity-boosting (especially as a form of health care for career women and men), keep in mind that good nutrients are better absorbed from healthy diets than supplements. Taking supplements should be reserved for those who otherwise can’t meet their nutritional needs.
#2 Start Exercising More
Contrary to popular belief, eating fruits and vegetables is not the only way of boosting your body’s defense. Even a short but regular thirty-minute exercise can help your leukocytes fight an infection. During the training, antibodies circulate faster, which is why they can detect inflammation earlier than they usually would. Additionally, temperature rise can help individuals fight flu and cold better.
Remember that endorphins, feel-good chemicals, are released during an exercise. At the same time, additional physical activity can positively affect your sleep habits, which is crucial for boosting immunity.
#3 Make Sure You Sleep Enough
Getting enough quality sleep is essential as it helps you prevent infections but also fight the flu and cold faster when they occur. Research shows that infection-fighting molecules develop while we sleep. However, it’s not only important to get eight-hour sleep but also to create good sleeping habits that will help you maintain quality sleep and prevent burnout.
#4 Reduce Stress Levels
Stressful situations represent significant risk factors for mental health, cognitive functioning, and immunity. Once a person is under stress for long periods, it impacts body defense, which results in its inability to fight the infection. To improve your immunity, make sure you engage in activity that helps you fight stress. It can be anything from meditation and exercise to psychotherapy.
Stay Connected With Your Friends and Family
One of the ways of reducing stress levels is by spending time with your loved ones – the importance of a community for mental health is evident. A good social network and meaningful relationships are essential for your mental health. However, did you know that people who socialize more have better immunity than those who isolate themselves? Studies haven’t concluded yet why this is happening. Still, it is assumed that introverts don’t develop good immunity because of their lower exposure to infections in general.
#5 Experience Bodywork at Wise Oak Counseling
Bodywork is a form of alternative medicine that promotes positive changes within the individual with the help of manual therapy and energy medicine. These medical treatments imply a holistic approach to healing and enable the connection between the human body and mind. Bodywork can include:
- Acupressure – acupressure is known to stimulate immunity and improve the body’s fight against flu and cold,
- Polarity therapy – by combing counseling, nutritional guidelines, bodywork, and exercise, this treatment can help with energy blockages and, therefore, assist the body in fighting infection,
- Craniosacral therapy – is known to increase immunity and help its recovery.
Emotional Trauma, Health, and Immune System
Extreme emotional stress can lead not only to severe mental health problems but also to a set of changes in the body’s defense mechanism. Inflammation developed from trauma can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases, TMJ disorders, and many other medical conditions.
Still, those who are willing to work through their emotional trauma have better chances of boosting their immunity. They can do it through support groups, relaxation techniques, speaking with a psychotherapist, or special treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or somatic therapy.
Wise Oak Counseling Can Help You Improve Your Immune System Support
Therapy is one of the most effective ways to boost your immunity, and Wise Oak Counseling offers you many different ways to do so. With us, you can experience the benefits of many different types of therapy, from bodywork, EDMR to psychotherapy. If you need a therapist and professional guidance to boost your body’s defense and overall health, don’t hesitate to contact us and choose a treatment. We’ll be happy to hear from you.
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