With an increase in the confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (CoV), it is inevitable for us not to worry about our own health and want to stay healthy.
By now, most of us may already know what the virus is – Coronavirus (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV. A novel coronavirus-nCoV is a new strain that has not previously identified in humans and it is zoonotic, according to WHO, and know what are the basic protective measures against it. But are there any thing else that we can possibly do to make ourselves less susceptible to the virus beside adhering to the basic protective measures?
According to an interview with an osteopathic physician who focused on infectious disease, Dr. Moocroft from CNET , and other health and wellness experts, all have agreed that on top of the basic protective measures, the best real defence is to have a strong immune system. The immune system is the first line of defence for our body against foreign microorganism entering the body. Our body is better able to fight off the diseases when the immune system is strong said Dr. Moocroft. So how can we then strengthen our immune system?
Here are some ways to naturally boost our immune system:
- Get a sound sleep of 6 to 8 hours – sleep deprivation can cause the inflammatory immune response to activate, reducing the activity of the white blood cells that guard the body against infection in the body.
- Manage/reduce stress – stress overload and chronic stress suppresses the immune function in the body as it increases the hormone cortisol. Two most effective ways to better manage stress levels that will give the mind a break and to relieve pressure on the immune system is to practice yoga and meditation on regular routine said Clinical immunologist Leonard Calabrese, DO in Cleveland Clinic. Studies have shown that even a short course of meditation can improve immune function.
- Stop/reduce smoking – smoking raises the risk of bronchitis and pneumonia in everyone.
- Eating a high in vegetables and fruits diet – balanced diet provides enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals to which the immune system needs. Raw garlic, shiitake mushrooms, Manuka honey, broccoli, are some superfood that one can look into.
- Moderate alcohol intake – excessive consumption of alcohol affects the immune system and increase vulnerability to lung infections.
- Step out into the sun – Vitamin D is essential for healthy functioning of the immune system as it helps the body to produce antibodies. 10 to 15 minutes exposure to the sun is enough.
- Detoxify the body – detox the body by drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily to flush out toxins in the vital organs.
- Maintain good hygiene
- Exercise regularly – Working out regularly has been scientifically proven to boost the immune system. Regular exercise mobilises the white blood cell that guard the body against infection. Yoga, perhaps is one of the most effective and time-tested natural immunity boosters that we can adopt for a healthier life. It strengthens the body and also relaxes the mind.
Yoga is not an alternative medicine, but rather a precautionary measure to keep diseases away.
Two people with different quality of immune system who are exposed to the same cold virus will be affected differently. The person with weak immune system will get sick, while the person with strong immune system will not. This explains why one person in a family can have a cold while the others stay healthy. The better we take care of the body while we are sick, the better the body is able to tackle and recover from the illness or disease, or virus, the fitter we are, the stronger our immune system is.
With these little efforts and tweaks in our daily routine, we can strengthen and maintain a healthy immune system. A healthy body is not just about being healthy from the outside but also ensuring a stronger immunity, and these natural ways to boost our immune system can help us achieve the goal of a healthy body, to support a healthy immune system to keep diseases and viruses away.
