How do you keep your immune system strong in the face of a pandemic?
Right now, our immune systems are our first line of defense against a pandemic that is raging across the planet. While it’s true that Covid-19 doesn’t affect everyone in the same way, and many people will just experience light symptoms if they contract the virus, it is not a joke, or a hoax.
Our immune systems are designed to deal with things like this, however Covid-19 is a novel virus, which means it is new. Our immune systems are only equipped to deal with diseases that already exist.
Regardless, your immune system is very important to your overall health, so it must be properly taken care of, especially in times like these.
Here are five ways to keep your immune system in order during this pandemic, and give yourself a fighting chance.
Wear a mask in public. I don’t care if your state hasn’t mandated it. I don’t care if you are worried about looking silly. I don’t care if you aren’t worried about getting sick because you’re young and strong. Just wear a mask! If you won’t do it for yourself, think of one person in your life that is high-risk for Covid-19 and do it for them.
Manage your stress. I know that sounds almost impossible right now, but meditation, daily reminders to be grateful, healthy hobbies, and reaching out for digital social interaction (Facetime or zoom) are a few ways you can relieve stress daily.
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Take supplements. Vitamin D, as well as other mood and immunity boosting supplements can help augment your immune system if you aren’t getting all the daily vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Maintain a routine bedtime. Getting enough sleep every night is integral to your immune system, so listen to your body when it starts to get tired, and set a consistent nightly sleeping schedule. It will not only help your immune system, but your health overall.
Edit your diet. Immunity boosting foods like probiotics, raw ginger, vitamin C-rich foods, garlic, and spinach. Adding foods into your diet that naturally support immunity will only help the situation, especially during times like these when it’s much easier to eat junk food.
At the end of the day we can only do what it in our power. However we should not take this pandemic, or our immunity to it, lightly.