Winter is here, but are you ready for all it can bring with it? As we start to huddle together in all those enclosed spaces, we are more prone to cold and flu viruses. Prevention is better than cure, so being prepared with an armour of immunity as best we can just seems to make sense doesn’t it?! We can try to do what we can to prevent the cold war; there is no guarantee that we will not get any viruses, but we can at least keep ourselves in tip top condition and try to avoid our body getting run down and susceptible to anything out there. It is like keeping the engine and bodywork maintained on a vehicle to avoid the possibility of an onset of problematic breakdowns.
By keeping our own mind and physical body in order, we can also run as smoothly as possible with minimum possibility of breakdown. Simple lifestyle changes can do that; it is a system to function well, it requires balance and harmony. Research has shown that general health living strategies are likely to help immune function and come along with other proven benefits.
Following general good health guidelines as best we can take toward naturally keeping our immune system working properly. Let’s take a look at some of those general good health guidelines:
Eat a healthy diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Drink alcohol only in moderation
Avoid smoking
Get adequate sleep
Try to minimize stress
Avoid infection with hygiene rules
Age and the immune system
Eat a healthy diet
Eating lots of colourful citrus fruit and vegetables high in anti-oxidants can help the immune system. Spices like ginger, turmeric, oregano, garlic, neem leaf which is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. Echinacea and honey are great natural fighters for our health system. Fish rich in omega oils, nuts and sunflower seeds. If in doubt or unable to eat a substantial amount within the diet, a little supplement advised by a GP is an idea.
Maintain a healthy weight
Maintain a healthy weight with good quality exercise that builds strength and stamina, but not overdoing it to the point of burn out, where the body has no strength left to fight off any infection. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular and health, lowering blood pressure and stress levels and boosts the immune system naturally.
Drinking alcohol in moderation
Drinking alcohol in moderation is just sensible – alcohol dehydrates the body and binds to the bacterial cell wall. A glass of wine, however, does boost some good anti-oxidants and can reduce stress and anxiety, there’s just no need for a bottle to get that result though.
Avoid smoking
Avoid smoking or at least try to reduce as much as possible. Smoking depletes Vitamin C absorption, as well as causing other respiratory problems.
Get adequate sleep
Adequate sleep varies for us all, and what may be enough sleep for one, may not be enough for another to function properly. Broken sleep continuously can play havoc with the system and can eventually weaken the immune system to fight off those infections. Doing everything possible for some good quality sleep can make that difference for fending off those cold viruses. Avoiding caffeine as much as possible and trying to have a regular sleeping pattern with a relaxing bedtime routine can assist.
Minimize stress
Minimizing stress for us all individually is what is important, as what bothers one person may not necessarily bother another. When people are exposed to situations they regard as stressful, it is difficult to measure how much stress they actually feel and to what degree it starts to interfere with health and the immunity function, as all our tolerance levels are different. Finding a way to balance out the stress, by adding calming and relaxing meditation techniques that work for us individually, to our lifestyle, can help – music, meditation, talking, tai chi, dance to name a few.
Avoid infection with hygiene rules
Hygiene rules are simple enough with washing hands and sanitizing basics, especially in environments where others have been seen to have colds etc. Cover nose and mouth when sneezing and dispose tissues straight away, then wash and sanitize. Of course, there are some people who choose to wear masks to avoid contagion of any sort which is of personal choice now.
Age and the immune system
As we mature in age, so does our immune response capability, which in turn can contribute to more infections and other age-related conditions. While many age healthily, studies have shown the elderly are more likely to contract infectious diseases and more importantly, more likely to die from respiratory infections like influenza and particularly pneumonia.
Give yourself a boost!
Love and Sparkles
Samsara x
www.samsarabellydancer.co.uk
Facebook: Samara Kyriakou