Boosting your immune system to avoid coronavirus
In the space of a few weeks Corona Virus or COVID-19, which is the correct medical term, has caused worldwide panic, it’s now classed as a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organisation and has no vaccine.
The is also no cure for Covid-19 and health companies and authorities are months away from one, so right now your own immune system is the best defence. Your immune system’s job is to protect you from germs and other nasties that might infect you. Most of the time your natural immune system will protect you and fight off viruses etc, but sometimes it won’t be up to the job and this can happen for a number of reasons.
These are a few things that weaken your immune system – Stress, being older and already vulnerable from other conditions, taking drugs that suppress your immune system, or if you have a weak heart or lungs you will be especially vulnerable to Corona virus.
But the good news is, there are things you can do to boost your immune system. Let’s discuss:
What is Corona Virus and tips to avoid it
Diet
Healthy eating is vital in keeping your immune system strong. Get a good consistent diet with lot’s of fruit and vegetables, the immune cells in your body love healthy food and hate processed and fatty foods. Lot’s of colourful fruit and veg will ensure you’re getting enough zinc and vitamin D and other important vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system. Taking a multi vitamin supplement can help too.
How COVID-19 is affecting the sports world
Exercise
Exercise helps boost the immune system, but we have to be careful not to overexercise because it can have the opposite effect and weaken your immune system. Try get 30-60 minutes of exercise per day and you don’t exposure to other people and germs, stay clear of the gym, the outdoors is the best environment to try stay active. If playing sport, try stick these – solo sports in this time where social distancing is so important
Stay Calm
The stress hormone cortisol actually turns off cells in your immune system and the more you panic and stress about what’s going on around the world with this virus, the more you are potentially weakening your immune system. Going back to exercise, staying active reduces stress as does engaging in activities that people find relaxing, such as meditation. And remember worrying too much about Covid-19 might actually make you more susceptible to it.
Avoid heavy drinking/smoking
Heavy or binge drinking depletes our immune cells, fact. Also smokers and those with respiratory disease have a higher rate of serious illness and complications from coronavirus.
Get adequate sleep
We cannot underestimate the importance of sleep for the mind and body. Luckily all the above steps will promote good sleep patterns, so you’re on the right track. A lack of sleep can impair the disease-fighting ability of immune cells, making a tired body more susceptible to infection. Poor sleep patterns can also change diet patterns – if you’re very tired all the time you maybe less likely to prepare food and more likely to snack and eat convenient and less nutritious food.
Hope the above helps you keep your immune system strong and avoid this virus, stay safe out there!
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