3 Tips on Boosting Your Immune System Naturally
As we enter cold and flu season (i.e. November through March), it is a good idea to start thinking about ways you can boost your immune system. And of course, the more naturally you can do this the better! Now, the most obvious ways to boost your immune system naturally would include things like quitting smoking, getting more sleep, and washing your hands more often (see our recent blog post, “Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Students”) but what else can you do? Check out these tips on boosting your immune system naturally:
1. Load Up on Veggies. Notice the lack of the word “fruit” here. Not that fruit is not good for you - we all know that fruits are packed with antioxidants - but your main focus should really be vegetables. Fruits contain sugar (yes “good” sugar, but sugar nonetheless I’m afraid), and so they should therefore be eaten in moderation because sugar can tax your immune system. Vegetables on the other hand, are almost calorie-free and contain TONS of antioxidants and other incredible immune-boosting properties. They are also packed with water, and keeping hydrated is another great way to stave off the cold and flu bugs. Want more nutritional advice? Meet with our doctor of naturopathy and see what other changes you can make to become healthier.
2. PROPORTIONAL Exercise. Sorry for the all caps here, but it should be strongly noted that not all exercise is created equal. And while I won’t get into how most of us probably exercise wrong (just as an example, read our blog post entitled “Should You Stretch or Strengthen?”) please know that the suggestion of “at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week”* does not apply to everyone. Frankly, this suggestion will not be enough for some and will be too much for others, thus taxing their immune systems and not boosting them as they would otherwise hope. The answer then? You simply have to test yourself and learn to ease off as you need. So start with a mild or moderate exercise program (see one of our physiotherapists for suggestions on this), and then slowly ramp things up as you go. A good test of going too hard is if you feel tired right after a workout. If you can go right to sleep after exercise, then you’ve done too much.
3. Stay Balanced. This can mean so many things, but here I’m talking about the outer you, not the inner you. Specifically, seeing a massage therapist and chiropractor in conjunction with one another is a great way to ensure that your muscles and the bones and joints that support them are at their healthiest. This takes the pressure off your immune system because when your blood flows more freely and your nerves work more easily, your immune system works better too. For even more balance see one of our osteopaths or acupuncturists, who can do even more balancing - ask us for details.
Questions? Give us a call at 416-909-2334, or email us at info@yellowgazeboclinic.com. We’re always here to help! Ready to book? Click on the link below, and we’ll see you soon.
*(Laskowski, E. (2019.04.27) “How much should the average adult exercise every day?” Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org)
