How to boost your immune system against the Coronavirus
By Martin Ebner
With the Coronavirus now being declared a Pandemic by the world health organization, It's fair to say things are beginning to get a little tense.
While social distancing, improved personal hygiene and Bane-style protective masks might help keep you safe against the Coronavirus, now more than ever, a strong and healthy immune system could be your best defense against the dreaded COVID-19 virus.
Here are some simple ways to keep good health and give your immune system a boost during this difficult time.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
Perhaps not an ideal starting point but a necessary one. Your body and immune system have enough to deal with without you putting it under undue stress by consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. If you find yourself panic-buying booze instead of nutrient-rich foods, think again. Your body has a certain amount of energy to function properly. Give it the additional task of processing alcohol and eliminating the resulting toxins and your immune system could be left venerable to attack from nasty germs.
If you must drink, do so in moderation.
Sleep and rest
Ask any sniffling and coughing person about their lifestyle leading up to getting sick and most will likely say they were under-slept and overstressed.
Sleep and rest should never be overlooked when it comes to the fight against illness. Both are not only important for keeping good health but getting enough rest will give your immune system a much-needed boost and improve your chances of staying Coronavirus free. Go on, hit the snooze button! It’s unlikely that you need to go to work today anyway.
De-stress
It's often easier said than done, especially given the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in. That said, getting stressed out over the Coronavirus will do you absolutely no favors at all. Stress places the body under excessive… stress! A few great ways to de-stress include; exercise, breathing work, reading, massage, hot baths, yoga etc
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
Eating a healthy and balanced diet is easily the best thing you can do to stay healthy. By eating a variety of fresh and nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables, grains and pulses, lean meat and dairy, you'll fuel your body with all the nutrients and minerals it needs to function properly and stay healthy.
Related article : 15 superfoods you should be eating
Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement.
While supplements should never replace a healthy and balanced diet, if you find it becoming increasingly difficult to gain access to fresh and healthy food, you might want to consider taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement as a safety net.
Moderate exercise
Asides from the obvious and amazing benefits of exercise, moderate and regular exercise are extremely important for a strong immune system.
It's important here to understand that grueling workouts won't necessarily do you any favors. Push too hard too often for too long and you'll like to leave yourself vulnerable as your body channels energy towards recovery from arduous workouts. Instead, over the next few weeks, focus on moderate-intensity energy-boosting workouts that will help your immune system protect you against any attack from the virus.
Related article: How to build a successful workout plan
Take a yoga class (online)
As mentioned above, keeping your stress levels under control can help reduce your chances of getting ill. There are few better ways to destress than yoga. Not only can it help lower the stress hormones that put your immune system at risk, but it can also help condition the lungs and respiratory tract, stimulating the lymphatic system to remove toxins from the body and bringing oxygenated blood to the various organs to ensure their optimal function. Sounds purrrfect!
Practice good hygiene
Last but not least, practice good hygiene. Once you get Coronavirus, there's no drug you can buy to stop it. Soap and alcohol-based-disinfectants on the other hand help kill germs and protect you against the risk of contracting diseases. As a general rule, wash your hands thoroughly when entering your house and try to avoid touching your face when out and about.
If you do find yourself out and about or around others, use sealed water bottles and coffee mugs versus open, and avoid public or shared drinking fountains or water dispensers.
