Boost your immune system

Do you get sick often? Always full of a cold? Well, it might not be because you're prone to illnesses, you might just need to boost your immune system.

Your immune system is your body’s natural defence system and it helps fight against bacteria, viruses, parasites and funguses, which could potentially make you ill. Your immune system first creates a barrier to protect you from any bugs and if any do get through then the immune system will produce white blood cells to attack and destroy them.

A healthy immune system is important to stop you from getting sick but you can’t just take a pill or supplement to boost it. So, what can you do?

Living a healthier lifestyle and introducing healthy habits into your daily routine will help support your immune system in its fight against any unwanted bugs. Being generally healthier has a wide range of benefits anyway, from reducing your risk of chronic diseases to feeling more positive and confident.

Eat healthily

Ensure that you get the proper nutrition your immune system needs by eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. The right nutrition is essential for your immune system to function well. Eating healthy will also allow you to maintain an ideal weight, which can decrease your chances of further health problems.

Vitamin C can help increase the production of white blood cells, which fights off any unwanted visitors. Citrus fruits are a great source of Vitamin C and can include oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes, surprisingly red peppers are also a great source of vitamin C and can help maintain healthy skin.

Broccoli, garlic, yoghurt, almonds, ginger and spinach are other examples of different foods that will help boost your immune system.

Exercise

Exercising regularly is linked to boosting your immunity as people who are more active have better functioning white blood cells than those who are inactive. Other than improving your immune system, walking and being more active can help you relax, sleep better and have a more positive view on life. Take a look at our previous blog post looking at Britain’s favourite places to walk.

Sleep

Ensuring that you get enough sleep can also help boost your immune system. When you are sleep deprived you are more vulnerable to developing colds and sicknesses, as well as other health problems. Our bodies use sleep as a form of self-healing and relaxation which can even help decrease our stress levels. Take a look at our blog post to see if you’re getting enough sleep.