“COVID- 19 is here to stay.”The World Health Organization(WHO)

Many governmental bodies, as well as international organizations and notable doctors, have confirmed the fact that COVID-19 may never go away. We just have to chalk out a plan on how to live with it.

Most countries are battling the deadly virus in the first stage itself, except China. The largest country in the world is now seeing renewed COVID outbreaks, sparking fears of a second wave COVID outbreak in the country. A hundred years ago, the Spanish Flu also had a second wave. And it was far deadlier than the first one.

Vaccines are the permanent solution to this deadly virus, with many countries having successfully tested them and prepared for mass productions. For the time being, however, we should concentrate more on strengthening our immune system. Why do you ask? Let’s go through it.

Why Should We Boost Immunity?

The Immune System is our body’s first line of defence against diseases. Your immune system does an extraordinary job of protecting you against disease-causing pathogens. That defence is your immune system and the army you have inside your body are your white blood cells.

While reinforcing one’s immunity is easier said than done, there are numerous dietary and lifestyle modifications that may bolster the natural defences of your body, helping you fight harmful pathogens or deadly viruses.

People over the age of 80 years and those with chronic illnesses are the most vulnerable. For those over 80, approximately 15% of those infected will die. This is primarily because for older people, the immune system gets weaker over time, owing to previous infections, making them vulnerable to the virus.

The best resort for you is to boost up the immunity of you and your loved ones. This can be done by regulating your sleeping habits, eating specific foods, or by having immunity booster pills. Let’s look into it.

  1. Regulating Sleep:

Getting 7-8 hours of sleep is important, not just for boosting your immunity. Notwithstanding, it’s one of the easiest ways to boost one’s immunity. During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, some of which help promote sleep. Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you’re under stress. Sleep deprivation may decrease the production of these protective cytokines. So, make sure you sleep adequately in a day. Undeniably, these are testing times, and it’s natural to lose your sleep over setbacks. In that case, consulting one of the best psychiatrists in NYC can restore peace and balance to your life.

  1. Drink Up: Water Not Alcohol.

You’ve got toxins inside your body, and you must flush them out by drinking plenty of water. Alcohol, on the other hand, dehydrates you. Being a diuretic, it removes fluids from your body at a very fast rate. So avoid alcohol generally, and drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day.

  1. Workout:

Can’t hit the gym? No worries. This is not a body-building exercise. The sole reason why you should work out is that you need to flush out toxins via sweat. Practice simple home workouts, yoga and stretching exercises to start with.

  1. Consume Whole Plant Foods:

These boost your immunity against pathogens by providing nutrients and antioxidants, which in turn fight off infection. This is increasingly important for the elderly population, given that they are most susceptible to the virus. If you have aged parents or grandparents at home, make sure their diet is rich in protein, sodium and vitamins. You can look up healthy recipes for the elderly population, but always consult a doctor if the elderly have a medical condition or history.

  1. Artificially Supplemented Immunity Boosters:

These generally work faster than natural means. But there’s a catch. These supplements may not be effective in the long run unless consumed regularly.

 

CONCLUSION:

These are just a few reasons as to why you should look after your immune system, and how you can possibly boost it. Besides these, you can also resort to yoga and meditation, as they allow your immune system to function properly.