During the pandemic, it’s important to stay healthy and well, and let’s be honest is there anyone who isn’t worried about their health – Probably Not!!!

There’s perhaps never been a more important time to brush up on immune-boosting tricks and show your body a little extra TLC and while I love these immune-boosting tips, please keep in mind, there’s never one magic bullet or cure-all.  Therefore, none of these tips should be heralded as a miracle — there’s no such thing! Instead, view these tips as supplementary to compliment the perfectly designed system that your body already is!

Immune-boosting  and self-care Tips:

Sleep…Probably More Important Than You Think!

When you’re low on sleep, everything just seems worse? The same goes for inside your body. Turns out, a lack of sleep totally diminishes our body’s natural ability to fight off germs. Not only that, but research suggests that slacking on sleep may also negatively affect how we bounce back from illness.  So, commit to your nightly sleep routine (at least 7 hours per night, but ideally 8 – 9) as you do to your daily workout. It’s truly one of the best (and cheapest!) immune-boosting tips out there.

Plus, with better sleep, you may find that you feel a bit more upbeat more motivated, and productive to power through your daily to-dos.

Eat a Variety of Plant-based Foods to get your daily Macronutrients

The link between our health and what we put in our mouths couldn’t be more clear. If it seems like every article you’ve ever read just underlines the need for a healthy diet, robust in plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts then heed the advice. Plant-based foods, yes!   Well, there’s a reason for that!

The science is pretty unanimous in showing that a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition, is a super important part of supporting a strong and healthy body.

So, eat the rainbow of fruits and veggies (try adding some to every meal) to make sure you’re hitting your Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins and minerals linked to a healthier immune system.

A “standard American diet” high in processed, fatty, and nutritional-empty foods doesn’t do your immune system or your health, in general, any favors. Also, avoid “diet or sugar-free” foods in favor of real whole foods.

Here are some simple ways to supercharge your diet with nutrient-dense foods:

• Add dark leafy greens to your smoothies
• Enjoy fermented gut-loving foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, miso
• Ditch the sugary snacks and try wholesome options like raw almonds with berries, half an avocado with freshly squeezed lemon juice, unsweetened coconut milk yogurt with berries, and chia seeds.

Keep Stress at Bay As Best You Can

I know it feels harder than ever these days to stay totally stress-free and all the advice on how you need to combat stress can sometimes ironically just contribute to you feeling even tenser.   But, finding simple ways to combat stress is one of those immune-boosting tips that bear repeating since long-term, chronic stress (think the type caused by ongoing situations like poor relationships, a stressful job, Pandemic concerns, etc.) has been shown to impact our body’s ability to fight off germs.

Plus, being stressed to the max all the time may cause you to overeat which can disrupt sleep, and just leave you feeling edgy.

If you’re looking for some simple ways to help get those stress levels in check, I suggest trying the following:

• Take long walks in nature
• Get a massage or a facial
• Journaling
• Engaging in screen-free hobbies like reading, listening to music, or artwork
• Exercise
• Playing with your pet
• Family fun

Also, try specific exercises that are designed to help you feel a bit more centered (e.g. Meditation, Yoga, Stretching, Breathing exercises).

When your mind is racing, walking meditation is also a great way to shake off negative energy.

Pay Attention To Your Gut Health

There is plenty of science-backed research that the health of our digestive system is related to our immunity? For information download my free GUT ebook.

And Of Course, Exercise – Do something you love!!!

I’d be remiss to not mention a good sweat session! We already know how good exercise makes us feel after a workout (hello endorphin rush), so it’s just a bonus that movement is truly one of the best immune-boosting tips out there.

Studies show that moderate exercise 150-300 minutes a week  (an hour or less with 2 days of strength training) gives our body’s immunity an immediate boost and may continue to help increase the healthy cell turnover of our immune cells.

Ready to get moving?  Remember to find some form of exercise you love — if you love it, you will do it!!!

What are your Immune Boosting tips? How many of these Immune-Boosting tips do you already do?

As with any change, no need to overhaul what you’re doing overnight! When making changes to your lifestyle, slow and steady wins the race.

So if you aren’t currently using all these immune-boosting tips yet, pick one to add in each month or so. You’ll be well on your way to an overall healthier version of yourself.

To your health ????

This article is provided for informational purpose only and is not intended as medical advice, or as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician