Whether you find yourself at a physically-distanced brunch or pool day this weekend, a healthy immune system will help keep you in top shape for all your plans.
With the weekend only a few days away, we look at some easy ways to boost your immune health and help your body fight off any nasty illnesses that could otherwise put a damper on your day.
Snooze away
Are you catching enough Z’s? Getting enough shut-eye can do wonders not only for your overall energy but for your immune system as well. You should be aiming to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night, but you already knew that, didn’t you?! So, put away your phones a couple of hours before bedtime, close your eyes and let the snoozing session begin!
Fats..but make ‘em healthy
We’re all told to avoid fats but if you eat more of the good kind, chances are you’ll decrease inflammation in your body. This will (you guessed it!) strengthen your immune system and boost your body’s response to pathogens. Healthy fats such as olive oil and salmon are highly anti-inflammatory. If you’ve been meaning to try out mum’s recipe for Lemony Salmon Piccata for a while now, this would be the perfect time!
Listen to your gut
Research has shown that a healthy gut can impact the immune system in a major way. This is why it’s important to eat fermented foods such as yoghurt, kimchi, kefir and natto which help in populating the digestive tract. These help the immune system identify and target harmful pathogens. So, the next time your gut tells you not to devour that Big Mac, listen to it, please.
Work it out
It may be the last thing you’d want to do on your day off, but did you know that exercises can help boost the immune system too?! Studies have shown that regular, moderate exercise may reduce inflammation in the body while helping your immune cells regenerate. Whether you enjoy running or swimming, pick one and run (or swim!) with it.
Drink up
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Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your immune system. Getting enough water daily will help prevent dehydration which otherwise increases your susceptibility to illness. Avoid gulping down liquids with a high sugar content such as fruit juice and sweetened tea. Just plain old water should do.