mother and son sitting on bed with barrier blocking out illustrated viruses
December 18, 2024

Nobody ever wants to get sick. It can make you miss out on work, school, and other activities, and uncomfortable symptoms can make you feel miserable. If you want to avoid getting sick, you need a strong immune system that can protect you from infection. You can make certain lifestyle changes that support a healthy immune response. Here are some of the best ways to boost immunity and stay healthy:

1. Eat a Nutritious Diet

One of the best ways to boost immunity is to eat a nutritious diet full of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and vitamin A that your immune system needs to effectively fight off infection. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in fiber, which feeds the bacteria in your gut so they can produce compounds that your immune system uses. Try to include citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, and colorful vegetables in your daily diet. Other foods you should be eating are whole grains, probiotics, healthy fats, and lean proteins.

2. Drink Water

woman drinking glass of water

Water is necessary for many of your body functions, including supporting a healthy immune system. It allows blood and lymph to circulate to all parts of your body so that immune cells can detect and attack invading pathogens. You are constantly losing water through breath, waste, and sweat. If you want to boost immunity, you need to make sure you drink enough water throughout the day to replace this loss and keep you well hydrated.

3. Get Quality Sleep

Sleep is essential for all areas of your health, and this includes your immune health. Most adults require 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep every night. During sleep, your body restores its natural defenses and strengthens its immune system by producing proteins called cytokines. If you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system won’t be able to effectively fight infection. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can inhibit immune cell activity and increase your risk of respiratory infections. If you want to boost immunity, you need to get a good night’s sleep each night.

4. Stay Active

two people jogging outside

Physical activity is a great way to boost immunity. When you exercise, the circulation of immune cells in your blood increases, allowing them to mobilize into tissues. This improves immune surveillance so your immune system can more effectively detect and fight off pathogens. Research shows that 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise several days each week can support a healthy immune response.

5. Get Vaccinated

One of the best ways to boost immunity is to stay up to date on vaccines. A vaccine exposes your body to a safe version of a disease. This enables your immune system to learn to recognize and react to it. If these disease-causing pathogens enter your body again, your immune system will know how to fight them off to avoid severe infection.

6. Manage Stress

woman doing breathing exercises while sitting in lotus pose on yoga mat

Stress can negatively affect many areas of your health, including your immune system. Chronic stress has been found to reduce the production of white blood cells, which are a vital part of your immune response. It can also lead to sleep loss, and sleep deprivation is known to impair immune function. If you want to boost immunity, you need to find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, meditation, creative hobbies, journaling, etc.

7. Take Immunity-Boosting Supplements

Certain dietary supplements can help boost immunity. Your immune system requires various nutrients to function properly, and taking supplements can help you get enough of these nutrients. Some of the best immunity-boosting supplements include vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, and quercetin. Daily Greens Plus is formulated with each of these nutrients as well as other natural ingredients and antioxidants that support optimal immune function.

More Ways to Stay Healthy

Following these tips can help boost immunity so you can stay healthy. Want to learn more ways to avoid getting sick, especially during flu season? Check out these tips for staying healthy during flu season!

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