Your immune system is your body's defense mechanism against harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasitic worms, etc. The system is an interactive combination of various ways in which the body recognizes foreign cells, tissues and organisms and proceeds to fight them. The body system is your own, silent intelligence network and private army that identifies harmful organisms and destroys them throughout your life.
The immune can be of two types: Innate and Acquired. All livings beings are created with an auto-immune system or innate immune system. However, while some people are born with a strong immunity, others have to develop it. This is acquired or adaptive immunity. If you need to acquire better immunity, the following practices can strengthen and reinforce it.
1. Good Diet:
All things related to the body start with healthy nutrition consisting of a well-balanced diet. Your immune system is also directly affected by the food you eat. Making some foods part of your staple diet can work wonders for your immune system. Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, tangerines, grapefruits); berries, particularly strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries; papaya and kiwi are very potent immunity boosters.
Certain vegetables have ingredients, which can considerably enhance the potency of your resistant system. These are carrots, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, and onions. Even ordinary spices like turmeric, garlic, and ginger have medicinal properties that can toughen weak immune systems. Yogurt, almonds, flaxseeds, and mushrooms are some other foodstuffs, which can boost your immunity considerably.
2. Good Sleep:
Proper rest and sound sleep can perform miracles on your mind and body. It is common knowledge that fatigue, stress, and anxiety have a negative impact on health. Intense stress and fatigue trigger a hormonal imbalance that can wreak havoc on your body with far-reaching consequences for your body's immunity and the diseases you may be exposing yourself to.
Stress may even lead to loss of sleep, becoming a vicious cycle, which can be catastrophic. Hence, learn to worry less and never compromise on your sleep, however busy you may be. We would do well to follow the old dictum of "early to bed an early to rise". Make sure you get your minimum daily sleep quota of 8 hours.
3. Reduce Stress:
Exercise and physical activities are good stress busters. They are significant contributors to building better immunity. Physical exertion lowers the level of stress hormones in the body, thus enhancing your immune system. Another stress-preventer is meditation. Apart from keeping you mentally healthy, it also increases the body's resistance to various bacteria, viral illnesses, and infections.
Spending quality time with your loved ones, being cheerful and having a positive attitude diminishes worries and keeps stress at bay. Stress has no place in the workplace either; you can take short breaks or go on annual vacations to revitalize yourself. Remember this mantra: The lower the stress, the stronger your immunity.
4. Lifestyle Habits:
Smoking and alcohol consumption is bad news for the body but they can be particularly harmful to your immune system as well. What's more, the dangerous pathogens present in them can actually weaken a strong immune system.
So, try and quit smoking and drink only socially if you want to fortify your body with a strong immune system. Trying to quit smoking may seem difficult, but if you consider how much more potent you can make your immunity, it's well worth trying. All the best!