Apart from washing/sanitizing your hands, wearing gloves and masks and maintaining personal hygiene, it’s also necessary to boost your immunity in order to prevent infection.
The immune system is a network of cells and proteins that defend the body against infections and diseases. It keeps a record of every virus it has ever defeated so it can recognise and destroy the virus quickly if it enters the body again. Cool, right?
Here’s a low-down of how you can boost your immunity and keep yourself healthy amid the pandemic.
- Get enough shut-eye time
- Exercise regularly
- Consume enough vitamin C
- Keep your stress levels in check
- Reduce smoking
Get enough shut-eye time
Sleep deprivation has a direct effect on your immune system because your body heals and repairs itself while you sleep. But when you don’t get enough quality sleep, your body releases stress hormones that suppress your immune system. Therefore, ensure that you get atleast 8 hours of sleep every night.
Exercise regularly
Just because gyms are shut and you can’t go for your usual morning jog/walk, doesn’t mean you need to stop exercising altogether. In fact, now is the time when your body needs exercise more than ever to stay fit and healthy. Spare 30 to 60 mins daily to exercise to boost your immunity.
Consume enough vitamin C
One of the best ways to give your body the antioxidants it needs to fight free radicals is by getting serious about your vitamin C intake. It contains antiviral properties that help keep cold and flu at bay. Therefore, ensure that you eat enough citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, etc. or take vitamin C supplements regularly.
Keep your stress levels in check
Being stress-free is one of the best ways to boost your immunity. Stress plays a major role in lowering your body’s defence mechanism against various illness-causing elements. Therefore, in trying times like these, it’s necessary to calm the mind and stay positive. You can practise meditation or yoga, or simply indulge in activities you like such as painting or cooking to unwind and relax.
Reduce smoking
Smoking is a sure-shot way to reduce your body’s immunity — it makes the body less effective at fighting lung diseases. While it would be best to give up on smoking entirely, you could start by reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day (baby steps). This will gradually, but surely improve your immunity.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Apr 27, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!