How to Maintain a Strong Immune System

A robust immune system is the cornerstone for living a healthy life, as it ensures that your body is well-equipped to fight off any potential illness or disease. Everything from the common cold to contagious diseases such as measles can be fought off if your body is healthy and strong enough. So how can you build up your immune system so that you are less likely to fall ill? Read on to find out!

Exercise regularly

Exercising regularly is a fundamental aspect of developing a healthy immune system for two key reasons: 1. During physical activity, you flush out infectious bacteria from the airways and lungs and 2. It improves your antibodies and white blood cells, which are the cells that make up your immune system. It’s recommended that adults get around 30 minutes of exercise each day to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t smoke

When you smoke cigarettes, your body is in a constant state of trying to fight off the infection that can be caused by the chemicals you’re inhaling. This means that your immune system is less able to fight off illness elsewhere in your body. In addition to this, the health issues caused by smoking – such as inflammation, cancer, diabetes and heart disease – weaken your immune system further, making you even more susceptible to falling ill.

Eat a healthy diet

While everything can be enjoyed in moderation, fuelling your body with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains is key to building up and maintaining a strong immune system. High fibre grains in particular – such as barley and oats – contain a fibre called beta-glucan, which is thought to enhance your ability to fight off fungal, viral and bacterial diseases.

Get enough sleep

Not only can a lack of sleep weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to disease, but it can severely impact how quickly you recover. This is primarily because when you sleep, your immune system releases cytokines, a type of protein that help to fight infection. Forging a healthy sleeping pattern therefore provides your body with what it needs to function optimally.

Practice good hygiene techniques

Forging good personal hygiene habits helps to stop infection where it begins – germs! Washing your hands before preparing food and after going to the toilet or bathroom and appropriately treating all wounds are just two ways that you can prevent germs from entering your body and prevent the risk of infection and disease.

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