Few Tips to Improve Your Immune System
February 2, 2011 Uncategorized
Winter and viruses go together. Warm houses and offices vs. cold outside, add to it our “habit” not to eat enough fruits and vegetables that gives us vitamins, and there it goes: boring and tiresome cold. We fight it long, we fight it hard, but it just looks like it won’t ever go away. I had this problem in past years and often several times during a season, but last two years viruses missed me. I don’t know if my immune system improved after my pregnancy, lots of women have similar experiences, or is it just because of few things I started doing regularly in order to do something better for my health, so in time- they helped and made my organism stronger. Tips I want to share with you are very simple, I’m sure all of you heard of them, but make yourselves to follow them- don’t just neglect my words because it’s for your own good.
1. A lot of lemon! Make yourself lemonade (no sugar, of course!) or just add a slice or two of lemon into your water. This way you won’t need vitamin pills plus- lemon is excellent for your skin because it fights free radicals so people who take in enough of this vitamin have prettier skin, have no problems with cellulite and look younger.
2. A lot of herbal teas! Especially in the winter, herbal teas are irreplaceable. They keep us warm, they give us vitamins, and my favorite they fight viruses. So, no medicines, no artificial vitamins, no need to spend extra amounts of cash on buying expensive vitamin elixirs- a cup of tea in the morning and a cup of tea in the evening would be enough. Personally, I drink very little coffee, a cup a day or none at all. In the winter- I almost don’t drink it. I prefer tea and there are days when I drink even a liter or two of my favorite, mint tea. In the summertime, I drink it instead of water; of course first I let it cool down. This way you can make your own ice-tea. Add few ice-cubes and there it is- home made ice tea. The taste is even better if you add few fresh mint leaves and a slice or two of lemon. Who can’t drink it unsweetened, I recommend adding a teaspoon of honey. I recommend honey in the winter too, and you tea would be even tastier with a dash of cinnamon in it. So, hurry to your locals store and buy yourself few different tastes of teas that’ll keep you warm and healthy.
3. A lot of fruits! It is said long ago that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and you bet it is right! Fruits are source of natural vitamins, sugars, energy and health. Different kinds of fruit even heal different types of disorders in our organisms, but also some fruits can make your disorder worse. So, try to avoid what doesn’t suit you even if you like the taste of that particular fruit and instead eat something that you like less because it would be your remedy.
4. A lot of water! I already wrote on this topic, you can read it here and here. Just to remind you, water is excellent for our metabolism, for our cells, skin, brain function…in short, for everything.
5. A lot of sleep! Enough night sleep is necessary for our normal functioning during the day. Adults need 7-8 hours of sleep. During the sleep, our energy reproduces, our body, mind and cells regenerate, it is good for our metabolic function (even if metabolism slows down during the sleep). And a lack of sleep can have numerous effects such as: increase the level of cortisol (that makes us hungry), increase blood sugar levels that leads to higher insulin levels and more fat storage, stress, tiredness etc.
6. A lot of exercise! Exercising shouldn’t be avoided in the winter time when we normally have less physical activity. When the weather allows, go for a speed walk in the park or even jogging, or exercise in the gym or at your house. Do whatever suits you, find your own pace and follow your inner voice and senses that’ll tell you when is enough for you. I mean, somebody who is regular in exercising will have his one-hour training three times a week or more, but someone who didn’t exercise at all should start slowly and follow his own tempo. In time, he’ll also catch up with those who exercise more. Just don’t give up exercising at all. Keep in mind all the benefits that exercising gives you.
7. A lot of humidity! Maintain humidity in your homes and offices, especially in the offices if you share it with others. If one of your colleagues catches a cold, it is likely that the rest of you will get it too. So, every hour or so let the fresh air in and try to save you from the viruses. Fresh air will also increase your concentration, fresh you up, repair your mood etc.
