The immune system plays a major role in our health, particularly today, in the middle of of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are three simple things you can do daily to stimulate it.
According to Dr Anthony Fauci, a leading American disease expert, while taking vitamin supplements may be efficient in specific cases, they are not a silver bullet, as many believe.
“When you talk about the multiple multivitamins, herbs, and the things that people do to so-called boost immunity, that doesn’t really boost immunity and may have a better placebo effect than anything else,” Fauci told Business Insider.
In fact, there are things you can start doing right now that are much more beneficial for your immune health, the doctor said.
Sleep
To ensure good immune system health, Fauci recommends getting enough sleep – more specifically, seven to eight hours a night.
Quality sleep is essential for the immune system to function well. Poor, poor or interrupted sleep directly affects the body’s immunity.
Eat well
Having a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is extremely important for a strong immune system.
A balanced diet is able to help immune cells to function properly. On the other hand, the constant intake of highly processed foods can negatively affect your immune health.
Reduce stress
Stress reduces your body’s ability to fight infection and makes you more susceptible to getting sick. According to the American Psychological Association, chronic or long-term stress can “devastate the immune system.”
“Try to avoid or alleviate severe stress, which we know can sometimes impact the immune system,” Fauci stressed.
Simple ways to counteract stress at home include exercising regularly, meditating, spending time in good company, or engaging in a hobby.
