10 ways to boost the body’s natural immunity

Te Whanganui-a-Tara - Exercise, probiotics, plant food and walks in the bush all help strengthen the immune system through physiological and muscular processes.

There are many ways to improve overall health, according to various studies around the world. Other practices include improving sleep and staying hydrated.

Many people know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes getting a good night’s rest and eating a balanced diet.

However, people are also guilty of approaching their health with a maintenance mindset, and sadly, may refer to taking care of themselves as indulging in self-care.

Here are 10 ways to boost the body’s natural defences:

1. Sustain a sleep pattern

According to Harvard University, poor sleep means a slow and grumpy immune system, triggering inflammation in the body. In turn, infections influence the amount of sleep people get and when. In general, not sleeping well may be linked with forcing the body to sleep at a time it just won’t do.

2. Stay hydrated

Many people accept the old advice of drinking eight glasses of water daily as a hard rule for adequate water intake. The hydration need of each body differs, however. Many people stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids when they feel thirsty.  

3. Increase plant-based foods in a diet

While eating some meat each week isn’t too bad, a balanced plant diet remains important. Plants such as chickpeas and tofu make the diet healthier and well-rounded. A plant-based diet fortifies the immune system to safeguard against microorganisms and germs.

4. Bathe in the forest

Nature showers are just as important as regular showers. Bush or forest visits improve immune health, and several studies the department cites also support the benefits of forest bathing.  .

5. Keep stress out

Stress weakens the immune system. Recent studies have linked loneliness and social isolation with lowered immune health.

6. Nurture the gut microbiota

Probiotics nurture the gut bacteria and help balance the gut biome. Natural probiotic health foods include yogurt, sourdough bread and kimchi. Probiotics can be taken orally as capsules.

7. Exercise at least moderately

Moderate to intense exercise with two days of strength training regularly boost immune health and lowering risk of chronic disease.

8. Dance more

Dance benefits overall health by strengthening the immune system through physiological processes and muscular processes. Dance conditions an individual to moderate, eliminate or avoid tension and chronic fatigue.

9. Take care of the skin

People are born with innate immune mechanisms that detect and block germs from entering the body and this includes the skin.

10. Keep up with check-ups

General health checks were associated with increased chronic disease recognition and treatment, risk factor control, preventive service uptake and improved patient-reported outcome.