It's with considerable confidence that I say this, seldom in the history of mankind has immunity been discussed as far, wide and constantly, as it has been in the last couple of months. Granted, it's always been important. But back when the flu was just the flu, a lot of us relied on good genes and the magic of youth to get by, instead of banking on everyday immunity-boosting measures. I for one, am guilty as charged.
But when something like a freaking global pandemic comes into the picture, things change. Suddenly, the smokers want to rid themselves of that last packet. The junk food addicts toss their burgers in the trash. And people with a love for alcohol, start binge-drinking water instead. We've all come to realise that our immunity, is our best bet at emerging out of this mayhem unscathed. At least physically. And the poorly chosen habits we'd come to seek when stress soared up, are abandoned in haste.
And that, my friend, is great news! Not the pandemic bit, of course, but the ridding ourselves of bad habits bit. If I may, I'd like to propose some suggestions that will further accelerate this process. So, here's a round-up of 5 such changes or inclusions in your lifestyle, that will go a long way in giving your immune system the kick it needs.
1. Include garlic in your diet
- Listing the benefits of garlic as a food item, would be a time-consuming task. But when it comes to immunity, it's been the wonder ingredient doctors have always stressed upon.
- Garlic has been linked with a host of immunity powers, including the ability to ward off cold and flu symptoms, lower your cholesterol levels, maintain stable blood pressure, and reduce your risk of heart disease.
- Some crushed garlic in all your meals, or just chewing on a piece every day, can help you achieve all these bodily boons, along with several psychological improvements.
Image Courtesy: very Well Family
2. Sip on green tea every day
- The potent plant antioxidants called polyphenols that are found in green tea, are known to help your body fight against uninvited guests, like germs and harmful microbes.
- Regular green tea consumption also reduces your risk for developing certain diseases, such as diabetes, heart problems, and cancer.
Image Courtesy: Harvard Health
3. Engage in self-soothing activities
- Self-soothing is an essential skill that psychologists emphasize on, right from the moment you're a baby. But in a world plagued by the glorification of over-worked and busy, it's an essential skill for adults as well.
- Some things you can do to self-soothe include putting on ASMR sounds, cuddling with a hot water bottle, or lighting a couple of candles.
Image Courtesy: Blessing Manifesting
4. Load up on phytochemicals
- These are basically chemicals found naturally in plants. They help plants grow and defend themselves against pathogens, along with other plant-y threats.
- The compounds can act as powerful antioxidants, stimulate the immune system, and as some studies have shown, slow the growth rate of cancer cells!
- They can be found in fruits and vegetables like berries, apples, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, onions, cauliflower, soybeans, red peppers and bananas. So needless to say, keep those in your diet.
Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
5. Laugh!
- Turns out they were right, laughter indeed is the best medicine. Laughing decreases your stress hormones, boosts your mood, and above all, increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies.
- Seriously, I'm not making this up, but a roaring round of heart laugh every day, will release endorphins, increase job performance, reduce pain, and boost your immune system.
- Remember those groups of aged people laughing (and scaring children) loudly in the park every morning? Turns out, the oldies were on to something.
Image Courtesy: Reader's Digest
I know you're sick of hearing it, but immunity is important!
Freqently Asked Questions:
Q. Is Watermelon an immune booster?
A. Watermelon is an immune-boosting fruit. One 2-cup serving of watermelon has 270 mg of potassium, 30% of the daily value of vitamin A, and 25% of the value of vitamin C.
Q. Do eggs boost your immune system?
A. Meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds all have lots of protein. These nutrients have been shown to help your immune system work most efficiently and effectively, but too much of a good thing can be harmful. Eat these nutrients in moderation and don't go overboard.
