Five ways to naturally boost your immune system—and how a hot tub can help
August 25, 2020 – The human body is an amazing machine. But, as we’ve witnessed over the past seven months, a virus can attack and do a number on it. Now more than ever, it’s critical we do our part to help boost our body’s ability to combat illness of every kind. Your immune system is key, and there are plenty of natural ways to help boost its ability to ward off the nasties.
- Get your vitamins—naturally. Getting your body plenty of the vitamins it craves to help ward off disease is a prime way to aid your immune system. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin A, C, B6, D & E. Here are some of the best ways to get your vitamins.
- Vitamin A: Eggs, salmon, tuna, carrots, red bell peppers, spinach, cantaloupe, mangoes, and pink & red grapefruit.
- Vitamin B6: Beef, carrots, sweet potatoes, green peas, all-bran breakfast cereals, avocado.
- Vitamin C: Guavas, kiwis, yellow bell peppers, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, lemons, and of course oranges.
- Vitamin D: Salmon, Crimini mushrooms, milk, yogurt, cheese, pork chops.
- Vitamin E: Butternut squash, sunflower seeds, almonds, avocado, olive oil, shrimp.
- Get plenty of sleep. A multitude of studies show that getting the right amount of sleep is critical for your body’s immune system. The activity of your body’s T-cells are negatively impacted when you don’t get a good night’s rest. Adults should get at least 7-8 hours of slumber each night.
- Keep stress at bay. Stress causes your body to release Cortisol. That hormone does your T-cells no favors! Any way you can keep stress at bay is a bonus. A bit of yoga, some meditation, or other mindfulness practices will help do the trick.
- Get your body moving and, if you can do it outside, even better. Your body will not only thank you for the increase in heart rate, it will help mobilize your T-cells to ward off disease. Taking your exercising outdoors gives you a chance to naturally absorb vitamin D too.
- Take regular hot tub soaks! You probably knew where I was going, but there are plenty of immune system benefits when you immerse yourself in hot water. For three of the four points I just listed above, your hot tub will actually mimic or boost the benefits! Soaking about an hour before bedtime encourages your body to fall into a more restful REM sleep faster. Hot tubbing releases endorphins. These are your body’s natural pain relievers and can also help quite a bit with relieving stress. And, because your heart rate elevates while you soak, it imitates some of the physiological benefits you gain from exercise. When your soak your core body temperature will increase, creating a “false fever”. This also helps your immune system do its job even more effectively. (And hey…a good soak in a hot tub is just fun too!)
Take some time to invest in natural ways to boost your immune system. Every day we deal with new threats to our health and well-being. Do what you can to prepare your body to defend itself!