Six ways to strengthen your immune system

AUTUMN LEAVES© Nikolay Okhitin,Dreamstime.com

With the change of season and the new guidelines for flu prevention here are six ways to help you strengthen your immune system:

• Restful sleep: sleep is very important for the regeneration of the physical body and nervous system. During sleep the body takes the time to detoxify and clear through the liver what it needs, while re-building itself in the process.  Nevertheless, in times of seasonal transition it is normal for the body to require more sleep, therefore don’t be alarmed when you need an extra hour to feel rested than during the summer months.
• Use of the neti pot: the importance of using the neti pot is as significant as is washing your hands after exposure to public places. Using the neti pot, especially in the evening before going to bed, is like taking a shower for the nasal membranes, clearing any airborne bacteria and viruses which can make their way to your lungs via the breathing mechanism. It is also beneficial to use the neti pot when you have been around sick people or pollution.
• Managing stress: stress lowers your body’s immunity. Make a point to do some gentle walk, exercise, relaxation and any other activities that help you discharge accumulated stress daily.
• Nutritional supplementation: in times of seasonal change and increased stress the body’s needs for nutritional supplementation are greater. There is more oxidative stress and production of free radicals and the only way to balance this is through additional nutritional supplementation of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes. 
• Healthy eating: sugar and processed foods, including sodas tend to not only under nourish the body but also deplete it from nutritional elements. In addition, you want to include in your diet easily digestible foods, as well as follow guidelines to improve your digestion. The main points of healthy eating are variety and moderation.
• Optimism and laughter: having optimism in your daily life, focusing on what is essential and not letting daily trifles put you down is key to emotional and mental health. Also, using laughter to look at life from an observer's view point is important . Norman Cousins, in his book Anatomy of an illness, showed how an optimistic mindset and laughter therapy have a boosting effect in one’s immunity, so much so as to conquer life threatening illnesses.

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