Keeping our body healthy and strengthening our immune system should be our number one priority, our quality of life depends on our health. These last few months have been extremely difficult for so many of us to stay on top of our health, but we are here to help!
By now most of us are aware that hand-washing and physical distancing are key players in staying healthy. but what else can you do? Here are a few simple steps to help strengthen your immune system.
Eat Foods That Help Boost Immunity
The first food most people think of for boosting your immunity are those that are high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections. Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are the first that come to mind, but they aren’t the only food that is packed with this strong antioxidant. Another food that is high in vitamin C is red bell pepper. Red bell peppers contain almost 3 times more vitamin C than your typical orange, and they’re also a rich source of beta carotene!
Broccoli and spinach are two green super foods that are charged with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. Garlic and ginger are two aromatics used in cooking that also help strengthen your immune system. Garlic has been shown to help boost your disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells, while ginger has been shown to help fight inflammation.
Get Some Zzzz’s
Sleep may be the most underrated immune booster! Studies show that people who don’t get enough quality sleep are more likely to get sick and take longer to recover. While you sleep your body releases certain proteins which help you fight infection, inflammation, and stress. Also, when you aren’t getting enough sleep, infection-fighting antibodies are reduced leaving your immune system weakened.
How much sleep do you need to help promote a healthy immune system? Most adults need between 7-8 hours of good sleep each night.
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!
Exercise not only improves your overall health by lowering blood pressure, controlling weight and improving cardiovascular health, it also plays a major role in improving your immune response! It does this by reducing inflammation and lowering your risk of illness. Basically, exercise does this by promoting good circulation which allows specialized immune cells to move throughout the body and do their job more effectively. Strength training specifically does this by increasing blood flow with every muscle contraction you make. Your 30-minute Loyalty Fitness workout will help circulate the number of immune cells throughout your body for up to 3 hours!
We know that getting back into the gym is a scary thing, which is why we are the best place for you to be! We are not a gym; we operate by appointment only and there is only 1 client and 1 trainer allowed in the studio at a time. Along with several other procedures to make it a safe environment before you enter the studio, we disinfect the entire space and take your temperature. Your healthy is our #1 priority!
Loyalty Fitness trainers are here to help you improve your fitness which can help boost your immunity. We also offer nutrition coaching along with our 30-minute strength training sessions which will help keep you healthy year-round. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation with one of our certified trainers, contact us today!