There are many ways to strengthen your immune system. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all proven techniques for keeping your body strong against the common cold and flu viruses. Unfortunately, not everyone can follow these steps on a daily basis. For those of us who lead busy lives or have other restrictions that make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, there are still ways to help boost our immune systems when we get sick or feel run down. Here is more information on how you can do just that! Don’t miss out on tips like eating certain foods at specific times of day or using essential oils as natural remedies for boosting immunity!
Many Everyday Habits That We Do Can Harm Our Immune System
In today’s world, it seems like there is a new warning every day about the possible hazardous effects of what we eat and how we live. While some of these claims can be applied to people who lead very unhealthy lifestyles or have poor dietary habits, many health warnings are more relevant to the average person. This is because many everyday habits that we do can harm our immune system which, in turn, allows us to get sick more often.
Here are some of the more common things that are known to have a negative effect on our immune systems:
Showering Too Often
While it’s important to shower daily, taking too many showers can actually have the reverse effect of what you’re trying to accomplish. This is because hot water strips your skin of its natural oils which, in turn, makes it more susceptible to bacteria and other germs that could cause illnesses. Taking lukewarm showers or limiting yourself to two a day reduces the risk of dry, flaky skin which can lead to infections.
Going Outside With Wet Hair
While it may be tempting to rinse off in the shower and then head right outside, doing so will expose your hair to cold winter winds that can cause major damage to your hair follicles over time. It is best to towel dry your hair before going outside when it’s below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 5 degrees Celsius.
Using Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Frequently
When you can’t get to soap and water, hand sanitizers are a great alternative to keeping germs at bay. However, if you have been using them for more than twenty minutes during an active day, then you aren’t doing any favors to your immune system. Different chemicals in hand sanitizers can actually be very harsh on your skin and cause you to wash hands less often than is necessary, both of which lead to more opportunities for germs and bacteria to enter your system.
Going to Class or Work When You’re Sick
Studies show that around 80% of people go to work or class when they feel under the weather, and this level is higher for those who have young children or those who are attending school. However, going to work or school when you’re sick only spreads the virus further, making you even sicker for a longer period of time. Make sure to stay home if you can and rest until your symptoms subside.
Eating Processed Foods
Processed foods are designed to last longer on the shelf, but they do not fuel your body like whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables do. This means that your immune system does not have the energy it needs to fight off viruses and other germs, which puts you at a greater risk of getting sick. The best way to avoid this is by eating more whole foods and reducing your intake of processed products as much as possible.
Drinking Alcohol Too Often
While a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game may help you relax, drinking too much alcohol is proven to have a negative effect on your immune system. This is because after you drink excessively, your body spends more time trying to break down the toxins in your blood than it does on fighting off germs and other viruses.
Conclusion:
Many everyday habits that we do can harm our immune system which, in turn, allows us to get sick more often. Here are some of the more common things that are known to have a negative effect on our immune systems: showering too often, going outside with wet hair, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently, going to class or work when you’re sick, eating processed foods, and drinking alcohol too often. The best way to avoid this is by eating more whole foods and reducing your intake of processed products as much as possible.
