Amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have all become more aware of and concerned about the health of our immune system. Scroll through social media and news apps and you’ll find a number of articles touting ways to “boost your immune system.” But be cautious about jumping on these “quick fixes.” It is important to do your research and understand how the immune system works and what actions you can take to make improvements that will last.
Reading the article “How to boost your immune system” by Harvard Medical School is a great place to start. As the article says, “On the whole, your immunie system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. Is it possible to intervene in this process and boost your immune system?”
So what can you do to boost your immune system? Generally speaking, the idea is to make positive lifestyle choices a priority to become as healthy as possible—and stay there.
The following recommendations will lay a great foundation:
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meat thoroughly.
- Try to minimize stress.
