There is a great reason you should want to boost your immune system, and it’s because we all know how nasty it feels when we get really sick.

A lot of the time it can stop you dead in your tracks and can prevent you from doing lots of things, from your basic daily routines to the things you really need to get done.

As you are probably aware there is a simple solution to stopping that from happening, which is basically to stay healthy.

But as many of us have previously discovered, that task is much easier said than done.

Most of us know the things you should do to have a healthy body and a robust immune system, but it’s also so easy to forget them.

That can be even truer when you are tied up with work and other responsibilities.

Ironically, when you are mostly all over the place and getting overly stressed, that is one of the times when you most need to have a strong immune system.

Because that’s the time when you could come down with a bad cold or worse, before you even realize it.

So, before you even get to that point, it would be a good idea to be mindful of your health and to keep on top of your immune system.

Why is Having A Strong Immune System So Important?

Every day, you are exposed to a lot of adverse environmental elements, especially when you take a trip outside.

If you commute, you can be side by side with many people and pollutants.

Your immune system is the main thing that protects you from disease causing microorganisms out in the environment.

It identifies them as foreign invaders that shouldn’t be in your body and fights them to keep you safe.

The Quickest Ways To Boost Your Immune System

There are times however, when those viruses, bacteria, and germs can get into your body successfully.

Frequently catching colds, tiredness, upset stomach and persistent infections are some of the signs that you have a weakened immune system.

And if not kept on top of, your immune system can become both depleted and overwhelmed by constant attacks.

So, you must act promptly to restore it to a healthy state.

Unfortunately, as we all know most things take time, and boosting your immune system happens to be one of those things.

So it is important to take the initiative and keep on top of it all the time.

Here are some proactive things you can do do, to make sure your immune system is ready to respond promptly and effectively when it is needed.

Eat A Well Balanced Diet

Making sure that you eat a balanced diet of whole foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, will help to ensure that you get the nutrients that your body requires.

Giving additional attention to foods that are rich in immunity boosting vitamins and minerals like zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin B-complex.

And remember to ditch the junk foods, mainly those that are high in sugar and artificial flavours.

Increase Your Water Intake

Most of us do not drink enough water, which can sometimes lead to problems for our bodies.

As water does many essential things for us,  it is important to keep yourself hydrated properly.

Drinking water is one of the ways that helps your systems to function by carrying oxygen to your cells. It also flushes toxins out from your body.

Getting more water when you are ill, is even more essential while your immune system is hard at work battling off an infection.

Get A Quality Night’s Sleep

Along with water, it is hard to emphasize enough why getting adequate quality sleep is important.

Your body works hard throughout the day, so it needs the time to make repairs at night.

When you are asleep, your body begins to heal your cells, organs, and muscles.

It is also the time that the chemicals which support your immune functions get circulated throughout your system.

Give Up Smoking

Given the amount of chemicals and toxins that are added to tobacco it is no wonder smoking can weaken your immune system.

So when your resistance is compromised, your body is more susceptible to viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that can lead to major sicknesses.

Cut Out Or Reduce Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can weaken your immune system.

When your body is intoxicated, your immune system is caught up trying to detoxify it, so other regular immune responses can then get compromised.

If that happens, chances are you are more prone to sickness, and it will take longer for you to recover.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is not only good for getting you fitter and physically stronger, it can also help you to boost your immune system.

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress levels and pain

Plus exercise can cause changes in antibodies and white blood cells which are the body’s immune system cells that combat disease.

Consider Taking Supplements

In order for  the immune system to function properly it needs to be supplied with the correct nutrients.

And while it is important to get them by eating adequate amounts of fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, sometimes there are not always enough, and other times they may not be readily available.

Having supplements on hand that contain those required nutrients can help you supply your body with the vitamins and minerals that it is short of.

Try To Avoid Or Manage Your Stress Levels

There are times when we all end up in fairly stressful situations. When this happens our adrenal glands produce and release a hormone called cortisol into the bloodstream.

Your body has lots of cortisol receptors and the cortisol can then alter or shut down different functions of the body, with one of these being your immune system.

However, chronic stress can lead to persistent levels of cortisol being released, which can then prevent your immune system from doing its job properly.

Keeping your stress levels at a minimum, or learning techniques to reduce your stress response is a must so that your immune system will not be compromised.

Food For Thought

These guidelines may sound simple, but admittedly, they are so easy to overlook or be given a low priority.

So if you are always tired, constantly feeling stressed or get sick more often than you feel you should do, it’s crucial to start paying attention and taking a few steps in keeping your immune system healthy.