While there is currently no cure for coronavirus, there are lots of natural ways everyone can take to help support their natural defenses against viruses, colds and flu.
Here are the most important ones:
Eat plenty of fruit and veg
The nutrients you get from food — in particular, plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices — are essential to keeping your immune system functioning properly. Many plant-based foods also have antiviral and antimicrobial properties, which help us fight off infection.
Keep Stress Under Control
Long-term stress leads to chronically elevated levels of as the steroid hormone cortisol. When cortisol levels are constantly high, it essentially blocks the immune system from kicking into gear and doing its job to protect the body against potential threats from germs like viruses and bacteria.
Set aside five minutes at some point each day for fun and increase it when you can.
Get Some Quality Sleep
Your body heals and regenerates while you sleep, making adequate sleep critical for a healthy immune response. That’s why is it so important to make sure you get plenty of sleep. Try to sleep 7-9 hour per night.
Keep Moving!
Regular exercise lowers your risk of developing chronic diseases (like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease), as well as viral and bacterial infections.
At a minimum, try to walk 15 min each day.
When It Comes to Alcohol, Practice Moderation
Drinking high amounts of alcohol is associated with a range of negative health effects, including lowered immune function. When you drink high amounts of alcohol, your body is too busy trying to detoxify your system to bother with normal immune system function. If you don’t already drink, don’t start. If you drink occasionally, limit your alcohol consumption to one drink (equivalent to a 4-ounce glass of wine) per day if you’re a woman, and two drinks per day if you’re a man, as recommended by the NIH.
Don’t Smoke Cigarettes
Scientists have warned that smokers may face an increased risk of coronavirus and suffer worse symptoms. Experts say that the habit weakens the function of the lungs and could leave people more susceptible to the deadly bug.
Basically, any previous lung damage increases that risk.
Keep Symptoms of Chronic Conditions Under Control
Chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes can affect the immune system and increase risk of infections. Living with a chronic condition can be like trying to drive a car that has only three tires. If you get sick with a virus, it’s going to take more effort for your body to recover. If you manage your chronic conditions better, you’ll free up more reserves to help your body fight off infection. So be sure to stay on top of any medications, doctor visits, healthy weight and habits that keep your symptoms at bay. Your immune system will thank you!
Chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes can affect the immune system and increase risk of infections. Living with a chronic condition can be like trying to drive a car that has only three tires. If you get sick with a virus, it’s going to take more effort for your body to recover. If you manage your chronic conditions better, you’ll free up more reserves to help your body fight off infection. So be sure to stay on top of any medications, doctor visits, healthy weight and habits that keep your symptoms at bay. Your immune system will thank you!