You’re washing your hands multiple times a day and are avoiding touching your face, but what else can you do to help strengthen your immune system?

Your immune system is there to protect you against infections and diseases. With the coronavirus outbreak, boosting your immune system has rarely felt more urgent. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to help strengthen it.

 

Stay active

Regular exercise is known to boost your immune function. We’re currently encouraged to do one outdoor activity a day. Boost your vitamin D intake with some fresh air in the garden. Go for a walk or a run if you are not self-isolating, but make sure you maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from others.

If you can’t leave the house or you’re missing your regular classes, look for alternatives to complete your work out from home. Most studios and gyms are offering live classes or have released online workouts. One of the happy side effects of exercise is that it reduces stress.

As well as physical activity, exercise your mind. Take up that hobby you never had time for, read the books that have been resting on the bookcase. Enrol in an online course to boost your personal development. If you are interested in nutrition and cooking, why not join our online Nutrition in Culinary Practice course in collaboration with Leiths School of Food and Wine and Workshop.

 

Reduce stress

Being stressed can lower your immunity. Recognise what is causing you stress and try to tackle it if you can. Take time to do the things you enjoy, perhaps a nature walk, some relaxing yoga or listening to music. It might help to try meditating. Calm and Headspace are offering free guided meditations to get started.

 

 

 

 

Sleep

The positive effects of sleep on the body are extensive. Melatonin is a hormone that’s associated with the sleep-wake cycle and can help relieve and support recovery from viral infections. Prioritising your sleep is one of the best strategies you have to support a balanced immune function. For the best night’s sleep, avoid your smartphone or other electronic devices for at least an hour before bed, consider a warm bath or do some relaxation exercises and maintain a cool temperature in your bedroom.

 

 

 

 

Eat well

It’s important to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eat foods that are rich in fibre such as onions, leeks, beans, pulses, oats, mushrooms and cabbage. Seasonal fruit and veg such as kiwi, spinach and citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C. Boost your zinc intake by eating fish or pumpkin seeds.

We know it can be hard to get everything you want at the moment. That is why we are continuing to provide fresh, healthy, nutritionally balanced meals through our sister company Balance Box. Our food boxes contain all you need to eat healthily throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

We hope some of these suggestions help but if there is anything else we can do to help you, please let us know. We will continue to share tools and nutritional tips to help you stay healthy on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We’d love to hear from you. It’s good to talk.