You might think that the goal is to have a strong immune system, but that’s not necessarily the case. As we’ve mentioned, the immune system can become either over or under active, so the ideal state is one of balance.
Can this be achieved? While there are many factors that can be out of our control, there is a lot you can do to optimise your health, and in turn, give your immune system the best opportunity to function well.
Eat well. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is an important building block of good health. Getting the right vitamins and minerals through your food, as well as staying hydrated and keeping your weight in check all have an important impact on your immune system
Sleep well. Sleep is when the body does it’s work to heal and restore, so it’s vitally important to get enough rest so that the components of your immune systems can also can the rest they need.
Give up smoking. There are no positive health effects associated with smoking, but plenty of negative reasons why you should kick the habit. Smoking can damage many of the systems involved in a health immune system, leading to illness and infection.
Steer clear of intolerances and allergies. Foods, drinks, and other substances, both natural and manmade, that cause an allergic response or trigger an intolerance can put the immune system under unnecessary stress. If you know what causes a reaction for you, try to limit your exposure.
Get a clear picture of your health risks. Conditions such as diabetes can interfere with your immune system, causing its ability to function to be compromised. Having a good idea of your broader health and risk factors gives you an advantage, helping you make the right lifestyle changes to avoid those risks.