During the Holidays, my husband and I usually travel. Traveling in the winter stinks, not only becuase everyone is sick and constantly sneezing, but also because I would always get a virus and feel like crap the first couple of days of o urvacation. This time around, I have been taking care of my immune system, so I hope I won’t get sick so easily.
What is the immune system?
“The Immune system is not an organ system, it is a population of cells that inhabit all of our organs and defend the body from agents of disease. Immune cells are especially concentrated in a true organ system, the Lymphatic system. This is a network of organs and veinlike vessels that recover tissue fluid, inspect it for disease agents, activate immune response and return the fluid to the bloodstream (1).”
Overall, our Immune system does an exceptional job of defending us against disease-causing microorganisms. Although, sometimes a germ invades successfully, which is what makes us sick.
Remember that the immune system is exactly that, a system, not just a specific body part. So, if we want to support our immune system we have to CHOOSE a healthy lifestyle.
Simple ways you can improve you Immunity
Some basic steps we can take to protect our immune system are:
- Don’t Smoke
- Healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Limit drinking alcohol
- Sufficient sleep
- Wash hands
- Meditation/ Minimize stress
(Source 2)
I can’t emphasize how important stress management is to your immunity and overall health. I go to sound meditation classes, where a sound therapist plays crystal singing bowl, a gong, tuning fork and a tibetan monk bowl for an hour of deep relaxation.
What do you do to minize stress? Comment below.
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Source:
(1) Harvard Health. “How to Boost Your Immune System.” Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing, 16 July 2018, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system.
(2) Saladin, Kenneth S. “The Lymphatic and Immune System.” Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, edited by Lynn Nagel, McGrawHill, 2012, pp. 809–813.