Sleep

Aiming for seven to nine hours of consistent solid sleep a night is underestimated. Sleep’s essential for allowing the body, mind and immune system time and respite to recover, rest and regenerate.  

Stay Active

Light to moderate exercise gets your blood pumping, aids your body in removing toxins through the lymph system and sweat, and keeps vital organs such as your heart in tip-top shape. Plus after a good workout you’ll sleep like a baby making it a win win. 

Sex

Some research has found that regular sex increases the effectiveness of the immune system… google it, you know you want to!

Drink More

When you stop to think that more than two thirds of your body is water, it’s obvious how important it is to stay well hydrated. Water is essential in almost every process your body needs to function. If you find the 8 glasses a day rule overwhelming- try mixing it up by trying different teas, herbal cordials, soups or, if you’re fancy- sparkle up that H2o.

Eat Your Veggies

Your mind, body and immune system are a complex, energy burning machine and require the right kinds of fuel to operate efficiently. Veggies are the star of the show here- getting in all the colours of the rainbow will ensure you are getting a good variety of vitamins and minerals.
You could also try picking up a variety of a vegetable you’ve never had before- there are hundreds of varieties of corn, carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms and most of the veggies you usually buy. Increasing the diversity of veggies may increase the diversity of nutrients you are getting from that food, and thus help all body functioning, including immune defence. 

Meditate

There are a lot of meditation techniques that aren’t as scary and complicated than it can sometimes feel. One I personally love is trying to breath out for a longer amount of time than I’m breathing in for. 

For example- if i’m breathing in for a count of 5, I’ll breath out for a count of 10. This helps tell my physical body that it doesn’t need to be in ‘flight or fight mode’ and that it is safe to calm down and relax, which means my immune system can function at its best too.

Spice up your life

Garlic, ginger, onions, chili peppers, lemon & orange rind, rosemary, thyme, and mints have been used for increasing immune health for centuries- and we are not one to argue with such a timely tradition! Spices and herbs can be used in teas (such as thyme tea being traditionally used for a cough) or in infused oils and vinegars, broths, soups, spice rubs, dressings and sauces (like pesto or harissa!)- it’s a good chance to get creative!

Shiitake, chaga, reighi & oyster mushrooms, although not technically a spice, can also be added to cooking to add some extra immune boosting properties.

Vitamin D

Get yourself outdoors and bathe yourself in Vitamin D through beautiful sunshine! It’s free, easy and wonderful for the immune system and general wellbeing. Sunlight itself is also known to be antibacterial and antiviral – so you’ll be doubling up on immune health.