Isn’t it annoying? There always seems to be that one friend that never gets sick. You’re there coughing and sneezing. Meanwhile, Mr. or Ms. Wellness over there is going on with just as much energy as ever.
Well stop being jealous! There are definitely things they are doing to not get sick…and don’t let them tell you otherwise!
If you don’t’ want to get sick, you can ask them to reveal their secrets, but if they are staying mum, here are some tips for staying as healthy as possible.
#1. Take Supplements
There are many supplements that are recommended for boosting immunity. Vitamins C and E, for example, are antioxidants. This means they protect the body against cell damage that can cause sickness while strengthening the immune system.
Some people also swear by brewer’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast is an ingredient used in the production of beer and bread and it is packed with vitamins and minerals. It is known to treat various digestive issues and many people recommend it as a nutritional supplement to prevent illness. It can be taken in powder form in drinks or sprinkled on food.
#2. A Healthy Diet
While some recommend supplements, many health experts will tell you they don’t quite compare to the nutrients you can get from eating food.
Foods that are rich in antioxidants are known for boosting immunity. These include fish, green tea, nuts, dark, leafy greens and probiotics to name a few.
A low-calorie diet is also said to help you live longer. Lowering your calorie intake by 20-30% can help you live a long healthy life. It is said to minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and possibly even Alzheimer’s. Comedian George Burns followed a calorie restricted diet and ended up living to 100.
An acidic diet may also boost health. The theory is that your body prefers a blood pH at around 7.4. If the body is not at his level, it will pull minerals out the bones to make up for it, increasing your risk of getting sick.
Fruits and vegetables are both highly acidic so, even if you don’t believe in this theory, eating these types of healthy foods can’t hurt!
#3. Taking Cold Showers
This one may sound bizarre, but studies have shown that taking cold showers can boost immunity.
When you take a cold shower, you body struggles to stay warm. This boosts the metabolism. It also makes the body think it’s under attack and it responds by producing more white blood cells. These white blood cells are responsible for protecting your body and improving your immune system. Cold showers also increase blood circulation to help muscle tissues regenerate faster.
Beyond helping ward off sickness, a cold shower can also reduce stress and depression and boost energy. As an added bonus, it’s supposed to work wonders for the skin!
#4. Sleep Well
Sleeping well is another way to keep the doctor away. Those that are well rested experience less stress which boosts heart health and decreases inflammation. The proper amount of sleep may also lower the risk of cancer.
Studies have also shown that sleep may keep you from catching the common cold. Reportedly, those who sleep six hours a night or less are at a 30% risk of catching a cold while those who sleep seven hours or more reduce that risk to 17% percent.
#5. Exercise
Exercising works to boost immunity in many ways. The physical activity flushes bacteria out of the lungs and airways to minimize respiratory infections.
It also causes changes to the white blood cells in the immune system that fight disease so that they circulate more rapidly. Their increased speed allows them to detect illnesses earlier so they can fight them before they manifest.
The rise in body temperature exercise causes can also prevent bacteria from growing, similar to what happens when you have a fever.
Finally, stress is said to contribute to illness. Exercise slows down the release of stress hormones making illness less likely to occur.
Well, there you have it, five ways to fight off illness so you can be just like those never-sick friends of yours. Which will you be incorporating in your daily routine to achieve the ultimate in wellness?
