When we talk about a healthy lifestyle, free of disease or ailment, our immune system is the first line of defence. It is like the natural army that protects us from outside attacks of viruses and bacteria. If we look at the current scenario, the entire human race is suffering due to the frightening pandemic. And the bone of contention is how to protect yourself from the ubiquitous deadly virus. Many of us wonder why some get infected, and some recover fast. The answer lies in your body’s natural defence system-your immunity. If you have weak immunity the chances of getting down with infection are high. And therefore, enhancing your immune system plays an important role. But more than masks and sanitisers, we need a strong and robust immune system. There are certain habits and things that weaken your immune system and your emotional health is certainly one of those things. Yes, your emotions and immune system are interconnected. And the best way to increase immunity naturally is to take care of emotional health. Yes, you heard it right. A person who is happy and emotionally healthy has a strong immune system. Therefore the best way to boost immunity is to mind your minds and keep it healthy.
Also, watch the video on how mental stress is killing your immunity:
Do you know that one minute of laughter boosts the immune system, and one minute of anger weakens the immune system for 5 hours? And when our immune system is compromised, we are more susceptible to catching the illness. Yes, lifestyle changes like food habits, regulated sleep times, health and fitness, etc., play an important role in boosting your immunity but the best way to increase immunity is to take care of emotional and mental health.
Things That Weaken Your Immune System
Immunity is low in people of certain age groups like the elderly’s and in people with certain medical health conditions. But you may be surprised to realize that your habits are actually the cause of a weak immune system. Yes, there are various things that weaken your immune system. The following infographic “the things that weaken your immune system” explains the habits detrimental to your immunity power.
These are the following things that weaken your immune system:
- Stress and anxiety.
- Pessimistic outlook like sadness, hopelessness, etc.
- Negative emotions like anger and depression.
- Isolation & loneliness causes anxiety and stress.
- Lack of sleep & rest.
- Unhealthy diet & dehydration.
- Lack of exercise.
- Smoking & excessive alcohol consumption.
- Overuse of certain medications such as antibiotics.
We can see from above that emotional health is equally responsible for compromised immunity as other lifestyle & medical factors. Therefore, the best way to increase immunity or the best way to boost immunity is to focus on emotional health first.
Emotions and Immune System: How to train Your brain to increase immunity-5 Ways
Now you know that there are various things that weaken your immunity power and emotions happen to be a major factor affecting your immune system. So let’s learn the best way to boost immunity and train our brain to boost immunity naturally. Here is how:
1. Have positive emotions
Remember you caught cold and viral flu when you were sad and stressed? Your emotions can affect your immune system. The mind and the immune system are connected. Positive emotions generate positive feelings and impart tranquillity and have a positive effect on your immunity. Positive emotions are the most potent immunity booster known to mankind. Practice gratitude, and count your blessings. Be grateful for what you have. Also, have an abundance mindset. These things generate positive emotions. The negative emotions, on the other hand, weaken your immune system and make you vulnerable to outside attacks. Therefore, your mental and emotional health is as important as any other factor for boosting your immune system. Take care of your mental health to boost your immunity.
Fact: One minute of anger weaken your immune system for 5 hours while one minute of laughter boosts the immune system
2. Try to be happy
The best way to increase immunity is happiness. Happiness hormones boost your immune response and make you strong. Therefore, one must stay happy and choose happiness over anything else. This is the best way to boost immunity. Also, show love and empathy. Love has the power to heal anything. Love others and be loved in return. Be empathetic to others, and you will be mentally at peace. Love, empathy, and compassion will heal your stress and increase your immunity.
Recommended Read: Happiness is a Choice. Choose to be Happy – 11 Ways on How to Feel Happy again!
Fact: Happiness hormones boost your immunity. So be happy to build a strong immune system.
3. Practice mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation have been shown to boost your immune health as it decreases stress and anxiety. It also regulates your emotions and imparts you peace. In mindfulness and meditation, you pay attention to living in the present, without any judgement. In such a case, your body naturally responds by calming you down and reducing stress in the process. It enables your immune system to focus on you rather than fighting the stress.
4. Manage your stress
Stress is a major cause of all the problems, including your immunity. Stress weakens your immune system. Relieving stress and anxiety is key to boosting your immune system.
5. Take sound sleep
Good sleep and high immunity are closely related. Inadequate or poor quality of sleep increases the chances of illness. Therefore, proper sleep rejuvenates your mind and body and boosts your immune system. It is, in fact, the best way to increase immunity.
Some handy tips for having a sound sleep
- Sleep in a completely dark and silent room. Use a sleeping mask if required.
- Go to bed early, at the same time every night, and follow your body’s natural clock.
- Work out daily. It induces some physical fatigue which signals your body to sleep
- Limit your screen time. Leave those urges to see your friends’ social media timeline updates before bedtime for the next day.
- Relax and keep yourself calm before bedtime and leave worldly worries for the next day.
- Eat a light meal before bedtime to keep digestive problems at bay.
- Drink less water at night to avoid chances of midnight washroom rush.
- Complete and close all your work before evening and do not carry it forward to your bedroom.
- Use lavender oil or aromatherapy to soothe your nerves. It helps you fall asleep.
“TRAIN YOUR BRAIN TO BOOST IMMUNITY”
Disclaimer: No supplement, lifestyle changes, diet apart from social distancing & practising proper hygiene as per WHO Guidelines can protect you from developing COVID-19. The strategies outlined in the article may boost your immune health, but may not protect specifically against COVID-19.
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