4 ways to boost your immune system
In Kinesiology we understand that the immune system is quite literally wrapped up in every other system of the body.
It has multiple organs and systems that provide the foundation that immune health feeds off, it can’t be categorized or labelled on a diagram, the whole body is your immune system.
When we think about our immune system in this way we begin to understand that to boost our immune function we need to balance and support all of these organs and systems. Below I’ve listed four easy ways to boost your immune function.
Positive emotional energy to boost the immune system
The influence of mental health on immune function cannot be underestimated. The most important mental requirements for a strong immune system are a positive attitude, an optimistic sense of purpose and trusting in the process of life.
The study of this science is called psychoneuroimmunology, looking at the interactions between our nervous and immune systems, showing how positive emotions enhance our immune function and negative emotions compromise it.
The most important way to embody this is through self-compassion. When we beat ourselves up for feeling negative, we only make it worse. Be kind to yourself, it’s ok to feel negative every once in a while. This is crucial for gently lifting yourself up and out of negativity.
Lastly, I encourage you to keep doing those things that give you joy, make you laugh or fill you with gratitude, as these are all hugely immune-boosting. Whether it’s playing with dogs or children (who always bring the silly joy out in us), creative practices from art to music, getting out and about in nature, getting absorbed into a TV show or great book or just having loads of hugs with the people you love the most.
Rest to restore and recover to improve immune function
Rest is one of the most underestimated ways to improve immune function. Rest is when the body can truly begin to repair on a cellular level. When we don’t get enough sleep, the body can’t carry out vital processes in the body on a physical, chemical and hormonal level.
When we think of rest we automatically think of sleep, yet we can also experience active rest. This author writes a compelling argument for the case of rest as constructive and necessary, such as a walk or mindful activity, so we can uncover a restful emotional state during the day too.
Getting to bed by 10.30pm, afternoon naps, sitting quietly reading a book and taking a long, leisurely stroll are all lovely restorative ways to rest but we can also actively rest by doing something we really enjoy. This could be an art class, gardening or cooking - something that gives us a break from the everyday routine whilst doing something that gives us joy.
Feed the immune system with good food
Filling our plates with an abundance of fresh, vibrant food, such as colourful vegetables, wholegrains and fruit and nuts, is one of the most beneficial things we can do to boost our immune system, owing to their high vitamin and mineral content. Some of my favourite immune-boosting foods include; ginger, mushrooms, turmeric, garlic, any citrus fruit and lots of green leafy veg.
Feeding the immune system also means hydrating it too. Our planet is roughly 70% water and our bodies are also roughly 70% water. We depend on it yet so many of us don’t hydrate nearly often enough. Water is vital for the cells to do their jobs, for us to keep breathing, to keep toxins flushing out of our bodies. I suggest drinking at least two litres a day and if you’re consuming caffeine you’ll need even more as caffeinated drinks act as a diuretic.
To add that extra boost I recommend a high strength Vitamin C, taking 1000mg 3 times a day. In Kinesiology we use muscle testing to ask the body which type of Vitamin C it needs, as you get many different variations, but it’s worth getting the best quality one you can afford. Both Higher Nature and Cytoplan often test out with clients so are a great option.
Move the lymphatic system to boost immune function
Our lymphatic system is absolutely incredible. It runs everywhere in the body feeding the cells, clearing out harmful toxins and filtering waste out via the elimination channels of the body. It is vital for the healthy function of muscles and organs and especially immune function.
We have twice as much lymph in the body as blood but, while blood has the heart to pump it round, the lymphatic system has nothing like that to help it move. People who experience an unreasonable number of infections and colds, or do not improve as fast as we would expect after an illness, often need to look at the lymph flow to see what’s restricting it.
One of the best ways to get our lymph flowing is to move our body in any way we can so we can move any stagnant lymph. Anything that has the limbs moving in different directions, such as jogging, swimming or cross training, is wonderful. Additionally, exercises like yoga which involve lots of twists and inversions is another great option.
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