While I am not a fervent television watcher, I do watch the news – have to keep up with current events; and I can’t remember seeing Virginia’s Governor, Dr. Ralph Northam, appear on my TV as much as he has in the month of March. Breaking news flashed across my flat screen interrupting the one show I did enjoy, as the Governor and his team solemnly uttered words such as pandemic, immune system, social distancing, and face mask - before a room full of eager journalists. Like many other Governors across the United States, Governor Northam was now ordering his constituents to wash their hands and stay-at-home. Wait...what? Why have these directives now become enforceable? I mean, washing your hands is a normal, everyday occurrence that well, normal people do. Because he said something that stood out to not only me but to the world: COVID-19 aka Novel Coronavirus. What are some ways that someone with a weak immune system (like me) can do to boost their immune system during the outbreak from the Coronavirus?
INCREASE YOUR VITAMIN C “Eighty percent of your immune system is in the gut, so when it’s healthy, we tend to be able to fight off infections faster and better,” as Yufang Lin, M.D. of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic told AARP.com. Dr. Lin continues, “When it’s not, our immune system is weaker and more susceptible to fighting off infection. That is why to me, there is nothing better than a sweet, juicy ripe orange. Packed with high vitamin C content, they can boost your immune system. According to Self.com, “just one orange has about 100 mg of vitamin C, which is 130 percent of that daily recommended intake.” I am also a huge fan of the “superfood” - kale. Just eating, “1.5 cups of kale has 120 mg of vitamin C.” Self.com
In addition, I cannot forget my hot water with lemon. I drink a ton of water (mostly hot) and always have slices of lemon in it. Lemons have 77 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams with one medium lemon delivering 92% of the DV. – Healthline.com
And now for the coup de gras – strawberries! One cup of ripe, plump strawberry halves provides 89 mg of vitamin C or 99% of the DV. Healthline.com.
There are more foods that will boost your immune system, but these are my favorites. A kale, orange and strawberry salad sounds amazing right about now!
EXERCISE YOUR BODY AND MIND I exercise daily. Being that most gyms are now closed and although we have the stay-at-home order in place due to the Coronavirus, we are allowed to walk in our neighborhoods or some parks – as long as we practice social distancing (6ft between people). So, I put on my face mask and walk – every day. Walking is a low impact exercise that has benefits physically as well as mentally. WebMD states how “moderate activity is all you need. Exercise improves your overall fitness, which can help boost your immune system. Researchers show that regular walking may lead to a higher number of white blood cells, which fight infections.” Meditating on the beauty of nature – the blooming trees, the sound of birds chirping around me as I walk, has been a welcomed chance to get out of the house for a short period of time. Staying on top of stress is also the best way to keep your immune system healthy. Even though we cannot avoid stress especially during the Coronavirus outbreak, I have adopted ways to help me cope – like prayer, meditation and viewing ASMR videos (I will explain that in another article one day).
GET ENOUGH SLEEP Getting enough sleep can definitely boost your immune system. It has always been recommended that you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep and that is what I do. It can help prevent a number of health issues. SleepFoundation.org says that getting the proper amount of sleep, “will keep your immune system in fighting shape...Taking two naps that are no longer than 30 minutes each one in the morning and one in the afternoon can decrease stress and offset the negative effects that sleep deprivation has been on the immune system.” We all need to make sure that we stay safe during these difficult times. One of my friends who is a registered nurse, called COVID-19, “the King of the Virus.” And some kings have been known to rule with a mighty hand. So do what you have to do to make sure that you and your family stay safe and keep your immune system as healthy as possible. Because as the rapper Cardi B says, “Coronavirus – this “ish” is getting real.”
WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The Oxford Dictionary describes it as, “the organs and processes of the body that provide resistance to infection and toxins. Organs include the thymus, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.”Basically the way our body defends itself against infections.
Written by Mia Nicole
Disclaimer: The information in this post is strictly informational, and the writer shall not be held liable for any risks.