Boost your immune system!

Spring is coming but winter doesn't want to leave just yet, which leads to people getting sick all around me. Schools closing down because of the rate of people catching cold and flu and I don't want to be one of them. I don't think you want it too, right? I thought I would share some tips on how to boost your immune system and avoid catching terrible sickness. You don't want to lay in bed with a headache, stuffed nose and sore throat, right? Yeah, I thought so.

• Eat those veggies!

I know, it's a common known fact that eating healthy will lead to better health overall. When your mom told you to eat those spinnach or carrots, explaining that it's healthy for you, she didn't lie! Actually, what boosts immune system the most is antioxidants. They help neutralize any free radicals that damages your cells and you really need that. Antioxidant-full foods are brightly colored fruits and vegetables, including berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, apples, red grapes, kale, onions, spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Most of these foods mentioned are delicious, at least to me. I love grapes and apples and they are not hard to incorporate into your diet and lifestyle. 

• Go outside and exercise!

Getting your heart rate up for just 20 minutes just three times a week is associated with increased immune function, and a brisk walk five days a week can help reduce your risk of catching a cold. 20 minutes is not that long and to get your blood pumping you can do anything you want to - sit ups, push ups, a little run around your neighboorhood. If it's cold, you can easily do exercises in your room, internet is full of sites where you can learn about easy at-home workouts. Also, what is a better way to prepare for upcoming spring-summer months than exercising? When you take your shorts and dresses you want to look good, don't you? It's two birds with one stone - 20 minutes everyday and when summer comes around you will look and feel great, so do it!

• Set up you sleep schedule.

Also, one that is commonly known. I'm the one that likes to watch some TV, do my homework late in the evening and go to sleep super late. I'm trying to get in the habit of going to bed sooner and so should you! Studies shown, that students who gets 4 hours of sleep for 6 days in a row result in poor production of antibodies and if they won't work you won't be able to keep the cold away. Sleep is also essential for concentration, skin health and so many more things! Getting adequate amounts – usually 7 to 9 hours for an adult – is essential to good health.

• Take time to relax.

Stress is one of the immune system busters. Hormones released in stressful situations can really mess up you immune system and stress overall is not a good feeling. I know, all of us have days where everything piled up so high you can't take it and all you want to do is burst into tears. When stressful situations occur, just relax. Being more positive about things will not only help you health but also your social life! Everyone wants to be around the positive person that has a smile on their face at all times and put others in a good mood too. It may be hard, but there's no problem without a solution, you just have to find it. As hard as it may seem if you do it more often you will become happier and enjoying life will be more than easy :)

• Laugh a little!

It's weird that such common thing as laughter can boost your immune system but it does! Hormones are a crazy thing, really. The rate of stress hormones decrease and the type of white blood cells that fight infection increases.  In fact, even if you know that you will have a good laugh sometime soon lowers your stress hormone balance! That is crazy. So look at everything with a little irony sometimes, laugh with your friends and you will avoid cold and flu!

These things combined gives good results, I tell you! I will try to reach these goals myself and I hope to be healthier and happier in no time! 

FUN FACT:  While researching for these things I found a little fun thing - Harvard page about immune system says, that cold air actually don't increase your chances on catching a cold or flu. People are just more likely to be inside when it's cold and catch it from people in the same building. And it's proven! So you won't achieve anything if you bundle up in huge scarves when leaving home, you have to boost your immune system!

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed. I really enjoyed writing it :) 

Picture from tumblr, edited by me.

XOX, EVE.