If you are fully vaccinated, the CDC is now allowing you to go maskless.
While wearing a mask throughout the pandemic kept both you and those you interacted with safe, the act of covering your mouth and nose also meant your body was not being exposed to the bacteria, viruses and microbes that you would have otherwise built up immunity to.
So, the population at large is now moving through a maskless world with a weaker immune system than ever before. To ensure you steer clear of the sniffles, common colds and the flu, it is best you take extra measures to boost your immune system.
Here are 6 tips for supporting your immune system when the mask comes off.
- Take Your Vitamins
One of the easiest ways to give your immune system a much needed boost is to invest in a comprehensive multivitamin that provides a wide range of essential nutrients.
There are a couple of things you should look for in a good multivitamin. First, be sure your daily supplement features the vitamins that are known to promote immune health. These include Vitamins C and D, Zinc and Magnesium, amongst others.
You should also be considerate of how your multivitamin is tailored to your biological makeup. What the male and female body require nutritionally are very different. So find a supplement that is labeled either “multivitamin for men” or “multivitamin for women”.
- Don’t Say Sayonara to the Sanitizer Just Yet
Just because life is returning to a state of normalcy does not mean you should stop basic health practices. Continue to wash your hands and keep the hand sanitizer locked and loaded for whenever you need a refresh.
- Hydrate
Dehydration takes a toll on your body and can increase your susceptibility to illness. By drinking a sufficient amount of water daily, you are not only keeping your mind and body sharp, but are actively supporting your immune health.
For some, drinking enough water throughout the day is a challenging task. Whether you are so busy you forget to sip or if you simply aren’t a fan of water, here are some tips and tricks for staying hydrated.
- Eat Foods that Naturally Support Your Immune System
Whole foods offer a plethora of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that naturally support your immune system. Incorporate the following into your diet and reap the many health benefits of eating whole and plant-based foods.
- Garlic, ginger & turmeric
- Citrus fruits
- Leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Fermented/probiotic-packed foods
- Shellfish & poultry
- Sleep
As you can imagine, a lack of sleep or poor sleep weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. So be sure to get in bed at a time that will allow you to achieve an appropriate amount of rest each night.
If you have trouble catching z’s, there are a few things you can do to help improve your sleep.
- Go to bed and wake up in the morning at the same time everyday. Getting into a regular sleep cycle can drastically improve the quality of your sleep.
- Reduce the amount of blue light exposure you receive before bed. This means turning off the TV and putting down the phone for the final hour of your day.
- Introduce a daily sleep formula. Restore and Recharge is a comprehensive herbal sleep and nighttime recovery support product that will increase your body’s natural production of melatonin, improve your sleep quality and restore your body so you wake feeling refreshed and ready to attack the day with energy and purpose.
- Manage Your Stress & Exercise
Your immune health is greatly associated with your stress and anxiety levels. The more stress and anxiety you experience, the weaker your immune health, and the more likely you are to get sick.
More so, chronic stress can lead to imbalances in the function of your immune cells.
So, your stress and anxiety management should be top of mind. Exactly how you best care for this part of your health is personal, with each person having unique remedies that are most effective for them.
However, a common stress and anxiety management tool is exercise. Moderate physical exertion 4 to 5 times a week can reduce stress and pose countless benefits to your mental health, all while supporting your physical body.