Healthy Inside & Out: How to Boost your Immune System

In order to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus, it is important to practice social distancing (stay home whenever possible, away from others), wash your hands frequently, stay isolated when sick, and adequately clean high-use areas of your home. 

However, how do you best take care of yourself? We’re constantly being bombarded with news, ever-changing advice, and warnings that cause stress. Stress greatly affects the immune system’s ability to fight off illness, so how do we ensure that we’re supporting good health when we are constantly filled with worry? 

How to Boost Your Immune System: Staying Healthy Inside & Out

  • Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is restorative in so many ways. It allows your mind to file away everything you take in during a day, and remove any unhelpful (stressful) thoughts to start again refreshed. To combat stress and strengthen your immune system, turn off your electronics, darken your rooms, and hit the pillow a little earlier each night. Now is a wonderful time to start a healthier sleep routine. 
  • Lower your intake of processed sugars. Sugar creates terrible issues all throughout your body. Although you may want to indulge in a bit of comfort food during this time, keep in mind how detrimental sugar can be on your immune health. An overload of sugar will reduce immune function, as will drinking alcohol since it is processed as sugar in the body. Replace sugary sodas and alcoholic drinks with a low-sugar and low-calorie alternative like True Citrus. You’ll reduce your cravings gradually, and won’t feel like you are missing out!
  • Increase your fresh fruit and vegetable intake. Right now many stores are still well stocked with fresh produce. People are loading up on canned goods and non-perishables, but fresh fruits and vegetables have the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to stay as healthy as possible. Here are some tips for storing produce to help them stay fresh much longer. 
  • Get fresh air and exercise - as much as you can! Many gyms, yoga studios, and fitness companies are offering free virtual workout videos and classes to keep your body strong and moving within the comfort of your own home. Keeping your exercise regimen going helps to increase blood flow (and flush out toxins), boost endorphins (supporting good mental health), and wear you out (to improve sleep at night). If the weather is nice, get outside to exercise. Need a little extra push to get you motivated to make that workout happen? Sip on True Lemon Energy Strawberry Dragonfruit - it contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, and is packed with vitamin C. 
  • Calm your mind. Reducing stress and finding a good balance in your mental state is another wonderful way to support healthy immune function. Certain meditation apps like Headspace are offering free guided meditations right now, so this is the perfect time to use deep breathing and mindfulness to boost your overall mental health.
  • Drink more water. Cells - even immune cells - are made up almost entirely of water. If you aren’t drinking enough water, they will not be able to replicate as quickly to help you fight off an illness. True Lemon is proven to help you drink more water, so try any of our delicious products to keep sipping all day long. 
  • Quit smoking. It is a wonderful time to cut out bad habits and start creating new, healthier ones. When isolated from the influence of others that smoke, this makes it the perfect time to quit. Smoking causes your lungs to struggle already due to tar deposits, making you more susceptible to respiratory infections and other illnesses such as the Coronavirus. These are some excellent resources for how to quit smoking. 

Providing your immune system with good support during these uncertain times is incredibly empowering. You have the ability to supply your body with the ammunition it needs to have a good defense against this virus, and it all comes down to the choices you make each and every day. Supporting good, healthy habits will do wonders for creating a healthy environment for your mind and body to thrive.