6 Self-Care Practices that Support Your Immune System
Between work deadlines, family events, and personal responsibilities, stress is a daily part of life for most of us. Sometimes, like in the case of meeting a work deadline, stress can be short-lived and serve as a motivator to help you complete the task at hand. Other times, stressful situations can last much longer and be overwhelming.
These periods of stress may just seem like an annoying part of life that we have to deal with; however, they can do far more to our bodies than just leaving us feeling anxious or tense. In fact, stress can directly impact a number of different systems in your body, including your ever-important immune system.
Stress and the Immune System
Have you ever noticed yourself feeling under the weather after being in a stressful situation? This is a direct result of that stress impacting your immune system in a couple of different ways—the first of which has to do with a hormone called cortisol.
Cortisol is often referred to as the ‘stress hormone.’ Feeling stressed for any amount of time causes your body to produce cortisol. Interestingly, research has shown that cortisol can work both for and against your immune system. Small bursts of cortisol can help to contain your immune response so it doesn’t cause damage to the rest of your body. However, prolonged cortisol production has the opposite effect—having too much of this stress hormone in your bloodstream can cause your immune system to become ‘resistant’ to the effects of cortisol, which can compromise your immune system.
Additionally, stress has been found to decrease the level of lymphocytes in your body. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are responsible for helping your body fight off harmful intruders that would otherwise affect your health.
Last, but certainly not least, stress can have an indirect impact on your immune system through the way it affects your gut health. Your gut and brain are intimately connected via the gut-brain axis, which allows your gut and brain to send signals to each other. Because of this connection, feelings like anxiety and stress can directly affect the health of your digestive system, and since 70% of your immune system is located in your gut, this ultimately weakens your immune system as well.
Self-Care for Your Immune System
The key to keeping stress at bay so it doesn’t drag down your immune system is practicing regular self-care. Here are some ideas to help you incorporate self-care into your daily routine.
1. Live In The Moment
Thinking about the past and worrying about the future is a major cause of stress for many of us. One Harvard study found that people tend to be happiest when focusing on the task at hand rather than thinking about something else. It also found that people’s minds tend to wander more than half the time! So, instead of thinking about what you could have done or what you still need to do, make it a point to live in the moment. Allow yourself to slow down, be aware of your surroundings, accept things as they are, and be mindful of everything you do.
2. Practice Meditation
Research shows that meditation is capable of improving your brain health and ultimately improving your immune system. Practicing meditation helps you focus your thoughts and feelings as well as gives your clarity to handle any situations you may face in the future. Hold yourself accountable for finding at least 10 minutes a day to sit down and meditate to help manage your stress levels.
3. Prioritize Sleep
Getting plenty of high-quality sleep is important for supporting your immune system. This is because your body releases special proteins known as cytokines which are important for both boosting your immune response and managing your stress response. Even when you are not experiencing high levels of stress, prioritizing your sleep schedule can go a long way when it comes to keeping your immune system functioning properly.
4. Spend Time Outside
Spending time outside allows you to breathe in the fresh air, soak up the sun, and embrace the beauty of nature. On top of that, it also has a variety of benefits for your health. Studies have found that spending time outside is especially good for supporting your immune system and managing your stress levels. With that in mind, make time every day to spend a few minutes outside so your body can reap the benefits.
5. Nourish Your Body
Nourishing your body with all the nutrients found in fresh, whole foods is one of the best ways to support your immune system. Every system in your body needs a variety of nutrients in order to function properly, and your immune system is no exception. While all nutrients are important here, specific ones like vitamins C and D, zinc, copper, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids are all touted for their ability to help keep your immune system going.
6. Support with Supplements
Another great way to support your immune system is through natural, whole food supplements. Even with the healthiest of diets, your body is likely missing out on some of the key nutrients it needs to stay in tip-top shape, and supplements are a great way to help fill that gap, especially when it comes to your immune system. When looking for an immune support supplement, keep in mind that not all supplements are created equal. For the best results, you’ll want to find something that is made from whole food ingredients, is suitable for your current diet or lifestyle, and holds accreditations that prove it is both high-quality and safe.
Relieve Some Stress and Live the #NewEarthLife
Whether we like it or not, stress is an inevitable part of life. That’s why taking care of yourself and finding new ways to manage your stress is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. Here at New Earth, we understand that which is why we have made it our mission to provide to harvest the world’s most powerful superfoods and use them to provide you with high-quality supplements like Defend.
This immune-supporting supplement is a blend of six medicinal mushrooms that are known for their immune-boosting capabilities. These mushrooms are combined with beta-glucan and organic Wild Microalgae®to form an all-natural and effective supplement to nourish and support your immune system.
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At New Earth we are on a mission to positively impact the health of every body and soul we come in contact with. We specialize in producing third-party certified, organic whole food supplements including a variety of probiotics, and digestive support. Our supplements feature a rare, yet highly nutritious superfood, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). Also known as organic Wild Microalgae®, AFA is a unique type of microalgae that is available in many forms including tablets, capsules, and powders all designed to help you on your journey to holistic wellness. The best part? We offer a 90-day money-back risk-free guarantee on all of our products. Visit our website.
