Part 2: 14 Ways to Boost Your Immune System
During this time of year, we are all looking to boost our immune systems. There are many things we can do to support our immunity and to experience a life of vibrancy and color.
In this 3-part blog series, we're giving you 14 total ways to build your immune system. In Part 1, we gave you the first 6. Here are Immune Boosting Tips 7-10:
7. Get outsideBring on the health knowledge!
Get outside
Happiness requires time to connect with nature. There is a primal need inside of us, a spiritual need even, that longs to be out with plants and animals. One scientific reason being in nature helps us so much is that plants contain what are called phytoncides, which are the natural chemicals that give the forest that “fresh, planty” kind of smell. These are highly beneficial for our immune system, brain, and other parts of our body.
We also need to be outside to get the vitamin D that comes from the sun, which is critical for immunity and the absorption of multiple nutrients in the body. The sun fills us with energy and vibrancy; it literally increases our serotonin levels - a natural brain chemical that causes us to experience feelings of peace and safety.
So get out and frolic in those flowers! Be a hippy!
Build positive relationships
Seeking out and nurturing positive relationships with people helps reinforce healthy habits. When you feel valued and you value others, then you tend to do more in your life that aligns with those feelings. You eat better, exercise more regularly, make brave decisions, and bask in more of the variety of life.
The best way to have good, quality friends is to become that good, quality friend. When you live with positivity and generosity, you will attract others who live in the same mental & emotional sphere as you. If you want great friends, be a great friend. If you want to feel welcome, help others feel welcome.
Take time to slow down and be there for those you love. It’s those simple moments of presence that really add vibrancy to a relationship. By taking time for those moments, you can feel whole and help others feel the same. When you do this, your health will increase and you will find you have more energy and drive.
This is all part of living a life of color.
Eat probiotic foods
Do you know where a majority of your immune system is located in your body? As it turns out, 70-80% of your immune system is located in your gut.
These days, you cannot talk about the immune system without talking about the gut microbiome. You have hundreds of trillions of beneficial bacteria located in your gut, some often referred to as probiotics. These little guys produce vitamins, modulate immune system function, produce neurotransmitters (happy brain chemicals), and more.
Your gut health has a profound impact on your immunity.
One of the most beneficial things that you can do for your gut health, and hence your immunity, is to eat probiotic foods. These foods contain beneficial bacteria that are crucial for thriving and experiencing optimal physical and mental well-being.
These foods include:
- Kvass
- Raw sauerkraut
- Raw apple cider vinegar
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Kefir
- Other fermented vegetables
- Fermented sourdough bread from starter
Experience the variety of nutrients that nature has to offer through these fermented, probiotic foods! They will enhance your immunity and improve your overall health.
Eat prebiotic foods
Probiotic foods are amazing, but don’t forget prebiotic foods!
What are those you ask?
While ‘probiotic’ foods are filled with good bacteria (probiotics), ‘prebiotic’ foods are the foods that contain the nutrients probiotics feed on. Because guess what, they’re alive! Without a diet rich in prebiotics, we cannot build populations of the probiotic bacteria buddies that help us out. It’s a beautiful little symbiotic relationship.
One of the main food sources for beneficial bacteria is fiber. There are many different types of fiber that come from healthy foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
When we consume a diet high in quality fruits & veggies, we will likely experience some seriously awesome benefits to our digestion and overall physical and mental health. One reason is that we are feeding our good gut bacteria.
Ruvi is a great way of getting 4 servings of 8-10 different fruits & veggies every single day. Our Boost blend is especially great for supporting the immune system, as it contains phytonutrients, vitamin C, and antioxidants specifically chosen for their benefits to immunity. It also has prebiotic benefits, as do the rest of our blends.
Keep an eye out for Part 3 of this series, 14 Ways to Boost Your Immune System, coming soon!