Immunity protects a person from infections and diseases. Its weakening leads to regular colds, ailments and decreased performance. To get rid of alarming symptoms, you need to take care of strengthening the protective functions of the body.
How weakened immunity manifests itself
Doctors define the body’s immune system as a collection of cells, tissues and organs, the function of which is to protect the body from aggressive external and internal influences. It stands in the way of fungal, bacterial and viral infections that try to penetrate the human body. Its weakening provokes the emergence of a wide range of diseases.
Frequent viral diseases
Periodically everyone suffers from ARI and ARVI. A recurrence of a cold no more than four times a year does not mean that the immune system is working poorly. If respiratory diseases bother more than six times, it is worth visiting an immunologist for diagnosis and comprehensive medical treatment.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions also indicate a weakening of the body’s protective functions. A number of provoking factors include: cosmetics, household chemicals, food, pets.
Fungal diseases
Another manifestation of weakened immunity is fungal diseases. Usually, the body easily fights such infections without outside help, but a low level of body resistance provokes the development of mycoses. The same applies to bowel function: a weakened immune system cannot prevent dysbiosis, which causes constipation or diarrhea.
Long recovery process
An indicator of the functioning of the immune system is the rate of recovery of the body after an illness. A long rehabilitation period can signal a decrease in resistance. Choosing treatment yourself is not the best way out.
It is unreasonable to blindly trust traditional medicine, since the use of unverified recipes can lead to a complication of the disease. It is worth contacting an immunologist who will select the right drug and prescribe the correct treatment.
There are general recommendations that help to strengthen the immune system regardless of the state of the body.
Lifestyle and bad habits
The first tip is to get rid of bad habits. If the immune system begins to malfunction, the moment of goodbye to nicotine and alcohol has come. An external stimulus is needed for a volitional rejection of bad habits: it may become the need to raise immunity.
Lifestyle change
Lifestyle changes are an important part of your recovery. A sedentary lifestyle, working in the office, relaxing at home in front of a computer or TV, an evening with friends at a table in a cafe – all this leads to a decrease in the general tone of the body and the appearance of excess weight.
Buy a pool or fitness pass, get active, put your car in the garage for a while and start cycling. Walk more in the fresh air: it is good for your health and improves your mood. Finding ways to deal with stress is important. It can be meditation, yoga, doing what you love, chatting with friends: everything that has a positive effect on you.
Sleep normalization
Overwork and stressful situations lead to sleep disturbances. Lack of sleep makes a person lethargic, irritable, inattentive. For the normal functioning of the immune system, an adult needs a healthy rest of at least eight hours a day.
Melatonin, a natural hormone, is released in the dark. It makes you feel relaxed and helps you achieve deep and restful sleep. The hormone is a powerful antioxidant that helps support the functions of the immune system. a good sleep improves mood and energy, prevents strokes and helps manage weight.
Diet change
Immunity dependends on nutrients from foods or dietary supplements. The abundance of junk food weakens the protective functions of the body, depriving it of the substances it needs for work. Do not dine in fast food restaurants, give up spicy food, smoked meats, canned food, carbonated drinks. More often you should eat:
fresh, seasonal, local vegetables and fruits;
fermented milk products, which do not contain preservatives and dyes;
dietary and lean meat;
lean fish and caviar;
natural juices.
These products will provide the body with vitamins, minerals and microelements, energize and strength, and correct figure imperfections. Exclusion is unhealthy food will improve bowel function, strengthen the immune system.
Drink plenty of water: at least 8 glasses daily. Purified liquid without additives or impurities helps to improve bowel function and electrolyte balance.
Nutrients are found in most fruits and vegetables:
Vitamin C is contained in berries, broccoli, potatoes, oranges, green peas, strawberries, bell peppers, lemon, tomatoes, and cauliflower
beta-carotene in apricots, dried apricots, beets, spinach, pumpkin, persimmons, tomatoes, corn and carrots;
Vitamin E is contained in broccoli, carrots, nuts, papaya, spinach, and sunflower seeds;
Vitamin B is found in sunflower seeds, walnuts, buckwheat and cheese;
Zinc is contained in red meat, beans, nuts and seafood;
Selenium you can have from tuna, lard, beef, eggs, coconut.
Hygiene
Keep your body clean. Following basic hygiene practices will help to prevent infections from developing and spreading. You should:
- wash your hands regularly with soap and water;
- take a shower every day;
- use a loofah or body sponge to remove dirt and dead skin cells.
- brush your teeth twice a day, use dental floss;
- carry an antibacterial disinfectant with you and use it when you cannot wash your hands.
Strengthening immunity at home
An easy and way to strengthen the immune system is a vitamin broth. To prepare it you will need:
dried rose hips – 100 g;
raspberry leaves;
1-2 lemons;
natural honey – 100 g.
Lemons in the peel grind and place in a thermos. Honey with crushed raspberry leaves is also added there. A decoction is prepared from rose hips, which is poured into a thermos to the rest of the ingredients through gauze cloth. The finished broth is infused for three hours. It should be drunk twice a day, the recommended course of treatment is two months. In the off-season, you can carry out preventive two-week procedures.
Honey-lemon mixture
Use a honey-lemon mixture to boost your immune system and treat colds. You will need:
two heads of garlic;
natural honey (200 g);
three lemons.
Grind peeled garlic and lemon in the peel. The resulting mass is mixed with honey until smooth. You need to store the mixture in the refrigerator in a container with a tight-fitting lid. It should be taken before meals, the recommended dose is two tablespoons. The duration of the course of treatment is about two weeks. The honey-lemon mixture is also an excellent prophylactic against colds. Due to its constituent components, it is not recommended for people with diseases of the digestive system.
Healing balm
An effective remedy that strengthens the immune system is a healing balm. For cooking you will need:
100 grams of aloe juice;
a glass of spirit;
250 grams of natural honey;
500 grams of walnut kernels;
3 medium lemons.
Chop the nuts, squeeze the juice of lemons and aloe, add grated nuts and spirit. Mix all components thoroughly, place in a glass container. Before meals, take three tablespoons of the balm – at least 5 tablespoons per day. The duration of treatment is at least 10 days three times a year.
Mix for pregnant women and children
Children and pregnant women face a deterioration in the body’s defenses more often than others. To maintain their immunity, a decoction of lemon and nuts is suitable. To prepare it you will need:
a glass of raisins;
a glass of peeled walnuts;
half a glass of almonds;
zest of two lemons.
The recipe is simple:
Grind nuts and raisins using a meat grinder, add zest and lemon juice.
Place the mixture in an enamel bowl, add half a glass of water and a third of a glass of sugar.
Stir all the ingredients again and bring to a boil over low heat.
Simmer for 15 minutes.
Cool, pour into a glass container.
Store in the refrigerator to maintain beneficial properties.
You need to take the broth six times a day at regular intervals, preferably before meals. The duration of the course of treatment is from 14 days to a month. It is worth maintaining immunity by carrying out such treatment at least once every six months.
Physical effects on the body
There are effective ways of exercising to strengthen the immune system, such as hardening. It should be introduced in stages, increasing the duration daily.
Hardening and contrast shower
Hardening is an effective method of preventing colds. A contrast shower will add vigor and have a positive effect on the body. Start at comfortable temperatures: it is better to harden gradually, otherwise you can catch cold and get sick from habit.
Hardening scheme for beginners:
Take a cold and warm shower daily for 10-15 seconds each.
Repeat the sequence 3 to 5 times.
After the procedure, rub the skin well with a towel.
Water treatments strengthen the immune system, improve blood circulation and help keep blood vessels in good shape. High blood pressure, diseases of the cardiovascular system are contraindications for the procedure.
Walking barefoot
It is useful to walk without shoes in nature, since there are a large number of active points on the soles of the feet, the stimulation of which has a positive effect on the body. You should not walk without shoes on the ice floor or on the ground at low temperatures: there is a high risk of catching a cold.
Bath or sauna
The most pleasant remedy that can be used at home. Under the influence of high temperature, toxins are cleared, the condition of blood vessels is improved, the immune system is strengthened. It is not recommended to go to the bathhouse for pregnant women, people with heart diseases, skin diseases, head injuries.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an effective way to quickly stimulate the immune system, which will help you to relax relax, rest and relieve stress. Relaxing essential oils (tea tree, chamomile and lavender) can be used in aroma candles or massage mixtures. The skin is one of the most important barriers protecting the body from infections, it is important to take care of it.
An active lifestyle, giving up bad habits and unhealthy food, vitamins and detoxification will allow you to be healthy,do not suffer from immune problems and constant colds.
