How do you prevent yourself from getting sick? For example, if you want to not get the flu, flu vaccines or flu shots are the answer, right?
Well, that logic might work for some sicknesses that already have vaccines developed specifically for them. But what about the ones that don’t have vaccines? Say, for fever, or even the common cold?
Well, our bodies have a natural way of fighting off illnesses: our immune system. Keep it strong and you won’t be needing urgent care near Union, NJ, anytime soon!
Of course, while our immune system is generally effective, we can help by enhancing our immunity. It’s easier said than done, but you might be surprised. Just a few lifestyle changes will be a tremendous contribution to our bodies’ fight against diseases.
Here are # ways to help enhance our immunity.
1. Get the right amount of sleep.
How have you been sleeping lately? Have you been getting at least seven or eight hours of sleep? Or have you been getting less than adequate rest?
Sleeping is our bodies’ natural way of recharging. Lack of sleep may actually make you more susceptible to getting sick. And think about it: when was the last time you didn’t sleep enough and actually felt good?
Remember that doctors prescribe plenty of sleep to people who are sick. That’s to allow your immune system to fight better. If you don’t sleep, your immune system will not have the strength to protect you against those sicknesses.
Are you having trouble sleeping? One of the things you can do is skip caffeine, especially as the night draws nearer. Also, try to keep your sleeping schedule constant. That way you can program your body to get sleepier at the time you want to sleep. And make sure to turn your devices off or keep them on silent so you can sleep undisturbed.
2. Exercise, exercise, exercise.
Exercising doesn’t just make you look and feel good. Exercise is another way to help enhance your immunity. Doing exercise can improve your immune system by helping your circulation, which makes it easier for sickness-fighting cells to travel all over your body.
And the great thing about exercise is that it doesn’t have to be long and high intensity. Half an hour a day is more than fine. And you can do whatever kind of exercise you want: jogging, yoga, golf, swimming… we mean whatever! Even merely walking briskly can stimulate your immune system.
Aim for at least twenty to thirty minutes a day per week. All that matters is that you are active. Exercise will help make sure you won’t be looking for urgent care, Bergenline, anytime soon.
3. Drink plenty of water – stay hydrated.
Who doesn’t love drinking a glass of cold water? Well, if you don’t, you should learn to love it! After all, water is important in strengthening your immune system. Staying hydrated will not directly protect you from being sick, but staying hydrated is important to your overall health.
Even if you’re not sweating excessively or exercising, you’re still constantly losing water from your body. How? Well, even just by breathing, you lose water. Also, every time you go to the bathroom, you lose water.
So make sure you’re always hydrated. To know you’re hydrated, look at the color of you’re urine. If the color ranges from white to pale yellow, you’re doing great! If it’s a dark shade of yellow, you have to drink more.
As a general rule, drink when you feel thirsty, and stop when you’re not thirsty. It’s that simple. You might need more water if you’re somewhere hot or you’re exercising, but the general rule is the same. And when you feel thirsty, it’s better to drink water, because it’s calorie free, and has no sugar, unlike other drinks like tea and juice.
Finally, if you’re an older adult, take note that you might not get the same signals that you’re thirsty as you did when you were younger. To be sage, drink regularly even if you don’t feel the urge to.
4. Avoid getting stressed as much as possible.
Easier said than done, right? We have everyday stressors, such as work and traffic. Not all stress is bad for us. Some kinds of stress can be a good thing, as it will signal our body that there is a challenge coming up. Of course, if it lasts too long, that’s no longer good.
What happens when you get stressed is that your body starts a stress response. The stress response will suppress your immune system, therefore increasing the chance of you getting sick.
Relieving stress and anxiety is important to keep your immunity up. It’s a good thing there are many activities you can do to relieve stress.
For example, if you have a dog, play with your dog and have fun. Same if you have other pets. It will both be a bonding experience and a way to lessen your stress. If you don’t have a pet, you can socialize instead. Hang out with your friends and family and do activities that all of you will love. Watch comedies. Exercise.
And most of all, avoid negative thoughts and negative people. Try not to dwell on the bad stuff that may be happening. Instead, count your blessings and see the silver lining in every situation. Your immune system will thank you very much for that and will help prevent you from Googling “urgent care, West Orange” anytime soon.
5. Eat better.
What have you been eating lately? A whole bunch of processed foods? Burgers? Fries? They’re definitely delicious and conquer your hunger. However, they will not do a lot for your health.
To boost your immune system, you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially colorful ones, like oranges, broccoli, carrots, strawberries, and so on. They are full of antioxidants that guard against stuff that are bad for you.
Eating well also means eating lean proteins and whole grains while staying away from saturated fats, foods full of cholesterol, salt, and sweets.
Of course, when we say eat better and healthier, we also don’t mean eating more than you’re supposed to! Even if you eat healthier but you go past your recommended calories per day, that’s not also going to be good for your immune system. Talk to your nutritionist or healthcare provider and ask for an eating program if you’re not sure how to go about it.
Diligent Urgent Care: for when you need treatments for your health care needs
Those are just some tips to help keep your immune system strong. Sometimes, though, no matter how hard we try, our bodies will succumb to illness. That’s when you really need to go to the hospital.
If you’re looking for Union City urgent care, visit us immediately. We offer medical services to meet your needs, such as diagnosis or, physical examinations, but most of all, we treat various injuries and illnesses. Whatever your condition is, rest assured that we will give you only the best, affordable quality of healthcare.
Click here to schedule an appointment with Diligent Urgent Care. Walk-ins are welcome too!
