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Boost your immune system and take a preventative approach to your wellbeing this winter.

Photos: Instagram @emrata, @selenagomez

As the number of new flu viruses set to hit our shores this year increases, so too do the studies that show theres a multitude of ways to protect your immune system this winter. Got the chicken soup, antiseptic hand gel and multivitamins? Add the following into your daily routine for improved fortification against colds and flu.

Book in for a 20-minute weekly massage and you could lower your cortisol levels a stress hormone that negatively impacts the immune system by up to 53 per cent, according to researchers at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine in the US. Regular moderate pressure massage has also been shown to increase the production of dopamine and serotonin, flooding your body with the kind of happy hormones that no amount of bad weather can affect. Live in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane? Try new mobile massage on demand service, Blys. Think of it as the Uber of qualified therapists.

Scientists at Finlands University of Turku found that a slice per day of probiotic rich cheese, such as Gouda, can boost immunity, as can a daily pot of yoghurt, according to researchers at the University of Vienna, Austria.

Having sex frequently can boost your immune system, according to researchers at Wilkes University in the US, who found that university students who engaged in sexual activity once or twice per week had higher levels of immunoglobulin A (an antibody that helps fights infections) in their saliva. Those who had no sex or very frequent sex (three or more times per week) had lower levels.

Human connection has long been linked to peak physical health, but researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in the US have gone one further and discovered that the larger your social group, the better your chance of escaping winter untouched by influenza. They gave 83 college students the flu vaccine and found that those who enjoyed the company of a larger circle of friends (real ones, not Facebook mates), produced more flu-fighting antibodies than those who preferred more intimate groups. To get in on the action, consider joining or starting a book club or other hobby group based on your interests.

High levels of vitamin D and increased immune health go hand-in-hand, but researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered that out of the 24,000 people they tested, 58 per cent were deficient in the vitamin, putting them at risk of a host of illnesses and diseases. To keep your body fighting fit, aim to get 20 minutes of sunshine (the most potent source of vitamin D) in the winter months, preferably in the morning or late afternoon, outside peak UV hours.

Make the most of those glorious goose-down pillows and winter-weight quilts and commit to sleeping at least seven hours a night, researchers at the University of California San Francisco in the US advise. They found that those who sleep six hours or less per night are four times more likely to catch a cold when exposed to the virus than those who sleep seven or more.

Regular moderate activity really is the first line of defence against colds and flu. US researchers who studied more than 1000 people found that those who did five or more days of exercise a week experienced 43 per cent fewer days with upper respiratory tract infections than those who exercised one day or less. And when they did get a cold, the frequent exercisers suffered milder symptoms than the less frequent.

Cold and flu germs are easily transmitted via hand-to-hand contact, so try to get into the habit of washing your hands regularly with soap throughout the day. Need encouragement? Researchers from San Diegos Naval Health Research Centre in the US saw a 45 per cent decrease in respiratory illness among its 45,000 recruits who had been instructed to wash their hands at least five times a day.

Meeting friends for coffee? Studies show swapping your usual latte for a soothing cup of chamomile increases antibacterial activity within your body, helping to boost immunity and fight infections associated with colds. If youre not a fan of the taste, inhaling steam infused with chamomile extract can be just as helpful in warding off a cold.

A study from the University of Kentucky in the US found that as people become more optimistic, their bodies better resist invasion by viruses and bacteria.

Original post:
How to stay well when everyone around you is coughing up phlegm - Body and Soul

This entry was posted on July 12, 2017 at 4:45 pm and is filed under Immune System. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |