Avoiding a Weakened Immune System

These are unusual times we are living through, and while this time of the year is traditionally flu season, this year we have an added problem to deal with: the coronavirus Covid-19. This is a serious condition and you will undoubtedly be up to speed, with it, but I have noticed many of my clients asking what they can do to ensure their immune system remains as effective as possible. Here are some tips I give to those who as me and which, as an experience personal trainer, I know are proven to help.

Eat Well

A healthy, balanced diet is as important as any exercise regime, so you need to make sure you are eating the right things. The first thing to do is avoid processed foods. These have been messed with to a massive extent and will not contain the nutrients you need. Look for foods rich in vitamin D for enhancing the immune system – eggs, milk, salmon are good examples – and check out online advice on creating a diet to boost the immune system, there’s a lot of help there.

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Sleep Well

Sleep is an essential part of keeping the body fit and healthy, and sensible sleeping patterns also help with the immune system. While you sleep, your body naturally produces a number of hormones that are essential in boosting the immune system. If you don’t get enough sleep, you are not enabling the natural protection that your body provides, so make sure you get 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night.

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Exercise Sensibly

This may not be a time when you can go to the gym or go for your usual jog or walk, but short walks are still a great way of getting exercise. Or, you can check out advice online and look for ideas for exercising in the home. Even without equipment there is still plenty you can do to keep your body in trim, and it helps both mentally and physically, as well as keeping the immune system engaged and in working order.

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Don’t Smoke and Cut out the Alcohol

If you smoke you really need to look at stopping. It may not be easy, but smoking tobacco plays havoc with the immune system as it introduces unnatural elements into the body. Also, don’t drink too much. A beer or wine in moderation is not a problem, but if you overdo things, you are again meddling with the immune system and at this time you want to be as protected as possible.

Many of my regular clients have confessed they are very concerned about the Covid-19 threat, and I can only tell you what I tell them: we all need to follow the Government advice on social distancing, but in addition to that we can follow the above tips, exercise regularly and do our individual best to keep our immune systems strong. There is plenty of advice available if you search, so have a look now and start putting a routine in place.

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About Paul Wallace

Personal trainer of 15 plus years and creator of FT-Fit one of Glasgow’s largest fitness classes