13 Easy Ways to Improve Your Immune System Naturally in 2013
By LaKenya McClough, MPH
Happy New Year family! Given the recent spike in flu incidences in California and across the country, I thought it might be helpful to highlight a few more options on how to stay healthy this season. In this article, I’m sharing with you 13 different and simple ways you can naturally boost your immune system. These are not new ideas. In fact, they are easy everyday practices that when adopted on a regular basis can make a world of difference for your health and may even help prevent you from getting the flu!
Over the next 13 days I’ll be posting a tip per day on simple, easy, and natural ways to protect and boost your immune system!
Tip #3 of 13 – Exercise
Just one hour of movement goes a long way. Sometimes all we need is to get motivated! Getting your blood pumping regularly can increase the activity of white blood cells that attacks viruses. An hour a day of continuous exercise is best . But if you can’t get it all in at once, experts say it’s still ok if you break up your routine and exercise for small set blocks of time. Make it a group or family event by finding a physical activity your family or group can do collectively. Activities such as bowling, softball, volleyball, or just getting out to walk together can make exercising fun and help keep you motivated.
Moderate intensity workouts for 30 minutes also work well. According to the National Institutes of Health, moderate instensity workouts include activities such as: walking 2 miles in 30 minutes,
Dancing foor 30 minutes; or bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes. The important thing is to move. So, do what you like to do and make it fun. If motivation is a challenge for you, read these tips from Sweet Potato Pie.com to learn some tips for getting and stay motivated in 2013.
Enjoy more great exercise tips for African Americans in this publication from the National Institutes of Health.
Click here to see Tip #1 of 13
Click here to See Tip #2 of 13
