Cold & Flu – Hacking the Immune System

Your immune system is the defender of your health and vitality. It tirelessly battles invaders seeking to enter your body. However, with age, exposure to toxins, chronic stress, and various other factors, it can simply wear down. Sometimes, it needs a boost- a signal for you to take action. Do you want to know the most cost-effective and simplest hack to fortify your immune system?

Get up and move!

Movement is helpful in nearly every area of your life, but one key space is all about boosting your immune system.

Benefits of Movement

We all know that movement is good for building muscle and training for a marathon. So I will not spend much time there. Let’s take a look at the often untalked of areas that movement can really make a difference.

Vitamin D Boost

If you’re the type of person who already loves being outside, this is a simple suggestion that can give you maximum benefits. Getting out, getting moving, and being outside can boost your levels of vitamin D, a key nutrient that keeps your immune system working as it should.

Skip the supplements and expensive alternatives to get vitamin D in your life, the cheapest way is to just get outside! The sunshine is free, and a walk around your neighborhood is a great way to boost your immune system.

No matter your age, movement benefits us all.

Serotonin

Movement is tied closely to a chemical in the brain called serotonin! You get this same boost in serotonin when you’re with someone you love, or you’ve done something you like. Getting moving can help make you happier!

That release of serotonin not only increases your mood but can boost your immune system. The happier you feel, the better edge you’ll have on your immune system!

Incorporating Movement

Not everyone is inclined to join a gym or start training for a marathon.  Choosing the right type of exercise or finding ways to just get moving throughout the day is vital to boosting your overall health and wellness and your immune system! The key word here is “throughout”, which has compounding benefits that can outweigh one hour in the gym.

Take a Walk

Going on a walk around the block or around the neighborhood is a time-honored method to get your daily movement in! You’ll be able to be outside, set your own pace, and even take along some friends of the two or four-legged variety. As you grow stronger and your immune system feels better, you can increase the length or intensity of these walks as needed.

You don’t have to wait until after work either to go on a nice walk! Take time out of your day to walk around the building or around the block to give your eyes and brain a break.

Yoga

As a low-intensity exercise, yoga is a great way to get moving, work on your flexibility, and still use the space to unwind after a long day at work! You’ll be able to boost your immune system just by stretching, moving, and focusing on your inner thoughts and feelings.

You might start your day with a session of yoga or finish it out with one! There’s a different type of move and intensity to suit beginners or long-time practitioners.

Strength Training

Building your muscles is a vital part of movement! As you build up your core and muscle strength, you’ll start to notice a difference in the way you see and interpret the world. Your body becomes stronger in every area including with your immune system boosting it to fight against any foreign invaders within the system!

Cardio

If you’re ready to step it up a notch and start doing more than just moving, getting intentional about cardio is the way to go! As you build up to more intense cardio, your body learns to pump blood more efficiently which gets white and red blood cells to all areas of the body to help fight off infection.

Not only do you start to see a huge difference in the way your body operates, but you’ll also see your body better able to fight off colds, flu, and other viruses.

Takeaway

Getting up and getting active is one of the best ways to boost and strengthen your immune system! Movement can be almost anything as long as your feet are moving and your heart is pumping!

Start by getting out and walking for at least 20 minutes each day. This might be as simple as a walk around the neighborhood or a lap around the block. Add in new exercises and try new programs to find the perfect one for you that helps you stay active and still stay engaged with movement!

These tips may seem super simple, but if you are not already doing them, I promise it is worth your time to keep yourself healthy.

 

What do you feel most inspired to commit to today? 

 

If you feel concerned that your immune system is compromised or something is off in your body, apply to work with me for support in identifying what is happening in your body and what you can do about it now.

Dr. Alicia Newsome

Hi, I am Dr. Alicia Newsome

As a doctor, trainer, keynote speaker & executive health coach, I help high-achievers reclaim their lives by helping them understand and work with their bodies’ hormones, digestion, and metabolism.
Copyright 2024 Dr. Alicia Newsome