6 Secret but Simple Habits to Boost Immunity

Everyone wants to boost immunity, but how to do it may elude you. These are the secret and simple habits to adopt and ace your efforts:

1. Imitate martial artists and meditators. They do deep breathing to aid circulation, lymph cleansing, heart-rate improvement and general physical optimization. Belly-breathing has to become one of your new BF habits.  It is also excellent for quieting the mind. This is what people do when they count to 10 before saying or doing something they may later regret.

2. Make a date with bedtime. Motherearthliving says: “Without enough rest, the body slows its production of disease-fighting white blood cells. Lack of sleep also impairs the activity of natural killer cells and macrophages … During deep, restful sleep, the body releases powerful immune-enhancing compounds, such as interferon. Make every effort … so that your body is rested and can perform these vital functions.”

BOOST IMMUNITY in the Kitchen

3.  Use powerful herbs in cooking. Increase your use of common staples such as garlic, ginger, clove and cayenne, as well as the increasingly popular turmeric. Anise, fennel and licorice root can be used to flavor dishes. An article about medicinal herbs says licorice root contains the super sweet glycyrrhizin. Licorice can “prevent and heal ulcers, cleanse the colon, relieve heartburn and indigestion, lower cholesterol, enhance immunity.”

4. Find a superfood to love. Choose the familiar: green tea, Brazil nut (1 a day), berries, yoghurt, “potent green food” (kale, spinach, broccoli, sprouts), ginseng, beans, black walnuts and sweet potatoes. Or experiment and try out the less familiar: hemp hearts, hijiki or kombu seaweed (lots of varieties), maca and moringa.  Adding chia seeds, goji (wolf berries) and wheat grass won’t hurt at all.

5. Add some form of citrus every other day. Every citrus fruit contains vitamin C, and you need it for immunity. Eating the fruit itself and limit drinking OJ. Orange juice should be diluted anyway, as you would for young children. The sugar in it robs the body such that nutrients deal with insulin imbalance instead of boosting your immunity.

6. Juicing. Embrace the habit of juicing vegetables. This easily increases your intake to the recommended five portions a day, and gives your system a metabolic boost.* Start juicing carrots, other roots vegetables, cucumbers, celery and other green vegetables. Throw in apples and pears for flavor. Your energy level will astound you. Be very creative.

The smallest daily shifts can boost immunity, so take time to make baby steps as we shift from winter to summer.

–Rev. Niamo Nancy Muid

Photo courtesy Vedicus

*Heathy juicing can help the body by stimulating the release of endorphins in the bloodstream– the effect is known as a “runner’s high”. 

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The HealMobile offers educational and inspirational services and information. Many statements and health claims on this site are still under Food and Drug Administration (or other agency) review, and awaiting approval. The HealMobile wants the best care for visitors, but cannot diagnose, cure or treat any disease, mental illness, or chronic medical condition.

For long-standing physical or emotional problems, see your medical doctor or licensed health professional. Share your interest in the holistic approach with him or her, and ask for help in creating a plan for the complete healing of the symptoms and causes that concern you.