Our immune systems help and support us daily–learn how you can best pay your immune system back with support and care!
The body has many important systems, but few evolve more over time than the immune system. If you’re interested in boosting immunity, there are certain steps you can take to make it happen. In this article, we will discuss some of the simple lifestyle changes that follow functional medicine strategies and boost immunity!
Supporting Your Immune System Using Functional Medicine Methods
Give your immune system a helpful daily boost by implementing these simple functional medicine best practices.
Start by Improving Your Diet to Support Whole Health
In functional medicine, we know that the body is a symphony with many moving parts that bring it together. The goal of this medicinal approach is to prioritize whole-body health, and for the human body, health often comes down to what we put into our bodies.
You don’t need to have a perfectly clean diet to support your immune system, but you can absolutely support your immune system more effectively by adding more clean eating practices to your diet. Prioritize a balance of delicious whole foods that give your body what it needs for support.
To begin this process–take time to learn what kinds of foods support different parts of the human body. Adding different foods to support all of your essential systems can help your immune system to thrive–and there are many foods that actively support your immune system directly too!
Use Supplements if Needed Under Medical Supervision
Sometimes it isn’t always easy to get all of the nutrients that we need in our diet. While it is still important to prioritize a healthy diet, it is important to remember that the modern world has a lot to offer in terms of getting extra nutrients. If you think you’re not getting enough immune system support in your diet, try talking with your doctor about which vitamins or supplements can help benefit your body.
Supplements and vitamins can be very useful. In fact, people take multivitamins all around the world. Still, it is important to remember that they should be used to offer additional support, but they should not be used as a substitute for a poor diet.
Get Plenty of Active Daily Movement
The more we move our bodies daily, the healthier we are as we age. In fact, regular movement can keep us mobile well into our senior years, making it easier for us to maintain our comfort and health. Movement is also a critical support action for your immune system.
Active daily movement does not mean full-on workout classes. Your daily movement should be tailored to your lifestyle in many subtle ways. It looks different for everyone, but it can mean walking around during meetings where you’re just listening, taking breaks to stretch throughout the day, or even taking the stairs more.
These simple lifestyle changes are what functional medicine is all about–supporting the entire body through small and reasonable actions. Take time to consider ways you can add more movement to your day, and if nothing else, get up and walk around if you notice that you have been sitting for a while.
Prioritize Vigorous Movement
Active daily movement is very important, but vigorous movement can be just as important for the immune system. Our bodies need the chemical reactions that occur when we get strenuous exercise–just remember that strenuous exercise looks different for everyone. We all have different health levels that determine what is and is not a challenge for us.
The human body thrives when it is challenged, so it is important to challenge your body a little each week. For some people, this might mean running or lifting weights. For others, it might mean taking a more difficult yoga class or participating in a dance session.
The goal here is simple–get your heart beating faster.
Spend Time in Public Spaces
Many of us think of public places as a home for germs, and while this is true, it isn’t always bad. In fact, one of the best things you can do to support your immune system is to regularly expose it to new germs and risks. The more general exposure your body has, the more likely it is to learn about potential risks and to identify ways to react to them.
It is important to remember that this is a good rule for those with fully developed and relatively healthy immune systems. If your immune system is compromised, it is best to explore what is and isn’t safe in a one-on-one session with your doctor.
Make Hydration a Daily Focus
Drinking water is something we are told to do from childhood, but in a world full of beverages, it isn’t always easy to guarantee your traditional 64 ounces of water in a day. Funny enough, the abundance of beverages that do not hydrate us makes it even more important to prioritize traditional hydration.
Your body’s immune system needs that hydration too, so drink up!
Seek Medical Care Quickly When Problems Arise
The immune system is complicated, and sometimes, the act of being sick can actually cause it to struggle even more than usual. To protect your immune system, it really helps to make sure that you seek medical attention if something feels wrong. There are some illnesses that really shouldn’t be managed at home, and it helps to get extra support when you need it. Acting quickly, in some cases, can help to make sure that your immune system gets that extra support and can bounce back.
Support Your Immune System By Supporting Your Body!
The immune system plays a critical role in health by supporting every part of your body, so it isn’t a surprise that supporting your whole body can give you a great immune system boost. To explore personalized solutions for immune system health, it helps to connect directly with a functional medicine doctor.
If you are interested in learning more about a functional medicine approach to health or want to get more support for your immune system, set up an appointment with us today!
