Advertisement
From boosting foods to lifestyle changes to a healthy attitude
You want — no, NEED — to stay healthy and functioning at a level 10 to keep up with the demands of day-to-day life. There’s just soooo much to do. Bottom line, your universe needs you healthy.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Good news! While there’s no magic “healthy pill,” there are tried-and-true ways to take your immunity superpowers up a notch. Preventive medicine physician and wellness expert Sandra Darling, DO, shares her top tips for staying healthy.
“Let’s start with the basics: Wash your hands for 20 seconds, don’t touch your face and take social distancing seriously when around anyone who seems sick,” says Dr. Darling. “If you only do these three things, you’ll be well on your way to staying healthy.”
But there’s more you can do. Dr. Darling prescribes four stay-healthy strategies.
“I believe in the power of immune-boosting foods,” says Dr. Darling. “Choosing whole, unprocessed foods does wonders for overall health.”
Dr. Darling recommends these immunity boosters:
Advertisement
Living under constant stress, even low-grade, that continues day in and out, causes the body to produce too much cortisol, the stress hormone. Over time, elevated cortisol lowers your resistance to fighting off infection and contributes to poor sleep and higher blood pressure.
Protect yourself from stress and bolster your immune system with a few lifestyle tweaks:
A positive mindset is vital for health and well-being. Research shows that positive thoughts reduce stress and inflammation and increase resilience to infection — while negative emotions can make you more susceptible to the common cold and flu.
“Start your day with a positive thought or even a mantra such as, ‘I am well,’” says Dr. Darling.
If you’re ready to give it all you got when it comes to avoiding the coronavirus, consider these extra measures:
Advertisement
And sometimes, even with lots of sleep and vitamin C, superheroes get sick. It’s OK! The key is to take time off to recharge (and avoid getting others sick). In no time, you’ll be donning your cape again. But for your health and the health of those around you, make sure you’re fully supercharged before you do.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
An overactive immune system can be just as serious as one that stops working
The answer varies from person to person and vaccine to vaccine
The supplement shouldn’t replace a healthy diet, but it can help you get in your fruits and veggies
This spicy concoction can do more harm than good, upsetting your stomach and causing painful acid reflux
From nausea, weight gain and eczema, stress can affect your immune system in many ways
PFAS chemicals that make life easier aren’t always so easy on the human body
They can stop an infection before it gets you sick or prevent you from becoming seriously sick
A compromised immune system requires precaution
Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity
A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses