Maintaining a healthy body is very important amid the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the things that we have to pay attention to is our body's immune system. Having a good immune system can help reduce the risk of contracting various diseases. Living a healthy lifestyle witha healthy diet can be one way to help improve the body's immune system. Reporting from the Healthline page, here are tips for improving your body's immune system.

1. Get good sleep. Sleep quality is closely related to our body's immune system. Many studies have shown that poor sleep quality can increase the risk of various types of diseases. Try to sleep at least 7 hours per day to help boost your immune system.
2. Increase the intake of plant-based foods. Plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are known to be rich in nutrients such as fibre, vitamin C, and good antioxidants that can help protect the body from pathogens and fight free radicals.
3. Increase the intake of “good” fats. Not all types of fat are bad for you. Healthy fats like those found in olive oil or salmon are known to help improve the body's immune system response to the presence of pathogens. Also, omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon can help fight inflammation in the body.
4. Increase the intake of fermented foods or probiotic supplements. Known for their probiotic bacteria content that is good for the digestive system, fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir can help improve the performance of the body's immune system. As you know, a healthy intestine is closely related to a good immune system.
5. Reduce sugar intake. Consuming foods with high sugar content is associated with a greater risk of obesity. Obese people are usually at risk of suffering from other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which affect the body's immune system. Reducing sugar intake can help reduce these risks and also reduce inflammation in the body.
6. Exercise. Many studies have shown that exercise can boost the body's immune system. There’s no need to exercise with high intensity. Light ones such as jogging, yoga, cycling, or swimming can also provide good benefits for the body.
7. Keep the body well hydrated. Preventing dehydration is important for maintaining overall body health. Dehydration can make the body more susceptible to disease.
8. Reduce stress level. Prolonged stress is known to cause inflammation in the body and cause an imbalance in the function of the immune system. Do activities like yoga or meditation can help reduce your stress level.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source:

• 9 Ways to Boost Your Body's Natural Defenses (2020). https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-boost-immune-health, 2 April 2020.