Now more than ever, it’s important to take care of your health and well-being. Whether you’re on the front lines in the healthcare industry or just trying to stay healthy at home, most of us are taking measures to boost the body’s natural immunity.
And, fortunately, there are plenty of seemingly minor steps you can take to help strengthen your immune system. There is no magic bullet, of course, but minor changes can have major benefits over time.
Here are some self-care tips you can try today to avoid sickness and burnout.
1. Sleep More
When you’re feeling especially stressed out, there’s a good chance you also aren’t sleeping well. And many studies have linked insomnia with reduced immunity. So, if you want to avoid sickness and burnout, make sure you’re sleeping well. Set a bedtime that gives you at least eight hours before your alarm goes off. And if you’re having trouble dozing off, consider a sleep aid like chamomile tea or melatonin. The goal is to retrain yourself to go to sleep at your new bedtime, so you eventually may not need a sleep aid. Prioritizing a healthy sleep schedule is crucial for
2.Get Your Vitamins
When you’re feeling stressed out, it’s important to understand that the effects are more than just mental. Many things are happening within your body, including cortisol release and vitamin depletion. You may hear experts telling you to eat well when you’re stressed out, and here’s why: Stress depletes your body of essential vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E. And when you’re feeling stressed, your body will quickly use up minerals like magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is so closely linked to stress that magnesium supplements are sometimes referred to as “chill pills.” So be sure to get a good mix of vitamins from your diet or supplementation.
3. Practice Relaxation
Try spending at least one hour a day in active relaxation. Choose an activity that works best with your lifestyle, and you can even switch it up from day to day. Some ideas include meditation, yoga, massage, and a nature walk. You might feel guilty taking a break in your day to get a massage, but you’ll soon get over it. It’s more of a necessity during times of stress because massage therapy can boost your immune system. On days when you can’t spare an hour, simply do what you can to relax during your day. But do try to get back into the habit of making relaxation a regular part of your day.
4. Take Breaks
Whether it’s a break in your day or an entire day off, do what is in your power to take a break from the work or other stress that you’re currently dealing with. If you can’t increase the number of breaks you take in a day, try to make the most out of each one you get. If possible, sit in a quiet space and practice mindfulness. You can set an alarm, so you know when it’s time to get back to work.
We’re in a time when everyone seems stressed, burnt out, and trying to keep from getting sick. And the best way to accomplish this (aside from the obvious social distancing) is to build up your body’s natural immunity by taking good care of yourself. These are things we should do normally, but good health has become more important than ever.
