In this post, we will cover 7 of the most effective ways you can improve your immune response and live a more fulfilling life. While CBD oil is a major part of our health journey, it is just one piece of taking a holistic approach to health. Our list comprises habits that are easy to include in your everyday life.
1. Sufficient, Good Quality Sleep
Recent research has linked sufficient sleep to a healthy immune system.
According to WebMD, most adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Furthermore, you need to spend 20-25% of your time asleep in the REM stage. So, while the amount of time you spend asleep is essential, quality is also a key component.
During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines. These proteins need to be increased when you have an infection, inflammation, or are under stress. Conversely, when you are deprived of sleep, you may experience a lower production level of cytokines.
One of our favourite ways to boost the amount of time you spend sleeping and the quality is taking full-spectrum CBD oil before bed.
2. Balanced Diet with Fruits and Vegetables
A diet with a sufficient amount of greens, especially vegetables, is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system. Most people don’t get enough vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants in their diet, but it could be solved if they just consumed a couple of portions of fresh fruit and vegetables per day.
3. Monitor Stress Levels
Stress is directly connected to the immune system. “When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. That is why we are more susceptible to infections. The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system (e.g., lowers the number of lymphocytes),” according to Simply Psychology.
The first step in lowering stress levels is recognising a problem and identifying what makes you anxious. Monitoring can be an excellent tool for finding a path forward and reducing stress levels.
We recommend making note of situations that make you stressed out and creating a plan to avoid triggering situations, places, or people. Monitoring your stress could lead to lower anxiety levels and, in turn, boost your immune system if you can limit events.
4. Take CBD
CBD works to boost the immune system in a number of ways. For example, anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the workload of your immune system. In addition, taking CBD regularly could promote better sleep and lower stress levels, both helping your immune system perform at maximum capacity.
We highly recommend taking full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD at least once per day. A regular dose of CBD oil or a CBD gummy can put your body and immune system in a better position to fight off infection, combat inflammation, reduce stress, and get better sleep.
The most important thing to remember when taking CBD is to use the products consistently. Your endocannabinoid system needs a regular dose to begin producing a healthy level of endocannabinoids and deliver benefits.
5. Sunshine – Vitamin D
Getting enough vitamin D is essential to living a healthy life. Vitamin D, provided for free from the sun, is another way to boost your immune system. Experts believe that Vitamin D regulates T and B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and keratinocytes. In addition, research links Vitamin D deficiencies to autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, MS, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.
6. Breathwork and Oxygen
Breathwork reduces stress and helps expand your lungs, increasing efficiency in oxygen absorption and supply. Diaphragmatic breathing also “strengthens the muscles of the chest, improves digestion and quality of sleep, and strengthens the immune system by reducing stress.”
Much like taking CBD, breathwork helps several of the critical factors that boost the immune system—practicing breathwork during yoga or when stretching can provide additional benefits increasing your immune system’s potential. We highly recommend practicing diaphragmatic breathing at least once per week for 20 minutes.
7. Zinc and Vitamin C
Zinc helps produce and optimize cells that mediate essential aspects of the immune response, such as neutrophils (white blood cell production) and natural killer cells. Both types of cells fight pathogens, viruses, and cancer cells. Zinc supplements are extremely cheap and can be bought at a chemist, health food shop or online
Vitamin C is another micronutrient that is critical to boosting your immune system. The antioxidant supports cellular functions, fights free radicals, and lowers inflammation. Vitamin C is also very inexpensive and can be found anywhere that carries supplements.
Take a Multifaceted Approach to Improve Your Immune Response
One of the best ways to promote multiple immune-boosting factors is with a CBD oil. A regular dose will help you get better sleep and reduce stress. Combine consistent CBD use with a healthy diet and breathwork, and you will be well on your way to boosting your immune system and experiencing a healthy lifestyle.