You’ve heard that things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising are ways to boost your immune system and help prevent you from getting sick. But did you know that there are lots of other ways that you can maximize your immune system’s ability to ward off illness? Here are six additional ways to give your immune system a boost:
- Go for a hike. Any kind of exercise is a good idea, but where you exercise can make a difference. Hiking outside in the woods can be a great immunity booster – in fact, a Japanese study from 2009 showed that hiking can result in higher levels of white blood cells and other immune system boosters.
- Get a massage. When our bodies experience stress, they release cortisol, a hormone that can cause the body to crave unhealthy foods like sugars, fats, and carbohydrates. Indulging in these foods can deplete the immune system. Getting a relaxing massage is an effective way to reduce cortisol levels in the body and increase levels of serotonin and dopamine.
- Take a cold shower. A cold shower might not sound pleasant, but it does have its benefits! Research shows that the body increases its metabolic rate as it tries to warm up, which boosts your immune system. You might feel cold, but you’ll be less likely to catch one!
- Listen to peaceful music. Mellowing out with soothing music lowers cortisol levels and increases levels of the natural immune booster immunoglobulin A. Plus, it’s a great way to de-stress at the end of a long day!
- Visit a chiropractor. Last, but certainly not least, you should visit a chiropractor! Did you know that your immune system could be suffering because your bones are out of alignment? A chiropractic adjustment can raise white blood cell count, which means you will be less likely to get sick. In fact, a study in Psychology Today revealed that patients who received regular chiropractic adjustments during the 1917-18 flu epidemic had a mortality rate of 0.25 percent versus 5 percent among those who did not receive chiropractic care.
At Atlanta Pain & Rehab, we specialize in providing the highest quality chiropractic care to victims of accidents and those struggling to manage chronic pain and illness. If you’ve never seen a chiropractor before, there’s no better time than now to get in touch with us to learn how chiropractic care can improve your health and quality of life. We offer gentle and affordable treatment and have helped hundreds of patients throughout Georgia.
Contact an Atlanta chiropractor today at (404) 620-4010.