With the onset of the pandemic, the word immunity isn’t a foreign subject. On the contrary, it’s all we heard. The best way to combat any kind of disease is to build immunity. Along with the numerous home remedies, myths and tricks people have suggested, here’s us decoding immunity for you.

Immunity is your body’s defense mechanism. It’s a complex biological system endowed with the capacity to recognize and tolerate whatever is good for your body and what’s harmful. Your body’s immune system works phenomenally by trying to defeat all invaders and microorganisms that could make you sick. Sometimes an organism can slip past your body’s defense mechanism.

The idea of boosting your immune system seems enticing, but the ability to do so has proved elusive for several reasons. The immune system is a whole system and not a single entity. To function well, it requires synchronization and harmony and sometimes a little extra boost to keep by that defense mechanism.

These are our best measures to build a strong immunity

• Get enough sleep

Ensure you get at least 8-10 hours of sleep daily. Your body defense works best when you are asleep. When you sleep, the body can focus on repairing and healing itself. A well-rested body can combat all attacks and this also helps in building a robust natural defense system.

• Eat more whole plant foods

Let your diet consists of whole plant food like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. These are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that may give you an upper hand against harmful pathogens. Several whole plant foods contain antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C, all of which may lower your susceptibility to illness.

• Exercise regularly

An active body helps neutralize all threats of diseases. With regular exercise, the body gains tremendous power to heal and recoup your immune system. Exercise helps your organs function well, gets your blood pumping, and even helps you sleep better at night.

• Maintain extreme hygiene

Wash your hands regularly. Personal hygiene is vital to keeping a healthy system. Regular showers, brushing your teeth twice a day, washing your hands frequently, etc., all help kill bacteria and foreign invaders from entering your body.

• Stay Hydrated

Water is the elixir of life. It detoxes your system naturally, so ensure you consume plenty of water throughout the day. It is advised to drink 8-12 glasses of water in a day.

• Manage stress levels

High-stress levels promote inflammation in the body as well as disrupts the immune system. It’s been proven that prolonged stress in children can even suppress the immune response system. Through meditation, taking breaks between work, exercise and yoga, Stress levels can be kept in check. It’s essential to maintain that harmony in your mind for your body to combat all attacks.

• Supplement wisely

Many times our food habits result in deficiencies in our body that weaken our immune system. It’s always advised to consult a doctor before taking any supplements even if they are available over the counter at any pharmacy. Your body must have the right balance of all vitamins and minerals. Experts can only advise this. Thus it is always recommended to seek expert help before taking any. It has also proven to be much more beneficial if taken with proper doses at the right intervals as advised by a doctor or expert.

Human immunity is such a complex structure and functioning unit that scientists are still exploring it. While you can see the market flooded with numerous products, It’s proven that immunity can be built only with proper changes to a lifestyle.

This is the need of the hour. Our choices help us fight against the uncertainties of tomorrow. The best offense is defense and that is why we need to build and protect our immunity to survive another tomorrow.