Mothers cannot afford to get sick. But sometimes, the stresses of parenting can leave our immune system vulnerable and unable to fight disease. While moms may be washing their hands throughout the day to avoid germs, they find themselves in a quandary trying to incorporate other well-known sickness repellents such as exercise, a healthy diet, and enough restorative sleep into their busy lifestyles. So how can you strengthen your immune system so you stay afloat and captain your ship? The following cold buster remedies will give your immune system the boost it needs to fight off that cold or flu.
EAT MORE BEANS
Legumes and beans, especially kidney beans, are rich in antioxidants and help our immune system by keeping the number of good bacteria in our intestines in a healthy state. Beans are also good for brain function, fighting cancer, boosting energy, our cardiovascular health, and keeping our bones strong. Beans are low in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and are a good source of protein, vitamins B5, B6, C, and packed with other nutrients such as folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, copper, and manganese.
USE LOTS OF OREGANO
Oregano has been proven to have antioxidant properties. Rosmarinic acid, the active ingredient in oregano, fights free radicals in the body, which contribute to disease. Moreover, oregano is one of the strongest antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal you can find. Oregano can be eaten raw and dry. Additionally, oregano oil, available in health stores, is very effective in fighting coughs.
PRAY, MEDITATE, LOVE
The power of prayer and meditation has been widely discussed. Studies have proven that prayer and meditation lead to increased antibodies to fight colds and flus. The better your meditation technique, the stronger your immune system. Prayer and meditation have been found to lower the stress levels of the body and aid with many other chronic health conditions. Specifically, one study showed that women who used meditation had more immune cells than those who did not. Moreover, physicians are recommending prayer and meditation more and more as a way to prevent and control disease.
HAVE A LAUGH!
Laughter can be a powerful and very accessible immune system booster. According to studies, by providing us with an emotional catharsis, laughter has positive effects in both the brain and the body and boosts our psychological and physiological health. A good laugh reduces the levels of stress hormones, lessens depression, enhances mood, and most importantly, stimulates the production of defensive immune cells to fight viruses. Laughter also increases the production of antibodies that defend the body from harmful organisms. Specifically, laughter increases the production of interferon, virus-fighting hormone that also regulates cell growth.
TURN UP THE HEAT IN THE BEDROOM
Sex does your body good! Sex decreases stress and improves how you respond to stress. Moreover, studies have shown that having sex once or twice a week was associated with higher levels of the immunoglobulin A antibody (IgA), which protects the body from cold viruses and other infections. Additionally, the soothing and relaxing effects of sex can stimulate the immune system and get it ready to fight disease.
Be prepared to fight that flu bug by eating more beans, adding oregano to your dishes, meditating, laughing, and having lots of sex. Now that’s a fun and easy way to stay healthy!
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