COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on most Australians in work and personal life. You've probably read enough on the benefits of good hygiene and social distancing to minimise your risk. So here's a common sense approach on how you can boost your immune system and give your body a fighting chance. These tips apply not only to the corona virus but any virus.
Eat a nutritionally rich diet
There's no denying a healthy diet is a key to a robust immune system. But with all the health advice, what is exactly healthy? A great place to start is to follow an alkaline diet. It consists of 80% alkaline forming food and 20% acid forming food. Click here for a handy chart.
While endurance exercise can actually weaken the immune system, short bursts of high intensity exercise has many benefits. Regular, moderate exercise decreases the inflammatory response and increases immune regulation. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has the added benefit of improving your VO2 max, which refers to the body’s ability to use oxygen as energy. You can knock out a HIIT workout in 4 minutes and still gain all these health benefits.
Forgot to stock up? This may be the perfect time to start intermittent fasting. Studies show that intermittent fasting can fight inflammation and oxidative stress which improves immune function. Fasting for 16 hours or more has incredible health benefits. Don't worry it's not as hard as you think because you can sleep through most of it! If you finish your dinner by 8pm and have nothing till 12pm lunch you've completed a fast. If you can handle that, try stretching it out a little longer for exponential benefits.
We can all agree that being hydrated is vital for overall health. It's even more so during times when your body is coming into contact with foreign viruses. Your body's immune system uses lymphatic system to circulate white blood cells and nutrients to all of your body's tissues. Staying hydrated ensures that your lymphatic system has the lubrication needed to detoxify.
All infections tend to dehydrate your body. Under-hydration prevents your body's ability to fight infections.
Alkaline water has an added benefit over regular waters. Ray Kurzweil states that alkaline water can neutralise the oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Vitamin C supplementation
Vitamin C is vital for the function of white blood cells who are your army that attack viruses. Daily supplementation in this environment is key.
Vitamin D supplementation
When your immune system is being battered by viruses and bacteria it's important to prioritise sleep. Sleep also affects your immune system indirectly via your gut microbiome. To get a better night's sleep, don't underestimate the dangers of blue light so avoid screens.
Beware of negative thoughts
This is the most difficult one! There's a direct relationships between stress and your immune system. If you constantly experience negative emotions you will be subjected to stress and become more sensitive to stressful situations. Try and remain positive in this turmoil by directing your focus on what you can control and plan ahead.
I hope these tips help you become more resilient and come out the other end stronger. If you take away and implement just one point it will be all worthwhile.
So, what will you implement today?
I'd love to hear your feedback.
About the Author 
Tom (AKA The Waterboy) is passionate about natural health and helping others improve their wellbeing by following a natural alkaline diet. He is the director of alkalife working with his incredible team on a mission to empower the world on how to take control of their health naturally. He is also passionate about reducing his carbon footprint which flows onto a lot of business decisions too. His pet peeves are inconsiderate people, people that cut into your lane without indicating and ironing.
