Ways to Boost Immune Health

Get a full night's sleep - Our body needs 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.   Breathing exercise - Start the morning with a short 5 minute breathing exercise after which drink a glass of warm filtered water and include a slice of lemon if you have it. This will help to cleanse and lubricate your digestive system.   Drink plenty of water - Most headaches occur because of inadequate consumption of water. Headaches and thirst are both signs of dehydration. You should be drinking water, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds (1 kg = 2.2 pounds). (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.)   Stop drinking coffee - Chocolate and coffee are two of the worst things you can do to your health. Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you. If you drink coffee, make sure you add two extra glasses to your water intake per cup of coffee.   Reduce intake of sugar - You will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly when you break the cravings and stop eating refined sugar. Healthier sugars such as agave and stevia do exist, but avoid artificial sweeteners; they are even worse than cane sugar.   Nurture yourself – Take some time out for yourself - spend time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage/hot bath, or an energy work session. Our bodies respond to our emotions - if you're feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold. Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love, giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and the world around you.   Eat Like Peter Rabbit - Malnutrition impairs immune function. French fries, soft drinks and junk food don’t build strong white blood cells either. It’s the  virtuous, self-righteous diets high in fruits, vegetables and nuts that promote immune health, presumably because they’re rich in nutrients the immune system requires. Adequate protein intake is also important; the source can be plant or animal.