Corona-lemons? Boost Your Immune System
Make the best out of a stressful situation
Photo by Eneko Uruñuela
If you Google “how to boost your immune system” during a pandemic, you will get about 76,700,000 results in 0.83 seconds.
The results suggest a combination of eating healthily and mindfully, sleeping well, exercising and staying positive.
Vitamin C is the most popular supplement taken to protect against infection, as it contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions.
At present, no research specifically supports the use of any supplement to protect against COVID-19. Washing your hands often and practicing social distancing and proper hygiene can help protect you.
How to strengthen your immune system
Choosing a healthy lifestyle is the single best step you can take to keep your immune system strong and healthy.
Harvard Medical School states, “Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies,” such as the following:
Don’t smoke.
Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
Exercise regularly.
Maintain a healthy weight.
If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
Get adequate sleep.
Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
Try to minimize stress.
How can yoga help?
Research suggests that yoga boosts immunity. This can help you get sick less often and less intensely. Your body has the capacity to heal itself if you give it the right time and conditions, and yoga can make an important contribution.
Bhramara mudra, bee breath and yogic breathing are examples of how yoga can help you find equanimity during a crisis.
Bhramara mudra ("honey" or "bee") is a hand gesture used to support people struggling with allergies.
To practice bhramara mudra:
Bend your index fingers toward the base of your thumb and make contact (without adding pressure, just slightly touching).
Extend the little and ring fingers.
Place your hands on your tights or next to your body.
You may sit in silence and sense your breath at the top of your chest and neck, then let your breath fill your body, like an immunity shield.
If it feels comfortable, you may also hum like a bee (bee breath) to support this practice.
Yogic breathing
Yogic breathing, or three-part breathing, can help you use the full capacity of your lungs.
During this exercise, make sure everything feels organic and natural for your body — do not force anything.
To get started:
Place your hands on your abdomen and inflate it as you inhale, as though you were inflating a balloon. Exhale and release. Repeat three times.
Place your hands on your ribs and take three breaths, just as before.
Place your hands on your chest and breathe in this area.
Finally, inhale from your abdomen and bring it upward, toward your chest, as you continue to inhale. As you release the air, lengthen your exhalations.
You might even add a pause between inhaling and exhaling. (Inhale; pause at the top of the inhalation; then exhale in a long, slow manner.)
Stay strong, positive and support local business
In times of crisis, it is important to turn the “lemons” into positive actions, to transform yourself, support your community and stay safe and healthy.
Many yoga studios are switching to online classes due to the pandemic, so why not strengthen your immune system with yoga and, at the same time, support local businesses?
*Disclaimer: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.
NOTE: This content was originally written for the northamericanproject.com