Ways to Boost Your Immunity


Back

There’s nothing quite like a global pandemic to make you wonder how to boost your immunity. In spite of the challenges and risks associated with a pandemic, you are not powerless in your own self-care. You can incorporate healthy living strategies including regular exercise to support your immune system and overall well being. You have been socially distant, wearing a mask in public, wiping down surfaces, and washing your hands - well done. Let’s look at what else you can do...

How to Boost Your Immunity

While your immune system is complex and researchers are still trying to determine the best ways to improve it, supporting your health is a step in the right direction. Keep the following suggestions in mind as part of your self-care success: 

  1. Eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables
  2. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep
  3. Maintain a healthy weight
  4. Minimize stress
  5. Wash hands frequently and do not touch your face
  6. Exercise regularly
  7. If you drink alcohol, do so moderately
  8. Do not smoke                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Pilates to Boost Immunity

One of the first lessons and a continuous focus during a Pilates session is how to breathe with each movement. In Pilates, proper breathing expands and contracts the rib cage to keep the abdominal muscles activated while exercising. Effective breathing brings oxygen to your muscles to help them operate more efficiently. If your muscles are more efficient, it can improve your overall body function and ability to breathe with ease. 

The mechanical and physiological processes involved in Pilates can help move lymph from where it might pool in your hands and feet. Many Pilates exercises are performed in a variety of positions and relationships to gravity, which, along with contractions from your leg and feet muscles, can help move lymph. Unlike our cardiovascular system that has a pump—our heart—that moves blood through it, the lymphatic system moves lymph in a one-way direction through the body only through the motions of our muscles and joint pumps. So, movement of your muscles stimulates the flow of lymph. 

In addition, the focus on mindful movement in a Pilates session helps participants cope with stress and calms the mind which is essential to your overall health. 

When you move well, you feel well, and live well. We invite you to schedule an introductory session at Taylor Pilates and Fitness to see how Pilates can support your immune health and well being. Please call or text us at 303-472-6743 to schedule.