Coronavirus: how to boost your immune system and other ways to stay healthy

Coronavirus: how to boost your immune system and other ways to stay healthy

It’s difficult to exercise properly whilst locked inside or newly looking after children 24 hours a day. Not having access to our usual routine exercises, such as walking to work or walking to a train station can have a significant impact on overall health and the ability to fight off the virus should you come into contact with it.

Medical professionals say it is important not to rush to buy supplements and vitamins that promise to enhance your immune system.

There isn’t much evidence that such products do any good.

Instead, they recommend a variety of ways to keep healthy and maintain good routines.

Those most at risk from COVID-19 are the elderly and the immunosuppressed, so it’s important they follow medical adviec on how to stay healthy.

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Keeping a good diet

Dr Clare Bailey, a GP and creator of the fast 800 diet, recommends eating the right foods is essential to beating an infection and keeping your immune system on top of things.

She recommends the Mediteranean diet, saying: “his is widely seen as the healthiest, most nutrient rich diet on the planet, containing lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lentils beans, nuts, seeds, spices and olive oil, as well as some oily fish, cheese and full fat yoghurt.

“Not only is the Mediterranean diet high in health promoting nutrients, but the high fibre content is a great way to boost your microbiome, the trillions of microbes that live in your large intestine and which are so important for your health.”

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Sleep routines

Phil Lawlor, a sleep expert at Dormeo, explains lack of sleep due to inactivity can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infection.

He said: “This means it’s super important to get quality shut-eye at the moment but, with tensions high, many of us are finding it harder than ever to drift off.

He advised to not use your phone before bed and replace it with something else.

“To distract your mind, read a book or listen to music — something uplifting! Many people also find that writing down what’s on their mind helps to clear their thoughts.

“Try to stick to a strict sleep schedule — even on the weekend. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time, making sure to get the six to nine hours you need, will help your body to get into a routine and ensure higher-quality sleep.”

Maintaining good hygiene

Dr Sabiha Umarjee from online GP service Babylon stressed the importance of keeping yourself and your environment as clean as possible.

She said: “I can’t stress this enough. Rescue your risk of getting infections in the first place. Wash your hands regularly. Disposing of waste/used tissues quickly amongst many other measures will keep you safe.”

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