5 ways to boost your immune system with physical activity

The immune system is a very powerful defense mechanism that the body uses to fight off illnesses and infection. When it works properly it is able to protect our organs and keep us healthy. A weakened immune system will struggle to ward off infections and other illnesses making the body more vulnerable. This is why it is important to take steps to protect and boost our immune system in the face of a global pandemic.

While a strong immune system will not prevent you from contracting the COVID-19 virus, your body will be better able to fight the virus if your immune system is in great shape. And one easy way to boost your immune system is to ensure that you are exercising regularly.

1 - Move your body

The most basic rule of exercise and physical activity is to keep moving. 150-300 minutes of physical activity is recommended weekly to maintain an active lifestyle. That’s about 20-40 minutes per day. Remember this doesn’t need to happen all at once and it doesn’t have to be traditional exercise.

2 - Make use of the time indoors

Being stuck inside is no excuse to not move your body. You can try working out to an exercise video or coming up with your own exercise routine. If your home has stairs you can go up and down the stairs briskly for 10-15 minutes 3 times per day as that also counts as exercise.

3 - Do some yoga

Yoga is a great low impact way to exercise. It has the added benefit of lowering anxiety while helping you with mindfulness. If you prefer to do yoga from the comfort of your home all that’s required for most poses is a good mat and there are tons of instructional videos available for free on Youtube.

4 - Dance it out

You don’t have to be a great dancer to enjoy the benefits of a dance session. Out on some music and dance for 15-20 minutes to get your heart rate up.

5 - Get outside

Outdoor activities are also a great option for exercise because many of them tend to be more fun. Whether you choose to go for a bike ride, hike, jog, tackle some gardening, or other yard work, that movement will count as exercise. Bonus points if you actually enjoy the activity.