By  Noelia Aquino

Keep your body Virus-Proof

Here are five tangible steps that you can take to help boost your immune system and keep yourself safe and healthy throughout quarantine.

The immune system has been the talk of the show ever since the Coronavirus outbreak started and we’ve all been staying at home because of quarantine. The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that help fight against infections. It attacks germs in the body and helps keep us healthy.

Step 1 to Virus-Proof Your Health

Eat more fruits and vegetables, They provide good sources of vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Those such as: Vitamin A, C, E, B Complex, selenium, zinc, iron and folic acid. Consuming more of them and a variety will help maintain a healthy immune system, gut, and aid in digestion. If you’re worried about fresh fruits and vegetables not lasting long, frozen and some canned ones will do just fine! They still hold most of their nutrients and fruits and vegetables are frozen at their peak ripeness.

Step 2 to Virus-Proof Your Health

Consume enough vitamin C, Vitamin C is important for a healthy immune system response. Our bodies cannot make vitamin C, so we have to consume it in the foods we eat every day. Foods rich in Vitamin C and other important vitamins and minerals that will boost your immune system are: citrus fruits (oranges, lime, lemon, grapefruit, etc.), papaya, kiwi, spinach, red bell pepper, kale, brussels sprouts, ginger, turmeric, strawberries, broccoli just to name a few.

Step 3 to Virus-Proof Your Health

Move your body: Regular exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. Regular exercise reduces stress + promotes good circulation which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body and work as efficiently as possible.

Step 4 to Virus-Proof Your Health

Keep your personal hygiene and surroundings clean: Wash your hands, sanitize your surfaces (such as phones, controls, counters, etc.), and make sure to cough/sneeze into your elbows, not hands.

Step 5 to Virus-Proof Your Health

Get Adequate Sleep: You should be getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night. If your sleep schedule is interrupted by a busy work-day or week, try to get in a 20-30-minute nap in your day. Adequate sleep helps decrease stress levels which is important. Make sure to get enough sleep because sleep deprivation has negative effects on the immune system.

Noelia Aquino, says “Taking control of your health is the best health care.”