Our immune system is always working to keep us healthy. Understanding how our own body protects itself from germs, viruses, and infections helps us strive for a healthier lifestyle. Because having good health is our best defense. There are many myths about this that need to be debunked since there is no magic formula that protects us from certain external pathogens. One of them, for example, is that cold weather makes you sick. Many times, we get sick when the cold weather arrives. The question is why.
Being exposed to cold temperatures and feeling cold is what you need to reinforce your immune system and gain energy. When you expose yourself to the cold, your body reacts, and mechanisms such as burning fat or storing energy become much more effective. Cold is not your enemy, and exposing yourself to it activates the nervous system, raising levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, and beta-endorphins, improving vigilance and attention.
While it is true that when it is cold, people spend more time indoors, which leads to the transmission of germs among them (family members, coworkers, classmates, etc.). Closeness with others is the main way viruses spread, regardless of temperatures.
Another myth is that seasonal allergies are a clear example of weakness in our immune system. Well, it’s quite the opposite. Any seasonal allergy results from an exaggerated immune response that confuses small particles in the air with harmful microorganisms. Allergies are the distinctive feature of an immune system on high alert, rather than weak or deficient.
It can be difficult to differentiate between an allergy and an upper respiratory problem since they share many symptoms, but allergies are not contagious. The main difference is that an allergy is not caused by bacteria or viruses and is usually seasonal (improves or goes away over time).
While germs, viruses, or bacteria attack hundreds of thousands of our cells, our immune system is organizing defenses, communicating, and causing the rapid death of millions, or even billions, of these invaders. What we feel in this process (mucus, fever, sore throat, discomfort, etc.) is actually the effect of this battle.
Our immune system is the most complex biological system in the human body, apart from the brain. We talk about it more than ever now, but talking more doesn’t necessarily mean we understand it better.
What do we really need to be healthy?
It’s not a super strong immune system that we want, but a balanced one that keeps everything under control. An excessive immune response is as bad as an insufficient one. A well-functioning immune system knows how many resources to use to fight any infection. That’s why the idea of strengthening them to be more aggressive is ridiculous.
Today, we seek easy and quick solutions, but health depends on “boring” things that we don’t like to hear. We are referring to exercising, eating a balanced diet, and reducing our stress levels. We all know that these are good and essential things for us and our health, but we don’t want to do them.
Conclusion
If you want to keep your immune system in good condition and not be influenced by the numerous myths and “tips” about it, you should:
Get quality sleep
Sleep and immunity are closely linked, inadequate or poor-quality sleep is associated with a greater tendency to get sick.
Eat a balanced diet
A diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and proteins ensures that our body does not lack nutrients and provides antioxidants that control excessive inflammation.
Exercise regularly
Mixed exercise is the key. Both moderate exercise and intermittent intense exercise can strengthen our immune system. Studies indicate that even a single session of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, cycling, or running at a moderate pace, can increase the effectiveness of vaccines in people with weakened immune systems.
Avoid bad habits like smoking, alcohol, etc.
Toxins in tobacco smoke and alcohol can weaken our response to fighting diseases on one hand, but also increase the risk of autoimmune diseases.
