9 unusual but totally useful ways to boost your immunity

A lesser known after effect of pregnancy is the body’s inefficiency to fight off viruses. This is because pregnancy suppresses the immune system’s infection-fighting white blood cells to keep the body from rejecting the fetus as a foreign cell. Basically, this means that post-pregnancy, you are 10x more vulnerable to common cold or a throat infection.

Every family has a traditional remedy for these ailments, but here are 9 weird ways to avoid being affected by these viruses!

1. Laughing Out Loud

Research shows that laughing helps the body boost the release of it’s killer cells, making your body more defensive against the pesky viruses. So, go ahead and binge watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S or any of your favorite comedies. Even your doctor would suggest this!

2. A Little Melody

It has been proved that listening to music, especially while doing stressful activities helps you be more calm, as it releases immunoglobulin, an important antibody that helps your body fight against bacteria. So, plug in your earphones and get that music flowing.

3. Break A Sweat

Getting at least about 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week can help you catch fewer colds. The British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that adults who worked out five days a week had 43 percent fewer days with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms than those who exercised once a week or less.

4. Get Vaccinated

If you thought only children get vaccines, then you are wrong. Post-partum, your body’s immunity is very low, so getting a quick vaccine can help ward off the viruses for a while. Check with your doctor as to which vaccine is best for you.

5. Sock Puppet Feet

It’s time to bring out the socks again, as cooling your feet constricts the blood vessels in your upper airway, which can reduce your defenses against respiratory viruses. Keeping your feet warm is known to keep your entire body warm.

6. Wash It Off

Keeping your hygiene up to mark can drastically reduce the number of times you fall ill. This is especially because new moms are constantly around baby diapers, so it is a good idea to wash your hands after every change. If there is ever a time when washing your hands with soap and water isn’t an option, use a sanitiser.

7. Foooooooood 

Who knew eating food can help fight off viruses? Well, not all food, but there are many tasty, immunity boosting foods available for you. Consuming yogurt has a lot of benefits as it increases your immunity. Also, eating garlic, strawberry and drinking both green and black tea have been seen to increase immunity.

8. Walk And Talk

Having a social group with whom you interact on a regular basis can reduce your likeliness of falling ill, as having social ties gives people a greater sense of control and increases their self-esteem, which influences their immune response. So, here is an excuse to have a girl’s night out!

9. Zzzzz…. 

Never skip out on your sleep as this can make you more vulnerable to colds. It is difficult when you have a baby, but try your best to get your 8 hrs of sleep every night. Accept help whenever offered and be sure to get that beauty sleep at every chance you get!