In order to avoid sniffles and coughs, desks full of tissues and sick colleagues this winter, we need to take care of a good immune system. You already know the basic rules: don't smoke, eat lots of fruit and vegetables, drink alcohol in moderation, wash your hands, reduce stress and get enough sleep. But there are also some slightly more unusual ways to improve the immune system. Today we present you 6 'strange' methods for a better immune system.
6 unusual ways to strengthen our immune system:
Cold shower
Research shows that a cold shower in the morning is said to improve our immune system. The secret lies in the shock that the body experiences when cold water pours over it. The body tries to warm up, so our metabolism speeds up, which activates the immune system and stimulates the production of white blood cells.
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Some are of the opinion that superfoods will contribute to a better immune system, while others say that fasting is a better solution. The latter should contribute to the regeneration of the immune system. Research from the University of South Carolina has revealed that fasting for three days allows the body's stem cells to regenerate the entire system.
Hugging pets
Petting pets is also said to contribute to a better immune system. It may sound bizarre, but it has been proven that the sound of animals purring has a healing effect on mammals. There is even a theory that this should also be transferred to humans.
Reception of bacilli
Studies have shown that letting children 'face' germs and dirt helps them develop stronger immune systems. Growing up in a sterilized environment is said to cause allergies and autoimmune diseases. The same applies to adults. We get the bacteria from foods with probiotics, such as yogurt, fermented vegetables and raw milk.
READ MORE: Why is drinking mineral water better than plain water?
Listening to music
Calm music can calm a stressful day or help us fall asleep, so it's no surprise that it's said to have other positive effects as well. Researchers have found that it lowers cortisol levels and increases immunoglobulin A levels. In more than 400 scientific articles, they found that “listeners to music have higher numbers of immune cells called natural killer cells. These attack bacteria, infected cells and cancer cells.”
Massage
Massage should also have positive effects on our immune system. In 2006, in a study at the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, they discovered that massage is supposed to help improve the immune system, as they recorded higher levels of dopamine and serotonin and lower levels of cortisol.
