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Posted in DIYs by Rocky Mountain Oils

3 Ways To Strengthen Your Immune System

Your immune system is your body's built-in defense system, beautiful and powerful. It is your bodyguard, always looking out for you, always having your back.

As your own personal security system, your immune system is meant to protect and defend you from harmful germs and illnesses. It is composed of a network of cells and proteins that work together to form the formidable defense structure that helps keep you healthy. Your immune system's main fighting troops are your white blood cells. Together with your antibodies, they help fight off unwelcome intruders and keep your body healthy.

Although your immune system is strong and powerful, it sometimes needs a bit of support to get it back into top gear. Sometimes your white blood cells can get momentarily overwhelmed or overrun by invading organisms like viruses or bacteria. It is then when you usually start to feel sick, as your white blood cells are forced to regroup, rethink their strategy, and figure out a new battle plan to defeat the harmful intruder. 

Adopting these 3 techniques into your lifestyle can greatly help your immune system in times when it needs it the most. Even more, trying out these techniques can help improve your quality of life, and keep you happy and healthy for longer. 

1. Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Getting all your necessary nutrients from healthy food is essential to supporting and strengthening your immune system. Many plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices are incredibly important to your body because they contain antiviral and antimicrobial properties that can help fight off infection. 

Fruits and vegetables also provide your body with necessary vitamins, like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, that support cell functions in the immune system. Eating a healthy diet and balanced diet also ensures that your body is getting enough protein. The amino acids that make up proteins help build and maintain immune cells.

2. Control Stress

When you are stressed, your body produces the hormone called cortisol. Although sometimes beneficial, constantly high cortisol levels can mute your immune system and block it from responding to intruders. This leaves your body more vulnerable to harmful germs and illnesses, which explains why a lot of people find themselves feeling sick at times of high stress. 

Controlling your stress can also help you sleep better, which supports the rebuilding and rejuvenating of your immune system and body overnight. Sleep is the time your body produces and distributes key immune system cells. When you don’t get adequate sleep due to stress or other reasons, your body does not have the time or opportunity to produce these necessary cells, and ends up leaving your immune system weak and your body defenseless. 

3. Essential Oils

Essential oils are a great thing that can help you strengthen your immune system. Blends like Immune Strength or Immunity can help support your immune system through aromatherapy practices. Being plant-based, our essential oils embrace and contain the antiviral and antimicrobial properties that their plant sources have. Not only that, but the practice of using essential oils in aromatherapy is known to be soothing and calming. Essential oils like Frankincense, Carterii can lower stress and anxiety levels, which in turn boost your immune system. They are stimulating to both body and mind, and help activate the immune response. 

Certain essential oils like Lavender and Lemon also have antibacterial properties. In addition to aiding in stress relief, they also contain powerful antioxidants which can help your body remove free radicals, which are proven to damage your body and cells. Along with blends like Counting Sheep and Peace and Quiet, oils like Lavender can help improve the quality of your sleep, which aids immune system repair and regeneration. Both the Lemon and Immune Strength essential oils can be added to household cleaners to help purify and disinfect your space, as they have natural disinfecting and cleaning properties. These oils can help improve cleanliness and hygiene, prevent germs, and keep you healthy and happy.

It is important to understand how your immune system works, so you can do your best to support and strengthen it. Having a strong immune system is key to keeping you healthy and happy, and is essential to living a long fulfilling life.

Recipes To Help Strengthen Your Immune System

Check out these essential oil recipes that can help you support your immune system by keeping your space purified and your body soothed:

Better Breathing Rub

Are you feeling extra congested or trying to get over a cold? Try this recipe to promote deep breathing and general respiratory health.

Mix ingredients together in a glass container, like an empty 15ml glass bottle. Apply topically to the chest, or directly inhale the scent to promote deep breathing and support the respiratory system.

Clean the Air Mist Spray

Combine all ingredients in a 4-oz glass spray bottle. Shake very well before each use. Spray all around the room to assist in cleansing any airborne germs, and to provide an intensely fresh, clean-smelling home.