Five Factors Are Causing Your Immune System to Deteriorate

Thomas Burger
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The events of the COVID-19 pandemic have served as a powerful reminder of why you should prioritize strengthening your immune system. Building a strong immune system is a wise goal, and these events have served as a stark reminder of why. The weaker your body’s defenses, the more easily your life can be derailed by whatever ailment is going around — and even though COVID-19 has done incredible damage, we have always been surrounded by diseases that have the potential to hit us hard. 

Unfortunately, many of us have immune systems that are weaker than those of our forefathers, at a time when being able to defend ourselves against infections is more important than it has ever been. However, there is no need to be concerned because the strength of your immune system is not fixed. If you address the issues that are causing it to deteriorate, you will be able to fortify your defenses and be ready for whatever comes your way. 

In this post, we will look at the top five factors that are causing your immune system to malfunction. You will be able to give yourself a boost if you take the appropriate actions. Let’s get started, shall we? 

1. Everyday Life Stress 

Dealing with stress is something that we all have to do, albeit to varying degrees. A healthy dose of stress is beneficial because it motivates you to perform at your best. However, prolonged or intense stress, or the type of stress that you must deal with on a regular basis, is a completely different story. This type of stress can lead to a slew of issues, including disruptions in your bodily systems and an inability to complete tasks despite your best efforts. 

If possible, take action to change the circumstances that are causing you stress. If you are unable to, you will need to devise strategies to change the way they make you feel. Learning to let go of things you can’t control isn’t easy (in fact, there aren’t many more difficult tasks), but it is possible if you commit to the process and keep an open mind about activities like introspection and meditation. Counseling can also be very beneficial in this situation! 

2. Inadequate Nutrition 

When times are tough, it’s easy to fall into bad, less-than-nutritious habits. Whether you regularly eat fast food after a long day at work or overindulge in alcohol on weekends, these habits can have an impact on your immune system. Make an effort to incorporate more of the fruits and vegetables you enjoy eating into your regular meals. Nothing too strenuous; just try to get as much done as possible. (Keep in mind that everything good should be consumed in moderation!) 

Consider taking nutritional supplements if you are unable to get everything you need from the foods you eat for whatever reason. You may have heard primarily about vitamins and supplements for immune support, as well as the provision of supplements for school children (getting children to eat sensibly can be difficult), but these are also beneficial for adults. Even though taking a multivitamin on a regular basis can be beneficial, you should still consult a nutritionist to see if you have any obvious nutrient deficiencies that require treatment. 

3. Extreme cleanliness or neatness 

Because of the critical need to keep COVID-19 at bay, we have all developed the habit of frequently washing our hands (especially when we have been in stores). As a result, the idea of reducing the amount of personal hygiene you practice may appear strange, and it may even be dangerous. 

Allow me, however, to explain why you should take this matter seriously (and, yes, you SHOULD wash your hands often). Our immune systems mature as a result of our interactions with our surroundings: they become more well-rounded as a result of defending against a variety of low-level threats. 

If you make a conscious effort to avoid anything muddy or filthy, you are denying your immune system the opportunities it requires to mature and become more effective. Then, when a significant challenge presents itself, you struggle to overcome it. So, what are some viable alternatives for you? Let’s get one thing straight: washing your hands is never an issue. It is advised to wash your hands frequently. The problem isn’t even caused by taking too many showers or baths, which aren’t particularly good for your skin. 

It’s not that; the problem is that people don’t spend enough time in places that aren’t mostly sterile (a problem that especially affects children in today’s society). In other words, avoid getting mucky and dirty in public places such as parks and fields, as well as developing a fear of germs. As a result, if you find yourself spending too much time indoors, make an effort to get outside, engage in some physical activity, and slog through some mud (after which you should wash off). It will be extremely beneficial. 

4. insufficient hydration 

We require water. Water makes up more than half of your body, believe it or not. We are mostly made up of water. As a result, failing to maintain a healthy level of hydration will have serious consequences for your overall health and will reduce the effectiveness of your immune system. For obvious reasons, and to our great fortune, this is the issue that can be resolved with the least amount of difficulty. 

Simply increase your water consumption

However, you should not believe unsubstantiated claims that there is a set amount of water that you should drink each day, such as a certain number of cups. The amount of water you need to drink on any given day will vary depending on the activities you engage in and the amount of effort you put forth. If you believe you are thirsty, drink some water. Drink a glass of water with each meal. 

5. Sleep Deprivation 

Even though it can be very tempting, burning the candle at both ends is a strategy that is unfortunately associated with success. How many stories have been told about how successful business people built their empires by working 120-hour workweeks? But don’t confuse success with health; that kind of schedule is extremely harmful to both the body and the mind in a variety of ways. When the human body is stressed beyond its capabilities, one of the first systems to fail is the immune system. 

Even with sleep medication, it is no longer possible to guarantee eight hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. That is not how things work at all. However, you can improve your sleep quality by engaging in some light exercise in the evening, installing blackout blinds in your bedroom, and limiting the amount of time you spend using electronic devices in the hour before bedtime. The more rest you get, the better you’ll feel throughout the day and the easier it will be for your body to fight infections.