6 tips to help strengthen your immune system

A strong immune system is more vital than ever during these times. Taking the necessary steps to further strengthen our immune system by maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help us fight COVID-19 and common illnesses such as the common cold or flu viruses.

AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, shares six self-care tips to strengthen your immune system by maintaining a healthy body.

1. Stay hydrated. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when too much water is lost from the body, the organs, cells, and tissue fail to function at optimal levels, leading to dehydration, headaches, indigestion, and kidney and heart failure. For your body to function properly, it’s important to replenish your water supply by consuming enough water. The recommended water intake is 2.7 liters per day for women and 3.7 liters per day for men. You can also stay hydrated by eating water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, peaches, oranges, cucumber, celery, and lettuce.
2. Get moving. Exercise can help you feel better, sleep better, maintain a healthy weight, and even reduce stress and anxiety. While staying at home, why not organize a 30-minute Zumba or yoga session with your family? The CDC recommends doing at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, which you can spread out in smaller chunks of time throughout the day. You can also start a moderately intense exercise routine such as bicycling, brisk walking, or jogging.  Any of these activities will allow you to spend quality time with your loved ones while keeping your body strong and fit.
3. Manage your sleep schedule. Studies show that sleep loss can affect the immune system, which can lead to a wide variety of illnesses, such as hypertension and diabetes and can trigger depression and anxiety disorder. As recommended by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, you need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to feel well-rested and for your body to function at its best. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you can try these suggestions:  avoid using your smartphone and gadgets before bedtime since the light from the screens may affect your ability to fall asleep; do not eat, consume caffeine, or exercise at least 2-3 hours before bed to avoid overstimulating your body.
4. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco use may lead to major health risks like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. If possible, avoid alcohol consumption, and if you can, seek safe options to help quit smoking. If you have a loved one who consumes these substances, it’s also important to note that giving them your support may help them avoid picking up the habit entirely.
5. Manage stress. Stress or anxiety can cause the body to produce stress hormones that can suppress the immune system and cause inflammation and imbalances in immune cell functions, all of which can put your health at risk. While it’s normal to feel stressed out sometimes, managing and handling your stress levels can help you start making changes that are good for your mind and body. If you think that the way you’re handling stress is taking a toll on your physical or mental health, you can always talk to your loved ones, consult a therapist, or practice breathing exercises or meditation.

6.    Start a health care plan.  Having a health care plan can be your financial safety net just in case you or your loved ones fall ill. To help Filipinos prepare for unexpected health conditions and complications, AXA Philippines offers Health Care Access, which provides comprehensive and affordable health care coverage for hospitalization and other medical needs through a quarterly or annual premium. This health care plan comes in two types: Health Care Access Prime and Lite. Health Care Access Prime is ideal for those who have no employee health plan like entrepreneurs, freelancers, and consultants, while Health Care Access Lite is perfect for those with coverage from their employer but need additional protection. Both policies come with a Longevity Health Fund, which you can tap into for health setbacks even beyond the age of 75, life and accident coverage up to PHP500,000, emergency care coverage, inpatient care coverage for hospital admission costs including doctors’ fees, inpatient surgical and special diagnostic procedures, and free access to 24/7 teleconsultation with a medical professional. Moreover, you can enhance the coverage of your plan with outpatient care, optical care, or dental care benefit.

Now more than ever, adopting healthy habits for a healthy immune system and having a backup plan can help safeguard your and your family’s well-being, especially during the pandemic. To know more about AXA Health Care Access, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/health-care-access.