How To Build A Robust Immune System In 5 Easy Ways April 16, 2020 – Posted in: Lifestyle – Tags: Samaya Ayurveda Supplements
There are so many books and articles written about how to boost our immune system. Many types of supplements are available in the market that claim to make us disease free but they are all full of synthetic ingredients. To me, nothing is more natural and effective than Ayurveda.
What I like about Ayurveda is that it gives modern medicine the tools to integrate the mind and body with a holistic approach to offer the promise of a long healthy life, free from disease.
Ayurveda teaches us that ojas (vigor) and strong immunity are the natural outcomes of good health, which depends on robust agni (digestive fire), a healthy diet, a supportive lifestyle, and a balanced nervous system. Hence supporting the immune system is often more about basic self-care than anything else.
Our bodies flourish with proper nutrition, and adequate sleep; they do even better when we commit to managing stress, cultivating healthy relationships, embracing joy and meaning, and living in alignment with our own authentic truth.
Continue reading for 5 easy ways to help you on a path of vibrant health, unshakeable strength, and a robust immune system.
Proper Nutrition
Tending to agni (digestive fire) is the number one way to promote optimal health throughout the system, which in turn, protects ojas (vigor). Generally, agni is supported by a diet that minimizes stimulants, refined sugars, and processed foods. Instead, emphasize healthy, whole foods, and be attentive to Ayurvedic food combining (see our previous posts).
Agni is also strengthened when you eat with mindfulness, maintain a regular eating schedule (eat your meals at consistent times from one day to the next), and ensuring that the Kapha and Vata remain in balance. For this, keep yourself warm and eat freshly cooked, warm, easily digestible foods.
Click here to find out which food combinations may do more bad than good for you.
Sleep
Sleep is critically important to the immune system. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation severely compromises immunity.
Try to go to bed and get up at about the same time each day, and aim to sleep for about eight hours each night. Making the time for appropriate sleep is also an act of self-care.
Click here to read about how to manage sleep disorders, if you have any.
Eliminate Stress
Excess stress is extremely detrimental to our immune response because stress hormones very effectively suppress the immune system—reallocating vital resources in order to ensure our immediate survival. Therefore, reducing your exposure to stressful situations will undoubtedly preserve ojas (vigor) and bolster your immune system.
Click here to read this blog on how you can manage stress naturally.
Exercise
Exercising regularly (but not overdoing it) is very important for immunity, because the more vibrant and active your tissues are, the more vibrant and active your ojas (vigor).
Daily walks and yoga postures are good for balancing all the doshas and especially suit Vata types, while more vigorous daily exercise is required by Kapha types to stay healthy.
In general, Ayurveda suggests that we exercise to only about 50% of our capacity—until we break a mild sweat on the forehead, under the arms, and along the spine, or until the first sign of dryness in the mouth.
Keep in mind that for most people experiencing a consistently high level of stress, a Vata-pacifying exercise routine that is gently paced and grounding is often most appropriate at first.
For Vata-predominant types, the ideal exercise program is typically very gentle, and includes calm, grounding activities such as walking, chi gong, or tai chi.
For Pitta-predominant types, the ideal exercise program is typically challenging but moderately paced, with an emphasis on relaxed effort throughout the activity. Appropriate forms of exercise for pitta types include swimming, biking, hiking, and skiing.
For Kapha-predominant types, the ideal exercise program is typically quite vigorous and challenging. Appropriate forms of exercise for kapha types include brisk walking, jogging, biking, hiking, martial arts, and other forms of strength-building, aerobic exercise.
Don’t know whether you are Vata or Pitta or Kapha? Click here to take our Dosha quiz.
Supplement with Herbs
According to Ayurveda, you should strengthen your immune system with immunity supporting herbs like Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Ginger etc. All these herbs are included inside Samaya Ayurveda Supplements. Also included are Ayurvedic herbs like Triphala and Turmeric, which helps to cleanse the bowels and strengthen digestion.
Discover Samaya Ayurveda Supplements – Vata
Discover Samaya Ayurveda Supplements – Kapha
Read this blog if you want to know more about Ayurvedic herbs.
The above suggestions will undoubtedly support the immune system, but it is equally important that you honour yourself and your own timing.
Ayurveda is a holistic and individualized wellness tradition; it is all about you—your unique strengths and vulnerabilities, and your personal path toward healing. No need to feel anxious or rush things. With this in mind, take your time. Approach change one manageable step at a time and celebrate the milestones along the way.