Right now as we speak, researchers are working on developing vaccinations to prevent the ubiquitous strain of coronavirus (Covid-19). But how do we make sure, we don’t contract it? There is no straight answer to it but according to many wellness experts, our best bet is building up a strong immune system. A combination of good antioxidant rich vegetarian diet, proper stress management and integrating minor lifestyle changes can help you stave of viral infections of the nature of Coved-19. When your immunity is strong, it is possible to fight the infection in an event that you contract it. Here are some very simple tips and lifestyle recommendations to keep your immunity roaring.

1. Food

• Have easily digestible, hot and light food. Cold, fried and sweet foods should be ideally avoided.
•  Have lot of ginger, black pepper, coriander and lemon.
• You can also have pulses, soups, old grains and butter milk
• Add turmeric to your food.
• Integrate Giloy in your diet. It is a powerful immunomodulator.
• Fermentation supports microbial immunity in the stomach during the winter.  Fermented foods also warm the body. You can have cheese, yogurt, and sauerkraut.

2. Abhyanga or self-massage

The presence of toxins or aama in the body can lower your immunity. So it becomes extremely important to make sure these toxins are purged out of your system. Abhyanga is basically the art of self-massage, an extremely popular Ayurveda based therapy that incorporates aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, which loosen toxins, relax the nervous system, and provide rest, nourishment, and rejuvenation. It improves blood circulation, works up the lymphatic system, moves the toxins through the lymphatic system to get rid of it and calms the mind and nervous system.

A study carried on 11 young healthy male athletes showed that massages worked on specific muscle cell genes responsible for reducing inflammation and releasing more energy into the body cells.

What You Need For Abhyanga

1.    Soft cotton towel

2.    Some warm water

3.    Paper towel

4.    About half a cup of Dosha specific massage oil

For Vata Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Calming Body Oil

For Pitta Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Soothing Body Oil.

For Kapha Dosha, you can try Shankara’s Energizing Body Oil

For Tri-dosha, you can try Shankara’s Sundarya Body Oil.

3. Ghee or clarified butter

Ghee helps the body absorb and use fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K. It has effective antiviral properties too, apart from generally boosting our overall immunity. It improves digestion and eyesight, keeps muscles healthy and detoxes the body. The omega 3 fatty acids present in ghee helps fight dryness in the body, which can become a thriving ground for multiple bacteria and microbes.

4. Yoga

Regular practice of various sets of Yogasanas mindfully, can help build better immune system. The practice of yoga strengthens your mind, calms your nervous system and purges the body off anti-immunity toxins by working up the lymph nodes. Some yoga poses you can practice for a stronger immune system include

Shishuasana (Child pose)

Clears the chest and improves immune system

Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)

This pose improves blood circulation, provides more energy and resistance.

Halasana (Plow pose)

This improves the working of the WBCs that safeguard the body against infections.

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

Dhanurasana (Bow pose)

Matsyasana (Fish pose)

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog) helps to decongest the lungs and protects the respiratory system

5. Meditation

In dealing with infections as severe as Coronavirus, stress is your number one enemy. Stress can compromise one’s immune system and make it harder for your body to respond to treatments in dealing with viral and bacterial infections. One of the most effective antidotes to stress continues to be meditation. Here’s everything you need to know about meditation including its benefits and how to do it.

6. The gift of Panchakarma or the total body cleanse

Panchakarma or holistic detoxes are strongly recommended to balance the Doshas in the body and remove the toxins from the deepest body tissues. The detoxes also substantially help in reducing the stagnation of body fluids, better circulation of blood, give you the best digestive detox, and build immunity. 

Panchakarma is a set of cleansing processes prescribed by Ayurvedic doctors, based on the Dosha constitution of an individual. These treatments, using natural oils and lepas or masks, are tailor-made targeting the specific imbalances and Aama or toxins in the body.

Studies have shown, environmental factors like industrial and vehicular pollution can also compromise one’s immune system. One of the quieter and heavenly places for finest Panchakarma treatments in the arms of nature that few people know about is the Art of Living Retreat Center, nestled at the top of Blue Ridge Mountains. The center has all the ingredients-spa retreats, Panchakarma retreats, Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda retreat among other wellness retreats-that go into making a relaxed and rejuvenating vacation with some quality soul-time.

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