Sacred Tones Healing

It would be an understatement to say that with the way the world looks right now, we’re all thinking about our immune systems a bit more than usual. Over the past few months, as an infectious disease has-directly or indirectly-turned our lives upside down, most of us are looking for ways to protect the health of ourselves and our families. Even in “normal” times, however far away those may feel right now, having a strong immune system is vital for avoiding the many minor illnesses that float around workplaces, schools, and public places. Whether your immune system is compromised or you consider yourself healthy, there is likely room for improvement.  Luckily, when it comes to immune health, there are steps you can take to bolster it. Simple adjustments to diet and lifestyle can dramatically change the way your body protects you from disease.

1. Just Add Matcha

Of course, one of the benefits of matcha green tea is its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that help your body to fight against disease and infection. The more you can get, the better, and matcha is full of them. In fact, according to PubMed, it has as many antioxidants as 10 cups of regular green tea!  Drinking a cup of matcha is an easy way to bolster your immunity and can do more than many immune health supplements on the market today. The primary antioxidant in matcha, Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) assists your body’s production of T-Cells that fight pathogens, says Time Magazine. This component also helps to reduce inflammation, which is a characteristic of many common illnesses.

Studies have also shown that matcha green tea has anti-microbial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses. These are the same properties that help matcha to freshen your breath, as they prevent the bacteria that causes bad breath from developing in the mouth. This can also help reduce the risk of oral infections.

Not only does matcha help actively defend against disease, it also promotes health in many areas of the body, including the liver, brain, and digestive system. which means a stronger and more harmonious system over all, and that leads to better long term health. 

2….And Water

Staying hydrated is important for all systems in the body, and in terms of immunity, it plays a huge role in helping your body eliminate toxins and bacteria through the digestive system. Start with at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day and add more if you are physically active. The human body is 60% water, after all.

3. Reduce Stress

Psychological stress is known to suppress the immune response, and should be taken seriously. Managing stress with practices such as yoga, meditation, or journaling could ultimately decrease your risk of sickness

The stress-reduction benefits of matcha green tea, especially when it is used as a substitute for coffee which can raise stress levels, will also provide a boost to the immune system. 

That being said, if you are under severe stress, you should take other steps to mitigate that as well, because stress leads to inflammation and causes imbalances in immune cell function. 

4. Get Plenty of Zzz’s

One of the most important ways to improve immune system function is to give your body the rest it needs. Of course, we all have busy lives filled from dawn to dusk with a million things to do. The truth is, though, that without our health, none of the rest of it matters. We won’t be able to complete any of the many things on our to-do lists if we are ill, and not getting enough–or good enough–sleep is a sure way to get there. This is a cornerstone of immune health; if your sleep isn’t there, your immune system will suffer no matter what else you do. Prioritize getting at least 7 hours a night for adults, and 8 to 10 for children and teenagers.

5. Treat Food as Medicine

Look at your diet. While you don’t have to eat absolutely perfect all the time in order to cultivate a healthy immune system, a diet rich in whole fresh fruits and vegetables will provide ample antioxidants and nutrients to keep your body strong and fight inflammation. While most fruits and vegetables will do better for your health than any other type of food, focus on citrus fruits, healthy fats like olive oil and avocado, garlic, broccoli, ginger, yogurt, and, of course, matcha green tea, which is higher in antioxidants per serving than any other food listed. 

While you can’t control every aspect of your health and the world around you, there are actions we can take in order to protect ourselves against illness. These steps can’t guarantee that you’ll never get sick, but they support your immune system from all angles to give you the best chance of fighting off disease. Better yet, you can do this without medications or even drastic lifestyle changes. All it takes is some small, intentional shifts to put you on the path to having a strong and healthy immune system.