3 Simple Tips You Can Follow to Keep Your Body and Skin Healthy
In this fast-paced world, our daily tasks may be so demanding that we fail to keep our body and skin in check. If the going gets tough, it is always best to pay attention to your mind and body. Do not ignore what your body tries to tell you. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is important, more than ever, to keep our body healthy and boost our immune system.
We listed here three simple ways that you can start doing to keep your body and skin healthy. These tips may not be new to you, but take these as a reminder of how you should be taking care of your body and skin.
Exercising regularly has multiple benefits to our health. Studies have shown that exercise keeps the heart strong and improves blood circulation. When blood is adequately delivered to different parts of the body, your organs function at their best. Exercise also lowers your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. This helps prevent chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, and hypertension.
Exercise, particularly cardiorespiratory exercise, also promotes the activation of the cells of our immune system. Immune cells that are specialized in recognizing and killing viruses and virus-infected cells are activated during regular exercise. Hence, exercise is an effective way to fight off infections, especially during this time of the pandemic.
Aside from keeping your body strong and healthy against infections, exercise also have positive effects on your skin. As exercising improves your blood circulation, blood is evenly distributed on your skin, giving you a soft, healthy glow. The improved blood flow also allows the optimum delivery of nutrients to the skin, keeping it healthy-looking.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is great way to strengthen your immune system. Proper nutrition from a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and good cholesterol will nourish the different types of cells in your body, including the cells of the immune system. It is also recommended that you consume foods that are rich in micronutrients, such as vitamin A, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E selenium, and iron because these nutrients are crucial in maintaining the function of immune cells.
A diet composed of foods rich in antioxidants not only strengthen the immune system but also nourish and keep the skin healthy. Antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E, are known to eliminate free radicals that cause cell stress and aging. Eating foods that are packed with Vitamin C and E, such as fruits and vegetables, can therefore help in keeping your skin looking bright and young.
A healthy mind benefits the entire body. Stress due to everyday circumstances such as traffic, back-to-back zoom meetings, and the pandemic itself could trigger your brain to stimulate the production of stress hormones. These stress hormones activate the “fight or flight” response in the body, making your heart beat faster, cause you to hyperventilate, and stiffen your muscles. If this happens all the time, your general health may be compromised.
Frequent release of stress hormones can cause health problems such as heartburn, headaches, palpitations, increased blood pressure, and weak immune system. Your muscles can also become tensed and you may experience muscle aches and lower back pain.
Taking a break and calming your mind can work wonders for your overall health. Doing breathing exercises and meditation can help you clear your thoughts and relax your mind. Another great way to achieve a positive and relaxed mind is through regular massage sessions. Massage can ease your muscle and joint pains while relaxing your mind in the process. Massage relieves your stress and this allows your body processes to slow down and relax as well. Your heart beat goes back to its normal rate, your breathing improves, and your blood pressure goes back to the normal range. Special massage techniques such as the Manual Lymphatic Massage and the Moxa Signature Massage with heated Bian stone also boost the immune system and improve blood flow. Better blood circulation benefits the skin, keeping it glowing and healthy.