According to Ayurveda, ojas (responsible for vitality, strength and resilience), digestive fire (supports better digestion and prevents the accumulation of toxins) and the tridoshas (vata, pitta and kapha) play an important role in improving immunity. When these three key concepts become imbalanced or aggravated, the body’s ability to cope with diseases decreases.
Therefore, to increase your immunity power in an Ayurvedic way, follow these healthy tips.
1. Eat a Fresh, Immune-Boosting Diet
As poor air quality is increasing day by day, it’s important to pay attention to what we eat. Consume nutrient-rich foods like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, berries, spinach, broccoli, fatty fish, almonds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, garlic, ginger, yogurt and green tea.
These vitamin C and antioxidant-rich foods are beneficial for helping the immune system function properly.
| Read More: Ayurvedic Herbs for Immunity Power
2. Maintain a Healthy and fit body
Being in shape is crucial for keeping your immune system in check. A Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 30 in adults slows down the body’s ability to defend against diseases caused by germs and viruses.
So, maintaining a healthy metabolism with a proper diet, appropriate calorie intake and regular exercise is the secret sauce for strong immunity.
3. Do not Smoke or Drink Alcohol
Looking at the current average AQI of Delhi, which has reached above 700 and fallen into the hazardous category, it is equivalent to smoking 10.4 cigarettes a day. Even if you are not a smoker, you still need to stay protected by wearing a mask outdoors and staying indoors as much as possible.
And if you smoke or drink occasionally, daily or engage in social drinking, these habits do not help improve immunity. Instead, such poor habits make you more prone to viral and bacterial infections, chronic inflammation, slow recovery and long-term damage. Therefore, avoiding these habits helps increase immunity in a natural way.
4. Have a Blissful Sleep Routine
Sleeping for at least 7–8 hours is the ideal sleep routine. Sleep is the body’s natural process for regenerating and repairing tissues and cells of the organs. When the body gets enough time to repair itself during sleep, our immunity is effectively boosted.
Today, when air pollution constantly exposes us to harmful particles and toxins, quality sleep becomes even more important to help the immune system repair and defend the body efficiently.
5. Maintain a Good Water Intake Level
Keep your body hydrated. Consuming 6-8 glasses of water per day helps flush out toxins (from polluted air and undigested food) and helps transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
A good water intake level also maintains moisture in the membranes, acting as a protective shield against pathogens.
6. Move your Body Daily
Sitting or sleeping for long periods of time also affects the immune system. Exercising, cycling, swimming, walking, practising yoga or performing any physical activity helps white blood cells detect pathogens earlier by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, balancing the stress hormone and enhancing the sleep quality.
Especially in areas with high air pollution, physical activity helps the body clear out inhaled pollutants more effectively and minimises their harmful impact on immune health.
7. Say ‘Nah’ to Stress
One of the key components of improving immunity and overall health is managing stress effectively. Keeping stress at bay prevents vulnerability to colds, delayed wound healing and inflammatory issues.
In an environment where air pollution constantly challenges the immune system, staying stress-free becomes even more important, as chronic stress can further reduce your body’s ability to fight off pollutants and toxins.
8. Prioritise Washing your Hands
We have all seen advertisements talking about how washing your hands is the doorway to a strong immune system. This is because our hands frequently come in contact with germs and bacteria, giving them a direct pathway to attack our body’s defense system.
In addition, with rising air pollution exposing us to harmful particles that settle on our skin and hands, maintaining proper hygiene becomes even more important to reduce the overall burden on the immune system.
9. Daily Dose of Vitamin D
Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D. Vitamin D strengthens the immune system by helping fight off viruses and bacteria and by reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases and infections.
Moreover, maintaining good vitamin D levels becomes even more important today, as it helps the immune system stay resilient against environmental pollutants.
Note: A suggested time for sunlight exposure in India is 15-30 minutes (between 10 AM and 2 PM).
10. Chyawanprash - Like Rajatprash by Pravek
Along with practising wholesome lifestyle habits, consuming Rajatprash –an Ayurvedic remedy for boosting immunity –can be beneficial.
This Chandi wala Chyawanprash is made with more than 50 quality ingredients like Silver Waraq, Desi Cow Ghee, Pure Saffron, Amla and Mukta Panchamrit. It is also helpful in general debility, infections and supports healthy ageing.
Moreover, the best chyawanprash like Rajatprash provides antioxidants and supports the formation of immune cells such as white blood cells, helping protect against pathogens and the harmful effects of toxins and particles from polluted air.
The best time to consume Rajatprash is in the early morning on an empty stomach with milk for improving immunity power.