As we hear the word mindfulness, most of us think that it is hard and it is something that we have to practice following a specific guideline by sitting in a cross legged position closing our eyes. But in reality it is not true and as complicated as it sounds, it gets a lot easier, but obviously with some practice and consistency. It simply means paying attention to your thoughts, whether it be positive or negative.
We all experience every types of emotions in our everyday lives. Some emotions are positive that brings us happiness and joy and some emotions are negative that makes us sad and unhappy. Positive emotions lifts our spirit, gives us energy, motivates us whereas negative emotions drains our energy making us feel demotivated, unhappy and helpless. As a human being we are greatly bestowed by the gift of imagination. This can be one of the greatest gifts if we use it correctly to think, observe our thoughts and emotions, create new ideas, solve problems, to learn and to grow and it can also be one of the greatest curse if we do not use it correctly by overthinking, causing psychological stress, developing toxic attitude and behaviors leading to unhappy life, diseases and illnesses.
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The way our body works and the various systems that function inside our body is so vast and amazing. One of the bodily system that works really hard to fight off diseases and infections is our immune system. Immune system is the body`s natural defense mechanism against foreign bodies like bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites. A strong immune system makes us healthy by fighting off the foreign pathogens that invade our body and cause disease and illness. A weakened immune system means the body`s natural defense mechanism may not function properly and is more susceptible to diseases and infections.
There are various ways to keep our immune system strong and stay healthy in our everyday life. Lifestyle habits, diet, adequate rest etc are some of the major factors that directly affect our immune system. Here are some of the foods that can strengthen our immune system and keep diseases and illnesses at bay making us healthy.
Vitamin C rich foods: Eat a well balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Incorporate immune boosting foods in your diet like citrus fruits and vegetables which are a great source of vitamin C that helps in increasing White Blood Cells in your body. Bell peppers, oranges, wide array of berries, broccoli etc are all rich in Vitamin C that strengthens the immune system. But make sure you are getting the organic ones that are free of chemicals and pesticides.
Medicinal mushrooms: Mushrooms like Reishi, Shiitake, Lion`s mane, Turkey tail etc or even simple button mushrooms contain powerful ingredients that increase the antioxidant property of the body by scavenging the free radicals. They also enhance the various components of the immune system like increased WBC and killer cells which engulf cells affected by viruses and pathogens. I personally like using SACRED 7 Organic Mushroom Extract Powder – Reishi, Maitake, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Chaga – 226g – Supplement – Add to Coffee/Shakes/Smoothies (Original) in my smoothies and teas and even sprinkle them on my food. If you plan to use mushroom supplements just make sure they are 100% organic and ethically sourced and preserved.
Probiotics: Another immune boosting foods are probiotics like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha etc. They help your immune system by balancing the healthy gut flora in the gastrointestinal system and also by releasing the antibacterial peptides that kill the harmful bacteria in the gut. I always make my own sauerkraut from organic cabbage and add them to my meals. Its super easy to make with very few ingredients. You can also add good probiotic supplement in your daily life. I try making my own probiotics from fermented foods most of the time. Besides them, I also use a good quality, organic, raw probiotic supplement to keep myself healthy from Garden of Life – RAW Probiotics 5-Day Max Care – Powder Banana Flavor – Acidophilus Probiotic Support for Digestive and Immune System – Gluten, Soy, GMO-Free, Certified Organic – 2.4 oz
Spices: Just adding a dash of spices in your food makes them burst with flavors and also give your body a healthy dose of immune boosting properties. Spices like turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric contains curcumin which is the active constituent of turmeric. It is antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic. Besides these, it is also found to be protective against cancer. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which kills bacteria, virus and parasites in the body that can cause illness. The essential oils in cinnamon have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties preventing the body from diseases and strengthening the immune system. So next time you want that extra flavored dish, be sure to add some spices in your food and enjoy the benefits of having a strong immune system and healthy body.
