local health brief

Three Habits to Boost Back-to-School Immunity

Heading back to school can mean earlier mornings, tighter schedules and the inevitable back-to-school illnesses. Here are three ways families can help boost their immunity and avoid sickness.

The first is diet. The USDA recommends eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily, but food is the number one way to boost the immune system, so eat at least six different colors of fruits and vegetables daily. For instance, green foods like spinach, kale, green apple and broccoli help detoxify the body, which will help to boost the immune system.

The second is sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids ages 5 to 12 years old sleep nine to 12 hours, while teens should be sleeping a minimum of eight hours, but as many as 10. As they go back to school, kids start staying up later on electronic devices, sometimes late into the evening. For adults and especially children, keep the room cool and dark, and turn off electronic devices, including smartphones, at least an hour before bed.

The third way to improve immunity is to reduce stress. A National Institute of Health study connects elevated stress levels to a decrease in immunity. Adults and children both need to learn ways to address their stress. Kids as young as toddlers can learn how to breathe correctly, breathing deeply through the nose. Taking deep breaths in times of stress will help calm the nervous system and reduce the impact stress has on the body and on immunity.

Dr. Michael Smith is a naturopathic physician, located at 1114 Sam Newell Rd., Ste. A in Matthews, specializing in immune system support and reversing chronic health conditions naturally. He offers a free discovery call at 704-486-2448. For more information, visit www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com.