Written by: Jasmine Kelly-Stephens, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Think back to the health goals you set earlier this year. Actually, think back to the last two years you’ve been through. What comes to mind?
In order to achieve your health goals and to fare better in time of crisis, it is imperative that you support your immune system in a meaningful way. That is especially applicable to women entrepreneurs who are natural multitaskers and tend to neglect their own health. It is important to note that having a healthy and functioning immune system is vital to operating your business.
Unfortunately, this topic has not gotten enough attention over the past couple of years, time, and that is why I want to bring it to the forefront. Strengthening your immune system goes hand in hand with your business and health and wellness goals.
Imagine this… sitting at your computer day in and day out, sleeping every night for 7-9 hours or having daily conversations with a loved one or a friend. Imagine while you are doing all that and more your immune system is tirelessly working 24/7 to protect you and keep you safe. This overall complexity and intelligence of the immune system truly illustrates evidence that we are “fearfully and wonderfully created”.
So how do you get such a highly organized defense system to work nonstop against its intruders? Well, it’s all about being proactive about your health and well-being. When you strengthen your immune system, you’re creating a healthier, stronger, leaner, fitter mind, body and spirit, which in turn makes you the strong and confident entrepreneur you desire to be.
Here are 5 ways you can strengthen your immune system:
1. Eat real whole foods
When you’re working most of the day it can be a struggle to find healthy foods and eat regularly. This is where planning comes into play. This will ensure that you are fueling your body adequately. To optimize your immunity, make sure to have a balanced diet that is packed with whole plant-based foods such as fruits, veggies (especially green leafy greens), nuts, legumes. These foods contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and vitamin C, which all can help you fight illness.
2. Stay hydrated
We often hear that water is important and that we should drink something like a gallon a day. You’ll be pleased to know that you don’t need to guzzle down a gallon a day. Your body is incredible efficient at telling you exactly when it’s thirsty. With that said, proper hydration is essential for every organ system in your body, including your immune system! The immune system is highly dependent on the nutrients in your blood stream, and your blood stream is made mostly of water! Since dehydration is linked with lowered immunity, you want to avoid dehydration. Since everyone’s hydration requirement varies, a good rule of thumb is to drink at least half your bodyweight in ounces in water or aim for at least 64 ounces a day.
3. Engage in physical activity
Operating a business is no small feat, and it can get really challenging squeezing in time in your already busy schedule for some physical activity. Moderate physical exertion helps to flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways and increases circulation of the immune cells, greatly reducing the chances of getting cold, flu or other viral illnesses. Exercise also proves helpful in slowing down the release of stress hormones. Many diseases attack when we are stressed and vulnerable, so lower stress hormones protect from many illnesses in this way.
4. Get adequate sleep and REST
Studies show not getting enough quality sleep increases inflammation causing immune imbalance, which makes you more susceptible to getting sick. Our body needs regular sleep and rest so that it can perform at its best and fend off any illnesses and symptoms that come its way. Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night with a regular sleep pattern. This helps to create a regular cycle for the body to help restore, rejuvenate, and improve the immune system and make it stronger. Taking a brief nap during the day is also important and helps to switch the mind off and relax, which leads to strengthening and balancing of the immune system.
5. Make time to destress
Being chronically stressed is linked to inflammation in your body, which can affect your immune cell function. It is very important to build stress management into your routine in the form of biblical meditation, prayer, journaling, exercise, or anything else that helps you burn off stress.
As Kingdom women entrepreneurs, who are called to a higher standard, we are hyper-focused on our calling and our passion. We are intent on creating IMPACT and attending to our assignment. Sometimes we lose sight of what’s important and our health is the first thing to be placed on the back burner. Over time, that can result in a compromised immune system, which causes our amazing Kingdom work to backfire. It is so much better to be proactive about your health and well-being… because the fact is, your business is only as healthy as you are.
Jasmine Kelly-Stephens, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jasmine Kelly-Stephens is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach and an Amazon 1 Best Selling Author.
After her long struggle with sugar and the effect it had on her energy and productivity,
Jasmine was determined to feel like her old vibrant self again. That journey led her to a personal trainer who later introduced her to an Integrative Doctor.
This journey not only helped her successfully change her relationship with food but it also resulted in a love and passion for all things health and wellness. Jasmine is now on a mission to empower other Kingdom women entrepreneurs struggling with overwhelm, reclaim their health and realign their priorities, so that they can confidently and abundantly fulfill their God-given assignment…using sound biblical principles. Jasmine believes that your business is only as healthy as you are, and she wants to help you keep it that way.
