Exercise and Immunity
Exercise & your Immune System
From Corona virus to influenza, to just the common cough and cold, it’s never fun being unwell. Lack on socialising and the over use of sanitiser can weakened out immune systems this past two-years and you may find this Winter even harder to stay well.
We’ve got a series of great tips to keep your healthy and moving over the coming months!
First up is EXERCISE
We all have the habit of hiding away in the Winter and then come September rush back to the gym to work on our Summer bods. However, for your actual health and wellbeing it is so much more important to be training in the Winter!
Exercise not only helps to keep weight off and help us sleep better, reducing the risk of disease, but also does wonders for the immune system, giving us that extra boost to help avoid illness.
Benefits of Exercise for The Immune System
• “Immunosurveillance” – Each time you exercise, billions of immune cells are mobilised. They are released into your blood stream and travel around your body. Especially to your lungs and gut, there they’re need most! These immune cells fight off the harmful cells in your body and the more you exercise the stronger they get.
So don’t just think of your muscles getting stronger, but you’re all making your immune fighting cells stronger!
• Reduce Inflammation – inflammation is what causes are bodies to feel painful, not move properly and cause injuries. Over time inflammation can damage cells, whilst exercise can help reduce inflammation by releasing another type of immune cell.
• Manage body weight – carrying too much body fat can lower the immune function and increase inflammation. Exercise can help reduce body fa, decreasing the burden on our immune system.
Exercise and mental health
As well as being crucial to your physical health, regular exercise has also been proven to be as effective for your mental health as talking therapy and medication. It can do this by:
• Promoting the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain such as endorphins and serotonin
• Helping you sleep better at night, so you are more energized during the day
• Giving you a sense of achievement as you get fitter and reach your goals
• Training with a group to give you social interaction and a feeling of community and togetherness
Get Moving Daily
Top tips for getting your movement in:
• Book a training date with a friend. You are 50% more likely to attend a training session if you book in a date with a mate.
• Plan your training sessions at the start of the week. Add them to your diary and make it a nonnegotiable date with yourself.
• Take a 30-minute walk instead of sitting down to watch TV. Something is better than nothing.
• Get up 10-mins early to STRETCH. You would be surprised how much tension you carry in your muscles that can give you headaches, put pressure on you mentally and affect your digestive system.
So, however inviting it may be to stay cuddled under the duvets, not getting up and getting moving could be increasing your chances of getting sick. However many vaccinations and boosters we take, nothing can ultimately beat looking after your body with a healthy balanced diet and varied exercise.
Join us this June and you’ll pay nothing until 1st July, PLUS we’ll also give you 1-month FREE Creche membership, DOUBLE PLUS you’ll get a choice of either a free PT or Nutrition consultation to get you started. We can’t make it any easier to get out of bed, we’re making it as easy as possible on your bank balance! Get started on your 7-day trial today and start boosting that immune system!