A concise guide to strengthening the body’s defences, in the Covid-19 era

In a period of health crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, strengthening the immune system is a major issue for health prevention.

The immune system is our body’s complex system that is responsible for defending itself against harmful agents such as viruses, bacteria and dangerous chemicals.

With every seasonal change, the human body experiences changes in energy levels, metabolism and even dietary preferences.

A natural consequence of the seasonal change is frequent viral infections due to the body’s reduced defences.

Key factors that affect the body’s defence:
– overweight,
– smoking,
– lack of sleep,
– sedentary life,
– avoiding the sun,
– the observance of hygiene rules, both in everyday life
(hand washing, etc.), as well as in cooking and
– the diet

Simple health prevention steps:

A balanced diet is the basis for good health and a strong immune system. Enriching our diet with antioxidant foods strengthens the immune system and fights viruses.

The exercise of our choice needs and is recommended to be done systematically 3-4 times a week (based on the WHO guidelines, 150′ per week).

Exposure to sunlight for more than 20 minutes a day strengthens our skeleton and boosts our immune system.

Changing habits, such as smoking, is an additional protective factor. Quitting helps reduce cardiovascular events and respiratory infections, to which smokers are prone due to chronic bronchitis.

Proper hygiene and our compliance and adaptation to the rules that are daily promoted by experts and the media are factors that protect us all.

The correct use of a face mask (at this time and for as long as necessary) limits the spread of viral infections and is a factor of personal protection and public health protection.

‘The period we are going through is a
global test of humanity’s survival. It is our return to simple rules of compliance with meticulous hygiene, it is a test of solidarity.
and collective effort to protect
public health.’

The only certainty is that only together can we succeed. It is, perhaps, our opportunity to learn to act as a whole and purposefully as a society, with the aim of
for the common good! It is worth trying for the benefit of all of us.