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Open House What steps can be taken to boost immunity in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic?

The number of Covid-19 cases is rising sharply. In order to ensure the virus doesn't infect us, we have to eat healthy food and avoid junk food. We must include salad, fruits such as papaya in our diet and also drink milk. We should also make sure the vegetables are fresh. Nowadays people prefer eating junk food at home and do not perform any exercise to digest them. We have to give some time on our fitness to boost our immunity.

Sanjna

Switch to low-carb diet, avoid excess sugar

The food you eat plays a key aspect in determining your overall health and immunity. Eat low-carb diets, as this will help control high blood sugar and pressure. To stay hydrated we should drink up to 8-10 glasses of water daily. It will help us to flush out the toxins from the body and lower the chances of getting flu. We must exercise regularly. It will improve our metabolism and immune system. To keep stress away, we need to do meditation as it will have a calming effect on us and decrease anxiety.

Lavisha

Follow govt advisories, safety guidelines

We should take care of our health to boost our immunity. Balanced diet, proper sleep and exercise can increase your ability to fight the pandemic. Various governmental apps, advisories, programmes suggest different ways to help maintain good health. We must maintain hygiene, stay at home and follow proper safety guidelines to keep the

virus at bay.

Paneet Kaur

Take good sleep,

eat enough fruits

To boost our immunity to fight the deadly virus, it's necessary to have a balanced diet. There are many natural ingredients as well as exercises which make human body physically and mentally strong. Our body needs adequate amount of nutrients that helps to perform our daily function which also ensures that our immune system is working properly. Another way that has been linked to more effective immune system is aerobic exercise. The survey also shows that the immune system goes hand in hand with being fit. For that we should start doing moderate exercise. We should include fruits and vegetables in our diet, get enough sleep, reduce stress to build up a good immune system.

Mehak Bajaj

Do pranayam, drink herbal tea to boost immunity

While being confined in your homes, you can increase your immunity by following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of AYUSH. Drink warm water in the morning. Prepare medicated 'kadha' by adding lemon, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon powder in boiling water and drink it after it cools down. These herbal spices are known for their ability to boost immunity. Daily practise Yogasana, Pranayama and meditation. Make it a habit for your whole doing yogic asans such as sukhasana, ardha matsyendrasana, matsyasana variation, uttanasana and viparita karani for strong immunity. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet and reduce the craze for junk food. You can also take giloy, which is an ayurvedic herb. Wake up early in the morning and sleep early at night. One more important step is to stop panicking, because anxiety also reduces immunity. Learn to stay happy in every situation of life. You can also go for acupuncture as it helps boost immunity system.

Manmohan Kaur

Quit smoking, alcohol

To boost our immunity we should consume a balanced diet. We must eat home-cooked food and drink lots of water to keep ourselves hydrated. Quit smoking, alcohol and addictive substances as they harm our immunity. The minute we will stop taking these our body kick-starts its natural defense system. Another important thing is to have a sound sleep of 7-8 hours. Compromising with sleep can create hormonal imbalance which can hurt our immune system and mental health. One of the main things which have a negative effect on our immunity is stress. Stress decreases our efficiency and makes us vulnerable to diseases. To cut stress we can practise meditation. Don't skip exercise

as it helps in getting rid of toxins and improves metabolism. We can limit our exposure to the virus by staying indoors, eating

healthy, and following basic hygiene protocol.

Ridhi Garg

Eat papaya, drink milk; avoid junk food

Following lockdown norms and government advisories is the need of the hour. Avoid eating junk food. Don't venture out of your homes unnecessarily. Follow a healthy routine to strengthen your immune system. We must accept the new lifestyle. After taking fruits, vegetables etc wash them thoroughly and use them at home. We must include milk, papaya, amla, bitter gourd, orange in our diets.

Srishty

Avoid sugar, consume healthy fats

Apart from staying at home and following social distancing, maintaining immunity is also important to keep Covid-19 at bay. If our immunity system is strong then one can easily fight with the virus. Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep can improve the immunity. We must avoid sugar from our diet and eat healthy fats. We must exercise daily and stay hydrated. To cut stress, we can watch positive videos online or play indoor games. Homeopathic medicines can boost our immunity. Eat always healthy food and eat vegetables and fruits to boost immunity so one may be able to keep away coronavirus.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts

To bolster our immunity we must take roughly 8-10 hours of sleep in a day and increase the intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts etc. in our diet. Obesity is the main cause of all diseases. We must exercise regularly to keep ourselves fit and cut the intake of sugar. One should not take stress also. In summers, staying hydrated is also necessary for our overall health. Some ayurvedic tips such as drinking warm water, gargling twice or thrice a day with hot saline water, increased use of garlic and ginger in our diet can also be followed to boost our immunity.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

Stay hygienic, choose unprocessed foods

Keeping oneself in a positive state of mind plays a vital role in the overall well-being of a person. Positive thoughts reduce stress and inflammation, and increase resilience to infection. Choosing whole, unprocessed foods does wonders for overall health of a person. Allicin, a compound found in garlic, is well-known for its ability to boost the immune system. In addition, robust gut bacteria also protect us from infection. One should keep these bacteria healthy with prebiotics that contain fiber, specifically insulin fiber. And, excellent sources of prebiotics are Jerusalem artichokes, green bananas or plantains, Jicama root and asparagus. Vitamin C is also well known to boost the immunity and it's better to get vitamin C from oranges, broccoli, kiwi or cantaloupe. Experts say that older adults who ate kiwi every day for a month had a significant decrease in the severity and duration of upper respiratory infection symptoms. Colorful fruits and vegetables including berries, carrots and spinach have antioxidants that protect us against oxidative stress, which translates to a stronger immune system. Don't smoke and take 7-8 hours of sleep, do meditation for at least five minutes a day and try to be physically active. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently.

Ravi Chander Garg

Eat right, be active

Try to consume vegetables and fruits rich in beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and other essential vitamins. Certain foods such as mushrooms, tomato, bell pepper and green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach are also good options to build resilience in the body against infections. Take minimum 7-8 hours of sleep to help your body build immunity, lesser sleep will leave you tired and impair your brain activity. Drink up to 8-10 glasses of water every day, to stay hydrated. A good diet should be followed by an exercise routine. It is recommended to exercise for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your stamina. Meditation is best way to relieve stress. Here are a few common supplements and superfoods that can help vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, elderberry, turmeric and garlic.

Vishali kalra

Boost immunity

for healthy life

Strengthening immune system can help you lead a healthy life. Drink warm water throughout the day. Take steam in case of cold or sore throat. Vitamin C intake should be increased. Use turmeric, cumin and garlic regularly in cooking. Golden milk, herbal tea with Tulsi, cinnamon and lemonade are natural immunity boosters. Regular exercise keeps the body fit and help counter diseases. Follow a balanced diet. Avoid junk food. Eat fruits and vegetables to stay healthy but make sure to wash them properly before consuming. Get sunlight for about 15 minutes early in the morning. Don't take stress and spend quality time with your family.

Rashim Malhotra

Follow diet low in carbs

The food we eat plays a key role in determining our overall health and immunity. Eat low carb diet, as this will help control high blood sugar and pressure. Regularly consume vegetables and fruits rich in Beta carotene, Ascorbic acid and other essential vitamins. Certain foods like mushrooms, tomato, bell pepper and green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are also good options to build resilience in the body against infections.

Jasmine Kaur

Follow government guidelines seriously

The Covid-19 has caught all nations off guard and become a grave danger to everyone. All researchers and doctors are trying their best to find a vaccine to cure it. Thus, in this time of crisis, it is our responsibility too to follow the guidelines issued by the government as well as the local authorities regularly. All necessary information regarding the pandemic is regularly updated on the official website of the government. We must follow social distancing, avoid unnecessary outing, sanitising or washing our hands properly if we go outside. Now, the government has given some relaxation so that our work is not affected, but guidelines must be followed strictly. Though officials are working day and night to contain the spread of Covid, some irresponsible people are not taking the government guidelines seriously. The situation is grim. If one person gets infected, his whole family and people residing nearby his residence may also face consequences. So we have to be extra careful and try to fight this battle against Covid together.

Rajni

Practise mindful eating

The Covid-19 threat has forced us to stay at home, so our social activities and social interactions have been reduced. To boost up our immunity, we must eat healthy and take out some time for exercise. Also, our screen time must be reduced and spend more time with our loved ones.

Harshpreet Kaur

Don't ignore your

mental health

We all know that physical exercise is important to lead a healthy life. But don't ignore your mental health. Not only physical exercise, but brain exercise must be done to keep ourselves busy and to stay away from negative thoughts. Read good books, cook food, pour your thoughts on a paper. Don't stress yourself in this period. Relax because a long-term break like this is not in everybody's fate. To boost your immune system, follow a balanced diet that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and essential fats. Sleep on time. Do not just train your body, train your mind too.

Smriti Chaudhary

Strong immune system can fight disease

There are many ways that can help you boost your immune system. Eat garlic, drink warm water and include more green vegetables in your diet. Do some exercise daily. Reduce sugar intake. Drink lots of water and do meditation or yoga. Sleep at least eight hours a day for a healthy life and strong immune system.

Khushleen Arneja

Stay hydrated to flush

out toxins from body

The food you eat plays a key role in determining your overall health and immunity. Eat low-carb diet as this will help control high blood sugar and pressure, and also slow down diabetes. Foods such as mushrooms, tomato, bell pepper and green vegetables are also good options to build resilience in the body against infections. You can have supplements rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for daily. Some neutral immunity supplements include ginger, gooseberries (Amla) and turmeric and there are several herbs such as garlic and black cumin that boosts immunity. Drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday. Staying hydrated helps you flush out toxins from your body and lower the chances of flu. A good diet should be followed by an exercise routine. Regular exercise of 30 to 45 minutes improves metabolism which has a direct correlation with body immunity.

Neha Chaurasia

Drink warm water, add spices to your food

Drink warm water throughout the day. Squeeze a lemon in your water to get your vitamin C. Practise Yoga aasanas, Pranayam or meditation for at least 30 minutes as advised by the Ministry of Ayush. Spices such as turmeric, cardamom, coriander and garlic are recommended in cooking. Use garam masala. Take a spoon of chavanprash in the morning. Drink turmeric milk. Add jaggery and fresh lemon juice in your food. Have honey for cough and use cloves and lemon in tea.

Jazi Arora

Eat home-made food, minimise stress

A strong immune system can help fight Covid-19. Everybody should eat homemade food. Vitamin C is one of the biggest immunity boosters. Consume foods rich in vitamin C such as oranges, strawberries, broccoli etc. Exercise or meditate regularly also boost your immune system. Get enough sleep and minimise stress.

Shivani Kumari

Prevention is better

than cure

Since there is no vaccine as yet to treat Covid-19, its fear of taking much higher death toll looms large. So only way to cure this disease is prevention and boosting your immunity. There are many ways to boost your immune system. Physical activity can give your immune system a great boost in a myriad of ways. Even sweating is good for immune health. One of the keys to a healthy immune system is eating right. When things are right in the gut, all is well with the immune system. Sleep reboots your mind and your body, so it's no surprise that it also reboots your immune system. So these are some ways that can help you boost your immunity and stay safe from Covid-19.

Deepantika Jain

Practise meditation, yoga & get adequate sleep

Boost your immune system to fight against this virus. Practise meditation, yoga and get adequate sleep. Drink enough water to stay hydrated. Moderate exercise can reduce inflammation and promote healthy turnover of immune cells. Jogging, walking and swimming are great options to boost your immunity. Several whole plant foods contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, all of which may lower your susceptibility to illness.

Nidhi Kumari

Stay away from alcohol

As Covid-19 does not have any vaccine yet, it is vital that our immune system must be strong to fight the same. Intake of balanced diet is pivotal. Also as per medical experts, fruits rich in vitamin C are necessary. Stay away or reduce the intake of alcohol.

Maan Kaur Saini

Avoid travelling,

take proper rest

Excess of anything is harmful and so is staying indoors during the lockdown. It has resulted in depression and anxiety among people. But it is important to stay safe and accept what we have. Boosting your immunity is also crucial to fight this disease. Eating healthy food and stay hydrated. Take probiotics and practise meditation. Avoid travelling and take proper rest to keep your immunity strong.

Ishita Katyal

Stress, insomnia bad

for immune system

Every responsible individual must contribute his/her bit towards a healthier and Covid-free nation. While we are facing drastic changes all around, some little positive changes in our everyday routine can help us boost our immunity to fight the Covid-19. For a healthier immune system, one must adopt healthy eating. Include citrus fruits and green vegetables in your diet. However, supplementing with various vitamins and minerals, especially Zinc, can help in countless ways. Covid is known to affect lungs and TB majorly, so quit smoking. Drink 8-10 glasses of water to stay hydrated. Moreover, as we know stress and insomnia are two major factors for a bad immune system, so during the lockdown, we must make focus on these key components by adopting a proper 8-hour sleep schedule, meditation and yoga as a part of our everyday life.

Rhea Abrol

Use spices in cooking

Drink warm water throughout the day. Practise Yoga aasanas, Pranayama and meditation for at least 30 minutes daily. Use spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander and garlic in cooking. Drink herbal tea. Apply sesame oil/coconut oil or ghee in both nostrils in morning and evening. Harnoor Bagga

Yoga for better immunity

Prevention is better than cure, and in case of Covid-19, this needs to be practised religiously. Take steps to boost your immunity. Drinking warm water throughout the day, practising yoga asanas and include spices in your diet. Blessnoor Kaur

Don’t miss citrus fruits

Strong immune system is necessary for fighting against coronavirus. Yoga is the best way of doing this. There are various TV channels which telecast yoga practises every day. Other way is to meditate regularly to keep the mind calm and strong. Consumption of vitamin C is necessary for fighting against coronavirus. ritu priya

Reduce alcohol intake, exercise regularly

Enhancing immunity can be done by paying attention to nutrition absorption. To strengthen our immune system, we should drink a glass of milk with turmeric. Include broccoli, sweet potatoes, spinach and ginger in our diet. Have blueberries as these have antioxidant properties. Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Doing physical activities such as sports is also essential to maintaining immunity. Exercise should be done for 30 minutes at least three times a week with moderate intensity. Exercising will help improve body protection and maintain physicality. Do not smoke. Drink in moderation, if you are fond of it. Excessive drinking is harmful for immunity. Sound sleep of at least eight hours in a day is a must for good health. Eat foods rich in vitamin C such as oranges, gooseberries and lemons.

Farzana Khan

Drink medicated kadha to beat Covid

A healthy lifestyle as a whole is your best option to boost immunity. We can augment our immunity by eating nutritious food, especially fresh fruits, foods containing high amount of vitamin C and D and homeopathic booster such as Arsenicum album 30. Amid lockdown, low-priced fruits such as banana, guava and watermelon are a healthy option. Drink herbal tea (kadha) made from tulsi (basil), cinnamon, black pepper, sonth (dry ginger) — once or twice a day. Add jaggery to your taste, if needed. It is claimed that this drink increases immunity. As soon as you get up in the morning, drink warm water with aloe vera pulp in it. Practise yoga every day and drink turmeric milk to keep Covid at bay.

Gautam Dev

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OPEN HOUSE COMMENT

A fearful mind affects your body , weakens immunity

Minna Zutshi

Even as countries and communities across the world continue their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, no definitive treatment has emerged yet. However, there is one step, finding consensus among experts from various systems of medicine, and that is the preventive measure of boosting the immunity.

Experts emphasise on the importance of building immunity by focusing on diet and immunity boosters. The AYUSH Ministry has prepared a kit for distribution among the police personnel. Adequate sleep, rest and relaxation are equally important for building immunity, if we go by what the experts say. Interestingly, for all the fear psychosis that the pandemic has spurred, the experts are unanimous in suggesting that fear weakens the immunity. It diminishes the body’s disease-fighting capacity and makes one more prone to infection. In sum, immunity is not just related to body, it is also related to mind - a fearful and apprehensive mind affects the body negatively, and that in turn weakens the immunity.

OPEN HOUSE QUESTION
What steps need to be taken to remain safe and healthy during lockdown 4.0?

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