June 30, 2010

Multi-Task Your Way to a Healthier You

Ten Easy Ways You Can Enhance Your Immune System While Working at Your Desk

The immune system is like our own body’s defense. Give it the right stuff and it will block offensive bacteria, viruses and other infectious organism charging toward you. And even when you get sick, a strong immune system can help you rebound quickly. Here’s the good news: You can strengthen your body’s defense in the confines of your regular 9-to-5 work week. Dr. Isaac Melamed, one of the leading lights in the field of immunology, came up with the top 10 ways to stay healthy at work:

1. One and two and three and four

Work out for an hour before you sit down at your desk each morning. Exercise enhances the neuro-immune and endocrine-immune pathways that are vital to promoting good health.

2. Don’t let your job make you sick

Do you love what you do? And the environment in which you work? Stress has a negative impact on our immune system, so if you’re constantly feeling pressured at work, it may be time to change jobs. Remember, nothing is more important than your health…not even your job.

3. Keep it natural

Environmental factors can have a toxic effect on immunological pathways. Whenever possible, make sure that your desk sits on wood flooring…and be sure to avoid mold and dusty areas at all costs.

4. Let the sun shine in

Sunlight and Vitamin D have a positive effect on the T-regulatory cells that control autoimmune pathways, so try to position your desk in an area that receives the maximum amount of sun exposure.

5. Drink up

Consider starting your day with a cup (or two or three) of espresso. Espresso ‘upregulates’ T- cells, major players in our immune system (and key components in keeping us healthy).

6. Stop and smell the flowers

Keep a vase of flowers on your desk. Studies have shown that -visual elements have a positive effect on our neuro-immune pathways (and on keeping us well).

7. One Person’s Bach is Another Person’s Beatles

Play relaxing music while you work–auditory stimulants have a soothing effect on our neuro-immune pathways.

8. Skip the chips

Keep fresh fruits and veggies on hand for a quick pick-me-up. They are rich in anti-oxidants and positively impact your inflammatory pathways, making them the perfect mid-morning and late afternoon snacks.

9. Water, water, everywhere

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as hydration has a powerful effect on immunological pathways. Keep a bottle of mineral water on your desk so that it’s always close at hand.

10. It’s time for a break

No matter how busy you are, or how much work you have to do, take breaks. Stop what you’re doing, get out of your chair and move around for 10 minutes. Movement is critical to good health as it enhances circulation and flushes both toxins and inflammatory components out of the bloodstream.

About the Author: Dr. Isaac Melamed is respected internationally as both a clinician and an originator and interpreter of the growing body of work in neuro-immune inflammation. He holds several medical patents related to immunology, has participated in more than 100 research trials for the FDA and the National Institute of Health (NIH), and has been published more than 80 times in leading medical journals and textbooks. 

- http://wemagazineforwomen.com/multi-task-your-way-to-a-healthier-you/

- www.immunoe.com