GOOD NEWS: Having fun is one of the most powerful boosters to your immune system

Staying well and living right: They just naturally go together!
The enemies of a healthy immune system are all around us and out of our control. Aging. Stress. Pollution. Other we inflict on ourselves. Unwise eating habits. Not enough sleep. Too little exercise.

But you can give your immune system a boost without doctors, drugs or other costly therapies. And the prescription is very pleasant: laughter, leisure and letting go. Here are seven easy, practical steps to staying well.

1. Make sleep a priority

The disease-fighting cells of your immune system multiply during periods of sleep. When you're not getting enough stress-free, uninterrupted sleep, the number of disease-fighting cells decreases and your chances of illness increase.

Most adults require between 6-8 hours of sleep each night. How you get there is often an individual matter. Some people read to fall asleep. Other practice relaxation techniques, take a warm bath or talk to a friend to wind down. Herbal, decaffeinated teas may be a good elixir. But avoid eating, drinking alcohol, smoking or exercising right before bedtime.

2. Laugh a lot — the louder the better.

The positive emotions that come with laughter decrease stress hormones and increase and activate certain immune cells. The very act of laughing releases physical tension and puts things into more realistic perspeective.

Make a habit of watching your favorite TV comedy, renting good, humorous videos or reading a funny story. Then when you are stuck in traffic or caught in a tense situation, you can remember that one-liner that made you laugh. You'll feel better. And with good reason. You are replenishing your immune system—the best preventative medicine of all.

3. Get in touch with God.

Current research is affirming the fact that having an active faith makes you a healthier individual. Prayer is a natural way to release stress by offering worries and concerns to God. He bears our burdens. We come away from prayer with less stress and more peace. Praising God for what He has done is also a good way to remind us of His faithfulness and cultivate a healthy attitude. Listening to Christian music can also provide a positive focus and encourage peace. And peace is the environment in which to develop a healthy immune system.

4. Reduce your dependence on antibiotics.

The overuse of antibiotics can sometimes suppress the immune system according to recent studies. They can reduce the level of hormone messengers. And with reduced communication, the immune system does not function as effectively.

Use antibiotics only for bacterial infections. Avoid them for viral infections or the common cold. They may just make it worse!

5. Help with herbs.

Two herbs can be especially important in your bevy of weapons to protect and empower your immune system. Echinacea is a popular herb that may prevent the common cold by activating the white blood cells to fight off the cold virus.

Ginseng is the other herb often recommended by doctors and researchers. It can invigorate and fortify your system during periods of fatigue and stress. Both are available at any drug or natural food store.

6. Put on the eyeglasses of optimism.

When confronting stress, a positive outlook can actually utilize the stress to boost your immune system. It provides the natural high that improves both your mental and physical capabilities. On the other hand, stress approached with pessimism can result in one more attack on your majore defense against disease—the immune system.

7. Keep moving and stay ahead of disease.

Vigorous exercise, at least five times a week, can increase your resistance to disease. Studies have actually proven that people who engage in regular exercise which boosts their heart rate for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, five times a week, produce an increased number of immune cells in their bodies for hours afterward. High intensity exercise, however, can actually suppress the immune system.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10