The year 2020 has turned out to be one of the most mind-blowing and chaotic years of any of our lives! With the Pandemic came tons of misinformation. And the most talked about on that list was the unchecked information about building one’s immunity! Suddenly it seemed like from toothpaste to floor-cleaner, from bread to pasta – every product was offering us something to build our immunity. The claims are so over-the-top that as a consumer it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff and spot the real useful products.
But I’m going to set the record straight and say it like it is: Immunity is a marathon not a sprint!! Let us take the bull by the horns!
Turmeric the holy grail. From milk to frappe to turmeric capsules, it made its entry into all possible products. Turmeric is indeed a great ingredient. It contains the flavonoid “curcumin” that does in-fact promote a healthy immune response. But isn’t that something Indians have known for ages? Turmeric has been in Indian kitchens for as long as I know. Our standard Indian staple diet has plenty of opportunity to consume turmeric in small amounts on a regular basis. Turmeric milk is also a well known Grandmother’s kitchen remedy for cold and cough. Do we Indians need that curcumin capsule? That is something we should be questioning.
Turmeric however, is a great ingredient to include in a diet, but there are other claims that are truly amusing. One such baffling advertisement was about the claim made by a men’s suiting brand! Wearing a suit of certain brand can help protect you from a virus. Really?! Fabric that protects you from 99.94% of the virus is being advertised and sold and sure people are buying it. This makes us laugh and feel a little scared at the same time!
Let us not get overwhelmed and fooled around. Common sense is what can save us from misinformation. Question every claim, think about it and always remember that immunity is a result of healthy lifestyle, it starts with regular exercise and good food habits.
How do I know if I should work on my immunity?
Here are some signs that one can use as indicators to know where do you stand in terms of a healthy lifestyle
- You’re mostly energetic and active; fatigue doesn’t bother you often.
- You play a sport or have some sort of physical activity in your routine.
- You get a good night’s sleep. You don’t have trouble sleeping.
- Your wounds heal fast.
- You rarely get unexplained rashes, blisters or colds.
It is really these simple things, if answers to most of the questions above is positive, you are doing good job, if some of these are bothering you, you can start working on it.
Pandemic or no pandemic, I want my immunity to be good!
That’s the perfect place to start, actually! It really comes down to everyday habits followed over a long period of time. If you want to start now, do it!
Here is some help from none other than fitness evangelist and our brand ambassador Milind Soman.
- Eat simple, home cooked meals made with Indian ingredients!
- Go back to your roots; what did your grandparents eat? What are your parents’ eating habits? And please stay away from junk and sugar-y foods!!
- Move your body, sweat out all those toxins. It’s superb for your mental and physical well-being.
- Sleep well and sleep for a good 8 hours at least.
- Spend some time out in nature and get some sun!!
Simple, right? It’s never too late to start. Keep in mind that it’s a marathon, so it takes commitment. If you’re reading this, I know you’re committed so you’re halfway there already!
If you want to hear from the man himself, join us for episodes of Naturally Milind every week! Follow us on Instagram for updates.
