Now its time to move

Let us take one more step on our immunity building journey. And here the word step is appropriate as one of the good immune boosters is undoubtedly exercise! Moderate exercise is good for the immune system. It stimulates the immune system by increasing oxygen flow and blood circulation throughout the body. it also slows the release of stress hormones, flushes out bacteria from the lungs, eliminates cancer causing cells through urine and sweat, and circulates white blood cells at a faster rate. Wow!
But it is important not to overdo it. So what are best forms of exercise one should adopt?

For someone with lymphoma, rebounding or jumping on a trampoline is priceless. Rebounding kick starts the lymphatic system. Lymph vessels are like blood vessels except they are full of clear lymphatic fluid that carries white blood cells (B cell and T cell lymphocytes) throughout your body so they can attack invaders and infected cells. We have about three times more lymphatic fluid than blood, but here’s the catch, there’s no pump! So the more we move the body. Jumping on a trampoline creates an increased G-force resistance (gravitational load) and positively stresses every cell in your body. As a result, it strengthens your entire musculoskeletal system: your bones, muscles, connective tissue, and even organs.  And it promotes lymphatic circulation by stimulating the millions of one-way valves in your lymphatic system. One should rebound at least 2 to 3 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes a see the wonders that will follow.

Walking for every day for 20 to 30 minutes is a great way of improving your immunity. Regular Golf is also a great immunity booster as you also get your sunbath! But no stopping at the 19th hole. I hope Ranjan can resume his week end golf soon. I also hope it warms us soon as R's excuse for not getting on the treadmill is that it is too cold.

The toughie is yoga. In spite of having a wonderful yoga teacher who comes every week day, Ranjan's excuses are now getting ludicrous. He does not realise how much yoga can help him particularly in boosting the immune system and strengthening his heart and lung capacity that have both been affected by chemotherapy. Yoga Detoxifies and oxygenates your system, balances the hormones you need for a strong immune system, reduces stress and fatigue, two precursors to lowered immunity and triggers acupressure points said to help evict viruses and bacteria from your body. There are many poses that help and Sanjeev the yoga teacher is the best person to guide him through this. Some of the recommended poses are : bow pose, shoulder stand, down dog, full cobra etc.

However pranayam or yogic breathing is a wonder cure for boosting immunity. I must now try all the tricks in my bag to get Ranjan on course.