The immune system is the body’s natural defense system with differing branches that serve unique functions, all working to to keep the body out of harms way. Its network of cells, tissues and organs protects the body against internal and external threats such as infections, helping to maintain overall health.

This defense warrior is constantly on alert because the body is an ideal environment for pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites) to take root and thrive. It works by limiting the microbes access, preventing them from getting hold, growing, and creating illness. It is even empowered to destroy cancer cells. That’s right, part of the immune system’s function is to locate and destroy tumor cells before they get out of control.

White blood cells are our first line of defense when the immune system rises to fight off infection. Other parts of the immune system include the spleen – helps control the amount of blood in our body and removes damaged or old blood cells to prevent them from clogging up the system, bone marrow – where white blood cells are produced, and lymph nodes that store infection-fighting cells in various places in the body.

Daily habits play a vital role in keeping our immune system functioning in top shape.

Immune system destroyers:

These negative conditions (among others) can set your immune system back and allow illness in:

Not getting enough sleep affects so many parts of the body and the mind, and the immune system is no exception. Lack of sleep can result in infection getting hold or a cold setting in.

Stress – not surprising here as stress affects nearly everything in our lives, including our health. The natural hormone cortisol is released when stress is felt. Normally a good thing for healthy functioning of our body, but too much results in decreased immunity and the resultant health issues. Many people experience sickness when they are stressed because of their compromised immune system.

Attitude – Attitude is everything and does affect your health. How can your body to be healthy if your attitude says the opposite? Carrying negativity around about anything brings your vibration down. That means your immune system as well. Healthy and happy are a dynamic team! Be optimistic!

The key to optimum health is to build your immune defenses and you do that through exercise. Regular exercise – specifically strength training helps reduce stress hormones and releases “feel-good” hormones. It provides the perfect outlet to rid oneself of nervous energy, a product of stress.

Strength training increases both the number and the amount of activity of several different types of immune cells – especially the ones whose primary purpose is to detect and destroy cancerous and virus-infected cells.

The state of mind does indeed affect the body. But, the body also affects the mind and regular exercise has proven the perfect panacea for our overall attitudes. The right type of exercises are powerful. They are an effective treatment for anxiety and have even proven effective in treating mild depression.

Strengthening your muscles pays off big-time, beyond just boosting and keeping your immune system healthy. All it takes is one or two thirty-minute training sessions weekly.

A small investment of time that pays off in huge dividends.

Check out my quick and easy

Project Me Finally Fit program

At just 10 minutes in length, if you cannot find a way to squeeze this kind of effective workout into your schedule every other day, it’s likely there’s not another one in all existence that could take it’s place.

After all, most things can only be made so simple before they just cannot be made to work at all!

– Carolyn “The 10-Minute Sandbag Workout” Hansen

P.S. I even created a FREE mobile app for you to keep track of your sandbag workouts. With 4 built-in workouts of 7 distinct sandbag movements, you have 28 different exercises to choose from should you decide to create your own custom sandbag works.