We all have things that help us recover after a tough workout. For some of us, it’s taking a walk around the track. For others, it’s lying down and enjoying a nap. But for all of us, it’s our immune system.
There’s no denying that, without a healthy immune system, there’s absolutely no recovery from athletic training. Unfortunately, consideration of this rarely — if ever — crosses an athlete’s mind.
Today, the only time the immune system comes to mind is during illness. And while the immune system is indeed our body’s natural defense, that’s only part of its job. The immune system is also tasked with healing and helping the body rebuild. The immune system is integral when trying to achieve optimum health and fitness, and it must be maintained well.
Why is this so important?
Athletes tend to fall into a cycle that plays out over and over again: train, rest, recover, rebuild. The efficiency of the last two steps directly determines how well the next training session goes and how quickly it begins. Without a strong and healthy immune system, athletes can suffer one of two problems:
All high-level athletes have one thing in common: their work ethic. When something stunts this work ethic — which both of the above problems undoubtedly will — then no one is happy. A healthy immune system will keep an athlete’s ability to work consistent and worthwhile.
Don’t forget your diet
What a person consumes directly affects his immune system. Many athletes already follow a healthy diet, but there’s always room for improvement.
If an athlete’s diet is laden with low-quality drinking water and processed, chemically enhanced foods, the immune system has the potential to go into overdrive. The immune system must process the effects of these foods, often causing it to become stressed and worn thin. Throw this on top of the existing stress from training, and you’ve got one suffering system. This not only makes you tired, but it also makes you susceptible to illness — a double whammy.
Make some changes!
You can improve your immune system by taking these four factors into consideration:
By taking active steps to improve your own immune system, you’ll begin to notice faster and more efficient recovery times. The next time you set down your weights, reconsider your recovery process. Your immune system — and your training regimen — will thank you!