MUMBAI — In a time when there are so many dietary supplements, nutritional products, and immunity boosters on the market, well-known wellness guru Luke Coutinho is telling people to go back to the most basic and effective way to boost their immune system: getting enough sleep. Coutinho recently said on Instagram that while supplements, minerals, and changes to one’s lifestyle might help boost immunity, sleep is still the body’s most natural and effective way to protect itself.
Luke says in his video that “just one night of deep sleep can train your immune system to fight viruses, bacteria, germs, and all the bad stuff in your body.” He points out that not getting enough sleep on a regular basis is directly linked to a compromised immune system, which makes the body much more vulnerable to viruses, germs, the flu, and common colds.
Coutinho strongly believes that nothing can match the deep benefits of getting enough sleep. “You can eat as many meals, nutraceuticals, and supplements as you like to make your immune system stronger. “But the best way to boost your immune system is to get a lot of sleep,” he says. The health coach adds in the caption, “Keep it simple … I don’t mind that it’s great when needed, but don’t forget that sleep is the best medicine for the immune system and everything else.”
Luke knows that sleep is very important for the immune system, but he also knows that other things are important. These include regular exercise, a diet high in vitamins and minerals like zinc and vitamin C, and taking the right supplements under the guidance of a doctor. Managing stress is also very important since long-term stress can weaken the immune system, making the body more likely to get sick. Coutinho notes that deep sleep is still the most overlooked aspect by many people, even though these variables are known to be important.
He also talks about a typical mistake people make when they’re sick: ignoring their body’s natural cues. When we’re unwell, tiredness and sleepiness are normal things that help the body repair and get better. But a lot of people ignore these warning signs and instead rely on drugs or supplements. He says that this way of doing things typically leads to long-term health concerns and long-term sickness. “We think we’ll take some more vitamin C and zinc and move on with our lives, but we keep getting sicker and sicker,” Luke says.
Coutinho says that deep sleep and rest should be seen as a non-negotiable health prescription. He ends by saying, “Most people need to get a lot of rest and deep sleep to boost their immune system.” He stresses that just one night of deep, uninterrupted sleep or even a full day of concentrated rest can often help your immune system and keep you from being sick again.