Will social distancing weaken my immune system?
In short, no.
Some worry a lack of contact with others will weaken their immune system by reducing its active contact with germs.
Some worry a lack of contact with others will weaken their immune system by reducing its active contact with germs.
But even when we’re staying 6 feet from others or spending most of our time at home, our bodies are continuously responding to plenty of bacteria and other germs that inhabit indoor and outdoor environments.
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“We’re constantly exposed to microbes,” said Akiko Iwasaki, an immune system researcher at Yale University. “Our immune system is always being triggered.”
The effects of childhood vaccines and other built-up immunity are also long-lasting, Iwasaki said, and won’t disappear overnight because we’re keeping our distance from others during the pandemic.
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Experts say anyone looking to boost their immune health during the pandemic should practice habits such as stress management, healthy eating, regular exercise and getting enough sleep.
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“These are the things that actually affect the immune system,” Iwasaki said.
A seasonal flu shot will also help protect you from one more potential illness.
