Getting Your COVID Vaccine? Do These 3 Things 24 Hours Before!

There has been lots of information around the COVID vaccines and what to expect. Essentially both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines place a small piece of the virus's genetic code (mRNA) into your body. Your body's immune system will then respond to this code by producing antibodies. When our immune system is working, it takes a lot of energy to work properly, so we want to put it in the best environment possible. To do that, try these three things 24 hours before your vaccination.

Limit Inflammation Within Your Body: When our immune system starts working, we are essentially calling on our white blood cells to fight against the illness. When this happens, it causes inflammation in our body. Therefore, we want to make sure our bodies can use all of its power (and white blood cells) to help produce the antibodies once the vaccine is injected. So limit things that can cause inflammation in your body like alcohol, sugar, or excessive exercise at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Get Enough Sleep: As stated above, it takes a lot of energy for our immune systems to function. So make sure your body is rested and full of energy. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your appointment. That way your system will be ready to produce the antibodies faster.
Hydration is Key: Just like when you have a cold or the flu, your doctor will tell you to hydrate. The same goes for getting your vaccination. Staying hydrated will help your cells move better, combat fatigue, and potentially decrease muscle soreness (from the intramuscular injection). So make sure to drink plenty of water the day before and the morning before your injection, and to continue throughout the day.

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