You would never run a marathon without having trained for it, right? While getting a vaccine isn’t anywhere close to running a marathon, the concept is similar: Getting your body in shape before you get your shot can make any vaccine, the ones for COVID-19 included, more effective. Learn what the science says and then start shifting your habits today, including eating more plant-based foods, exercising daily, and getting better sleep, so that you can optimize whichever vaccine you end up getting. How an unhealthy lifestyle can affect vaccinations You might think that getting a vaccine simply involves showing up for your appointment and rolling up your sleeve. Your immune system, however, might say otherwise, according to new research.