At Regency Retirement Village of Morristown, we believe in the importance of active senior living daily health choices. It’s more important than ever to boost our immune systems, and live in such a way that promotes good health. But what can we do to keep our bodies as healthy as possible and stave off potential illness? Check out our list of simple actions you can take to maintain your personal health.
Healthy Diet–
It’s no surprise. We all know how vital it is to feed our bodies nutritious foods to keep them healthy and strong. Well, you guessed it. A healthy diet is key to fostering a healthy immune system. A diet high in fruits and vegetables is a great jumping off point. Did you know there are specific foods that help boost your immune system? Peruse this list of 15 foods that are immunity boosters in this Healthline article.
Drink Water–
We’ve always heard that drinking plenty of water is essential for overall good health, but did you know that staying hydrated has incredible benefits for your immune system specifically? Water helps ensure your blood can carry oxygen aplenty to the cells that make up your body, and for those cells to function at their best, they need to be oxygenated. Drinking lots of water also gives your kidneys a chance to flush toxins out of your system. Alternately, when you do not get enough water, those toxins can build up in the body, weakening your immune system while they’re at it.
Avoid Smoking–
Your immune system is your body’s line of defense against infection and disease. When you smoke, it compromises your immune system, rendering it less capable of fighting off everything from colds and viruses to conditions as serious as cancer. The reality is, various compounds found within tobacco and cigarettes act as pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents, and one of the results is a weaker immune system.
Make Rest a Priority–
Did you know that poor sleep habits can adversely affect your immune system? According to the Sleep Foundation, getting about eight hours of sleep each night can help keep your immune system up to the challenge of fighting off illness. When you don’t get sufficient rest regularly, your body produces fewer cytokines, a type of protein that targets inflammation and infection.
Get Regular Exercise–
Active senior living is key here. The simple act of moving your body can serve as a powerful tool in fighting off infection and disease. Exercising actually increases blood and lymph flow, while also increasing the circulation of immune cells. Exercising regularly also decreases inflammation in the body, which can also have a positive effect on the immune system.
Say ‘Goodbye’ to Stress–
Actively working to minimize stress levels can also contribute to a healthier immune system. During times of stress, the immune system’s ability to fight antigens is reduced. The stress hormone, corticosteroid, can also suppress the immune system’s efficacy, lowering the number of lymphocytes.
Stress can also inadvertently affect your immunity, because in times of stress, we are less likely to eat right, get good sleep, exercise regularly, and more. And as you know, all these factors can contribute to a compromised immune system.
Wash Your Hands–
Of course, practicing proper hygiene is another important way to maintain health. Especially in a world where we have to worry about viruses and their spread, it’s imperative to practice good hand washing always. Being conscientious about clean hands, clean homes, and really just cleanliness overall can help protect against illness.
As you make your own choices and practice active senior living for your own best health, we hope you will be inspired to cultivate a healthy immune system that’s primed for fighting off whatever potential illnesses you may encounter. For more tips on how to boost your immune system, check out this info from Harvard Medical School.