As we age, our bodies show signs of no longer being as resilient to various illnesses, infections, and diseases as our immune system capabilities slow. Improving your immune system as your get older can help avoid potentially disastrous situations when it comes to your health by incorporating the right changes into your everyday routine.
Stick to a Healthy Diet
Sticking to a healthy and nutrient-rich diet is imperative when aging, as it helps maintain proper heart, liver, kidney, joint, muscle, and bone function. Taking a regimen of vitamins and minerals while eliminating processed foods and foods that increase inflammation is a key factor to remain healthy regardless of your current age. Choose healthier options when eating, such as lean meats, plenty of vegetables, and fruits that are low in sugar and carbohydrate counts to keep from experiencing inflammation of the joints and muscles, triggering pain and causing discomfort. Steer clear of greasy foods and red meat if you have previously diagnosed high blood pressure or heart-related issues.
Get Enough Rest Each Day
Getting enough rest each day is vital, regardless of your age. While it may seem as you age you do not require as much sleep or do not want to sleep as much, resting also includes forms of laying down, sitting, and ensuring you are not overexerting yourself physically at all times. Getting at least seven hours of sleep each night is ideal, along with taking short naps to maintain your energy without feeling exhausted or drained.
Remain Active Whenever Possible
While rest is essential to keep your body healthy and your immune system working properly, physical exercise is also a way to improve and boost your immune system as you age. Even if you are unable to workout or participate in physically-exerting activities, walking, stretching, yoga, and even swimming are all highly recommended to keep your heart, lungs, muscles, and entire immune system as healthy as possible.
Eliminate Bad Habits
Developing harmful habits throughout your life may be challenging to eliminate with ease, but it is an absolute must to keep your immune system healthy as you get older. Quitting smoking or drinking regularly is one of the biggest ways to improve your immune system without furthering damage to your heart, lungs, liver, and kidney function.
Cut out smoking as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of developing emphysema, COPD, or heart disease. If you have other habits such as chewing tobacco, eating fast food regularly, or eating a poor diet altogether, work towards reducing your intake and cutting out the problematic habits altogether.
Avoid the Risk of Infections
Being prone to infections is more common as we grow older, so preventative care is key to avoid infections that are harmful to your immune system at all costs. Washing your hands frequently is necessary to keep bacteria from causing infections, colds, or viruses. Use hand sanitizer frequently and any time you leave the home to reduce and eliminate bacteria.
Remain Positive and Mindful
Remaining positive and mindful is a key factor to keeping your immune system strong. Living as stress-free as possible decreases the chance of developing heart-related issues while also allowing you to remain focused and emotionally satisfied. Partake in activities that bring you joy. Introduce yourself to new hobbies that keep your interest while allowing you to feel productive. Socialize with loved ones and friends to increase your endorphins and overall happiness.
Visit Your Doctors Regularly and Consistently
Always be sure to schedule doctor’s visits for check-ups and blood work frequently and on a regular schedule. Ensuring you are healthy and catching any potential conditions early on helps to combat health problems or eliminate them altogether while preserving your immune system.
Openly discuss any concerns you may have regarding energy level, your digestive system, or other abnormal issues you may be experiencing any time you visit your doctor to properly rule out any serious health concerns. Staying on top of your doctor visits is a way to put your mind at ease while maintaining a healthy immune system at any age.
Having an understanding of how the immune system thrives is a way for you to take more control over your longevity and health regardless of your age as you become a senior. By being alert and aware of your body’s health at all times, it is possible to make the proper choices to ensure your wellbeing for years to come.
~ Health Scams Exposed