Maintaining a Healthy Immune System: Tips for Adults Ages 60+

6 years ago | Posted in: Health | 694 Views

If you are over 60, then make sure to maintain your body’s immune system to avoid a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization. As you age, your resistance to disease declines, but here are a few tips for having a healthier immune system.

1: Stop Smoking Cigarettes Immediately

The chemicals in tobacco can damage your immune system drastically, leading to health problems that can affect your cardiovascular system or lungs. As you get older, you are more likely to develop a cold, and if you smoke cigarettes, then a cold can progress to a more dangerous condition such as bronchitis.

2: Get More Vitamin D Each Day

Feeling fatigued can lead to having a poor immune system, but you can improve your physical energy levels by getting more vitamin D each day. The least expensive way to have more vitamin D is by going outside so that you are exposed to sunlight. If the weather is gloomy, then make sure to consume foods that contain vitamin D.

3: Sleep Enough Each Night

If you don’t get enough sleep, then your immunity levels will drop. While you are sleeping your body produces several hormones that are designed for healing ailments, and without enough rest, you don’t have enough of these hormones. The average adult requires eight hours of sleep each night, but you might need more than that to avoid getting sick.

4: Update Your Vaccinations

As a child, you may have had chickenpox because there was no vaccine available. While you won’t get chickenpox again, you are likely to develop shingles. Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, and it typically affects individuals who are over the age of 59. Treatment for shingles includes prescription antiviral medications, but it is better to visit your physician for a vaccination to prevent shingles.

5: Eat a Nutritious Daily Diet

Just because you are getting older, don’t assume that eating a healthy diet isn’t important. Consuming a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables ensures that you are getting the proper nutrients to maintain your body’s immune system. Make sure to eat lean protein such as fish, chicken or beef along with dairy products and whole-grain foods.

6: Get Plenty of Exercise

Have an exercise routine to keep your body in shape, including your immune system. By exercising at least three times a week, you will maintain your body’s weight to protect your joints along with having stronger muscles. If you have a healthy body weight, then your immune system is able to resist infections.

7: Learn How to Meditate

If you learn how to meditate, then you can reduce your stress levels. When you are constantly feeling stressed about your work environment, your immunity levels will decrease. You can join a meditation class to learn how to clear your mind while focusing on an object so that you can begin to eliminate stress from your life.

8: Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol

When you drink a lot of alcohol on a regular basis, it can deplete your immune system. Alcoholic beverages can damage your liver, making it difficult for your body to metabolize nutrients. The liver in your body is designed for removing toxins, but when you drink too much alcohol, this organ is not able to perform its vital functions.

9: Have a Social Life

Having a social life with friends can boost your immunity levels. Think about how good you feel after going to a party with friends to understand how important socializing is for your body’s immunity functions.

 

by: Kevin Faber

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