Colds and flu are two of the most common causes that send people for a visit to the doctor’s office, and most people will come down with one or the other at least once in the course of the year. But I’m sure you probably know some people who just never seem to get sick at all and wonder how they do it? Well it’s not really difficult to explain, below are some tips on how you too can become one of those people that never get sick.
Frequent Hand Washing
Something as simple as washing your hands properly with soap and hot water frequently throughout the day really will help to keep you from getting sick. Cold and flu germs are able to live on surfaces in public places and bathrooms and are most commonly how these illnesses are spread. Washing your hands before eating or preparing foods, when dining out, after using the bathroom whether at home or out are good standards to practice.
Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
Your nutrition is an important part of maintaining good health. A diet rich in antioxidant foods not only taste delicious, but they will boost your immune system. Fruits and vegetables such as dark leafy greens and a wide variety of brightly colored vegetables like kale, red, green and yellow peppers, avocado, corn, onions, garlic, asparagus, broccoli, watermelon, strawberries, kiwi, apples, and oranges are all great sources for an antioxidant diet. Of course these foods must be prepared in a healthful manner to reap the full antioxidant benefits.
Avoid Unhealthy Foods
Processed foods, potato chips, sugary treats and sodas should be avoided as much as possible if not completely. They all contain chemicals in them that do not promote good health. If you want a snack keep some healthy options in the house like unsalted nuts they are a great antioxidant with many benefits, just don’t eat too many at a serving.
Exercising Daily
Exercise is a natural immunity builder; it stimulates hormones in the body that help strengthen it physically and emotionally. People sometimes refer to the endorphin production sensation as “being in the zone” it also reduces stress which helps your immune system. The recommended amount of exercise is thirty minutes of moderate activity each day.
Avoid Negativity and Stress
Health experts say that to reduce stress it is important to have a positive outlook on life. Creating a social network of positive friends who share your interests, hobbies, or activities is a healthy boost for the immune system. As they say, laughter is the best medicine, so try to avoid negative people or situations that don’t bring joy to your life.
Having a Healthy Sex Life
A healthy sex life with a committed partner not only produces those romantic emotions and feelings of being loved, which improves the disposition, it also produces the antibody immunoglobulin. A Wilkes University study conducted about ten years ago showed that couples who had sex a few times a week on a regular basis had the highest levels of an antibody that fights off the flu and common cold in the saliva of the study participants. Oddly, saliva tested on participants of the study found that couples who had no sex or too much sex had lower levels of the infection fighting antibody. So remember moderation seems to lead to the best health building results where sex is concerned.
Getting Proper Amounts of Sleep
Sleep is also another important factor for seniors in their overall wellbeing, however people do not require as much as you age; seven to eight hours is sufficient for seniors. If you are having trouble sleeping you should consult with your physician to be sure there are no underlying medical causes. However, if there is no medical cause keeping you from getting a healthy night’s rest you might try some of the following suggestions:
- Create a regular sleep pattern. Going to bed at the same time every night helps the body to set a sort of rhythm for sleep, when that rhythm is disrupted by staying up too late or going to bed too early the body’s sleep pattern can become altered. Choose a time for bed that you know you can stick to consistently and avoid daytime naps.
- If you find you can’t fall asleep within a half an hour try sipping a soothing caffeine free herbal tea and read something relaxing or listen to soft music till you feel sleepy.
- Make sure you get enough exercise for the day, a brisk walk after dinner is often helpful for people to get a better night’s rest. It aids in the digestion of your food, which can help stave off indigestion, which often can interrupt sleep.
- Taking a relaxing bath before bedtime can also help if you’re having trouble sleeping.
- Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages before bed.
