After the pandemic, we all know how important it is to keep up a strong immune system, particularly among people over 65 or so. And now as we’re heading into cold & flu season, you want to devote your new awareness to taking positive steps for your health every day.
Regular exercise is among the best things you can do for your immune system. Staying strong keeps your body stronger against inflammation, diseases, and infections, which weaken our aging immune systems.
Also, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Get plenty of water. Avoid processed foods. Be sure your diet includes citrus, spinach and broccoli; plus, chicken, salmon, tuna and green vegetables; nuts, seeds and spinach; tea, garlic, miso and ginger.
Other tips
- Stay at a healthy weight. Abdominal fat triggers inflammation and increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
- Get enough sleep.
- Wash your hands frequently – another good lesson we all learned in the last year – and be sure to cook meats thoroughly.
- Don’t spend too much time in the sun.
- Discuss your diet with your doctor and ask him or her about vitamin supplements. Many mature adults don’t eat often enough during the day, or consume the necessary variety of foods, causing a form of malnutrition that can weaken the immune system.
- Limit drinking alcohol; don’t smoke at all.
- Manage chronic stress as much as possible related to family, friends, work problems, etc.
Our health is our own responsibility, so be sure to take care of yourself. We’re here to help!
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.