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You can PHOTO BY HOLLY MOORE
strengthen your
immune system It’s all good: a sensible diet, exercise, laughter and connecting with friends help
to boost the immune system.
By Mike Gullickson
fections and diseases. important means for keeping your immune
The immune system helps us to fight off system healthy along with the rest of your
diseases, heal after an injury and slow 4. You’re always stressed: You’re retired, body.” Try working up to 30 minutes of
down the aging process. The immune sys- buddy, cool down! Chronic stress can walking, swimming or hang gliding each
tem is also aware when you cheat yourself, actually reduce the number of anti- day. Line dancing is another great way to
and can become weaker as a result. Here bodies your immune system produces, get some exercise that will also allow you
are six of the most common reasons your leaving you more vulnerable to the to socialize at the same time.
immune system might be going awry: other negative effects of stress such as
high blood pressure and heart disease. As we settle into cold and flu season, you
1. You don’t get adequate sleep: When may wish to take some additional steps to
you’re sleeping, your immune system 5. You’re isolated: Like stress, loneliness protect your health. Recent studies have
is hard at work repairing your body, suppresses your body’s immune sys- shown that those who get a seasonal flu
producing white blood cells to fight tem. Research shows that connecting shot experience a 25% increase in their
off bad bacteria and preparing for the with friends and loved ones has the immune systems compared to those who
day ahead. If you’re skimping on your opposite effect, actually improving do not. This is because vaccines activate
shut-eye (seven to nine hours is ideal your body’s ability to heal and defend. your immune system to respond to specific
for most), that lack of sleep can weaken infections, training and strengthening your
your overall immunity, leaving you 6. You’ve lost your sense of humor: Find body against future attack. The CDC calls
more susceptible to illness and less able it! Ever heard that laughter is the best handwashing the “do it yourself vaccine,”
to fight off diseases when they strike. medicine? Turns out it’s true. Numer- and advises washing with warm water
ous studies have shown that even and regular soap for at least 20 seconds.
2. You don’t exercise: When you get your anticipating laughter can decrease Be sure to work up a good lather in order
heart pumping, your body circulates stress hormones and increase certain to lift dirt, grease and microbes from your
more than just blood – it also circulates immune cells. skin, and don’t forget to get under the nails,
white blood cells and disease-fighting where the highest concentration of germs
antibodies more rapidly, too. So, what’s a person to do? Make like a are typically found.
white blood cell and fight for your health!
3. Your diet is off: strawberry Pop Tarts Relax. Enjoy the wide open spaces of Sun Thanks to the Fitness Centers in Sun City
are not a health food, nor are Oreos or City Texas and the accompanying herds Texas, you can combat nearly all of the
Moon Pies. Your body needs vitamins, of turkey and armadillo. Relaxing will im- threats to your immune system’s wellbeing.
minerals, good fats and adequate calo- prove your sleep quality and allow your Immunity enhancement and community
ries to fuel your immune system. When immune system to do its work. enhancement have been included in our
you take in too few – or too many – of HOA fees for 20 years and running.
these dietary essentials, your body You know what else improves sleep qual-
won’t have the strength to battle in- ity? You guessed it – exercise! A June 2016 Always consult with your doctor about
article in Harvard Health Publications health concerns or before beginning an
Fitness Center suggestions states, “it’s reasonable to consider mod- exercise regimen.
for immune system health erate exercise to be a beneficial arrow in
Beginner Cycling Series • CC the quiver of healthy living, a potentially DECEMBER 2016 SUNRAYS | 33
Monday, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
Beginner Total Body • CC
Tuesday 4:30 p.m.,
Thursday 4:45 p.m.
Sleep Better Series • TD
Tuesday 7 p.m.
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
