While preparing your cars and home for the colder months, think about your body as well, doctors suggest.
Simple measures to ramp up your immune system are often overlooked because they can be hard to work into your routine. However, common-sense approaches can protect you and your family from the elements.
Experts at Union Memorial Hospital advise exercise, sleep and a healthy diet.
“You can optimize your immune system by eating a plant-based diet including vegetables with antioxidants and phytochemicals like lycopene found in tomatoes,” said Robin Spence, dietician and nutritionist for Union?s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department. “Exercise keeps blood?s glucose levels in control,” she said. When glucose levels are too high, a patient can develop diabetes, which damages blood vessels and leads to life-threatening complications.
Even if you?re running the steps in your home, or walking briskly outside, you can get aerobic exercise without expensive and cumbersome equipment ? 45 to 60 minutes, four to six days a week for best results.
To get a better night?s sleep, turn off the TV.
“If people quit watching TV earlier, they might be able to get to bed earlier and unwind easier,” Spence said. “If you don?t get enough sleep, you?ll have more circulating stress hormones that depress your immune system.”
Spence also recommends carrying a hand sanitizer around with you to defend your body?s first barrier, your skin, from germs.
“When the cold weather dries out the skin and causes it to crack, you basically have an open wound,” said Spence. “I can?t stress enough ? washing your hands is the bottom line to not getting sick.”
