Everyone hopes to live a long and healthy life and it sure is possible with the right habits. Bad habits can result in detrimental consequences to your immune system and long term health. Here are some to be mindful of:
1. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Most adults are not getting the 7-9 hours of sleep that they need each night due to various factors. However, skimping on hours of sleep, can be detrimental to your health. When you’re sleeping, your body has time to recharge and fight off germs that could possibly get you sick. Without a proper sleep, you become more susceptible to illnesses, which ends up weakening your immune system. Put an alarm on your phone to give yourself a set bedtime each night. Make sure that is early enough to get the 7-9 hours of sleep that you need.
2. Chronic Stress
It has been scientifically proven in multiple studies that chronic stress weakens your immunity. If you’ve been having a series of bad days at work, fights with family members or losses, it may be a good moment to take some time to meditate. Periods of extreme stress can result in a lower natural killer cell count and sluggish killer T cells. Try going to some yoga classes, or doing a sport or activity that you know helps to calm you down. Do this once or twice a week to put you at ease occasionally.
3. Not Exercising
Exercise helps to flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways, which reduces your chances of contracting illnesses. It also causes changes in antibodies and white blood cells, which enable them to strengthen immunity. You don’t have to join an expensive gym just to get some exercise. Try some do-it-at-home work-out Youtube videos or go on a brisk walk in the park a few times a week.
4. Taking Too Many Antibiotics
Taking antibiotics at the first sign of a cough or sneeze can make you resistant to these drugs over time. Therefore, if you take too many antibiotics over the course of a drawn-out cold, you are weakening your immune system rather than strengthening it. When your immune system is weakened, you’re more likely to develop resistant bacteria and become sick in the future. Only take antibiotics when you really need them. If your symptoms are not over-bearing try to deal with them until they pass. Always consult your doctor to see if this is okay.
5. Binge Drinking
A glass of wine or two on a night out won’t weaken your immune system but six or seven could. Just like having too much of anything, drinking too much alcohol can make white blood cells less efficient germ killers. Because alcohol does not allow immune cells to function properly, you increase your risk of contracting infectious diseases. Set a limit for yourself when you decide to drink. Also, know your limit. If start to feel dizzy and a lack of control, stop drinking immediately. Instead, hydrate yourself with some cold refreshing water to avoid a hangover in the morning.
No comments