Let us be honest. As women over 40, we have a lot on our minds. We are still trying to maintain that youthful glow, but at the same time, we also want to protect ourselves against bad habits and diseases. COVID-19 caught us off guard and the pandemic showed how we underestimated the power of prevention. Thus, we must know how to boost our immunity to keep our bodies healthy and strong. The good news is that you can start doing this today in four simple ways.

The Immune System: How It Works Against Viruses and Diseases

Boost the Body’s Natural Immunity in 4 Simple Ways!

  • Embrace Healthy Eating Habits! Get plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts. Don’t forget about fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids). These will help boost your immune system by delivering essential nutrients that support its function. Also, avoid processed foods as much as possible; they can contain preservatives toxic to your body’s natural defenses against disease or infection. Embrace Healthy Eating Habits! A healthy diet is the cornerstone of good health, and there are many benefits to eating a well-balanced diet. Ensuring you get enough vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients will help boost your immune system and keep you energized throughout the day. Try to include a variety of healthy foods in your meals, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (such as fish or chicken), legumes (such as beans or lentils), nuts/seeds, etc., dairy products (low fat), etc. Be sure to drink plenty of water daily: at least eight glasses per day if possible. Eat foods that are rich in antioxidants! Antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals that damage cells in our body, such as those found on our skin; this damage contributes significantly to premature aging, so it’s important not only for women over 50 but everyone else too! Foods rich in antioxidants include berries like blueberries, kiwifruit, cherries, tomatoes, apples, spinach, red cabbage, carrots, mango, pomegranate, oranges, bell pepper, sweet potatoes, grapes, okra squash eggplant, kale, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, garlic, artichoke, olive oil, carrots, ginger, thyme, and parsley.
  • Get Moving! Physical activity helps keep blood flowing freely through our bodies so that oxygen reaches every part of us quickly—including our immune systems, which need plenty of oxygen to work well during an infection or illness. Try something aerobic such as walking briskly five times per week for at least 20 minutes each time at a pace where it’s hard to talk while doing it but not so fast that walking becomes difficult due to shortness of breath or leg pain.” Exercise is good for you and is perfect for your immune system. Your body produces more white blood cells than when you’re not exercising. So working out a few times a week can help boost your immunity by increasing the number of these infection-fighting cells throughout your body. Exercise! Exercise helps release endorphins into your body that promote positive feelings and reduce cortisol (the hormone responsible for producing negative moods). You don’t need to go full out when exercising—even simply walking 30 minutes daily at a brisk pace will make a difference!
  • Sleep, get a good night’s rest. The key is ensuring you’re getting enough sleep every night because this helps with everything from lowering stress levels to fighting off colds. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try changing your routine before bedtime: dimming the lights and turning off electronic devices; avoiding caffeinated beverages close to bedtime; leaving your phone outside the bedroom; keeping pets out of the room—or outside altogether!
  • Avoid Stress! Stress is a killer! Not only does it increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke, but it also can make you susceptible to other conditions like depression and anxiety. Stress can even be deadly: stress-related illnesses are a leading cause of death in the United States. To keep your immune system healthy, learn how to manage stress better. If you’re having trouble coping with stressful situations, seek help from family or friends who can provide emotional support during difficult times. Or try these techniques:

How to keep your body strong

Your body’s immune system is a complex network of organs and cells that work together to protect you from disease. It fights off viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other harmful organisms so you can stay healthy.

According to Cancer Research UK, boosting the body’s natural immunity in simple ways will help keep your body strong against colds and flu as well as other illnesses:

  • Embrace Healthy Eating Habits! A balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables helps boost immunity because it contains vitamins A and C, antioxidants known for their ability to fight diseases such as cancer
  • Get Moving! Exercising regularly strengthens muscles throughout the body, including those used for breathing. Exercise improves lung capacity, so respiratory infections like pneumonia or bronchitis are less likely. In addition, regular exercise reduces stress levels which may prevent viral infections such as cold sores or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
  • Sleep Soundly Every Night! Getting enough sleep each night helps maintain overall health by improving immune function while reducing inflammation throughout all organs in your body, including those involved with fighting off viruses.
  • Enjoy Quality Time With Family & Friends! Spending time doing activities together can strengthen relationships, reducing stress levels that directly lead to decreased risk factors associated with certain cancers.

Conclusion

I hope these tips will help you stay healthy and feel great!

I would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to add your comments below ????

Sisters support sisters, so let’s support each other. Be sure to use the share buttons in this article so more friends can get help and feel great!

I am Mary, the founder of The Menopause Sisterhood. I have supported midlife women by sharing hard-earned learnings from her experience. To advance my knowledge, I have put a lot of time and effort into understanding the spectrum of women’s health. I am constantly researching the physical, mental and emotional aspects of menopause. I believe in the life-changing power of healthy, holistic living — this is where I anchor the message to all women. Learn more about my mission on the page, About Mary Santander.Â