Last Updated on March 17, 2023 by Flavia Calina
We are better able to fend off disease and illness thanks to our immune system. As we age, it becomes increasingly crucial to maintain a robust immune system through healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and general wellness. Even training exercises in water like lifeguard training also makes us strong and improves our immune system. However, some negative behaviors and circumstances might actually weaken our immune system without our knowledge.
Today, we’ll examine the three worst factors that negatively impact our body, providing zero immune support.
THINGS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS AFFECTED BY
Freezing temperatures
For a number of reasons, you are more prone to become ill in colder climates than in warmer ones.
First off, cold weather increases the activity of many viruses. This is one of the factors that contribute to the fact that cold and flu season always arrives in the winter and that COVID-19 rates rose in the late autumn and early January of 2020.
Blood vessels narrow as a result of cold temperatures. Your respiratory tract receives less white blood cells as a result, which makes it harder for it to fight against respiratory illnesses like influenza and leptospirosis.
You’re possibly wasting less time outside in cold weather, which can cause a decrease in your vitamin D levels. This is another reason why you’re quite likely to get sick when it’s cold outside. Getting enough sunlight, obtaining a vitamin D supplement, or including foods high in vitamin D in your diet are all effective wintertime health strategies. Your body requires vitamin D to function properly. Vitamin D protects against the chance of infection-related problems. It guards against an excessive inflammatory response in COVID-19, which has been linked to serious complications and an elevated risk of mortality.
Sleep
When exposed to a virus, those who receive less than 7 hours of sleep each night are more likely to become ill than their well-rested counterparts. When sick, sleep deprived individuals heal from the infection more slowly than those who receive enough sleep.
Adults should sleep for 7-9 hours per night to maintain the healthiest immune system possible.
It’s essential to note that sleep is needed for the health of your immune system because it allows your body to manufacture the cytokines that your body needs to fight infections. When you don’t get enough sleep, either in terms of amount or quality, your body produces less cytokines, which makes you more vulnerable to illness.
Considering the fact that sleep is so crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system, it’s a good idea to establish nighttime routines that support getting a good night’s sleep every night.
A medical expert should be consulted if you have sleep apnea, insomnia, or any other issues that make it difficult for you to obtain a decent night’s rest.
Stress
Another element that has been shown to impair your immune system is stress. Cortisol, a hormone that is produced when you are under stress, is released in greater quantities by your body.
This hormone inhibits the creation of lymphocytes, so when you’re under stress, your body has less white blood cells flowing and you’re more likely to get sick.
Additionally, stress frequently contributes to insomnia. You’ll be more prone to infection if you lack sleep and have high cortisol levels.
