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8 Ways to Boost Your Immune System If You’re Over 65
Flu season is from October to May in the United States, and the virus affects people of all different age groups each year. Flu symptoms include coughing, runny nose, fever, chills, body aches, and headache. Symptoms can be mild or severe and typically last from one to two weeks.
The flu might not cause serious problems for some, but there’s a risk for complications in those ages 65 and older. The reason for this is because older adults tend to have a weaker immune system.
If you’re over age 65, here’s what you can do to strengthen your immune system and prevent the flu and its complications.
1. Get a flu vaccination
An annual flu vaccination can reduce your risk of infection by 40 to 60 percentTrusted Source.
It can take up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to be effective. The vaccine works by stimulating your immune system to create antibodies, which can help protect against an infection.
There are different types of flu vaccines. Some vaccines are available to people of all age groups.
Fluzone and Fluad are two vaccines specifically for older adults ages 65 and older. These vaccines provide a stronger immune system response to vaccination compared to a standard-dose flu shot.
The flu virus changes from year to year, so you’ll need to repeat vaccination each year. You can get the flu shot from your doctor, a pharmacy, or a flu clinic in your area.
When you get a flu vaccine, also ask your doctor about pneumococcal vaccines to protect against pneumonia and meningitis.
2. Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet is another way to boost your immune system so that it can fight off viruses. This includes eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which contain vitamins and antioxidants to promote good health.
You should also reduce your intake of sugar, fat, and processed foods, and choose lean meats. If you feel that you’re not getting enough vitamins and nutrients from your diet alone, ask your doctor if they recommend taking a multivitamin or herbal supplement.
3. Get active
Strenuous physical activity can become harder with age, but that doesn’t mean you should stop moving completely. Regular physical activity can strengthen your immune system and help your body fight off infections and viruses.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity for three days a week. This can include walking, biking, yoga, swimming, or other low impact workouts.
Exercise increases blood circulation and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
4. Lower your stress level
Chronic stress can affect your immune system, decreasing its effectiveness. When under stress, the body increases the production of cortisol. This is a hormone that helps the body deal with stressful situations. It also limits bodily functions that aren’t essential in a fight-or-flight situation.
Short-term stress doesn’t harm the body. Chronic stress, on the other hand, lowers your immune system response, making you susceptible to viruses and illnesses.
To help reduce your stress level, set limitations and don’t be afraid to say no. Engage in activities that you find enjoyable and relaxing, such as reading or gardening.
5. Get plenty of sleep
Sleep deprivation also reduces the effectiveness of the immune system. Sleep becomes more important with age because it also helps improve brain function, concentration, and memory. Older adults who don’t get enough sleep are also susceptible to nighttime falls.
Aim for at least seven and a half to nine hours of sleep per night. To improve the quality of your sleep, make sure your room is dark, quiet, and cool. Keep a regular bedtime routine and limit daytime naps to no more than 45 minutes. Don’t consume caffeine late in the day and don’t drink water and other beverages one and a half hours before bedtime.
6. Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re overweight, increasing physical activity and adjusting your diet can also help you shed excess pounds. This is important because carrying too much weight has a negative impact on your immune system.
7. Quit smoking
The chemicals in cigarettes are known to damage lung tissue and increase the risk for cancer. But they can also cause respiratory illnesses such as the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
To improve your immune system function, take steps to kick a cigarette habit. Use smoking cessation aids such as nicotine patches or nicotine gum.
8. Spend time outdoors
Vitamin D also helps strengthen the immune system. If your vitamin D level is low, your doctor may prescribe supplements or recommend an over-the-counter multivitamin.
Spending additional time outdoors allows your body to naturally convert vitamin D from sun exposure. The amount of sun exposure to get the vitamin D you need will depend on your skin tone.
