Now that the temperature has become substantially more cooler in Maple Ridge, it’s time to keep your winter jackets and scarves nearby. It’s no surprise that there are many people that are feeling the effects of the weather change by catching a cold or flu during the new season, so it’s best to protect yourself as much as you can now. Since your immune system works as a protective barrier against infections, viruses, and diseases, you want to ensure that you strengthen your immune system as much as you can during these times.
Here are 6 ways you can boost your immunity at an independent or assisted living community in Maple Ridge:
Stay hydrated
Drinking water in order to keep your body hydrated will go a long way, especially if you are a senior. Since water is extremely vital for all our bodily functions, especially the ability to fight off illness, older adults should pay extra attention to their water intake. Water serves as a coolant, lubricant, transport agent, and solvent, so ensuring you drink your 8 glasses of water daily is important to avoid dehydration which can become more and more evident through daytime fatigue.
Eat more healthy fats
It may be odd to hear that you should continue or even increase the fats you consume in your daily diet, but healthy fats are very beneficial for your health. Healthy fats are required for your body to absorb vitamins, produce energy, and even boost your body’s immune response to pathogens as well. While artificial trans fats and saturated fats are bad for your body, the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats derived from olive oil, nuts, fatty fish, sunflower seeds, and much more, are actually recommended for seniors whether they are living at an independent or assisted living community in Maple Ridge or in their own home.
Drink soups and broths
Soups and broths are a couple of the most highly recommended meals for seniors as they are filling, easy to digest, and can be packed with lots of nutrition to help fight off any cold symptoms. Adding in vegetables such as carrots, onions, spinach, and celery provide a boost of vitamins C and K, and iron. Broths made with chicken bones can also include calcium potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. All these nutrients add up to provide your body with the extra support needed to fight off a cold at an independent or assisted living community in Maple Ridge.
Exercise daily
One of the biggest advantages of performing daily moderate exercises is that your immune system gets a boost through the regular regeneration of your immune cells. Not only do regular exercises reduce your blood pressure, improve your cardiovascular health, and keep your weight maintained, it also further promotes healthier immunity against an array of infections and diseases. If your body is not used to regular daily exercises, start off with a light walk and stretches to get your body used to constant movement.
Consume more ginger
As many cuisines are known to contain strong flavours of ginger, the fragrant root is recognized for its powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, which ultimately help boost the immune systems of seniors at an independent or assisted living community Maple Ridge. During illness, ginger can improve cough, fight off fevers and infections, relieve headaches and sore throats, and ease other symptoms associated with the flu and common colds. Ginger can also soothe stomach aches and prevent nausea while combating many respiratory infections.
Increase your leafy greens intake
Dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and broccoli are loaded with vitamin C, iron, fibre, calcium, and folate which are all believed to increase the production of white blood cells. Since white blood cells are known as the infection-fighting cells, these green vegetables will help improve your immunity. When shopping for these leafy greens, remember that the darkest shades of green indicate the more antioxidants that are inside. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules that can damage healthy cells.
If you’re looking to find the right seniors community in Maple Ridge, for you or a loved one, book a tour at Greystone Manor Retirement Residence today! Contact cnoble@ppsl.com or call 604-467-2808 today to learn more. We look forward to getting to know you!