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11 ways to skip sickness this season

Floss it up

The bacteria that cause gum disease also appear to trigger inflammation throughout the rest of the body. Running some floss through your pearly whites at least once a day could protect you from both heart disease and cancer, adding 6.4 years to your life, says Michael F. Roizen, M.D., author of The Real Age Makeover. Who knew a little string could wield so much power?

 

Enjoy a good poke

Data suggests it stimulates the body’s “natural killer” (NK) cells (yup, that’s their real name), which put the kibosh on viruses and other illness inducers, so you get sick less frequently. Schedule an appointment four times per year, at the change of the seasons, suggests Marc Sklar, L.Ac. who practices in San Diego. You can locate an acupuncturist in your area at acufinder.com

 

Hit the hay

Between work, family and friends, it’s tough to squeeze everything you need to do into a measly 24-hour day. Unfortunately, sleep can’t be the thing that gives. Studies show that even minor deprivation can cause an inflammatory effect in the body. This autoimmune response throws all of your major systems (digestive, cardiovascular and central nervous) out of whack and can set the stage for several diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and depression. To maintain balance, you really do need to log seven to nine hours each night, says Mark Liponis, M.D., medical director of Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Lenox, Mass.

Sweat your butt off

You may think your muscles hate you during your morning jog, but your immune system is loving it—we swear! Engaging in at least 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise every day helps strengthens your virus-destroying T-cell and antibody response, advises Liponis. People who don’t exercise also tend to have higher levels of C-reactive protein, which the liver produces in response to inflammation—a big, waving red flag that your immune system is spinning the wheels.

Treat yourself to a massage

Most of us consider a pro session a birthday splurge or once-in-a-while luxury, but research has shown that regular rubdowns offer legit health benefits. According to a pilot study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, even a single 45-miniute Swedish massage raises levels of a key antibody in healthy women. Now the question is, whom can you convince to give you a back rub tonight?

Crank your Spotify

Another reason to blast your best Britney/Beyoncé mix? Listening to upbeat dance music for 50 minutes can instantly boost your levels of a protective antibody that helps destroy bacteria and viruses. Bonus: It also lowers the level of the stress hormone cortisol, which compromises immune function.

 

Make like a pretzel

Not only will time on the yoga mat help you achieve balance, but it’ll do the same for your immunity. Washington State University researchers’ found that breast cancer survivors who practiced lyengar—a specific form of yoga that emphasizes precise alignment—three times a week for eight weeks displayed lower levels of a protein that gets triggered in response to stress. Looking for a more low-key style? Give hatha yoga and rhythmic breathing a whirl. University of Texas scientists found it increases levels of disease-fighting antioxidants.

Schedule face time (not Facetime) with friends

Remember those folks you used to have brunch with on the regular? The ones who populate your social news feed with hilarious videos and lists? It’s time to bring the band back together in real life. People with a strong social support network offline tend to live longer than those who are more withdrawn, and a study of first-year med students at Ohio State University could give a clue as to why: Those who scored highest on tests that measured loneliness had fewer bacteria and virus-whupping NK cells than their connected peers.

LOL—literally

Turns out your YouTube animal-bloopers marathon is more than just an afternoon distraction: Aside from relieving tension, a good laugh—or the anticipation of one—can increase the number and functionality of NK cells, other T cells and antibodies, as per research out of Loma Linda University in California. Your boss can’t argue with that, right? Right.

Put your back into it

Tucked just behind your breastplate is your thymus, a pint-size gland where your T cells grow and mature. It basically captains your whole central nervous system, and if it gets overworked, you’re more likely to experience recurring bacterial or viral infections, allergies and fatigue. James Forleo, D.C., author of Health Is Simple, Disease Is Complicated, recommends a chiropractic adjustment, which research suggests can help prevent immunological imbalance caused by misalignments in the spine.

Take a deep breath

It’s easy to take respiration for granted—after all, the process just happens without us having to think about it. But researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that healthy people who completed an eight-week course in mindfulness meditation and learned to pay attention to their breathing patterns produced significantly more antibodies in response to a flu vaccine than a control group. Wanna try it yourself? For at least 20 minutes each day, sit quietly and concentrate on slowing your inhale-exhale cycle. Repeat the process anytime you’re feeling distracted or stressed.

 

Source: MSN Health