Top 10 secrets of people who rarely get sick

We all know that person who is always perennially healthy and almost never gets sick.  Sickening isn’t it! While the rest of us constantly cough and sniffle our way through the day, they seem to possess some sort of health secret keeping us in the dark.  What do they do or know the rest of us don’t?  Were they born with super healthy genes or do they practice certain habits keeping them out of doctor’s offices and off expensive medications?

Research shows that there are immune-boosting habits that can bolster your resistance to disease-causing bugs.  There the kind of habits that will go to battle protecting your health against inflammation and infections all year long.  Whether it’s during colder months of the year or during a summer heat wave, here are 10 very healthy habits of people who walk in wellness keeping themselves robust and disease-free:

1.     They eat a variety of healthy foods

Mixing it up with your food choices is a very good thing.  Your body and immune system need a whole host of numerous vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals to keep things running smoothly.  Step outside your comfort zone – instead of an apple, try mangos.  Instead of green beans, try Brussel sprouts.   Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables like broccoli or spinach, about a fourth of the plate with a whole grain and the other fourth with a lean protein source.

2.  They wash their hands frequently

Frequent hand washing is a must if you want to stay well.  Our hands are home to bacteria and whenever we touch our eyes, nose, or mouth, we transfer those germs right to where they want to go to get us sick.  Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, particularly before handling food, after handling any raw meat, touching animals, using the bathroom, changing a diaper and just about any other time we touch or handle anything that could make us ill.

3.  They practice stress management

Stress suppresses the immune system making it easier for you to get sick.  A study at Carnegie Mellon University asked volunteers about the amount of stress in their lives and then infected them with a cold virus.  If the volunteers were dealing with high stress they were twice as likely to get sick as those who were under less stress.  Practicing techniques to reduce stress will help you feel better both mentally and physically.

4. They supplement with vitamin D3

Adequate levels of vitamin D are essential for our immune system to function the way it is designed to.  Dietary sources of vitamin D are far and few between – most of our intake comes from the sun.  To optimize your vitamin D intake, consider taking a vitamin D3 supplement ranging from 500 to 2000 International Units (IU) daily.

5.  They take a probiotic daily

If our gut gets sick, we feel sick.  To keep our gut and the trillions of bacteria occupying it feeling healthy and happy, consume daily a good food source containing a probiotic.  

6.  They get hot and sweaty

The single most important thing you can do to reduce sickness is to exercise.  Consistent exercise boosts your immune system in addition to lowering the stress hormones plus gives a workout to the heart, lungs, improves circulation, and enhances mood.   Carving out 30-60 minutes most days of the week will keep you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

7. They make it a point to get some Zzzzz’s

Shut-eye is very important for staying well.  Studies have shown people who only sleep five to six hours a night have a 30% change of catching a cold when exposed to the virus compared to people who get between 8-10 hours each night.  Those extra hours of sleep is key for a strong immune system.

8.  They get the flu shot

To really prop up your immune system, get a yearly flu shot. A flu shot vaccine is effective 50 to 60 percent of the time in preventing flu and may also reduce the severity of symptoms.  Although the vaccine is reformulated every year in anticipation of what scientists believe will be the dominant circulating strain, even if it’s not a perfect match, you’ll at least get partial protection.

9.  They don’t smoke

Smoking is just simply a bad idea.  If you currently smoke consider this – cigarette smoke can do damage to the mucus membranes which are or frontline barrier to infectious agents getting inside of us.  This makes smokers twice as likely to catch a cold and much more likely to develop the flu.  Another good reason to kick the habit is smoking will have a devastating effect on suppressing your immune system.  This makes you vulnerable to not only heart and lung disease, but also to cancers of the lung, bladder, blood, cervix, colorectal, esophagus, kidney, larynx, and mouth.

10.  They have frequent sex

Yes, sex can keep you healthy and well.  The reason – people who engage in regular sex (at least once or twice a week) appear to have higher levels of an immune system protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA).  Low levels of IgA will make you more susceptible to infections such as ear infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.