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less. And in 2005, a study on mice showed that jogging for 30 minutes a day over several weeks made them more likely to survive rodent flu. What’s even more interesting is that according to The New York Times, a 2008 study conducted on mice in Germany suggested that rather than dying off during exercise, immune cells “traveled to the animals’ lungs, guts, and other parts of their bodies potentially most vulnerable to germ invasions during exercise” before returning to the bloodstream. Basically, exercise helped the mice become even better illness-fighting machines! On top of staving off illnesses like the flu, there’s evidence that working out can help control allergy symptoms. Fitness andWellness News reports that the link between the two comes down to blood flow. When you exercise, your blood flow speeds up, which moves allergens more quickly through your body so your kidneys can eliminate them. On the contrary, sedentary living encourages allergens to stay put and destroy nearby tissues. As Fitness andWellness News puts it, “Constant movement of the allergens through the bloodstream prevents these delicate tissues from becoming inflamed.”One of the best movements for allergy sufferers is swimming because it’s a great full-body workout and the humid air is gentle on the lungs. With hay fever and other pollen allergies in full swing, now might be the perfect time to start a new routine. If you do decide to start exercising more regularly, just remember not to overdo it right away. Going from entirely sedentary to training like a marathon runner overnight actually can be damaging to your body
because the change is such a shock — you might end up sick as a result! Instead, ease yourself into your new workout regimen by adding a bit more duration and/or intensity to your sessions over time. Also, if you’re already feeling sick or suffering from severe allergies, do yourself and others a favor and stay home. Going out when you’re under the weather will just spread your germs to other people trying to stay healthy. Here’s the bottom line: While it’s been proven to help, exercise isn’t a silver bullet for preventing or controlling illness. It’s still smart to take other common-sense precautions against illnesses like the flu and COVID-19, like washing your hands regularly (including before and after you work out), getting enough sleep at night, and avoiding people who are coughing or sneezing.
F eeling R enewed at A ny A ge 2 W ays to R evive Y our L ife T his S ummer
Pay attention to mental health.
If the mercurial spring weather has prevented you from getting out as much as you would have liked these past few months, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever about now. Luckily, you can still
Although more years provide more experience and knowledge, sometimes they also come with heavy baggage. The loss of a loved one, trauma, and other struggles can impact your life in later years. This is why it’s good to practice mindfulness.
introduce positive changes to your life that help you feel healthier and younger. Here are two ways to awaken your body and mind.
Adopt a new activity.
Take some time to focus on the present. Go for a walk and listen to the world around you, feel the fresh air against your skin, fill your lungs, and take in everything you can see. Meditation is also a good way to spend a few minutes to focus on your body in the moment and the things in life that make you happy. Practices like these can help you feel lighter, both physically and emotionally.
As you get older, it’s not uncommon to drift further from the lifestyle you had in your 20s and 30s. Things have settled down, and you know a bit more about who you are, what you enjoy, and what you’re capable of.
With this better understanding, you can make choices more aligned with your true interests and personality. Think about getting involved with a new activity you may have always wanted to try but never had the chance, like yoga or even a video game. Trying out new things keeps your brain active. You may even discover a new favorite activity along the way!
Growing older doesn’t mean you can’t feel renewed and positive. This isn’t just an impossible idea — it’s a reality.
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