Better health

Lynn U Nichols

Boost your immune system

FUNNY THING ABOUT VIRUSES: The more we’re exposed the stronger our body’s immune defenses, which rely on the memory of past exposures to create new defenses. With masking up and social distancing over the past year, we haven’t been exposed to strains of the common cold or flus. Which means we just might find ourselves sneezing and coughing this fall. Boost your immune system with a daily dose of good ol’ vitamins C and D, which are proven friends of our immune systems. Regular, moderateintensity exercise has been shown to stimulate our immunity—even simple walking will do. While you’re at it, eat plenty of veggies and fruits, limit alcohol intake, and get enough sleep. Stress is also tied to decreased immunity, so tap into a healthy habit when you feel stress coming on. Maybe it’s taking a break to walk around the block, sitting outside or on the floor and practicing deep breathing exercises, calling a trusted friend or family member to hash out a concern, or giving in to the need to close your eyes for a few minutes and relax.

Try an old school workout at home

WITH THE DELTA VARIANT on the rise, the gym seems less appealing than it did a few months ago. While you can still go to the gym masked up and with a consciousness to social distance (use an N95 mask for good protection), you may want to limit your visits by doing half your workouts at home. Tap into the old standbys you learned in middle school gym class—jumping jacks, running in place, pushups, sit ups, leg lifts—and add in music and spontaneous dance moves for a fun 20 minute workout. If you’ve got hand weights, it’s easy to include sets of bicep curls and tricep kickbacks (where you bend your upper body at a 45 degree angle and slowly extend your weighted arm as far back as you can—a great solution for underarm flab)! If you want a longer workout, supplement with wall sits or squats, lunges and planks. Remember, being spontaneous is half the fun.

Fit in a quick nature fix

WITH HOT, SMOKY DAYS of August behind us and fall colors ahead, now’s the time to get outside and experience the beauty and calm of nature. Northern Colorado is loaded with natural areas, likely within a few miles of your home. If you haven’t walked or biked the paths along the Poudre River from Lee Martinez Park in Fort Collins to Lions Park in LaPorte, put that on your fall to do list. Another often overlooked place for a convenient stop is CSU’s Environmental Learning Center with paved paths, bridges, cottonwood forests and wetlands. It’s located one mile past Timberline Rd. as you head east on Drake Rd., taking a left on Environmental Drive. If you are closer to Loveland, River’s Edge located south of First St. and east of Taft Ave. can’t be beat, with nearly 4 miles of trails and ample wildlife viewing amongst the five ponds.