The body also changes seasons: why defenses weaken and how to keep them awake.
By Any Altamirano
HoyLunes – The air turns colder, the afternoons grow shorter, and the parks are painted in golden leaves. With autumn also comes a silent challenge: keeping the immune system alert against viruses, colds, and a fatigue that seems to drift in with the wind.
At this time of year, especially for older adults, not only does the temperature drop: the body’s ability to react to infections also declines.
Doctors explain it simply: the aging body has a slower immune memory. But everyday life also plays a role. Less sunlight means less vitamin D, and with it, a lazier immunity. In addition, the return to enclosed spaces — buses, markets, or day centers — multiplies exposure to respiratory viruses.
What the Body Needs (and Sometimes Forgets)
It’s not about living in fear, but about learning to listen to the body.
Rest remains a forgotten medicine: sleeping well helps the defenses regenerate every night.
A diet rich in seasonal fruits (tangerines, pomegranates, apples) strengthens the system with natural antioxidants.
And a daily walk, even when the air is cool, keeps both the muscles and the immune circulation active.
Experts also recommend something that is not always mentioned: conscious socialization.
Prolonged loneliness has a direct impact on immunity. Talking, laughing, and sharing reduce stress, which is one of the greatest enemies of the body’s defenses. In that sense, an afternoon of conversation with friends can be as beneficial as a dose of vitamins.
Small Precautions That Transform Autumn
Washing hands frequently, ventilating enclosed spaces, and getting vaccinated against the flu or COVID are basic measures that prevent complications.
But it’s also wise to prepare the home: keeping a blanket close, ensuring good lighting, and avoiding sudden temperature changes help the body adapt without strain.
The message is not one of alarm, but of balance.
Autumn can be a season of strength if it is lived with attention and care.
There is no need to fear the cold, but rather neglect.
Every everyday gesture — from dressing warmly to smiling calmly — is a form of immunity.
#hoylunes, #any_altamirano, #inmunidad,
