11 Habits Of People Who Never Get Sick

We all know that one person who never gets sick, and it's hard not to wonder how exactly they do it. Even with their many obligations, these people still manage to stay healthy, and to get an immune system more like them, it can't hurt to look at the habits of people who never get sick. No one is superhuman and immune to every flu and cold, but clearly these people are doing something right when it comes to keeping themselves feeling well and high-functioning.

"For most of us, the efficacy of our immune system is more dependent on self-care," says Royan Kamyar, MD, MBA over email. "Things like maintaining good sleep hygiene, eating healthily, and exercising and moving daily will be the major differentiators. These habits sound boring and mundane, but it's the basic truth."

Although it's impossible to avoid some sicknesses, you can take it into your own hands by practicing the self best care to avoid any unnecessary illnesses. Certain habits you may find harmless can actually wreak havoc on your immune system. If you get sick often and want to minimize your days stuck in bed, consider adapting some of these11 habits of people who never get sick.

1. They Prioritize Sleep

Many people put work or their social life over getting a good night's sleep, but that can have negative repercussions on your body's immune system. Research from the journal Sleep shows that getting six hours of sleep a night makes you four times more likely to get a cold compared to those who sleep more than seven hours a night. "Proper sleep hygiene synchronizes the body clock and allows our physiology to operate like a well-conducted orchestra, with hormones and metabolic processes acting in concert to fight illness and promote good health," says Kamyar.

2. They Exercise Often

"Those who exercise regularly have improvements in immune function and get fewer illnesses," says Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP over email. Physical activity can help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways, encourage antibodies or white blood cells to circulate more rapidly, and slow the release of stress-related hormones, which can increase your chance of illness, according to the U.S. National Library Of Medicine.

3. They Eat Regularly

Keeping yourself nourished can provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep you healthy. Research from Michigan State University found that eating a low-calorie diet makes you more susceptible to catching the flu and can even increase your duration of sickness.

4. They Avoid Sugar

They sure are tasty, but people who don't get sick often tend to lay off the sweets. "High carb diets, especially those high in simple sugars and sweets, lead to inflammation of blood vessels," says Ziltzer. Research from Loma Linda University found that people who ate 100 grams of sugar — the equivalent to about one soda — had less bacteria gobbled up by their infection-fighting white blood cells than those who weren't given sugar.

5. They Do Yoga

A study from the journal PLOS ONE found that practicing yoga can lead to changes at the molecular level that leads to a greater immune system response and higher level health effects. "Practicing mindfulness techniques rewires the brain to promote higher levels of decision-making, including improved self-care, which produces the upward spiral that leads to greater vitality and strength," says Kamyar.

6. They Take It Easy On The Drinks

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a drink or two — hey, it can be really fun — but research published in the journal Alcohol found that binge drinking can weaken your immune system even within just 20 minutes of alcohol consumption. If you're feeling under the weather, it's best to avoid the bottle.

7. They Have Sex

You heard me right: Having sex weekly can help reduce your risk of catching a cold, according to research from Wilkes-Barre University in Pennsylvania. People who have sex more frequently have higher levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that is your body's first line of defense against sickness.

8. They Go Outside

Spending time outside increases your levels of vitamin D, a nutrient that is crucial to activating your immune response, according to research from the University of Copenhagen. The smells of nature can also have a relaxing effect, which can combat stress and improve your overall health, according to multiple studies.

9. They Spend Time Around Friends

Enjoying your friend's company is beneficial for more than just a good time. Research from the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found that highly social people are less likely to catch a cold.

10. They Think Positively

People who stay healthy tend to look on the brighter side of things. Having an optimistic attitude can help lower your blood pressure, fight off heart disease, protect you against viruses, and boost your overall physical and mental health, according to Harvard Health.

11. They Drink Tea

A study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tea boosts the body's defenses against infection by priming the immune system to attack invading bacteria, viruses and fungi. Plus, drinking tea is a great way to stay hydrated, which can help keep your body functioning normally.

The more of these habits you pick up, the healthier your body will be overall, which can help keep it well-equipped to fight off any unwanted sicknesses.

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