Healthy Immune System = Healthy You!
Newspapers and magazines, in print and online, are currently full of articles about how to stay healthy during what we think of as cold and flu season. While I find it strange that there is a time of year assigned to these viruses (because of kids in school? people not getting enough fresh air?) I’m actually sipping on some Echinacea Immune Support Tea right now. May as well!
My tips for keeping your body balanced this season:
1. Get plenty of sleep. It’s what your body wants to do during these darker months. Your body heals itself while you are sleeping and all kinds of chemical things (complicated term, I know) are happening that help you maintain balance regarding body weight, mood, and overall health. (More sleep tips here.)
2. Vitamins C and D. Vitamin C has been recommended for several decades to help defend against colds. Recently Vitamin D has been in the spotlight as a supporter of good health (and most of us are deficient in this one, especially during this time of year). Dr. Northrup’s recent article highlights the benefits of Vitamin D. Getting vitamins through natural sources (food and sun, in this case) is ideal, but there are high-quality supplements available, too.
3. Exercise. Find a fun way to move around and increase your heart rate. Your body and mind will be better off for it! The increased oxygen intake and sweating both help your body produce virus-killing cells. The "fun" part will help your mental health.
4. Water. Drink it. Lots of it. Herbal teas, hot or iced, will do the trick, too. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking that all beverages are the same. Too much caffeine and sugar will stress your system, counteracting some of the benefits you are trying to obtain.
5. Eat yogurt. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt has been getting a lot of screen and print time recently, too. As with beverages, watch out for too much sugar getting into your yogurt. Ideally, start making your own plain yogurt and then add honey, all-fruit jam, etc. to know exactly from where the "sweet" is coming. I first started making yogurt after reading French Women Don’t Get Fat
6. Enjoy your life. Stress reeks havoc on your immune system! Stress has its own set of chemical reactions for your body, but it is usually accompanied by less sleep and not eating well, so packs a triple whammy. Goal #1 is to eliminate the source of the stress; Goal #2 is to find ways to release it (exercise, massage, meditation, music). Relaxing is not some time-wasting activity that might happen on a Saturday afternoon, it is an essential part of good health. You officially have permission to relax. No amount of vitamins, water, and exercise are going to help you if you submerge yourself in toxic situations and surroundings.
There are many more suggestions for supporting good health, but those are my top six. Be happy and stay immune!
