practical tips to boost the immune system
As we really get into fall, keeping the immune system boosted gives a big head start to preventing colds and the flu. Prevention is really the key here. I know each of us is unique in our needs and where our systems individually struggle, so I’ve compiled a general list that you can customize for your specific needs.
Boosting through food
think about cooking (steam, stir-fry, roast) veggies. This makes them easier to digest and helps nutrients be more bio-available for our body
consider supplements. Increasing vitamin C, echinacea, garlic, elderberry, and other natural herbs can help fill gaps in our system and prevent simple colds or flu.
rest. I know this is a busy time for many of us, but there is a reason the days are shorter. We need rest. We don’t have to earn it. Slow down. Really look at what you “need” to get done in a day and either delegate or push off one to two tasks so that you have some more time to rest.
dress for the weather. Cover your neck up with a scarf to keep it warm and to keep from letting wind invade your system (aka, getting a cold). Use layers. We are often moving from where it’s cold outside to warm inside, so it’s easy to over or under dress if we don’t use layers.
be aware of the kinds of foods that may be hard for your system to handle. Commonly known inflammatory foods are sugar, dairy and wheat. Whatever foods your system struggles with will put an extra toll on your immune system. Being aware of this helps you to know when you may need to give your system an added boost so that it doesn’t become too overtaxed and struggle to keep you well.
I know a lot of this can be overwhelming. Be kind to yourself. Start small and build your changes. If you need help figuring out a more customized plan, reach out to me. That’s exactly why I’m here. If you’re ready to jump wholeheartedly into making a big change, check out the Intolerance test combined with a private session with me. You and I work together to figure out exactly what foods and substances are taxing your system and help you build a plan towards better health.
Something I am very passionate about is using food to help your immune system. I mentioned in my wisdom drop that cooking more of your food is a great way to boost your immune system. Here’s why:
When we lightly cook or steam our vegetables until we notice their color brighten up (not until they’re an unrecognizable mush), we help our digestive system out. We do this by jump starting how quickly food is broken down by the stomach. This makes the stomach work more efficiently and allows it to pull out even more vitamins and nutrients our body can then use more effectively. Not making our digestive system work as hard frees up energy it can use to power our immune system. This is also why being aware of the foods our bodies struggle to digest or foods that increase our inflammatory response is so important. When we tax digestion by increasing inflammation or feeding it foods it struggles to deal with, we take more energy away from other vital systems, mainly, the energy that fuels the immune system. This leaves the immune system more vulnerable and makes us more prone to sickness.