Let’s enjoy Sweater Weather Without Colds!
How Do I Boost my Immune System?
Hydration fixes everything. Okay, that is not 100% true but let’s be real, it fixes or helps most everything! How does drinking enough water help boost my immune system? Drinking water will help eliminate pathogens and toxins (things that can cause us to get sick) more quickly from the body. Being hydrated is key in helping your lymph move and detox your body…another way to get rid of what could cause you to get sick. Being hydrated also helps your cells work optimally and thus be able to fight off viruses or bacteria more effectively. It will also help you poop better…which also helps our body eliminate what it doesn’t need to hang on to. My husband jokes about how I think water solves everything, included helping a broken leg. And, he’s not wrong, I do think it would still help with the healing process of the broken leg! It is going to help with the swelling, and the inflammation, and help your body even rest and heal more effectively. Water is amazing.
Rest
Rest. Resting is a huge part of life that Americans often think is not important. However, God, the Creator of the universe rested and commanded us to as well. Rest is a non-negotiable. Sleeping 8-10 hours a day or more when you are sick, old, stressed, little is incredibly important. Having a good bedtime rythym—low lighting, non-simulating devices, enjoyable soothing things like tea, baths, reading a book for pleasure…all of these things help tremendously. Sleep and getting enough sleep is very important. Why do college students all get sick around exams? Lack of sleep and stress is a lethal combo for tanking the immune system. Rest, however, is still different than getting enough sleep. Doing something restful for my husband includes stacking wood or reading a good book. Rest for my kids looks like playing or reading, or playing a game as a family. Things that fill our tank and help us to do the harder things that are required of us daily with more energy and strength, classify as restful things. Reading the bible and journaling can be incredibly restful, or going on a walk by yourself or with friends. Rest doesn’t look the same for everyone but it is so necessary for the body to rechange and destress—which is very very beneficial to the immune system.
Movement
Movement should be a daily part of our lives, that as well is not optional if we want to live a healthy life style. Granted some seasons and some conditions make this incredibly difficult but as a general rule, movement is a very necessary part of the healthy lifestyle. Walking for example, helps move your lympth around, which as you read above, helps move the wastes out of your body. The lymphatic system doesnt have a pump like the heart for example, so walking or movement in general is the only thing that moves the lymph and helps our body get rid of waste. This will help the immune system stay in good working order as your body is working the way it has been designed. A friend of mine, who is a runner, he swears by going on a run when he has a cold, because it breaks up his cough. Taking a 20 minute walk on your lunch break or even just a 10 minute walk a few times a day is several steps in the right direction.
Detox
Detoxing has already been mentioned in the above suggestions, but you can add a detoxing epsom salt bath to your weekly rhythm or soak your feet in some epsom salt. This can add magnesium to your body, but also help support your body to detox well.
Supplement Support:
I also think that supplementing during cold season as a preventative measure can be incredibly beneficial. Betterway health has several products I take regularly that tremendously help me for preventing colds and helping boost//support my immune system year round.
I take their Vitamin D and Beta Glucan 100 daily and Beta Glucan 500 when I am planning to travel, go to big events, or under the weather.
Betterway health is having their black friday deals for 30% off of everything on their site from November 18-Dec 2. Vitamin D (30% off) , Beta Glucan 100 (50 % off), Beta Glucan 500 (60% off) They all have a great shelf life, so usually I stock up while they have a great sale so I can be prepared for the year ahead and I got the best deal!
Beta glucan helps support your immune system by “In addition to drastically enhancing your immune function, Dr. Vetvicka’s studies have shown the benefits of taking the Beta Glucan Synergy Blend include the following:
Supports immune health*
Encourages optimal immune function*
Maintains key immune cells and cell activity*
Supports upper respiratory tract health*
Provides antioxidant support*
Supports gut barrier integrity and function*” (Betterway Health)
All information shared on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice.
