Five Keys for Boosting Immunity
'Tis cold and flu season once again; these simple fixes can improve your odds of keeping hale and hearty through it all
As the leaves turn, the temperature drops, and life upticks into a regular routine, an unwelcome guest joins the party. Just as our sweaters come out of storage, so do those pesky bugs and viruses that seem to be dormant all summer.
The good news is that keeping your immune system hale and hearty isn’t difficult or expensive to implement.
In addition to the usual suspects - eating well and getting a daily hit of exercise - this list includes my own tried and true methods to hedge my bets right through until spring.
I have found these five magic bullets, my own personal cloak of armour, by a process of trial, error, professional expertise, research, and circumstance. Simple they may be, but they work most of the time (when they don’t, it’s usually because I’ve been burning the candle at both ends).
In any case, implementing these tips won’t hurt your chances, and in some cases, they’ll make you smell great in the process.
Five keys for boosting immunity
Thieves Oil.
As the story goes, a group of grave robbers during the black plague thieved with impunity, yet never got sick. When they were finally captured, the men claimed a special infusion of oils liberally sprinkled inside a mask was the key - thus the creepy birdlike image from many illustrations of that era. But hey, it apparently worked! The judge offered leniency in return for a list of the ingredients, and Thieves Oil was born.
A blend of clove, lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and rosemary, Thieves Oil smells downright delicious. Better yet, these ingredients are scientifically proven to battle viruses. Sprinkle liberally at your pulse points, or put a few drops inside a mask and kick it old school (hopefully not in a bird mask). It can also be placed in a diffuser for a mist of aromatic protection.
Eat Warming Foods.
Your body knows it; chances are you’re craving warm foods right now. Salads are out, I’m afraid, unless they include heaps of cooked and/ or warm vegetables and are served at room temperature. In the fall and winter, root vegetables are your friend, served up in soups, stews, casseroles, or on their own.
Include garlic in your cooking whenever you can. Not only is it warming, it’s a virus killer.
One final nutrition note; it’s important to increase your intake of healthy sources of protein. The building blocks of your immune cells are built upon protein.
Get More Sleep.
As days get shorter, you should be sleeping more. This can be a tricky task for many of us, awash as we are in a million things to do, endless pings, and a nervous system that won’t shut off.
I’ll be tackling this issue in greater detail in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you’ll find some tips on how to pull it off here and here. A restful night’s sleep is absolutely critical to your immune system - and to all your systems. It’s worth making it a priority.
Goji Berries.
Okay, folks, I’m really giving up a secret here.
My acupuncturist counselled this years ago, and as long as I listen to her, this tip really does make a difference. Take dried goji berries, add hot water, and soak them, covered, for 10-15 minutes. Feel free to add the herbal tea of your choice to the brew. The goji berries are sky high in Vitamin C, the OG cold-buster, and make a delicious drink. It doesn’t get easier than that.
Get Plenty of Fresh Air.
This may be counterintuitive since many of us feel like curling up on the couch, but your immune system will thank you for getting outside. Fresh air and exercise are the ultimate hack when it comes to staying healthy. It’s all too easy to find we move from house to car to building and then back again, never actually breathing fresh air.
Make sure to pull out your woolies and maximize outdoor time every day.
Have a tip of your own you’d like to share?
Hi, I’m Heather.
I’m a licensed naturopath, an unlicensed free spirit, a mother, a yogi, a dog lover, a mystic, a goofball, an average but enthusiastic dancer. Most of all, I’m curious.
I’m on a mission to bring you on a magical mystery tour of wellness, whimsy, and wanderlust. Thanks for tuning in.
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no way! i didn't know about goji berries! my local market has been selling them and I didn't know what to do with them - thanks for the tip!
Loved this article :) Just ordered the Thieves Oil from a cute little shop in Vancouver (and bought some awesome soap from there too!) www.localboom.ca