It seems that everywhere you turn people are just getting sick, are sick, or getting over a cold or bug. It's that time of year where a number of perfect storm factors come together resulting in illness. We are indoors more, the air is colder and dryer, we have more to do with the holiday season possibly resulting in stress and lack of sleep, and we are eating more sugar starting with Halloween and continuing through the holiday parties and Christmas cookies.
Following these holistic health and wellness tips can help prevent us from succumbing to illness.
Tip #1 STAY HYDRATED
Drink room temperature, warm, or hot water and perhaps add some mineral salts for better hydration. The mineral salts in liquid based foods such as broth, soup and herbal teas help bind with the water molecules to help us deeply hydrate, so add those to your winter diet. Mucus is your protection against unwanted germs, pathogens, viruses which are expelled in mucus. Mucus is 97% water so without proper hydration we aren't as equipped to expel germs.
Tip #2 KEEP YOUR GUT AND INTERNAL SYSTEMS WARM
Over 70% of our immune system lives in the gut so keep yourself warm inside and out. Keep your neck (front and back) warm with a scarf. Keep your kidneys warm too – tuck in your pants, wear long shirts and sweaters. Don't catch a "cold" by exposing these areas to cold. Keep your gut warm too. Try reishi mushrooms which is an immunomodulator, meaning it modulates the immune system whether overproductive or underproductive – reishi will modulate to keep you safe and healthy. Reishi can also help you sleep more restfully. Use cinnamon and cayenne too for warming your gut.
TIP #3 MANAGE STRESS
Keep your parasympathetic nervous system (think rest, digest, heal) dominant allowing your body to do what it needs to maintain strong immunity. Take some conscious deep breathing breaks (into the belly , not the chest) during the day to lower stress. And make sure you keep a regular sleep schedule ensuring 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
TIP #4 AVOID SUGAR
Sugar lowers your body’s immune system. With all of the holiday treats around, this can be challenging, but just knowing that you will be stronger and healthier without it might help you stay away.
Stay healthy and avoid the common cold and flu and whatever else is lurking out there. Treat your body well and you'll be happy and productive. Happy holidays!