So, let's talk about some easy things you can do to have the best cold and flu season possible. By the way, getting a cold or the flu are not the end of the world for most people. It's simply inconvenient.
1. Get Adjusted! I know you saw that one coming! This is the one thing I do regularly to keep my whole body working at it's best. It not only relieves aches and pains but frees your nerves up to keep your body at it's peak in every area, whether it be muscles and joints or your stomach and immune system.
2. Probiotics and prebiotics. Did you know that 50-90% (depending on what source you read) of your immune system lives in your gut? That's right! We need bacteria, commonly referred to as germs, in our stomach and intestines to keep our bodies healthy. So anytime we take antibiotics, the immune system takes a big hit and will not function at it's highest level. If you have ever taken antibiotics, you should look into probiotics supplements. A very cost effective way to get probiotics in your system is to make your own fermented foods, kefir, kombucha or yogurt.
3. Eat Real Food. Avoid fast food and any boxed pre made foods. These usually have more preservatives than nutrients, are very cheap, and require little to no work on your part. It takes time to prepare your meals from real ingredients but the biggest reward is a savings in medical costs. There are many blogs that will give you tips on meal planning and how to feed you and your family real food everyday without breaking the bank or making you feel like a slave in the kitchen. There are even meal plans ready made for you with shopping lists and how long you will spend in the kitchen each day. I subscribe to this one and the recipes have been amazing! Even the picky eaters in my house have been impressed.4. Vitamins and Minerals. Your body needs a steady supply of vitamins and minerals. Some of these can only be produced by the bacteria in your gut(see number 2). When you eat real food, you will be more likely to get the nutrients you need. Some important immune boosting vitamins are Vitamin D, Vitamin A, B vitamins, Zinc, and Vitamin C. When you feel some sniffles, supplementing these vitamins will either keep you from getting sick or will at least shorten the time you are sick.
5. Plenty of rest. This one is tough for most people. We live in a society that values productivity above health. This is certainly seen in our rising healthcare costs. If more people would listen to their bodies and rest, we would have much better health as a population. Get enough sleep each night. When you feel under the weather, don't reach for the symptom suppressors. Instead go take a nap or go to bed earlier. I know that's not always possible but you will greatly benefit in the long run if you try for adequate sleep. 6. Give Hugs. A 20 second hug stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin. This hormone is typically associated with childbirth and breastfeeding but it does so much more! The release of this hormone helps reduce stress. The stress hormone, coristol, is the enemy of the immune system. Because this hormone is part of the fight or flight response, it shuts down the immune system because you do not need that system to run away or fight the "tiger." So grab a friend or loved one and hug it out for 20 seconds and let some of your stress melt away.
A side note about flu shots:
Flu shots can cause many adverse reactions and I urge you to do research before you line up and let a stranger who is not your primary physician inject you with a toxic substance. It is safer to have your flu shot recorded in your medical record in case of any adverse reaction. An adverse reaction can then be linked to the batch your shot came from to help identify if their was a problem with that particular batch.
What do you do to keep your immune system at its best?
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