Welcome to My World – Natural Prep For Flu Season
Hello World! Tis the season! Flu season that is and it is just beginning, so I want to share some natural things you can do to prepare yourself for this season.
flu season is beginning & there are natural ways for you to protect yourself.
Natural Ways to Prepare Your Body for Cold/Flu Season
It’s here again: cold and flu season. No need to begrudgingly slather yourself in antibacterial goop and set out the welcome mat for the viral onslaught. Rather than just tackling the cold or flu when it hits, why not make preemptive action a part of your lifestyle? Here are some habits to incorporate into your life to help you stay strong and healthy, even through the worst of cold and flu season:
Get some reasonable exercise
Find your Goldilocks zone for exercise: not too much, not too little, just
You can choose from many types of exercise…
the right amount. Overexerting yourself can actually weaken your immune system, since it actually raises stress hormones in your body. You can see this in endurance racers quite often. So maybe this is the season for a more moderate fitness approach. But, not exercising isn’t good for you either.
Movement helps to circulate the lymph in your body, which contains trapped toxins and invaders that need to be evacuated. Breathing due to physical activity also improves cardiovascular strength. But studies have also shown that as little as 20 minutes of cardio exercise can actually act as an anti-inflammatory to your body that boost immune function. Find out what exercise makes you feel at your peak, and practice moderately throughout the season.
Walk outside in nature
Nature is incredible, so if you can get out into a park once or twice a week for a quiet walk, you will do your body and your mind some real good.
Walking your dog outdoors is great. No dog, just get out there & walk anyway.
There is plenty of evidence to confirm that spending mindful time in nature drastically improves immunity and reduces stress. Even if you aren’t “an outdoorsy person,” find a way to get yourself outside once in a while. It is innately human and will do a lot of good for your health.
Integrate immune-boosting foods into your diet
Eat lots of seasonal produce: Autumn squash, sweet potatoes and carrots provide lots of vitamin A, which has been shown to strongly support your immunity; And don’t forget about medicinal mushrooms, seeds, tea or greens either.
Sleep!
If you haven’t been sleeping well, you do not have a fighting chance when
Wouldn’t it be nice if you still slept like a baby?
a nasty virus comes your way. Sleep is the time when your body gets to clean house, reassess and reinforce what seems to be lagging. When you don’t get sleep, your body simply won’t be able to keep up with its preventative health measures. Stop skimping on your sleep and embrace nap time when you need to. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try some natural remedies to improve your bedtime.
I take Valerian root prior to going to sleep and it helps me relax enough to turn my mind off so I fall asleep easier. You can also try melatonin or a hot Epsom salt bath before you lay down for the night.
Stay hydrated
As the months get cooler and the air gets drier, it is important you
You need to stay hydrated at this time of year; You need water!
continue to drink plenty of water and hydrating liquids. Load up on herbal teas. Keep a full canteen always by your side. Your body is around 60% water. When you get dehydrated, things stop functioning well (including your immune system).
Stay social
Don’t just lock yourself up during flu season. Getting out and about can
Staying social is good for your health.
really help strengthen your immunity. How? Generally, when you go out to have fun with friends or family, you are reducing stress levels (hopefully!). Relaxing, laughing and shutting down the stress in your body allows your immune system to function at its highest potential. So, instead of staying at home and away from all the germs, you should go out for some wine or a trivia night with good company. It will improve your mental health, which is great for your immune health, too.
Take a quality immune booster
Rather than just throwing a Hail Mary by chugging orange juice and Emergen-C when you get the sniffles, act proactively. Take supplemental vitamins, especially A and D. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on 18 different bottles of vitamins, one of my favorite immune-boosting supplement blends is Dr. Schnuffie’s Stay Well. This high-potency daily immune support supplement combines all the essential immune boosters: vitamins A, C, D, E and K, zinc and more. It was formulated by a physician and is backed by loads of science, but has none of the sugar or artificial colorings found in most mainstream immune boosters that you may take. If you tend to get a lot of colds, a high-potency supplement may be just what the doctor ordered.
How do you prepare for cold and flu season? Do you have any natural techniques you swear by? Share them with me by commenting below…
This is great information for this time of year, and I hope you benefit by reading this.
Have a great healthy day!
Enhance Your Life with Mother Nature! Great for your Mind, Body & Spirit!