There are 2 clear strategies I work on to boost immunity.
1. Nurture our good bugs. When this natural symbiotic relationship is strong and we have a healthy army of good bugs, we have a really good chance of keeping the pathogenic bugs at bay and therefore a stronger immune system. You’ll know things are going well because your digestion will be regular and your immunity good.
2. Nourish our cells. Let’s assume we’re enjoying some great nourishing, healing foods. The other important question to ask is, ‘Are we absorbing all these wonderful nutrients these foods are providing us … or not?’ Signs our body gives us if we’re not absorbing well e.g. bloating, constipation or loose stools, lethargy, headaches, mood swings, blood sugar swings etc. The trick is to stop a minute and listen to our amazing body and the signs it’s ‘quietly’ giving us.
So yes, VERY simply when these two functions are going well – we are well.
And then No… because the problem is there are SO many different factors in our environment that can work against these two most natural of functions and often without us even realising it.
The following tips help nurture our good bugs and nourish our cells. there’s something you’re not already doing, start, (just one idea / tip at a time) until it becomes ‘just a way of life’.
1. Vitamin D. The sunshine & happiness vitamin. In Aus. the winter sun is low in the sky, it will be rare to need a hat or sunscreen. Just enjoy a healthy dose of sunshine.
2. Sleep. 10 – 14 hours for kids, depending on their age. 7 – 9 hours for adults.
3. Stress Less. Allow for down time (schedule it in), play, have fun, get outdoors, be creative, let the kids get dirty, mediate, rest, do more of what you love and love what you do.
4. Fresh Air & Physical Activity.
5. Water. 1 – 2L a day.
6. Reduce or eliminate sugar, dairy and gluten. Especially dairy for sinus, colds or mucous generating infections.
7. Reduce processed, packaged foods.
8. Evaluate simple carbohydrates, (including fruit). No more than 2 pieces of fruit a day.
9. Greens, glorious greens. Lots of them any which way you can.
10. Good fats & protein!! Keeps our blood sugars stable. Include bone stocks regularly (I cannot say enough about one of natures true super foods), you’ll understand why in the image below and check out the recipe for Immuni-TEA.
11. Whole (real) foods, including herbs & spices (garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon)
12. Eliminate trans fats. Baked goods, chips, margarines, cooking with vegetable oils.
13. Check toxin exposure or anything hampering optimum health. Personal and home cleaning products, radiation, EMF & chemical exposure, cookware, plastics, heavy metals, microbial infections etc.
14. Fermented foods. Add them in daily e.g. kefir, authentic sugar free yoghurt, sauerkraut, miso paste, olives, capers. And if you’re buying them, preferably unpasteurized.
15. Enjoy a good breakfast & lunch or afternoon tea / dinner and look after your blood sugars.
16. Own a pet
17. Laugh
Supplements to consider
18. Good quality cod liver oil or fish oil
19. Probiotic (if you’re not fermenting foods)
20. Vitamin C
21. Zinc, Magnesium
Other tips
22. Responsibility. Take control. Our health is in our hands.
23. Consistency & patience. It’s not an overnight fix.
24. Therapeutic grade essential oils e.g. I love doTERRA.
What have I missed? What do you do to nurture your good bugs and nourish your cells?