Let’s face it- flu season is approaching & it’s got me a little nervous. I’ve been working on boosting my immune system so I’m ready for whatever the fall/winter season brings us.
Washing your hands, wearing your masks & being cautious when out and about will only take you so far. Incorporating some small daily habits into your routines will help tremendously.
That being said- I am not a doctor, nor am I health expert. I just want to share what I’ve been doing to keep my immune system in tip top shape. Before taking any supplements, definitely consult with your doctor first (especially if you are on any other medications).
A few ways I’ve been really trying to up my health game lately have been utilizing my essential oils more & moving my body. I’ve been in a workout rut lately, so jumpstarting my daily activity with some long walks has helped.
Here are seven ways I’ve been supporting my immune system:
Zinc Supplements
Your body doesn’t naturally produce Zinc so getting your daily dose from a supplement or food sources is important. Zinc is a huge helper in reducing your risk of infection (especially in older adults). It can also help with brain power & reducing the length of a common cold.
Thieves Roller
Amping up my essential oil use has been huge. I always try to find a holistic approach & lean more towards plant based, non-toxic alternatives. Thieves (a blend from Young Living) is the BEST for immune support. I made a roller to roll onto the bottoms of my feet & down my spine every night. In a 15 mL roller- add 10 drops of Thieves & 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Fill the rest with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil.
Rest
Prioritizing sleep is huge. Getting 7-8 hours is a must to keep your health in check this season. I diffuse my essential oils at night (Lavender, Stress Away & Cedarwood) & read right before bed. Turning my phone on silent & eliminating screen time right before bed totally helps!
Eat Your Veggies
I’m super bad at getting my full of veggies everyday. To help, I’ve been cutting up peppers & celery to snack on throughout the day. Young Living also has a great MultiGreens capsule to help get some extra nutrients in.
Move Your Body Everyday
Aim for 30-60 minutes for movement every day. Working out not your thing? Go for a walk outside (before it becomes too cold to). Check out one of my previous posts for free workout resources.
Restorative Yoga
My friend Tyler introduced me to restorative yoga & it’s great for mind, body & soul. Stress is a huge immune system killer. Turn your mind off, laying in a deep stretch can really turn around your mindset & be the best stress reliever.
Ginger Tea
My friend William makes this tea all the time & it is AMAZING for keeping the sniffles at bay. I’ve been drinking two cups a day and it’s giving me so much energy. Store this tea in an airtight container for about 5-7 days in your refrigerator. See below for the recipe!
- 2-4 inch piece of ginger root
- 16 oz. water
- 2 tbsp. honey
- ⅓ lemon
- Peel your piece of ginger root & cut it into slices. Simmer your water & peeled ginger root in a medium saucepan on low heat for about 20-30 min.
- Pour about ⅓ cup of your ginger infused water into a mug. Fill the remainder of the mug with hot water.
- Add the honey & squeeze the lemon into your tea & mix well (I love using my frother for this).
- Store the remainder of the ginger infused water (you can leave the pieces of ginger in there) in an airtight container in your refrigerator (I use a mason jar).
