This is part two of our blog series for our immune support recommendations with ideas that you can incorporate into your daily life! Part one of our immune support series focuses on food recommendations, click here to read that blog. In this blog we’re going to dive into lifestyle recommendations that help support the immune system.
Inflammation and stress are both factors that have a direct effect on the immune systems. You can cut down inflammation in your diet by eating a whole foods based diet as well as avoiding substances that cause inflammation in the body. This is even more important if you are feeling run down or are experiencing an increase in stress.
Stress also has a negative impact on the health of the immune systems. In this blog we’re offering a few of our favorite tips to help manage and reduce stress. The past year (+) has increased stress on a global level and has also limited our ability to access some of our traditional methods for relieving stress (travel, gathering often with friends and family, taking a yoga class) - those where some of my top ways for finding balance in my life. Luckily there are still ways to find balance and decrease the effects of stress in our body and mind. My favorite methods for managing stress these days are with gratitude and breathing practices. Some days it can be hard to access feelings of gratiude when the day feels stressful or overwhelming. But don’t feel shy to feel grateful for the smallest things in life. I also notice when I take a few minutes first thing in the morning or before bed at night to do a breathing practice, my sleep deepens and the stressors of life don’t effect me as strongly. I’ve written out my favorite breathing practice technique, but there are a lot of options out there. Please feel free to find the one that works best for you!
Lifestyle Recommendations for Immune Support
Avoid Sugar and Alcohol
Sugar and alcohol are pro-inflammatory and suppress healthy immune function,
limit these substances as much as possible when feeling sick.
Rest and sleep
Get plenty of rest, particularly if you feel early signs of illness like fatigue, feverishness, chills, body aches, sore throat. Good sleep also helps the body heal and recover from illness. Read our 8 Tips for Better Sleep here.
Limit stressors
Do things that bring you joy, go for a walk, listen to some music, read a nice story, call good friends, cook a nice meal, take a bath. Take time to get outside and let nature bring you peace of mind.
Minimize stressors like news and triggering situations.
Focus on the positives and practice gratitude.
Daily breathing practice – sit or lay in a comfortable position. You can gently rest your hands on your lower abdomen or hold your hands in your favorite hand mudra. Focus your awareness on your breath and count your inhalations and exhalations. Inhale, exhale for 1. Inhale, exhale for 2. Continue counting your breath until you get to 10 and then start over again at 1. Set a time for this breathing exercise and know that even practicing for 5 minutes on a regular basis is helpful for managing stress.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is wonderful for balancing the body and providing support to the immune system. We hope to see you soon for a fall tune up!