We’ve all been inundated with info surrounding covid-19 the past few months, but have you sought out information on your immune system — your BEST defense!?! Focusing on boosting your immunity will serve you well all winter long.
Your immune system is powerful! Without it you wouldn’t survive long. Unfortunately, many things in our current society/lifestyles don’t support a healthy immune response.
So whether you are someone that needs to be a bit more careful or someone who isn’t too concerned, there are many ways you can support and boost your immunity and be confident in your body’s ability to protect you!
Some basics on boosting your immunity:
✔️ If you have gut troubles, start working on those because 80% of your immune cells lie in your gastrointestinal tract (GALT)
✔️If you’re stressed (who isn’t with all this change) ➡ ADDRESS it, seriously! Turn off the media, schedule in fun, connect with people, get outside. (I’ve had to set some stricter boundaries with myself than ever before — and it’s been so freeing!!)
✔️ Are you getting 7-9 hours of restful sleep most nights? Sleep and circadian rhythms exert a strong regulatory influence on the immune system.
How can you get better sleep? Is your room dark and cool? Are you shutting off the blue light at least 1 hour before bed? Do you have a good bedtime routine? Are you doing stressful activities right before bed? This causes your cortisol to go up and melatonin to decrease.
Specifics on boosting your immunity:
✔️limit sugar, alcohol, processed foods, and STRESS – these depress your immune system.
✔️ I know you probably just glazed over that first one so go back and ask yourself if you are actually working on those…
✔️Eat lots of colorful whole foods (fruits and veggies) — are you eating the minimum of 5 servings/day!?
✔️ Add in antibacterial foods and herbs such as garlic, onion, ginger, turmeric, lemon, cayenne/hot peppers, cloves — check out my immune boosting tonic you can make: https://gracegoalsandguts.com/immune-boosting-tonic/
✔️ Add fermented foods or probiotics (water kefir, kombucha, fermented pickles, sauerkraut etc!) Buy some or make your own: https://gracegoalsandguts.com/homemade-sauerkraut-fermented/
✔️ Stay hydrated – 1/2 of your body weight in ounces/day — measure it!
✔️ Use other supplements such as echinacea, elderberry, vitamin C, vitamin D3 with K2 (get outside in the sun a bit!), Zinc
✔️ Get your vitamin D levels checked or take 1000-4000IU /day of vitamin D3 (you do want to get it checked if you are taking a high amount as you can overdo vitamin D). Several reports have shown that vitamin d deficiency is linked with greater death rates from covid.
✔️ Keep your body moving – get outside for fresh air and a walk. Are you getting at least 20 minutes of activity most days?
You have a lot of power over your health! I know that can be overwhelming at times, but let it encourage and empower you!
Start focusing on ONE thing you can improve. Step by step you will make big changes!
If you need help, I’m happy to help encourage and direct you toward a better immune system and better quality of life!