Keeping the physical signs of illness away is always something we want to do! At the same time, building antibodies naturally is something we also want to do. As you know, your immune system works to fight off bacteria and viruses you come in contact with on a daily basis. This is unavoidable and absolutely natural. It is how your body is supposed to work. If you keep your immune system in tip top shape, you can build antibodies naturally without getting sick! This is more commonly known as an asymptomatic person or healthy person.
So why do some people get sick, such as the common cold, but the other people in the house do not fall ill? It depends on the individual’s immune system. That person is still exposed, he just did not fall ill because his immune system was working properly to make the antibodies before any signs of illness occurred. This is good! Recent events have people scared, do not be scared of most bacteria and viruses. We need them to build a robust immune system.
Antibodies are typically dual purpose, nature always has a plan!
Did you know that people who are immune to the bubonic plague are also immune to AIDS? Little known fact, but you can research the validity.
So how do we keep our immune system in perfect working order to get through cold and flu season in great health?
Of course we are going to say avoid toxins in every aspect of your life so your immune system does not get bogged down! From the food you eat to what you cook your food in, your skin care and personal items, the air you breathe, the items you touch, what you drink, the list is endless and every bit counts! But here are some additional tips:.
VITAMIN D
Be out in the direct sun for 30-45 minutes without any sunscreen. Your body needs the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays to effectively make vitamin D. Spending this short amount of time in the sun daily without sunscreen will not cause cancer. Everything in moderation. Vitamin D is number one when it comes to a healthy immune system. Taking supplements, including vitamin D added to milk, is not as functionally useful as your own body making vitamin D.
Do you burn easy? Increase your vitamin C by eating more red fruits and veggies. Burning is your bodies way of telling you it needs more vitamin C. Also, go out early mornings just after sunrise and later evenings before the sunsets. The sun will not be as strong, but you will still get the exposure you need.
People have become afraid to step outside without sunscreen because it is being preached over and over to never have sunlight touch your skin without sunscreen. Just because you hear something repeatedly, does not make it true. Sunscreen has a lot of toxic ingredients that are being found in cancerous tumors, especially breast cancer, ladies. Humans have been around for over 10,000 years, and quite successfully! Sunscreen has only been around for about 50 years and the percentage of cancer patients has never been higher. The increase in cancer percentage is a result of multiple factors, but we will leave that discussion for another day, the point is, traditional sunscreen is part of the toxicity you are introducing into your system that increases your risk of disease. Using sunscreen also inhibits your body from being able to make its own vitamin D, which is one factor as to why most Americans are deficient in vitamin D and helps account for a society that is so prone to illnesses.
MEDITATE
Focus on your breath for at least 5-10 minutes a day. Actively practice breathing through your nose filling the belly, not the chest:
~Breath in for a count of 4,
~hold for a count of 4, and
~exhale evenly and controlled for a count of 6.
Build up to 8 counts as comfortable. The increased oxygen is vital for all of your brain, organs and cells, including your immune system.
People underestimate the power of the breath, which is really the power of oxygen! We all learned in school that your body simply cannot function without oxygen. The more oxygen it has, the better it can function. Maximize your oxygen intake every chance you have!
Put your left hand on your chest by your heart and put your right hand on your belly. Now breathe in. Which hand moves?
Most of you probably said your left hand. It’s normal, unfortunately. When we breathe into our chest, that is activating the fight or flight response. Breathing into the belly is a calming and more efficient way to breathe. Your body can better delegate the oxygen. It takes conscious practice to change your breathing, but once you do, breathing into your belly happens naturally. That includes when you work out as well! You will find your performance improves and you should also notice a difference in your attitude and energy levels. The positive impacts on consciously taking in more oxygen are countless! Give your body the basic, life sustaining energy it needs to thrive. And it’s free!
Want more information about meditation? Check out Gaia or Wim Hof Method if you want a more sports focused benefit. Both sites are excellent and we suggest investigating the many types of meditation and breathing work to learn more about what kind of meditation will work for you.
FOOD
You’ve heard us say it over and over and we will keep on saying it – FOOD! Clean, organic, non-GMO fruits and veggies, both cooked and raw have amazing benefits. Eat your colors – all of them!
If you are a meat eater, always look for Halal meat. Do your research about the farms for both produce and meats. Organic is not created equal. Pastured cows that are not certified organic but graze on natural, organic lands are better than certified organic grass fed or farm grazed. Never ever corn fed or corn finished. Corn is what gives meats the unhealthy fats.
Halal meat also refers to the slaughtering of the animal. The animal is not alarmed, is treated humanely and with respect during it’s last moments to prevent any adrenaline from entering into the meat. Traditional methods cause a spike in adrenaline just before it is killed and this is very unhealthy for us to consume.
Natural meat, the way it was 10,000 years ago, has excellent health benefits. But be warned, it cooks differently! It cooks significantly faster, but the taste is so delectable, you will never go back. Everyone believes it’s the “marbling” from corn that gives flavor, and for flavorless meat that is true. Halal meat doesn’t need fat, it has all the delicious favor naturally.
We have all heard turmeric is a great immune system booster, but eat a variety of herbs and spices. They all have wonderful benefits for your body as a whole. Try not to focus on one area, focus on your entire system as they all work synonymous with each other. Nature is the best preventive medicine.
EXERCISE
Keep your body moving! Exercise is very important, especially during the winter months. If you avidly workout, skip this part, you already know what you’re doing! Keep up the great work!
It is easy to become a hibernating bear, but you must resist and still get outside. Buy the right clothing and get out there for a short jog or power walk at minimum. Your heart rate must be elevated. Going for a stroll or a walk is not exercise. Going for a relaxing, leisurely paddle board on the water is not exercise. It is moving, but not the right kind of exercise to boost the immune system. Don’t misinterpret exercise for constant movement. Both are excellent for your body and health, I’m referring to exercise.
With that said, resist sitting on the couch watching TV. Sit on the floor and stretch the whole time, or do some simple body weight exercises just to keep you moving. Sitting still on the couch and/or in a desk chair is the worst thing you can do for your body. Many of you work in an office, if you can have an adjustable desk, go for it. Squatting is a better alternative, although it may be weird for an office that is not a home office. Sit on an exercise ball for some instability. Get creative!
SLEEP/REST
Make sure you are getting enough sleep and rest. Listen to your body and respond appropriately. Listen to it, do not baby it. Being lazy will have an adverse effect. It is easy to get consumed in our daily life of work, kids, running a household and errands. Ask for help moms!! It’s OK to sleep while your kids are on a play date. The house can be cleaned another day. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you will be forced to once you get sick. Be proactive in your health, not reactive.
There are a lot of misconceptions about napping because most people do not know how to nap properly. They think it doesn’t work for them, or it makes them groggy, or they can’t fall asleep. Napping is about resting, not necessarily getting to REM or stage 5 sleep.
~ No more and no less than 20 min. If you have completed proper research about napping, you know 10 minutes will also do wonders.
~ If you feel that you will be groggy after 20 minutes (you won’t be) drink 1 cup of coffee just before laying down. It takes about 25 minutes for the caffeine to kick in – 5 minutes to drink a small cup and 20 minutes for your nap – perfect timing!
~ You do not actually have to fall asleep! The rest you give your body to simply “catch up” will work fabulously. You may also be surprised that sometimes you do fall into a deep sleep, especially if you are suffering from accumulative fatigue.
~ It is possible to control your thoughts, but you must choose to do so. It is ok if your mind wanders, but bring your attention to your breath. This is a great time to meditate, why not kill two birds with one stone!?!
NATURAL REMEDIES
If you do feel any kind of illness coming on, at the first hint, take 1 tsp raw honey in 1 cup of warm water. Do not mix with lemon, tea, whiskey or bourbon! Visit our blog here to learn more about the benefits of raw honey.
If you waited too long….this is a beast, but it works. Eat raw garlic. Not fast though, you need to chew it thoroughly so the antibiotic properties have a chance to kick in before swallowing. The first time is painful, not going to lie or sugarcoat it. Here are some hysterical time lapse photos of Summer’s first time eating raw garlic to beat a cold in just 1 day!
Did you know, that most antibiotics are based on the antibiotic proprieties of garlic? In fact almost every single pharmaceutical is based on something from nature. Nature got it right the first time, but there is not billion and billions of dollars to be made there. …Food for thought.