How can we stay healthy and sane through this holiday season?
We all know how easy it is to allow stress to rule our lives during this time of the year. Between traveling, planning, eating foods we may not typically eat and combating the lack of adequate sun and rest, it's easy to let our health go astray. I recently read a great article in one of my favorite magazines, Pathways to Family Wellness, that shared some very valuable tips for staying well and supporting our immune system during this time of the year. In this article, the author suggests that we mistakenly tend to blame the season and the germs that are being passed around. In reality, our lack of connection with nature, lack of eating a healthy diet, our decrease in vitamin D intake and lack of exposure to 'healthy germs' play a much larger role in getting sick. Wait what? I get the healthy diet and nature thing, but did I just say that a LACK of germs is the problem?! I did. We have 3-4 pounds of microbes - bacteria, viruses, and fungi - in our digestive tracts. We need these microbes, which is really another word for germs, to support our immune system, to digest our foods and to support a myriad of other bodily functions. So how can we expose ourselves to healthy germs? One easy way is to steer clear of processed foods and choose to eat organic and local foods from healthy soil, animal products from organic pasture raised animals, and fermented foods to boost gut health. In the event that you DO get the sniffles or come down with a fever, don't fear! This is actually your body's healthy response to illness! Try to allow your body to do it's thing while supporting yourself with natural immune-boosting methods. By allowing your body to move through it's natural response, it teaches your immune system how to get stronger and do a more efficient job in the future. When it comes to supporting the immune system during the flu season, get plenty of rest, snuggle up and drink plenty of fluids, including water, soup broths and tea. Elderberry syrup with honey is also a great way to support healthy immune function, and supplementing with Vitamin D has been shown to reduce your chances of getting the flu, all together! Above all, don't forget to keep your nervous system well-adjusted with chiropractic care! A properly functioning nervous system is essential in order for you immune system to keep you healthy, the way nature intended. Our bodies' are intelligent, and if we can nurture ourselves, allowing for the natural, health-building responses to unfold, we will be in good shape as we move into the Winter season.