How can we build our Immunity?
First, consider these 4 things that deplete our immunity:
- Lack of Sleep. That's a biggie, I know. Especially today! Social isolation and worries about all the things that empact us is a big reason for wakeful nights. But even during good times, parental duties, job duties, normal anxiety, etc., can cause interruptions in our sleep. I have some strategies that work for me, perhaps they will work for you.
Processed Food. Fast food. Takeout food. Real food harvested not for optimal nutrition, but for optimal transportation to your grocery store. Real food grown in soil poisioned by pesticides and depleted of essential nutrient building minerals. Our bodies can't function optimally when we consume fake food or food devoid of nutrients. Again, I have recommendations for you to help with nutrition.
Sugar. Refined white sugar. Fake sugar like High Fructose Corn Syrup. Synthetic sugars like aspartame, splenda, etc. Consuming sugar will immediately decrease your immunity! As a reformed sugar addict, I know first hand how hard it is to ditch it! The stuggle is REAL and UGLY! Have you looked into all the health problems caused by sweet, innocent little Sugar? We have to kick its little butt out of our lives! Again, I can help you with that.
Stress. Anxiety. Your Fight or Flight response is in place to protect you. But if you are in a perpetual state of F or F, you are undoubtably damaging your adrenals. Stress is known to cause many illnesses and disorders. I'm not a medical professional, but I have found things that help us manage stress.
Any list of negatives needs a corresponding list of positives, right?
Here you go:
Sunshine. There are dozens and dozens of studies published about the benefits of getting outside on a sunny day: improved circulation, balanced sleep/wake cycle, Vitamin D, etc.- Exercise. It doesn't have to involve a gym or specialized equipment. A simple 20 minute brisk walk is enough. Can't walk briskly yet? Then start where you are and just walk. Movement gets your lymphatic system moving. That's reason enough to move, but there are hundreds of other benefits.
- Fresh Foods. When you shop for groceries, make most of your purchases from the fresh and fresh-frozen sections. Read labels on EVERYTHING. Avoid processed, fortified, sugar-free and fat-free foods. (Usually this means it is WORSE for you than the one it replaces.)
- Sleep. How can sleep be on both lists? Just like not enough of it is bad for us, adequate sleep is good for us! Our bodies rejuvenate while we sleep. Our brains solve problems for us while we sleep! (I'm an artsy, word-sy gal. Math isn't my thing. While in college there were many nights I'd work on a trig problem until I could no longer hold my head up. After a good night's sleep, I'd go back to the problem and be able to solve it quickly.) Sleep - the lack of it - can be an easy fix OR may require many lifestyle changes. Are you willing to try?
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