At this time of year with the holiday bustle just finished, the cold and changeable weather here to stay, and our busy lives continuing, we are now more susceptible to getting the flu.  The “flu” is a word used to describe all virus’ that spread in the community.  These can range from a mild rhinitis to a more serious influenza.  These infections spread as viruses however if serious, they have the risk of becoming a secondary bacterial infection.  Whether you get the flu shot or not, there are many things that you can do to help support your immune health to fight off what comes your way and prevent any infection.  The flu shot itself is work for your immune system to balance, therefore following these steps is a great idea. 

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If your immune system is taxed, if you are the type of person who says they get everything going around, or you just want to work on prevention in your family, you can consider these ideas:

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• Drink lots of room temperature and hot water. 

• Eat 5 fruit and 5 colourful vegetable servings per day.

• Reduce or avoid use of processed sugar.  Instead you can use small amounts of 100% maple syrup, unpasteurized honey, or stevia. 

• If you are getting sick, reduce dairy as it can increase mucous production. 

• Increase your intake of cooked foods, stews and soups to offset the cold season.

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Some Supplements can help boost your immune system as well. Ones we recommend to take throughout the winter include: Vit C, Vit D, fish oil, probiotic and something green (chlorophyll, spirulina, wheat grass etc.). 

 

We also recommend having a good 'infection fighter' in your medicine cabinet to be used at the first sign of a sore throat or cold, for example, goldenseal, berberis, or oregano oil.

 

Use a good probiotic to ensure that you have a healthy gut bacterial community that will support your immune system as well as your mental health and mood. 

 

For those who get cold sores, this can be a time for outbreaks, be cautious with your intake of nuts and chocolate combinations, which are high in arginine and sugar and pick up a lysine supplement to take with your Vit C.

 

You can add acupuncture an acupuncture session once a month as an immune support to help increase energy and support your immune system function.

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Winter is still a great time of year to get outdoors and get fresh air and natural light to balance all of our indoor time.  Try to maintain your regular exercise routine as much as possible and add in a hike, walk, ski or snowshoe. 

 

Yoga and/or mediation classes can help keep you grounded and strong for the new year ahead. Try to start a new practice for the new year. 

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Take this time to reflect on the New Year upon us.  Bring out journals and all the good books you have and never got a chance to read and get inspired.  If you need to make change in the year to come to live a healthier life, take this time to make a plan.  Breath, reflect, be grateful and live well. 

 

Love, Peace, Joy and Laughter are the greatest of healers.  We wish you all of these!

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