Though the colder period of the year is usually the one when we start thinking and talking about colds and the flu, we shouldn’t wait for the cold days to arrive to start preparing our bodies. Now is as good a time as any to give your immune system a boost. If you don’t know how to do so or are in need of some more ideas, then this blog post is for you!
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Aromatherapy as the First Line of Defence
I know, I know, you’re thinking of using supplements, but quality organic essential oils consisting of carefully sourced 100% natural active ingredients can be a great alternative solution. From single oils to oil blends, you’ve got a wide range of options to choose from and there are various ways you can implement them in your life.
From diffusing them to applying them topically, or simply inhaling them, it’s very easy to boost your immune system with essential oils. This is so because many oils are known for their antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, such as eucalyptus, lemon and tea tree among others. Given that they stimulate the production of white cells, they can help out your body when it comes to its ability to fight illnesses.
Considering the air at home tends to get dryer when it’s colder, the use of a vaporiser or diffuser for the oils can be of help with humidifying the air. Humid air keeps your airways moist, thus helping to prevent viruses from getting into your body. Moreover, when you already have cold or flu-like symptoms, you can reach out for your set of oil essentials to relieve them.
For example, peppermint and clary sage can fight off congestion caused by bacteria and treat runny nose, whereas lavender can relieve headaches and reduce inflammation. On the plus side, such organic essential oils provide additional benefits, such as improving digestion, mood and blood circulation, which are reasons more to make use of them in your daily life.
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Balanced Diet to the Rescue
Yes, once again the diet has a say in the health, or specifically how well your body’s ability to fight off viruses and bacteria. To avoid frequent colds or the flu, you must avoid processed foods, as well as refined sugar.
If you simply can’t give up sugar altogether, the answer lies in making a switch to a healthy alternative like erythritol, xylitol and stevia. Same as with the essential oils Australia health experts promote the use of natural sweeteners for their antibacterial properties. No surprise they’re also helpful with fighting tooth decay.
In addition to this sugary change, you’d also have to put more foods on your plate that can give your immune system a boost. What’s great about altering your diet this way is that it’s also going to be at the benefit of your stomach, intestines as well as health in general. Not to mention, minding what you eat is a strategy that assists with maintaining the waist too!
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Drink Up Lots of Water
By now, you’re probably aware of how essential staying hydrated is for your overall well-being, considering water is responsible for our bodily functions. Well, when it comes to fighting bacteria and viruses, water flushes out toxins from the body, thus it keeps the respiratory tract mucus thin. This is particularly essential when dealing with a runny nose and coughs as it’s easier for the infection to make it out of the system.
Don’t Let Stress Get You
One of the biggest culprits, stress, or rather the stress hormone corticosteroid, has a bad impact on the immune system because it lowers the lymphocytes which are essential for hunting down germs. When dealing with chronic stress, you become more susceptible to infections because your body’s response to such an attack is much slower than normal.
For the sake of your immunity, as well as your overall health, it’s necessary to nip stress in the bud. One of the solutions is to get the basic equipment and start practising yoga as it relieves tension and anxiety through breathing techniques.
If you aren’t fond of the idea of becoming a yogi, another solution is to spend some time pampering, exercising and doing some hobby that makes you happy. For instance, gardening is a great method to relax even if you’re a beginner, and so are photography and knitting.
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Beauty Sleep Is Key
Same as with stress, lack of sleep increases your risk of getting sick. This is so because sleep deprivation affects the production of the protective cytokines which significantly increases the chances for infection and inflammation. It’s simple: If you want to be healthy, it’s necessary to make sure you get the needed hours of sleep every night, no more and no less.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, besides the use of essential oils and relaxation methods as yoga and hobbies, you ought to turn your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary. This can be done by blocking out noise and light, getting rid of mess, and using organic bedding that promotes restfulness. Lastly, remember to keep food light at night, and don’t eat right before bedtime.
