Immune-Boosting Tips for Your Healthiest Season Yet
While some of us tend to catch a cold or get the flu this time each year, lucky others seem to just sail through with healthy, flying colors. We all know the basics or eating better, getting more sleep and consistent exercise, but how can you give your body that extra boost of protection to help secure your place in the latter group? Here are 4 simple lifestyle tips for strengthening your immune system so you can feel good, strong and healthy all season long!
1) Beyond the 7-8 Hours
A consistent sleep schedule and nighttime routine are key when it comes to good quality sleep. Just getting the recommended 7-8 hour "quantity" of sleep is not always enough- it's the quality of sleep that's important. Tossing and turning, restlessness and waking up throughout the night can be a big problem for many people. Your mind can keep you awake when your body really wants to rest.
A few routines that can help ease you into a restful night's sleep (and keep you there): Power down your electronic devices, like TV's, tablets, and mobile phones about an hour before you want to be asleep. The light from these devices can be very stimulating to the eyes and brain, making it difficult to relax for the night and drift into a result slumber. In fact, try turning on your device's "night mode" right after sundown to get a jump on relaxing your eyes and mind.
Aromatherapy; the ancient art of aromatherapy is nature's way of bringing a sense of calm to the mind and body. A few sleep-inducing favorites are lavender (stress-reducing), orange blossom or neroli (calming, anxiety-reducing) and chamomile (relaxing, promotes restfulness). Try a few drops of our Organic Calm Mind on your temples and sinus points, breathing in the naturally relaxing combination of lavender, peppermint and cajeput essential oils to help clears the mind and put daily stress in perspective.
Journal and Gratitude. Taking a few minutes at the end of the day to write down your thoughts is a simple, yet effective way to help stop the mind chatter. Keep a journal by your bed and write down whatever is top of your mind. Keep on writing until your mind feels clearer and more at ease. And top it off with naming three things that you are grateful for that day... transitioning into sleep on a positive note.
2) Get Moving
Regular sweat-inducing workouts are necessary for overall good health and fitness, but did you know that sitting for most of the day (even when getting in an hour long exercise routine like cycling, running, or walking) can be down-right immunity crushing?
If you are sitting down for most of the day at a desk or in front of your computer, set a reminder to get up every 30 minutes for a quick activity break- a brisk walk around the office or even a few jumping jacks if your co-workers don't mind! A great tool to remind yourself to get up and moving- as well as productive- is the Pomodoro Technique.
3) Remineralize
Did you know that magnesium is the second most abundant element in the human cells and helps to regulate over 300 enzyme actions in the body? And most people are magnesium deficient!
If our magnesium levels get too low, it can disrupt our REM sleep and lower our serotonin production. Magnesium levels fall at night, so to help increase intake, it's important to eat magnesium-rich foods like dark leafy greens, fish, nuts and seeds.
One of the most efficient ways for the body to absorb key minerals topically. Bathing in our Mineral Wellness Soak, which contains over 60 essential minerals and trace elements, will deeply nourish, detoxify and help rebalance the body.
4) Laughter & Love
Strong, close relationships can help bolster your immunity and overall joy. Those with healthy relationships and a good support system tend to lead healthier lives and bounce back faster when life throws them for a loop.
Laughter really can be the best medicine... especially when it's shared with good friends or family.
What make you laugh? What make you the happiest? Whose company do you enjoy? Try incorporating some of those elements and your favorite people into your life as much as possible.
We all have such busy days. But taking the time for a quick walk with a friend, an after-dinner board game with your family or a spa-weekend getaway with your closest friends, can do your soul... and your immune system...good!
Wishing you health and wellness!