03/13/2020
This photo was 6 years ago when traveling in Costa Rica and Gracen found a puppy and decided she should bring it home. Great photo and it snapped me out of the current thoughts of viruses, school closures, people out of work.
We could all use a few reminders to boost your immune system and stay healthy, beyond just washing your hands. đ¤˛đź
đPositivity. It may seem overwhelming and down right scary, yet we can only control our our thoughts and keep our mental health strong. Try and keep your thoughts on the positive. Practice Gratitude! Not only will it help your immune system, it counteracts depression, lowers blood pressure, better weight control, less heart disease, and lower blood sugar. Remember stress weakens the immune system.
đ°Stay hydrated. During the winter months or when we are inside more, we have a tendency to lose fluids when our heated homes & dry air rob us of moisture.
đĽŹEat your greens ... & blues & oranges, etc.... Dark & colorful fruits & veggies; eat the rainbow! They are loaded with immune boosting phytochemicals.
đ˛Eat probiotics. Probiotics are the good live bacteria found in fermented food products such as yogurt, kombucha, sour kraut, & miso.
âď¸Get your vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced in the body during exposure to sunlight. During the winter we tend to get less exposure so vitamin D supplements are recommended. Research shows that people who take vitamin D supplements have better luck avoiding the seasonal flu. Go outside first thing in the morning it sets your day and also help reset your circadian rhythm.
đLimit alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking of alcohol depresses the immune system & compromises liver function.
đŞđź Movement. Especially with all the closures and people not getting out as much. Keep moving your body, this aids in flushing bacteria from your lungs, increases white blood cells which helps fight disease, raises body temperature to aid in helping fight infection, and it helps decrease the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Even a walk around the block a few times a day will help.
đConnection. Community is important and when we isolate we lose that direct connect. Connection to others stimulates our immune system, increases serotonin, increases dopamine. We need to stay connected and we can do so while staying safe.
đ Laughter. Laughing helps decrease stress hormones and increase healthy immune cell. Who doesnât want that. So go on, watch a funny movie, call up a friend, tell silly jokes with your kids.
Continue to spread love not fear. đ