Stay Healthy This Winter

Tired of getting sick all the time? Chronic stress, poor sleep, antibacterial everything and less than optimal diet all distroy our immunity on a regular basis. The good news is that we can make some pretty easy changes to fix it. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the best thing you can do to support your immune system and feel your best today!

Get some sleep!?Getting a solid 8 hours of sleep a night is essential to feel your best. Many people get a second?cortisol?surge after 11pm – creating the wired and tired effect. It’s ideal to get yourself in bed before 11pm to avoid this.. Not only does proper sleep?increase your immune function, but it’s also an important time for the body to detox and restore.?

Support your gut!?Your microbes not only provide you with essential energy sources and vitamins you can’t make yourself, they also speak directly to your immune system, your brain and even your genes. In fact, 80% of your immune system is in your gut! Try to eat more fermented foods and pre-biotics (what your microbes feast on). Focus on the basics of gut health - fiber, probiotic rich foods, anti-inflammatory foods (antioxidant rich colorful produce, omega 3 rich foods, herbs like garlic, ginger, cilantro)

Stop over sanitizing everything!?You can absolutely continue to sanitize the kitchen counters after handling raw meat but you don't need to use the hand sanitizer pump every time you walk in and out of a store. Some exposure to germs is a good thing for most people and will make your immune system stronger in the long run :)

Supplements to consider:?Zinc, Vitamin C, omega 3s, Vitamin D, and selenium can help keep your immune system strong and shorten the duration of viruses. Opt for food first, but supplement as needed.?

Try an herbal adaptogen.?Herbs such as?elderberry, chamomile and?ashwagandha?help the body adapt to stress. A body well adapted to stress can better handle and fight off infection and bacteria that come its way. Try a cup of chamomile tea before bed or an elderberry elixir - my favorite is from Eartley

Drink plenty of hydrating fluids!?Hydration is so important because it can help flush things out of your system. It isn't just water, be sure to include tea, soup, bone broth, & coconut water too as they are all hydrating

Exercise regularly!?Exercising at a moderate to vigorous intensity for 60 minutes or less is optimal for the immune-boosting benefits of exercise. Exercise can not only help you sleep better; moderate-intensity exercise can stimulate cellular immunity by increasing the circulation of immune cells in your body. This helps your body better prepare for a future infection by detecting it earlier.

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At the end of the day, a balanced diet and lifestyle can?provide our bodies with the nutrients and support our immune system needs to work optimally!