How to protect your immune system.
Our body is under attack daily from environmental pollution, bacteria, viruses and other living organisms that want to take up residence on and in our bodies.
At this time of year we might want to ‘boost’ our immune system to protect us from the inevitable bugs in our environment caused by:
- being indoors more frequently.
- working in close proximity to others.
- travelling on public transport.
- being around young children etc,
Unless we live in a bubble we are going to be attacked.
Viruses survive longer in cold weather without a host.
Can you BOOST your immune system?
The short answer is don’t!
To be healthy we are looking for balance, homeostasis.
Homeostasis is any self-regulating process by which an organism tends to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are best for its survival. If homeostasis is successful, life continues; if it’s unsuccessful, it results in a disaster or death of the organism.
Britannica
Balance is important to prevent disease (dis-ease).
We don’t need to boost our immune system but provide the right conditions to keep it functioning optimally.
How to balance your immune system
Using the 4 pillars of health and wellness you can create healthy habits and routines that fit your lifestyle, for instance incorporating the following:
- Variety in your diet to provide essential vitamins and minerals
- Hydrate! Keep fluids moving around your body and excreting toxins
- Move – at least 30 minutes per day. This improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure and helps balance body weight. Promoting good circulation allows the cells of the immune system to move around the body and do their job.
- Rest & Relax – Make time in your day to stop. Create good sleep routines
- Take care of your emotional health, find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety
Immune System drains
A diet high in processed sugars, drinking too much alcohol and smoking can weaken our immune system.
Long term illness or an over active immune system caused by allergies or autoimmune diseases such as Arthritis or Lupus impact our immune function.
As we age our immune response is lowered which contributes to more infections. The elderly tend to eat less, therefore ingesting fewer nutrients to support immunity
Malnutrition is common even in affluent countries, contributing to illness. The most common form is ‘Micronutrient Malnutrition’ the deficiency of some essential vitamins and minerals that we are not getting from our diet.
Obviously there are toxins in our environment we are unable to avoid and our body works hard to flush but by reviewing the above drains on our immune system you may be able to take steps to provide more balance in your lifestyle.
Diet and the immune system
One of the biggest and quickest ways to improve our immune health is with our diet.
Making sure we are eating a wide range of food ensures we have access to all the nutrients our body needs to be and remain healthy.
An easy way to do this is by MEAL PLANNING.
Getting into the habit of meal planning allows you to look at the week ahead and the variety of meals you have planned and therefore the variety of nutrients to will be feeding yourself and your family
You may feel that meal planning is too hard, boring or a waste of time as no one eats what you have scheduled but there are so many positive outcomes:
- Reduce stress & frustration
- Save money
- Free up TIME – Visit the supermarket less!
- Eat healthier
Meal Planning Course
I am launching my new meal planning course on 1st November.
Surviving to Thriving, Meal Planning for Busy Mums.
In this course you will learn how to make meal planning
- EASY
- QUICK
- PAINLESS
You will create 1-3 weeks worth of meals that suit YOUR FAMILY, your tastes and your lifestyle.
Whether you are a novice or confident in the kitchen I will teach strategies and systems to help you buy, store and use food effectively.
This is a 4 week course, each week provides a module which covers a theme:
- Week 1 – Goal setting and Preperation
- Week 2 – Mindset
- Week 3 – Organisation, Routines & Habits
- Week 4 – Grocery Shopping like a pro!
You will have access to a library of recipes with a huge variety such as:
- Family friendly meals
- One pan meals
- Slow/Pressure cooker meal
- Vegetarian meal
- Vegan Meal
- Anti-inflammatory meals
- Keto meals and SO many more!
Follow this link SURVIVING TO THRIVING MEAL PLANNING FOR BUSY MUMS for more information and to sign up.
Not sure it’s for you? Book a FREE virtual cuppa and chat to talk about your needs further.