Camden Lifestyle Magazine Issue 02 "The Outdoors"

SIMPLE, SAFE, AND
AFFORDABLE STEPS TO
BOOST YOUR IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Written by Brenda Hall
As soon as the very hint of cool weather arrives, we are virtually bombarded
with ads for “cold and flu season”. In place of stocking up on over the counter
“cures” in your cupboard, let’s not just accept the theory that just because the
season changes, you and your family are “doomed” but plan to just strengthen
your immune system, just in case. After all, the fall and winter season
should be a very uplifting and joyous time! Being a researcher, natural product
business owner, natural life consultant and mom to five, and Mimi to 3,
I would love to share what has worked well for us to maintain good health…
any time of year!
Begin including SEEDS daily as snacks or in your family meals. Chia seeds
are a great choice! Coming from Mexico and Gualtamala, these seeds have
been considered a form of great nutrition since 1500 BC. Traditionally,
they have not only been used in meals, but also recorded as very essential in
folk medicine. These jewels are 20 % protein, 25 % fiber, a great combo because
your average person is low in fiber causing many health issues. In our
country right now fiber is far more important than protein for maintaining
good health. The value of chia seeds for all ages is amazing and they contain
a higher content of calcium, magnesium and potassium than milk. (Animal
milk is not a good choice when taking measures to build a healthy immune
system.) I toss chias in salads, cereal, and smoothies! (and I use them in one
of my natural sugar scrubs!) Chia seeds can also be made into a very nutritional
pudding for the kiddos. There are many seeds which will drastically
improve your immune system, choose now to research their abilities and
include them in your life!
Add berries into your regime…even if you have to buy dried or frozen! As I
type this, I am snacking on some dried Goji berries...worth their weight in
gold, why? Goji berries are considered by many as a true superfood for good
reason. Also called “Woolberries”
I hunt for unsweetened types and they are so nutritional and tasty. I spread
mine on rice cakes!
Asians traditionally recognized the benefits of this fruit for whole body
health. Building the immune system, strengthening eyesight, memory, wonderful
skin, and anti-ageing! The polysaccharides which are in the berries
are thought to actually assist and regulate the immune system. They help it
to ward off germs and infection, but also increasing the immune response
to prevent problems such as certain allergies. Studies involving the elderly
showed a strengthening of the immune system with the addition of the
berries in the diet. Goji berries are stacked with Vitamin C and their super
high Vitamin A content insures better skin...what an added benefit! Dried
Goji berries may be snacked on, add to warm and cold cereals or soaked to
add to smoothies and yogurts. Make or grab some Elderberry Syrup and
take a couple spoonfuls daily, the antioxidants are great! I also purchase
homemade berry jellies at our famers’ markets...even though they are a bit
sweetened, ( you will get far less sugar than processed canned jellies at the
grocery stores, by far! )
Welcome some aromatherapy into your lifestyle! Through candles,
diffusers, oil burners,or a small crockpot use essential oils to kill germs
and boost your immune system! Yep, folks, it’s science. Aromatherapy
through breathing in the essential oil molecules or by massage is one of
the best (and great smelling) means to keep your home cleansed from
yechy microbes that can decrease your immune system and make you
“sick”. On the other hand, chemical fragrances may cause upper respiratory
issues disguising themselves as bad headaches, sinus difficulties,
bronchitis, and other health issues…toss them out! A nice and
affordable recipe for your home diffuser is 4 drops lemon essential oil,
4 drops lavender essential oil, and 2 drops peppermint oil. Many folk
consider Sage burning within the home as witchcraft or some Spiritual
procedure when in fact, burning this lovely will indeed kill germs and
odors. Both white and blue sage are used by many as well as essential
oils to kill airborne creepies in your home when someone had been ill,
etc. Again, this is simple science and proven effective!
Deep Breathing with exercise is essential for a healthy immune system
so…even in cold weather (and you will burn more calories than in
warm weather) get up and get out! You need the negative ions outside,
the oxygenating of your blood stream through deep breathing, and the
movement for preventing osteoporosis, preventing heart disease, and
even some types of cancer. Even only 20 minutes of constant movement
such as walking the dog, will build your immune system and
could cut your chance of cardiovascular disease by up to forty percent!
When you or a family member is sick, get them outside! Even in the
winter, essential vitamin D can be obtained. Stress pulls your immune
system down dramatically whereas exercise and deep breathing will
help eliminate some of that stress. After the exercise, enjoy a very long,
warm, bath. Our culture is so busy that folks, especially men, will not
soak. Soaking promotes circulation and good circulation maintains
and regulates the vital organs. A warm bath preferably with Epsom
salts, massaging the soles of your feet which will help all muscles
and aches could make a world of difference in your mood, sleep, and
health overall.
Purpose now, to guard your sleep. I may have listed this last, but restful
sleep is the number one factor to maintain a strong immune systems.
Folks, this means, no electronics and social media about one
and a half hours before bed. Bathe or read a book (not on electronic
devices) to decompress some. Your body does most of its regenerating
and repair work at night and especially between the hours of eleven
to three a.m. Your room should be dark and cool. I use a fan but some
may use the white noise apps and machines to drown out any outside
noises. Many chronic illnesses could be reversed with proper diet and
proper sleep entirely. Eating before bed may disrupt sleep because
of the digestive process and eating a starch combined with a fat will
definitely do so, and add weight! Strive to get 7 to 8 hours sleep and
you will have more energy and mental clarity during the day. Sleep,
once again, is essential to a good functioning immune system. Your
body must have consistency in its sleep pattern and if you have children,
this will really help them stay well and be able to resist catching
illnesses from those they are around.
Above all, from life experience, 36 years of marriage and parenting, a
person’s food habits will either help you stay well or hinder your good
health. Eat as many plant based foods as possible in your diet and far
less processed empty type foods. Include lots of homemade vegetable
soups including LOTS of garlic and onions! Put on some old comedy
shows and laugh a lot...it’s great for your health!