Even if you’re someone who eats clean, works out during winter (we salute you!), and stocks up on immune-boosting herbal teas and supplements—we all get sick sometimes. Fortunately, there are natural ways you can give your immune system a little extra boost so you can stay as healthy as possible and soothe those seasonal sniffles:
Slow Down to Speed Up
You’ve probably got a long list of “to-do’s” and sleeping more can feel like it’s impacting your productivity. But slowing down (especially if you’re feeling a little under the weather) is actually the fastest way to speed up again since you’ll give your body the time it needs to kickstart your immune system’s functioning. Pushing through will likely mean you’ll take longer to recover or make yourself more susceptible to getting sick. Slow down, pace yourself, and you’ll be stacking the wellness odds in your favor.
Practice Moment-to-Moment Relaxation
Daily tension can put a strain on your immune system and your body’s ability to effectively fight illness. Don’t wait until you’re at your yoga class to breathe and relax. Bring intentionality to your relaxation, set a timer on your phone, and take time throughout your day to practice deep breathing (it’s incredibly underrated), meditation, journaling, stretching—whatever you can to ensure your immune system can function at its optimum.
Exercise, But Not Too Hard
When your body is strong and healthy, your immune system can run at peak performance. But there does appear to be a tipping point where intense exercise can cause a temporary decrease in immune system functioning due to the release of stress hormones. Making sure you don’t overdo it means your ability to fight off those bugs isn’t hampered. Pull back to about 70-80% intensity and leave your body strong enough to kick into gear if it needs to. If you aren't already taking daily walks (the most popular form of exercise) this is the perfect time to start.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
There’s definitely something challenging about remember to stay hydrated. And while drinking straight-up water is important—you can get creative by mixing things up with warming herbal (or decaffeinated since caffeine is dehydrating) teas or water with a squeeze of lemon! Water helps to carry oxygen to the body’s cells, removes toxins and supports a properly functioning system.
Spice Up Your Food (& Flavors!)
Foodies will love this one! Consider adding immune-supporting spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and black pepper to your meals! Not only do they add an extra kick of flavor to mealtime, they actually can support your sinuses and reduce the likelihood of inflammation!
Whether you come down with a seasonal ailment or not—just remember that you’re already ahead of the game by bringing focus to maintaining your healthy lifestyle as best you can. Pick one or two areas from our list above to give your efforts a little extra boost and from everyone at Sagely Naturals: we wish you a season full of wellness.
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