immune support: tips to stay well this sick season
so far in finley’s life, we’re 2 for 2 on spending the new year sick. maybe it’s all the social gatherings around the holidays, the change of routine, stress, excess sweets, whatever it may be… i’ll certainly be setting a reminder next december to revisit this post and get a head start on amping up the immune supportive practices ahead of the new year. i have been meaning to write this post up for a while now (and putting it off again and again) but pulling out allllll the sups over the last week has me inspired. so here is a roundup of my go to immune system boosting habits / supplements / tools / etc. enjoy ~
ps, always consult your physician before incorporating any new supplements, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive
◠ sleep - focus on going to bed earlier, following the natural rhythms of the sun. practice good sleep hygiene ~ no blue light in the evenings, dark curtains, a relaxing environment
◠ sunlight - even when it’s cloudy, getting sunlight on your face first thing in the morning is sooo beneficial
◠ hand washing - obvious, but it’s time to really amp it up. avoid touching your face as much as possible
◠ immune boosting foods + herbs- incorporate foods like raw honey, ginger, turmeric, elderberry, echinacea, garlic, dark leafy greens, and brightly colored fruits & vegetables.
◠ minimize stress - this one is big. focus on your mindfulness practice, yoga, breath work, whatever calms the mind and body for you, make time for it!
Beef Liver capsules: iykyk, if you don’t, you probably think i’m crazy. but hear me out… there are sooo many good nutrients packed in beef liver! and thankfully it comes in capsule form for those of us who have no intentions of incorporating it into our diet otherwise.
Electrolytes: i love these from Needed, they are pregnancy + breastfeeding safe
Magnesium: every evening! i love this drinkable one from moon juice because it also contains l-theanine, which helps promote relaxation, or a magnesium glycinate in capsule form on nights i don’t do the drink.
Vitamin D: of course vitamin d direct from the sun is best, however most of us (myself included) are still deficient. vitamin d3 is the superior form you should be looking for, i like mine with k2. this one from needed is my favorite i’ve found.
Needed Immune Support: is pregnancy friendly, kid friendly, and contains elderberry, zinc, and clinically studied pre/postbiotics for immune support. it also tastes sooo good!
these are the things i start to incorporate when i know I need a little extra sickness support, for example after being around someone sniffly, after traveling a lot, when the weather is changing back and forth, and apparently around new years, since that seems to be our new thing as of late.
Detox Bath: a hot hot hot soak (or two, or three) in the bath with some epsom salt, bentonite clay, and baking soda.
Bee Propolis: specifically this spray for ease of use, but really anything from Beekeepers Naturals is really great for immune support. You can also sometimes find bee propolis at your local farmers market.
Red light therapy: as soon as i feel something coming on, i start using the near infrared light setting on my Lumebox over the area i feel it festering (throat, chest, etc.) it’s also so great for headaches or body aches
Elderberry: tried and true! I love this one from Organic Olivia
Source Naturals Wellness Formula: this supplement is packed with immune supportive herbs and a little bit of magic i think
Throat Coat: also contains a little bit of magic, i’m convinced. i’m normally a proponent of making my own herbal tea blends, but this one has so many good herbs in it and is one i’m always grabbing when i feel under the weather.
Bone broth: is one of the most healing and nourishing foods especially when feeling under the weather
Coconut water: natures gatorade
Bonus: especially when someone else in the household has already come down with something, we use Force of Nature, a nontoxic disinfectant, to disinfect everyyyything.
even with alllll of the immune supportive healthy habits, sickness is sometimes just inevitable. i always try to work with my body’s natural ability to heal, but sometimes you need a little extra support, especially as a parent when there is no such thing as a day off. these are my go to cleaner brands for when i’m looking for sickness support, of course, which product i grab will be dependent on the symptoms, but so far i’ve loved everything i’ve tried.
Homeopathics: oscillococcinum and cold calm from Boiron are two I always keep on hand, I also love their cold calm baby for fin.
Genexa: my go to for clean medicine with the same active ingredient as the traditional over the counter brands you already know, but without the unnecessary artificial additives. I keep the acetaminophen, severe cold & flu, plus a lot of their baby products stocked in my holistic medicine cabinet at all times!