. . . how to naturally boost immune system function
A few simple, natural additions to your daily routine can make a huge improvement to boost immune system strength, your energy levels and overall wellness. Let’s not forget contentment, because when you feel strong physically, you feel good mentally.
Juicing: give your system a fluff-up by juicing fresh produce every weekend for multiple months or every morning. Juicing provides liquid nutrient uptake without the need of processing through our intestinal tract, sometimes at less than optimum function for those with digestive difficulties. Vegetables are recommended rather than high-fructose intake from fruits. Carrots, cabbage, celery and some parsley are a very healthy base. The bonus? Enzymes are not destroyed from cooking or freezing and full nutrient content is immediately available for nutrient uptake. For more on this powerful health-enhancer, see Juicing.
Add a green drink to your daily routine. Powdered greens that are added to water are usually a blend of land, sea and cruciferous vegetables, super green foods, essential fatty acids, probiotics, enzymes and herbal extracts or berries. Each scoop may provide the nutrient equivalent of 6 to 8 servings of fresh vegetables. It has been reported to be instrumental in helping to lose weight for those who plateau on diets, said to result at times from insufficient vegetable intake. It’s also recommended when we are feeling less energetic than usual, need an immune system boost or have a reduced appetite and don’t eat a varied diet.
Supplements – not as big a fan of supplements as of food-sourced nutrients, I, like most – sometimes use supplements for targeting health effects. Vitamin C, vitamin D and A, a good Cod Liver Oil that is not overly-processed, vitamin E, occasional liquid minerals, B-complex and magnesium are some of the most commonly chosen supplements used for immune enhancement. Your immune and endocrine systems will also benefit with use of iodine if not already familiar with it.
Sleep. Adequate sleep is our best rejuvenator. Many are surprised at memory improvement, clearer thinking and improved moods that result from receiving adequate sleep regularly for their individual metabolism. Sleep alone will sometimes help you avoid a cold. Insomniacs benefit from no T.V. or computer activity a couple hours prior to bed to relax the nervous system, or a light snack prior to bedtime.
Natural food enhancers to induce sleep include foods that combine some carbohydrate with protein content:
- warm milk or cocoa provides tryptophan that converts to the calming neurotransmitters, serotonin and melatonin. Nuts, seeds, legumes, and dairy products are good tryptophan sources. Dairy foods contain tryptophan, so crackers and cheese are good snack choices
- grains contain carbohydrates and some B vitamins. They work with tryptophan-producing foods, allowing better availability in the brain for production of sleep-inducing neurotransmitters. Oat-based cereal topped with shelled hemp buds or seeds and yogurt or milk is another good pre-bedtime snack
Deep breathing and muscle relaxation: seven to ten slow, deep breaths of ‘belly-breathing’ will oxygenate tissues to promote relaxation of the nervous system and de-clutter the mind. Progressive tensing and relaxing of each foot, leg muscles, hands, arms and so forth, can be an additional unwinding process in bed, rather than reading, which can stimulate our mind
Healthy fats – notice if you get enough omega 3, 6 and 9 fats for brain protection, hormone and nervous system function. These fats are also important as precursors to hormone production.
Liquid intake – drink 8 to 10 glasses of pure water and warm herbal teas during the day to keep your body hydrated, which effects nervous system function
Routine and Ritual – a healthy habit is to unwind both body and mind with a 30-minute quiet period each evening just before bedtime. Start with 10 minutes and follow your body’s need. A multi-function habit, it settles and clears your mind from daily activities, links you to the quiet hours of evening as a preparation for sleep and returns you to your inner wisdom where body signals are acknowledged.
Eat well – be familiar with healthy food choices and healthy cooking habits of steaming, use of good fats like clarified butter (ghee), olive oil or virgin coconut oil for occasional fried foods, choosing fresh vegetables and fruits of every colour, and use of nutrient-rich homemade soups. Eating wisely from meals prepared from fresh produce to provide nutrients without artificial chemicals for best body function, including a balanced nervous system. Raw foods are processed faster through our digestive system. Immense benefit can result from eating raw foods first and separately from cooked or heavier foods that take longer to process. This simple habit alone has eliminated bloating and gas for many people.
Time with Nature – a daily habit of spending a half hour outside walking cultivates serenity and attunement to your inner wisdom. Leaving the iPod at home permits the benefit of clearing mental clutter from constant entertainment. Increased discernment occurs from being present with your environment, your thoughts and responses. Nature is a healing force our society is presently learning to again appreciate. Our disconnect from the balance within nature shows its loss as an underlying level of anxiety.
Detoxing – the most potent practise to improve immune function and overall health is to detoxify your body. The change in systemic health is remarkable. This is not a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ effort, but the results can be so noticeable after your first detox experience that you’ll likely remember to return to this health-enhancing process whenever you feel stressed. Read the ‘How To Begin Detoxing‘ and see what strikes your fancy for an easy intro. Lymphatic drainage massage is often used by those in a detox program as well as people wanting to enhance the lymphatic system’s function, reduce swelling or optimize their immune system.
