It’s that time of year again…time to boost the immune system and prepare for Winter. If you want to avoid colds and flu, or at least making sure they don’t take hold should you be unfortunate enough to get one, there are many natural ways to do so.
Some tips on boosting your immune system to avoid colds and flu-
Eat more fruit and vegetables– it seems obvious but a lot of us love munching fresh fruit and veg in the Summer months but tend to go with comfort food in the Winter. Fruits and veg are packed with vitamin C that helps build up your resistance to germs and bacteria.
Eat garlic– this helps fight viral, bacterial and yeast infections and if you do catch anything it will have less impact with garlic in your system fighting it off.
Echinacea -this can help you avoid or reduce the severity and duration of viral illnesses. In liquid form 30 drops for an adult taken 4-6 times a day at the first sign of a cold can help you avoid it completely. Olive Leaf extract has also been proven to be more powerful than penicillin in fighting upper respiratory infections, sinus and throat infections!
Essential Oils– Eucalyptus, Tea tree, Lavender and Oregano are very powerful agents to fight against bacterial, viral,parasitic, and fungal infections. You can inhale them using a diffuser, use them for massage (always dilute first) or place a couple of drops in the bath.
Exercise– again, it’s so easy in the Winter to want to stay at home in the warm, wrapped in a blanket, but regular daily exercise and fresh air will keep your lymph system moving and your immune system strong.
Sleep – Getting plenty of sleep is vital at this time of year. While you are sleeping your body can work on repairing cells, so getting between seven and nine hours sleep a night means your body can repair and heal itself and ward off infections.
And if you do come down with a dreaded lurgy, be kind and gentle with yourself! Allow yourself time to rest and recover completely with a bit of extra pampering! If you recover properly you’re more likely to avoid colds and flu in the future, if you haven’t recovered and you go back to your normal routine, your immune system will be low and you’ll pick up germs far more quickly and easily.
