My Top 5 Immune Boosting Tips

16 Aug My Top 5 Immune Boosting Tips

I’m still noticing plenty of my patients are still struggling to shake off the colds and flus from this winter season!  

Just as Melbourne has started to tease us with some warmer weather, the cold wind strikes again the next day.  Our body’s are getting so confused going from the heater blaring indoors to the cold wind and rain outdoors.  We can tend to get dehydrated as well.  The motivation to drink the extra water isn’t there during the cold weather so we opt for coffee and tea.

So if you’re still feeling run down, check out my top 5 tips to boost you through the end of this cold season so you can jump into Spring feeling your best!

1. Stay rugged up, particularly keeping the neck and lower back covered.
2. Take the opportunity to slow down and sleep more, appropriate rest is vital during winter.
3. Eat foods that are slow cooked on low heat such as soups and stews (I’ve been loving my slow cooker – simply set and forget for a nourishing meal).
4. Foods high in vitamin C and zinc will boost your immune system.  Examples are fruits (citrus, berries, kiwi fruit), and vegetables (broccoli, beetroot, cabbage, carrots).  Have you heard of Camu Camu powder?  This is a natural food source for vitamin C (460 x higher in vitamin C than an orange!!!).
   Check out more information on it here.   Garlic, ginger and green tea are also great for the immune system.  Making fresh fruit and vegetable juice is a great idea!  You can keep yourself hydrated by drinking herbal teas (we have a great range here at the Health & Wellbeing Studio).
5. Touch base at the clinic for a check up.  You might notice you’re holding your body more tensely in the cold, particularly if you’ve had a cough.  I’ve noticed a few of my patients with tightness around the mid back, ribs and shoulders with a cough.  Massage and an adjustment could help ease this tension and promote healing.  Consult your naturopath, massage therapist or other healthcare practitioner to receive the extra support you need.

There are many other things you can do to help protect you and your family from cold and flus and boost your immune system, however start with implementing these immune boosting tips and see how you feel.