I live in Northeast Ohio, and it seems like this is the time of year that weather changes can wreak havoc on the immune system. The fall is a high allergy time and when the tissues of the upper respiratory system is irritated it seems like it the body is more prone to getting illnesses. I know in the past I would always get a sinus infection in the fall that would usually lead to some form of bronchitis and pneumonia and sometimes ear infections. This was standard for me until a several years ago. Maintaining healthy nasal passages and sinuses seems to be a big key for this. Check out my post “Sniff Out Some Relaxation” to learn the importance of nasal breathing and what you can do to keep your nasal passages clear and even how to combat the allergy response that affects the nose and cause it to clog up. If you like to use nasal sprays then it is a good choice to add Colloidal Silver to your spray because it is negatively affects the growth of bacteria. Silver is used in bandages, wound dressings and as a coating on some medical devices to reduce infection risk. It is a good addition to a nasal spray to reduce infection as well.
What are some easy things you can do to keep your body healthy during weather changes when your body feels weakened. Get out for a brisk walk, even if it is only for 15 minutes. This is especially important if the sun is shining because that sunshine allows your body to produce Vitamin D through a process that happens in the skin in response to the sun. In the transitional seasons such as the fall the angle of the sun still allows for enough intensity to stimulate the body to produce Vitamin D. It is not as intense as it is in the summer; however, in the winter months, the angle of the sun will not allow for adequate stimulation of vitamin D and supplementation is necessary for a few months out of the year even if you are able to get out in the sunshine. Supplementing with high doses of vitamin D at the onset of a cold can sometimes curb.
Walking outdoors at a brisk pace encourages you to breath deeper, bringing in fresh, outdoor air into the lungs and breathing out the stale air that may be sitting in the far reaches of your lungs. If you do not challenge your breathing, this stale air can breed bacteria. This happens much like a pool of stagnant water breeds pathogens. Free lowing water is typically clear and clean – much like the fresh outdoor air being breathed into the lungs
Sometimes the weather is just too bad to get outdoors comfortably. In these situations, I encourage you to still find something to do indoors that can get your heart rate up and breathing a bit heavier. The hardest part of this is getting motivated to do something indoors so try and make it interesting. I like to do a Zumba workout because I am learning dance moves while I am exercising and since I like to dance it is a good fit for me. Maybe something more hardcore is your style such as kickboxing, where you can learn self defense moves while getting your heart rate up and body moving. The activity itself matters less than whether or not it is interesting to YOU. The more interesting it is, the more likely you will be able to follow through on it a few times a week over an extended period of time. If you are uncertain on the best time of the day to exercise then check out my blog post on exercise and cortisol to get more clarity on what may be best for you.
When the weather changes we tend to turn to heavier comfort foods rather than the lighter food that is usually chosen in the warmer weather. As enticing as it may be to go for the comfort food; keep in mind that your body is more susceptible to illness at this time of the year and try to make lighter, more vegetable laden choices at least 50% of the time. I know that my vegetable intake goes down drastically in the fall and winter due to lack of access to fresh veggies from the garden. I have to make more intentional choices and decisions to bring in veggies to my meals; but it is well worth it. Fresh fruits and veggies are packed with vitamins and minerals needed for the immune system to operate properly. If you like to make smoothies then you can easily add spinach and/or cucumbers into the smoothie to add some veggies without altering the flavor. In fact, I think that cucumbers add a nice fresh twist to the flavor of the smoothie.
Changes in eating habits naturally occur with the weather changes, so supplementing with a multivitamin and some immune support may be helpful. I have frequently endorsed Natures Sunshine because I like the results achieved with their products and also I am impressed with their measures of quality control. To learn more about their process of quality control then check out the video at the top of my website www.lisamariekeller.net. Natures Sunshine has a fantastic time release multivitamin that will nourish the body’s cells throughout the day or night. If you are a minimalist when it comes to pills then maybe a powder form would be more ideal for you. There is a protein powder that also provides 75% of the daily value 18 essential vitamins and minerals. This powder also contains and enzyme blend for maximal digestion and various fruit and vegetable powders such as broccoli, carrot and pomegranate. It has a natural vanilla flavor and mixes well with any fruits you may want to add into the smoothie or just plain cocoa or even peanut butter if that is your choice. There is also a sugar free option if sugar is a concern for you.
When you are on the go during the day it is good to stay hydrated and mixing Solstic Immune to the water will add a blend of vitamins, minerals and herbal ingredients known to boost the immune system, including Vitamin D. It contains a proprietary blend of beta glucans, echinacea, elderberries and other nutrient rich berries historically knowns to stimulate the immune system. If you feel like you need additional support because you tend to get ill in the fall then Trigger Immune is a great product to take to additionally strengthen the immune system. It is a blend of chinese herbs and the formula is designed to strengthen a weakened energy constitution. Its chinese name sheng mai can be translated to mean “generate chi”.
Hopefully, this helps you get through this season healthy and into the holiday season full of energy and vitality. If you are uncertain if these or any other choices would be ideal for you then reach out to me for a consultation at lisakeller888@gmail.com. I would love the opportunity to help guide you through the best choices for your needs.
In Abundant Health,
lisamariekeller 