Additional Ways to Support Immunity

This month I’ve covered some of the main of ways we can support our immune system, however in closing, I'd like to share just a few more things we can do to reinforce the benefits obtained from optimal nutrition, exercising, managing stress and getting adequate sleep.

Cultivate a Meditation practice
As I have mentioned before, meditation is great for so many reasons. It reduces stress, improves sleep, boosts productivity, lowers blood pressure to name a few. Just 15 minutes twice a day has been truly lifechanging for me and thousands of others. Check out Emily Fletcher’s book “Stress Less, Accomplish More. She also runs an online program if you want more support than reading the book on your own.

Hot & cold therapy           
The first thing that comes to most peoples’ minds is a sauna, followed by a plunge into a freezing lake! While this may not be accessible to everyone, there are some simple ways you can still benefit from hot and cold therapy, right in your own home!
You may greatly benefit from simply hot & cold showers. If you’re a geek for bio-hacking then you may be interested in cryotherapy

Supplementing according to your individual needs
While it would be amazing if we could just take one pill and be guaranteed we’re getting all the nutrients we need, this is not realistic. As I’ve mentioned before, not all supplements are created equal, and there’s a broad spectrum regarding how individuals metabolize supplements. Therefore, I recommend obtaining as many nutrients as possible through a nutrient dense diet.
However, I understand that in many cases, supplementation is still necessary. It’s important to work with a knowledgeable health care provider who can assist you in choosing the vitamins and supplements that are right for you. This may involve running lab work to determine if you have any deficiencies that need targeted support.

Fostering community
Having healthy relationships are paramount to not only our mental health, but our physical health as well. Studies show that positive relationships boost our overall immune system. Even a simple hug from someone we care about can lower blood pressure and heart rate and can reduce stress; all of which are important factors in a healthy immune system. If you do become sick, hugs can even help to decrease symptoms. Read more here: https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2019/07/the-power-of-hugs-and-how-they-affect-our-daily-health/

On the flip side, toxic relationships can have a negative affect on our immune health.

So, while the last year has definitely changed how we approach our social interactions, I think it has highlighted how important it is to foster the relationships we care about.

With that said, reach out to someone today, and let them know that you care about them!