Do you have a plan for keeping your immune system healthy? It’s more important than ever to keep your immune system built up and strong. When your immune system is weak you are more at risk for contracting viral infections and even Lyme disease should you get a tick bite.
Illnesses can be caught at any time of year but especially in the winter. This year we need to be even more vigilant as the Corona Virus spreads through the world. There’s a lot of fear right now about contracting the Coronavirus but as the data comes out about the risks we’re learning that the risk is about the same as the flu.
If you’d rather listen to this post information you can listen to the podcast here: Abounding in Hope Talks, Maintaining Good Health During the Winter.
The same tips for avoiding the flu apply to most viral infections that are going around. Maintaining good health should be top priority all year round, especially when you have Lyme disease.
Before I continue I have to share my Disclaimer: Please be advised that I am not a doctor and cannot diagnose, treat or give medical advice. Any information provided is solely for informational purposes only. Please seek the advice of a knowledgeable doctor or Lyme Naturopath.
Tips for maintaining or building your health
Eat Nutritious Food
Stay away from processed, canned, prepackaged food. Eliminate sugar as much as possible. Sugar depletes your immune system and makes you susceptible to illness.
In a nutshell, eat what God made. Have you heard the term, Eat from the Rainbow? Eat a lot of veggies and make sure you get a variety and a good way to do that is to eat veggies that are different colors.
Purchase meat that is local, preferably sustainably farmed, and grass-fed. Not everyone can afford that so do the very best you can with what you have. Search for local meat markets or butchers in order to get local meat.
If you have no idea how to prepare nutritious meals using whole foods, search Pinterest or YouTube for help. Check out books from the library by searching whole foods recipes. We can truly heal our bodies by feeding them the most nutritious foods we can.
Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands as if your health depended on it. To be extra safe when you’re out in public use an additional hand sanitizer with an alcohol base. I really like Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer. Using an alcohol based hand sanitizer after washing your hands helps to get rid of 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. Check out my review for the Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer
In my home when we come in after being in the public I make sure we all wash our hands but I also have my son take a shower. I wash my face and rinse my sinus passages with either saline solution or Xlear. It’s a nose spray made with xylitol and grapeseed extract. Many infections are passed on by other people sneezing or coughing. Those droplets can easily go up your nose and make you sick.
Take Immune Building Supplement
Take important key supplements for immune health. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Selenium. See the advice of a nutritionist or naturapath for the correct dosing for you! I love to make homemade elderberry syrup with raw local honey and I like to add a few drops of Young Living’s Thieves. Here’s my recipe: Making Elderberry Syrup for Immune Health
Get Sleep
Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is so important for immune health. Make sure you are getting quality rest. Turn the tv, phones, and games off. Make sure your room is dark and quiet. I began using earplugs and an eye mask for a peaceful rest because I’m such a light sleeper and the slightest noises would wake me up. Also, if you have time during the day a 15-minute power nap is also quite amazing! Read more here: The Healing Power of Sleep
Go Outside for Fresh Air
Go outside every day for fresh air. Even though it’s cold outside fresh air every day can help keep you healthy. Being outside exposes your skin to the sun’s UVB rays which are vital for your body to get the Vitamin D it needs resulting in an improved immune system.
Going outside doesn’t make you sick. Being in close quarters with sick people makes you sick.
The simple act of walking outside can improve your mood, calm you down, and can help you to have a new outlook on your life. Dress warmly in layers and get outside.
Consider opening your windows just a tad early in the morning for a burst of fresh air. Go outside when you can for a quick, refreshing walk.
Regular Exercise
Exercise does so many incredible and wonderful things for the human body. Here are just a few: Increases Energy Levels, Boosts Mood, Creates Physical Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance. See this post for more great benefits. Why Exercise is Important When You Have Lyme
Do yoga, stretching, bounce on a rebounder, or do other therapeutic exercises. Your body will love you for it!
Spend Time with God and Pray
Spend time with God each and every day and pray. These practices have been proven to help with healing and restoration of the mind and body. As Christians we know why it’s so beneficial but sometimes we get busy and don’t make it a priority. It’s a very important healing practice so make time for it each and every day.
Prayer and Meditation naturally increases your GABA receptors and have so many other physiological benefits. Read more here Prayer is Good for Your Health
Avoid the Public
Finally, if you know people are dropping like flies at your church, co-op or in your community, consider avoiding the public for a week or two until things settle down.
There is often a lot of fear about contracting seasonal illnesses amongst the Lyme community and those who suffer with long-term illnesses because their immune system is already compromised.
You can still implement these steps to give yourself the best possible outcome. Build up your immune system, build up your natural medicine cabinet and fill your refrigerator full of fresh fruits and veggies.
Ultimately, trust God to protect you and take care of you. I pray that the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans. 15:13
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