I have been receiving so many requests for information regarding immune health and stress management. To help you, I thought I would send you a few quick tips you could add to your day right away.
Here are 4 Quick Tips for Immune Health:
Sleep
Poor sleep is linked to heart disease, diabetes, depression and obesity and will certainly have an effect an your immune system’s ability to function well.
- Excellent supplements for sleep are magnesium and melatonin
- Zero computer, phone or TV usage one to two hours before bedtime. However, if you wish you could try using blue blocking amber tinted glasses to help shut out the blue light emitted from your computer, phone and TV screens. You can also choose blue blocking lenses which you can easily put over your prescription glasses. A good brand is Elements Active. It’s the blue light that will disturb your sleep cycle.
- Choose a comfortable and cool sleeping area.
- Try not to have any work in your bedroom i.e. books papers files etc. Make it your personal sanctuary
- Try using blackout blinds in your bedroom as well – they are ideal for preventing any light from coming through the window. The darker your room the better for sleep.
- Try not to drink water or other liquids like tea too close to bedtime – it may cause you to wake in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom thereby disturbing your sleep cycle.
- Try to have a regular sleep time and wake time.
Supplements
Vitamin D
- Sunshine is the best source of Vitamin D, of course. Try to get at least 10 minutes of direct sunlight in the morning.
- Supplement with the recommended dosage of 5000 I U’s per day. Some recommend only 500 I.U, per day – I think that’s insufficient as most people tend to be deficient in vitamin D.
- Choose Vitamin D3.
- Foods high in vitamin D are: fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, halibut, and tuna, Beef liver and egg yolks are also good sources. Foods fortified with vitamin D such as dairy, some orange juice and soy may also be good sources.
Zinc
- Supplement with zinc picolinate,
- Rich food sources of zinc are: meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts and seeds, dairy, eggs.
Hydrotherapy and Sauna
- Alternating hot and cold showers was proven effective during the Spanish flu. Run hot water for 3 to 5 minutes, cold for 30 to 60 seconds, try alternating three times. Do not use this method if you are diabetic. Many who have diabetes also suffer from a condition called neuropathy causing an inability to feel the sensation of hot or cold. This condition caused by nerve damage usually affects extremities primarily feet. Diabetics must be careful as this technique may burn their skin.
- Saunas are an excellent source of detoxification, relaxation and will help with circulation
Stress management:
All of the following have a calming and immune enhancing effect
- Prayer
- Restorative Yoga
- Meditation
- Journaling
- Connecting with loved ones by phone or Zoom
- Also, sleep ***
Wishing you safety, health and strength.
Many Blessings,
Monika