We are all running a little scared right now because of the Coronavirus epidemic. One of the best things we can do to prevent contracting the virus is to strengthen our immune system!
As a Registered Nurse, Certified Health Coach, and Mom – I’ve noticed some basic lifestyle habits that can either help us stay healthy or can help us get sick.
Today I want to give you 3 simple tips to boost your immune system that you can start to use today.
Don’t have time to read? Listen to the podcast episode here.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
First things first. It’s incredibly important to remember that our body is designed to heal.
Our #1 job is to support our body’s natural ability and processes. As a parent, you have double duty because we’re also doing the same thing for our kids’ bodies.
The nice thing is that our bodies are all supported in the same basic way. So it’s not like you have to do this thing for yourself as an adult, but then it’s something completely for your kids.
RELATED: 4 MUST HAVE TOOLS FOR HEALTHY MOMS
Frequent colds, or being unhealthy, is your body’s way of telling you some things need to change. It’s not normal despite what we may believe.
So let’s talk about some things that most of us are doing every day that weaken our immune system. And I’m just going to sum it up because I want this to be quick and easy to put into practice.
DAILY PRACTICES THAT WEAKEN OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS
These are the most common issues I see with my clients that are weakening their immune system.
- Most of us are taking in too many toxins.
- not eating the right food.
- we’re stressed
- not sleeping well.
- we try to be too clean
- and we’re not exercising…just to name a few.
Every choice we make throughout the day is either helping or harming or health.
STOP and reread that sentence ☝🏻
That one is what majorly helped me turn my health around.
RELATED: CORONAVIRUS CRAZINESS: A PEACEFUL LIVING WELLNESS APPROACH TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC
THREE TIPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
In addition to the basics of healthy living like eating right, sleeping well, exercise, healthy thoughts – here are those 3 tips I promised to help you boost your (and your family’s) immune system.
- Reduce your sugar intake
Sugar is the only number on the nutrition label that I advise my clients to look at. The RDA (recommended daily amount) of sugar for a mid-aged child is 11g per day (less for smaller kids). For an adult woman it is 25g per day. And for an adult male it is 36g per day.
Sugar weakens our immune system. It also destroys our gut and leads to overgrowth of harmful bacteria in our gut. Out gut houses at least 80% of our immune system.
- Take Vitamin C
I take Vitamin C daily because the human body doesn’t make it on it’s own. This means we need to get it from an outside source. There are many more benefits to Vitamin C than we give it credit for.
I know most of us think to start chugging orange juice when we’re sick to get Vitamin C; however, juice is a horrible source of vitamin c.
This is because, as I mentioned above, sugar weakens our immune system. Also, sugar and vitamin c compete to get into cells. Juice is sugar.
The best sources of vitamin c in food are kale, dark leafy greens and bell pepper. As a nurse I was taught ascorbic acid = Vitamin C. Which isn’t true. Ascorbic acid is only one part of Vitamin C, and we need all the parts for it to be effective.
When searching for a Vitamin C supplement, look for food on the label such as berries. My fave brand for myself is this one and I use this spray for my daughter.
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements.
- Use essential oils
I love essential oils so much! They were definitely a game changer for my family’s health.
Because I’ve spent years researching toxins, how to identify toxins, what products are greenwashed, etc – I’ve come across A LOT of brands of ‘essential oils’ that are nothing more than synthetic fragrance.
You MUST check the quality of your essential oils before use. I go into detail on just how to do that here. If you don’t want to spend the time researching a bunch of essential oil companies out there, I get it! You’re busy.
I’ve done the research for you and am happy to share the brand I use with my family.
The amazing thing about essential oils is that their molecule size is small enough to get into cells which is where viruses live.
BONUS TIPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Ok I know I said 3 tips, but I have a couple more resources that could be helpful 🙂
First, is my post about how being a germaphobe may be making you sick.
Second, I offer more tips to naturally boost your immune system here.
I can tell you from experience that it’s such an AMAZING feeling to rarely get sick. I will never go back to practicing the things that weaken my immune system.
Which will you put into practice first? Let us know in the comments.
As we know better, we do better –
Bri
Brianne Pruitt is a wife, mom, Registered Nurse and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. After winning the battle with her own brain fog, Bri became passionate about guiding mom’s through the journey of busting their brain fog so that they can be the energetic, happy mama they crave to be. www.hippiedippiemom.com
You can also find Bri on the following social media platforms:
