At a time when staying healthy is particularly important, I am sharing a few simple things to do to support your immune system this winter, as well as a few useful homeopathic remedies in case of illness.
When the immune system works well, you don’t even know it is there. You may get in contact with germs, viruses or bacteria, but your immune system is reactive enough so you don’t know your body has been near anything that could make you ill.
The immune system is affected by what we eat, how we sleep, whether we exercise and how stressed we are. So let’s see how we can easily support our immune system:
How to support your immune system
1. Stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Also get a few hot drinks. If you get a viral infection, try and increase your intake of hot drinks as viruses don’t like heat in general. Chicken broth, herbal teas or lemon and honey are preferable to tea and coffee.
2. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit
Vegetables and fruit provide many nutrients for your body. Variety is a key word when it comes to nutrition. Aim for a “rainbow” of fruit and vegetables every day. This chart provides examples of what to eat for each colour of the rainbow.
Local and seasonal products will also contain more nutrients than those that have travelled the world and are out of season.
3. Get into a good sleep routine
A good sleep routine is essential so your body can rest and restore overnight.
As our bodies are stretched a bit more during the winter to fight the cold, we get more tired. It is important to acknowledge this and allow more time for rest than we would normally. Some might feel like hibernating altogether!
4. Add some vitamins and minerals to your diet
In the winter, and when illnesses are getting around, add some vitamins and minerals to your diet:
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- Vitamin C: it has powerful anti-viral properties. Start by taking 1000mg a day in several doses. If you get ill, you can increase the dose up to 10g daily (generally increase it until your stool is loose, this is your maximum tolerated level).
- Vitamin D3: take 1000 to 2000 International Units (IU) per day in the winter. If you are deficient in vitamin D, then you may want to take more initially (up to 5000 IU a day for a couple of weeks). You can get a free test at your local surgery to get a better idea of how much your intake should be.
- Zinc: 15mg daily
- You may also wish to add Magnesium and Selenium.
- Finally, probiotics also help to keep your immune system healthy. When your guts are healthy, they are more able to absorb nutrients.
5. Keep exercising
As long as it is possible, keep going out for walks, a jog or a cycle. This will help you physically and emotionally. If you are unable to go out, try exercising at home: there are many options on the internet. It is important to exercise regularly but also to choose an activity you enjoy.
6. Manage your stress levels
Stress can have a powerful impact on our health and immunity, so it is important to manage stress levels. Exercising will help you, but other ways include meditation and mindfulness, connecting with nature, having a good laugh and enjoying yourself.
3 homeopathic remedies for sudden onset of colds and flu
Homeopathic remedies help recover more quickly from an illness and are even more effective when taken at the start of the illness.
Here are 3 remedies particularly useful when the symptoms of flu and colds come on suddenly.
- Aconite
The illness is usually the result of being out in the cold and wind. If you need this remedy, you will feel restless, worse in a warm room and in the evening. You may also be frightened of death.
- Belladonna
This is a good remedy when heat and redness are present (and so your face is flushed and red). The fever is usually high and your pupils are dilated. You feel better in a warm room but worse for lying down and at night.
- Baptisia
It is also good for high fever. You will feel bruised all over your body, sweat a lot and be very thirsty.
There are many more remedies to support anyone at the beginning and throughout the various stages of an illness. Get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Further advice
Get more advice on how to keep your children healthy and nurse them during illnesses by downloading my free eBook http://bit.ly/Priscille-Homeopathy-Ebook
Find out about fevers, why they are good and how to look after a sick child in this article.
I hope you have found these simple steps to support your immune system useful. Do contact me if you would like further advice.
With best wishes for a healthy life,
Priscille Francetti LCCH MARH
Homeopath
