Winter is only 3 months away (insert stunned face here). For someone like me who is a Vata (Ayurveda) type I’m like a snake in the sun during summer so when winter hits my immune system calls for all the support it can get in keeping my internal fire burning. I don’t know anyone who enjoy’s being run down let alone hit with a runny nose, cough or flu systems. Do you? Didn’t think so – today I’ll be sharing with you my top tips for building a strong immune system to withstand the common winter run-downs.

Oh and they create daily vibrant health tooth!

Our immune system during winter can be thought of like the foundations of a house. You can’t put the roof on first you need to start with solid foundations to ensure the walls, windows, doors and roof withstand big winds, heavy run and keep the cool out. So when do these foundations need to be laid? Well if you were building a house and wanted it strong and complete by winter when do you think? A few months beforehand at least. The same can be said for our immune system. I recommend 3 months at minimum and considering it’s the beginning of April, what better time to start.

5 Ways to Build a Strong Immune System:

1. GUT – 70-80% of our immune system lives in the gastrointestinal system so it makes sense to support your gut health for a strong immune system. The balance of our healthy gut bacteria is the key to a healthy immune. Working on having optimal gut function and balance daily intern supports your immune. Look to incorporate ferments into your diet daily such as kombucha, kefir, sourkraut and kimchi for example. Additionally I suggest using a daily pharmaceutically graded probiotic. Despite having a rather clean diet filled with ferments I believe in additional support and myself use a probiotic daily that’s gluten free, sugar free and dairy free.
* Note: all probiotics are extremely different as is the quality of how they are manufactured, always choose pharmaceutical grade nutritional products for best results.

2. STRESS – The #1 factor that leads to unease in the body – stress.  There are hundreds of ways people can get stressed today so be aware of your stress levels.  When we’re stressed our immune becomes more compromised so as winter approaches dim back the stress factors and give yourself some time out and stress-less.  Tip:  BREATH! Breathing is a great way to lower your stress responses and shift emotions too.

3. SLEEP – Not sleeping and not sleeping enough is a big no no. Our bodies need to rest, recuperate and restore, all this happens during down time aka sleeping. In the months leading into winter ensure you’re getting adequate sleep for yourself a general rule of thumb is 7-8 hours. If you’re already sick or run down this may increase, be sure to listen to your body.

4. SUN – Mother Sun, she’s full of energy, healing properties and nutrients. The sun alone does wonders for not just how we feel but it can also boost our emotions and aid in relaxing / reducing stress. Make time to spend at least 15mins a day in the sun be it over a lunch break, before work, on a morning walk or playing with the kids outside. Get out in the sunshine!

5. SUPPLY – The old age word ‘supply’ has over time been converted into ‘supplement’. The three main nutrients essential to the body in times of strengthening an immune system in my belief are:

Vitamin C – my #1 favourite vitamin and an essential nutrient for inflammation, immune, gut balance, healthy liver and much much more.
EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) – Mercury Free Fish Oil.  Great for aiding in reducing inflammation, repairing and ensuring your body has the essential fats it needs for health of heart, brain, eyes, gut and liver.
(Probiotic – whoops already said that, it is rather important though so double mention)
Multivitamin – I’ve used a Multivitamin for the last 4 years and have not experienced sickness sense starting. Don’t get me wrong I still get run down from time to time but I avoid being hit with infections, virus and flu’s largely due to using a multivitamin daily. It simply ensures I have the nutrients I need at all times on a daily basis to boost my system. Kinda like daily brushing your teeth but for the rest of your body.

With all nutritional products listed above and ever recommended I strongly suggest only choosing Pharmaceutically Graded products to ensure you get the best quality and potency. Far superior than Food Standard Graded products, and if their science based even a bigger bonus.

Need help choosing a probiotic, multivitamin, mercury free fish oil or vitamin C?
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