“Something is going around…”

It’s the time of year that this is part of the everyday conversation…It seems like all the bugs are converging and I’m seeing a lot more people here and there, near and far, near and dear, winding up under the weather or flat-out sick. I wish I could say there was a way to prevent germs from entering the body, but if you want to be able to enjoy this time of year (or any time of the year) without constant worry and anxiety that every breath and interaction is going to land you at home, sniffling, vomiting, congested and fatigued, taking care of your internal terrain is the best medicine I know.

Terrain medicine is very different from traditional symptoms-based medicine. Naturopathic, whole-body healing is a proactive approach…you prepare your body for a battle versus waiting for illness to occur and then addressing the symptoms.

If there was no research or science to back this up, this might be less maddening, but it’s proven, time and time again…the healthier the immune system, the more prepared and protected our bodies are when they are infiltrated with whatever germ, virus, etc are going around.

There are more factors than inner terrain that go into how a person is able to fight off infection or illness, but it’s a huge factor. Our internal terrain exists for a reason. Why not use it?

Here are some ways that you can support your immune system so it doesn’t have to work overtime to do its job and you can enjoy the season, have fun and spend quality time with family and friends.

Hydrate.

A hydrated body allows the toxins, bacteria, viruses, and waste to be moved efficiently out of the body, away from your cells which need to be able to do everything that keeps the body functioning. Poorly hydrated cells mean sluggish movement and stagnation causing high concentrations of these substances…picture your cells  marinating in sticky sludge.

Get restorative, good-quality sleep

Don’t burn the midnight oil…make it a priority to get to bed on time, and set yourself up for sleep success by making sure you turn off electronics, adjust the temperature for your comfort, wear comfortable pjs and take a bath, have a warm tea, read a chapter in a book, turn on some white noise. Whatever you can do to limit anything that could disrupt your sleep or make it difficult to fall asleep. Even though hydration is important, don’t wait until close to bedtime to catch up…space it out throughout the day, because nobody likes to be pulled from sleep with that little nudge from the bladder that makes it impossible to put off. And eating before bedtime…a no-no. You don’t want your body to be churning and digesting when it needs to be preparing for the following day.

Supplement

Most of us don’t take in all the nutrients we need through what we eat or drink. Life can get busy, we may not have time to prepare healthy meals, or our diets are not varied enough to cover all the bases. Supplements are a great way to fill in the gaps, balance things out, and help our levels reach the optimal range.

Foundational supplements from my Reinvent Your Wellness line:

• Liquid Vitamin D Supreme + K2 Supreme
  These work synergistically so I always pair them
• Flora Ultimate Supreme
• Super B Complex
  Many supplement brands have B12 or a combination of B12/B6 but for maximum benefit, a range of B vitamins is recommended). The Reinvent Your Wellness supplement has B2, B6, and B12; benfotiamine, a fat-soluble, more physiological active form of thiamin (B1) and folate (B9)

I also recommend adding the following:

• Curcumin Supreme
• Super Omega 2700
  This supplement takes Omegas to the next level with the MaxSimil® novel delivery system that enhances the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids.

Other supplements and natural products that have been shown to be beneficial:

• Elderberry syrup
• Echinacea
• PectaSol (Modified Citrus Pectin)

Other Supportive Practices

• Get out in the sun
• Manage your stress levels
• Get Moving
• Avoid or limit alcohol
• Avoid or limit foods that cause inflammation

Eat dark chocolate!

One of my very favorite indulgences and it happens to have some really great health benefits!

It’s also packed with Flavinols ( antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation)

So maintain and support your terrain…

so you can focus on enjoying this time of year, instead of allowing the anxiety of getting sick to take your joy away!