Poor dietary choices and unhealthy lifestyles that expose the body to stress and toxins can lead to low resistance and less than optimal immune function. When the body is under stress (stress is not just emotional), immune cells become less sensitive to cortisol. Suppose your cells are not responding to the effects of cortisol. In that case, your body cannot regulate inflammatory responses and, when exposed to a potential threat, you are more likely to be susceptible to it. It’s not just about exposure; its exposure + susceptibility. In this blog, you will learn the signs of poor immunity, reasons for why we get rundown and #5 healthy ways we can boost our immune systems naturally. Plus, one of my all time favorite smoothies for optimal health in the upcoming chillier months!
SIGNS YOU NEED AN IMMUNE BOOSTING RESET
Have you been experiencing any of the following?
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Gas and pain in lower abdomen
- Headaches
- IBS
- Itchy skin
- Joint pain
- Sleep disturbances
HOW DO WE GET RUNDOWN?
Environmental Factors:
- Stress (even good stress)
- Trauma
- Exhaustion
- Poor diet
- Nutritional weakness
- Exposure to toxins
Internal Factors:
- Pregnancy, birth and postpartum
- Recent Illness
- Infections like candida, SIBO, yeast, bacteria, etc.
- Negative emotions or negative self-dialogue
- Adrenal glands are exhausted
- Leaky gut
- Microbiome disturbed from antibiotics
- The body became too acidic
- The blood sugar is too high or low
DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES
When we are rundown, it’s tempting to say, “Forget it! I feel like crap anyway; I’m going to eat what I want and just push through it.” But, indulging in unhealthy foods and ignoring your symptoms will lead to an inevitable crash and burn.
Don’t do this…
- Push through with more caffeine and energy drinks
- Self-medicate with sugar
- Consume inflammatory “comfort” foods
- Judge yourself
- Indulge in negative self-talk
- Rely on over-the-counter medications
- Ignore your body when it tells you to rest
5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY NATURALLY
#1 Mind Your Food Allergies/Sensitivities
Eating foods you are allergic or sensitive to stresses the immune system. When you eat these foods, it continually triggers inflammation and damages the lining of your gut. As a result, the gut becomes permeable leading to more inflammation and lowered resistance. Eat a healthy diet while avoiding trigger foods to prevent any side effects. The most common food allergens are grains, eggs, soy, dairy, and nuts.
#2 Get Enough Sleep
Many of us also suffer from low immunity and poor resistance due to a lack of sleep. When you disrupt your sleep cycle, your whole body is affected – especially your immune system. Getting too little sleep (below 7-9 hours) or too much sleep (more than 9 hours) every night can lead to inflammation and make you tired throughout the day. The body treats inadequate sleep or too much sleep in the same way that it does an illness.
#3 Breathe!
Breathing exercises are well-known for their ability to reduce stress and calm the mind. Breathing can have amazing benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. When you experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress, the inflammatory molecules in your body increase; therefore, your symptoms worsen. When you practice controlled, intentional breathing, your body makes the switch from a sympathetic state to a parasympathetic state. Studies have shown that individuals who practice breathing regularly have significantly lower levels of circulating inflammatory molecules.
#4 Boost with Vitamin C and Vitamin D
Vitamin C and D are powerful agents to boost one’s immune system dramatically. Getting enough vitamin C and Vitamin D can do wonders, along with other essential nutrients. You can get vitamin C from many foods such as broccoli, kale, peppers, sweet potatoes, oranges, and strawberries. Vitamin D, on the other hand, is a little trickier. The best way to get vitamin D is through supplementation or getting enough sunshine each day. These two nutrients play a significant role in empowering our immune system and other body functions.
#5 Practice Self-Care
Another essential aspect of robust immunity is self-care. Even if you follow all the above steps, you won’t get the desired results if you ignore self-care. Self-care is essential for every person to enjoy good health, a powerful immune system, and a good mood. Additionally, proper self-care makes you feel valued and loved that ultimately improves mental and emotional health. Among the most practical ways for self-care, exercising and stress management comes at the list’s top. Walking every day is a great daily habit. You can also exercise at home by following along with a yoga video. Besides daily activities, stress management also empowers the immune system and enables it to fight for you.
Are you ready?
If you are ready to reset your immune and gut systems, blend up one of my favorite smoothies below:
Psst…You Can Find More Immunity Boosting Smoothies in My FREE Guide here – https://blisssobriety.com//6-smoothies-for-optimal-gut-health-2/
