5 Quick Tips to Stay Healthy not Sick

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Whether it’s a summer cold, allergies, or the flu no one likes being sick. We miss work days, lose income, are unproductive, or just plain miserable. Here are a few quick tips to keep your immune system in top gear!

Step One: Eat right!

Nothing can replace eating well. Ever notice when ‘flu season’ starts? Right around the time we start eating like garbage. Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years… Sugar has been shown to reduce immunity by about half. Ever notice how many kids get sick the week after Halloween? I get it though, we want that special sweet-treat, and we want to celebrate with our friends and loved ones. Just make sure you don’t over-do it. Make sure to eat fresh fruits/veggies daily. The best meals are made up of things that actually grow, not things that are processed to last on your shelf for months at a time. Getting enough WATER is also part of eating right. Half of your weight (in pounds) = Ounces of water to drink daily.

Step Two: Exercise

Exercise is our body’s natural way of adapting to STRESS. Our stress hormones give us energy for a fight-or-flight response. So what should you do when you are stressed? USE THAT ENERGY! And stop telling yourself you don’t have time. Sometimes our best workouts are the ones we almost skip because we don’t have enough time. Just get out and do something. 5 minutes, 10 minutes… a little bit is better than nothing at all, but 25-30 minutes is ideal. Strive for increasing your intensity each time you workout.

Step Three: Supplement, Supplement, Supplement!

Let’s face it: None of us eat perfect all the time. And in the winter or in cloudy areas when we don’t have bare skin exposed to the sun, we don’t make enough vitamin D. If you REALLY want your immune system in prime condition for this winter start now. Vitamin C, D, and other anti-oxidants, Probiotics, Echinacea, Astragalus, Silver Hydrosol… there are so many products on the market. If it feels overwhelming come in for a free consult so we can find out what is right for you!

Step Four: Get Enough Sleep.

Your body can’t heal or fight off invaders if you’re not well rested. Most of us need 6-8 hours a night of UNINTERUPTED sleep. Make sure you’re getting to bed at a consistent time and turn off any distractions, like the TV or your phone. Make sure your room is dark. This helps the body’s internal system, your pineal gland, get you to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Step Five: Get Adjusted!

Removing stress and interference from the nervous system can immediately boost immunity. A good adjustment can boost a lagging immune system or calm a hyper/autoimmune system. There have been studies dating back to the 1940’s showing increased white blood cell production after an adjustment. One of the first things we do in our family whenever anyone feels sick is to get adjusted. But like all the other things listed above, chiropractic works best as a preventative.

Feel free to add your favoirite tips in the comments section!

Dr. Powell

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