What may be weakening your IMMUNE SYSTEM, and what can you do to OFFSET that?
Here’s a list to consider…
1) (-) CAFFEINE: (in excess, OR if used when you haven’t been getting enough good quality sleep), can contribute to activating the HPA axis, which is part of your neuroendocrine system (hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands). If you are stressed or tired and you use caffeine for a kick of energy or focus, consider that this may activate the Fight or Flight State which shifts your body into basic metabolic functions but will likely compromise your immune system and digestion.
(+) Substitute with: Roasted Dandelion Root Tea. I’m not a coffee drinker but the roasted aroma reminds me of coffee. The bonus is that it is a liver detoxifier which is also beneficial for a better functioning immune system. I noticed that I felt a subtle increase in calmness and contentment from this tea.
Add in: Is it at all possible to go for a quick walk around the block or run an errand when you are just glued to your computer with a task you’ve classified as ‘Urgent”? This little break can also help you reduce stress and prevent a compromise of the immune system.
2) LACK OF SLEEP- Most certainly may have a negative impact on hormones and your immune system.
Add in: A Cat nap OR just sitting or lying down with your legs elevated. This can refresh & revitalize your body and mind even after just 15 minutes. Caution - just so it doesn’t turn into multiple hours of slumber, set a a quiet alarm on your phone so you can get back to what you were doing.
Substitute: non-caffeine and non-stimulating desserts (avoid chocolate) too close to bed time. Sip on peppermint tea instead and have a banana as your ‘dessert’ which is rich in sleep inducing nutrients such as: tryptophan (the happy inducing amino acid), magnesium, vitamin B6 and potassium.
3) REFINED SUGAR AND PROCESSED FOODS deplete us of B-vitamins and slow down transit time for waste removal from our colon, think ‘constipation.’ It takes energy to remove waste products from the body and if you are constipated or dehydrated you will increase your toxic load and your body will have less energy to use for building your immune system’s T-cells and B-cells.
Add in: pre-washed radishes (a powerful and effective treat for your liver which LOVES bitter foods) which you can dip in hummus. Try bright red cherry tomatoes which are mother nature’s power-orbs containing vitamin C and lycopene for feeding your weary mind and body. Another substitution for a cookie or high sugar treat, could be a delicious serving of tropical fruit such as papaya, pineapple, mango or grapes. For brain health have 4 or 5 walnuts which are full of omega 3’s and are also an ingredient for constructing healthy hormones and a strong immune system.
4) DEHYDRATION; slows everything down, and can make you feel tired and decrease your ability to concentrate. Every body system is slowed down in a state of dehydration and we don’t want to slow down our immune system, allow excessive waste to build up in the body or be low on energy. The oxygen in water is so energizing, I recommend it as a pre-workout or pre-exercise power boost.
Add in: a routine of drinking a glass of water when you wake up in the morning, 2 glasses between breakfast and lunch, ideally 30 minutes before or after you eat. Then another glass of water an hour or so after you eat dinner, and one more before you go to bed. Add in your favorite roasted dandelion, rooibos or peppermint tea and upto 8 oz of kombucha per day in addition to your water consumption. You be the judge of how effective this works for you. It’s estimated that 80% of North Americans are in a constant state of dehydration and low energy often mistaken for hunger.
5) ELECTRONIC DEVICES; (EMFs) during the day can induce lethargy, anxiety, and lack of concentration as well as keeping you awake at night if you were exposed within an hour of going to sleep at night. This is a stress to the body, and YUP if it excessively stresses your body it depletes your immune system.
Add in: I wear an Iyashi Shieldlite Pendant or bracelet if I’m on my computer for extended periods of time. See: www.iyashiSource.com. for more information or YouTube videos on this topic which provide a more technical explanation of the science behind this technology. I wasn’t a fan of the “look” of the bracelets, so I bought a black one in the largest possible size and I wear it as an anklet which is kind of cool looking.
substitute with: try disconnecting from the internet when you don’t need it to be on, in order to reduce your overall EMF exposure. Wear blue light glasses when looking at your device or buy one with a special protective shield to reduce EMFs. Try “Forrest Bathing” which simply means walking in forested areas or a nearby park to help dissipate some of that electron
To sum it up; there are many variables that affect our immune system. We want to limit our stress so that our body is able to complete all the metabolic functions needed to perform at an ideal level. If we periodically experience high stress, dietary compromises or lack of sleep (doesn’t that include everyone at one time or another?) we can implement lots of positive changes that may have a positive immune building effect.
