03 Jun Immune Maximizing Tips To Stay Healthy During COVID-19 & Cold/Flu-Season
Today’s blog post is all about supporting and maximizing your immune system during COVID-19
Have you tuned into my Podcast: What’s Wellness with Ahlia Yoga? My episodes are based on the inquiry into what wellness is on an individual and also collective level. From the wellness of your relationships with yourself, with others and with the planet, to the balance and well being of your career as well as of course your physical wellness. I infuse yoga philosophy, personal stories, and interviews to dive deeper into the layers that are both universal and personal: from physical to energetic, emotional and mental as well as spiritual wellness with new episodes each Thursday morning! Today I want to talk about your immune system and how you can support your body to maximize your well being.
I believe that there are some universal principles to wellness however each person has specific needs for what their body requires in order to find optimal balance. This topic is increasingly important with COVID-19, it is imperative to support your bodies optimal functions during a time of crisis right now with a global pandemic.
These principles for maintaining and up-leveling your bodies immune system function are ones that you can incorporate and apply no matter the time of year or season.
I want to give you tools to incorporate into your daily routine so that you can maximize your bodies potential and improve your immune system function. Use these suggestions especially if your body is taxed or your systems feel compromised with all the stress and anxiety in our lives today.
These suggestions are from my personal experience but please keep in mind I’m not a doctor. I’m someone with a compromised system due to previous health challenges, and it’s important that I do what I can to keep my body functioning at its maximum potential so that I don’t come down with anything.
Gargle With Salt Water:
One of the things that I’ve been doing especially during flu season or when the common cold is going around is gargle with warm salt water. I’ll explain briefly how I do this: I warm up water in my tea kettle I add about a quarter teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt (you can always add a little bit more if needed) to about a quarter cup of warm water and I’ll let the cup of water with the salt sit for a good five minutes or so with the theory of the molecules of the water absorb amazing minerals from the salt (learn more about this in Sole Water). It’s also good to let sit for a few in case the water is too hot.
I’ll take a small sip, tilt my head back and gargle. I’ll count to 10 while I’m gargling so that it has time to really take affect and then of course spit the water out. I’ll do this 8-10 times or until the cup is empty. This really helps to rid your body of anything that it could’ve picked up along your day.
Keep Your Neck And Throat Warm:
Another thing that I do especially in cooler weather during the fall, winter, and early spring seasons is wear a scarf to keep my neck and throat warm. I find that if my neck and throat get cold I tend to get more dryness and tickling in my throat and I’ll be more susceptible to a sore throat and things like that.
On cooler days or when it’s particularly windy keep your neck and throat warm with the scarf!
I use an infinity scarf and just cover up my neck I’ll even go on walks and jogs with this on and I find that it makes a big difference. Although it’s not helpful in summer months when it’s warm out, but this can also double as a face covering that can be pulled over your nose and mouth when coming within 6 feet or less of a person with a compromised immune system or in the “high risk” category (also if you fall into those categories personally).
SUPERFOODS:
Next, I incorporate superfoods into my every day routine. I use super food mushrooms in my coffee and in my tea I also sprinkle them in my food and baked goods. But be mindful because some of them have quite an earthy taste; so smell what you’re using and determine how much you’ll need in order to get the full benefits but not disrupt the flavor too much of whatever it is that you’re making
I love to use Chaga, Reishi, Lions Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps and Maitake… there are so many amazing medicinal and superfood mushrooms that can benefit not only your immune system but your energy, digestion, and mood as well! My favorite brand of superfood mushrooms comes from Primal Herb.
I also love to use superfoods by The Philsophie – a woman-owned company based out of LA. I use her cacao superfood protein powder every day. Here’s my recipe for superfood coffee. In a blender or a milk foamer combine coconut milk or the variation of your choice with cacao magic superfood protein powder. Add super food mushrooms like maitake and cordyceps, and coconut oil or MCT oil. When you combine these superfoods with the antioxidants from well sourced coffee, you get a delicious and healthy morning beverage. This healthy concoction is something that I wake up looking forward to every morning!
Stay Active and Move Your Body:
My next tip and suggestion is to keep your body active and moving! Do what feels good for you and get outside a little bit every day. Enjoy the fresh air and take in your surroundings.
If you need some inspiration for how to move your body search for Ahlia Yoga on Youtube I’ve been add the recording from my live streaming weekly yoga class(es) (which you can also tune in to LIVE on Wednesdays at 4:30pm PST). I also have up some guided meditations on this YouTube channel.
Stay Hydrated and Eat More Veggies:
Last but not least, stay hydrated and be mindful of how you fuel your body right now. One simple thing you can do is increase the amount of vegetables you’re consuming. Use riced cauliflower or riced broccoli in your eggs in the morning or chopped zucchini. Add power greens or a scoop of spirulina to your smoothies. Even if it’s challenging to eat super clean right now, by simply adding more vegetables and drinking more water you are going to help keep your system strong and healthy.
Are you going to try any of my wellness and immune system suggestions? If you do, I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message: ahlia@ahliayoga.com and let me know how you feel after trying some of these tips!
Namaste,
Ahlia Yoga
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