Boosting Your Immune System-SAD Tips
Naturally/Organically Preventing/Shaking Up Seasonal Affective Disorder
Don't fight SAD-Prevent it!
It's common for depression and for your immune system to decrease during the winter, especially during gloomier days yet it is also VERY treatable! Stay proactive and learn some signs and why it happens.
During the Winter days we may.....
1) Become less active
2) Get less nutrition from vegetables and fruits (in the Eastern US has less nutritional value due to, not only the soil depletion but the time it takes to get to us and being stored for so long)
-we have less availability of fresher produce (in the Eastern US
-produce comes from further away and the storage time causes the produce to lose nutritional value
3) Getting less of some nutrients will keep our bodies from being able to retain other nutrients (affecting how our neurological system fires and how we digest food etc)
3) Want to sleep in more or take more naps
4) Tend to turn down invitations to go out.
5) Suffer more sicknesses/illness/pain
-decrease fluid flow (neurological and blood flow), decrease nutrients flowing
-decrease muscle tone
Here are some great ideas and links to help prevent or get you out of the WINTER FUNK!
1) Set up a plan-Get yourself on a regular schedule (even if it's just your wake up and sleep time)
2) Surround yourself with others-schedule social dates
3) Exercise on a regular basis-preferably the same time each day
4)Click here to learn more about boosting your immune system
5) Join a class you are doing both socializing and keeping your muscular system pumping for healthy flow and your immune system!
6) Sunlamps and Biomats-Open the shades, get outside or use an indoor sun lamp, here's why to go natural and not to supplement vitamin D
-SUNLAMPS-I'm including some sun lamps that I have used or purchased for others.
-Keeping active helps us to absorb vitamin D as well, so get that in your plan for minerals and vitamins to absorb properly
I use this sunlamp on my workdays, when I'm in my office from 7am-10pm, after the second day I would get groggy since it is always dark.
My aunt who is 88 years old and sometimes can get off schedule and it gives her a subtle 'nudge' to wake up. It will also start her day with some vitamin D if it's too cold walk outdoors.
7) Get a soak, if you don’t have access to natural warm/hot spring soaks, get to a soak spa.
8) Get to a beach (this is written by my colleague in Florida Dr Mary) but for those that can’t-bring the beach to you, those in colder states! Check out her blog for vitamin and mineral information!
DAILY IDEAS....
-Start your day with some yoga a Sun Salutation and a seated Sun Salutation
-Meditation (click here for a mediation challenge)
-warm (not hot) bath with some magnesium flakes, Epsom salt works fine too (activates the nervous systems to allow your muscles to relax)
-Sunlamp or light therapy-we use a biomat during our therapeutic bodywork sessions-it helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to release the 'fight or flight' mode
-journaling
If you don't have time to do ANYTHING else, DO THIS.... just 5-10 mins a day
-Lay with your legs against the wall and your feet up-this helps to relax the pelvic area, rushes blood to the thyroid, thalamus, heart, brain, pituitary gland and more! It helps with Insomnia and total organ function. Here is a YouTube video with three easy moves that are sure to help you sleep better and get more energy.
Weekly or Biweekly....
Craniosacral therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork can help alignment for the fluids to move and allow your neurological system and blood flow to circulate better increasing communication in your body. It will take away the aches and pains (newer and the oldest of injuries) and allow the body to feel more at ease and keep your immune system healthy. Click here to book your next session
Get outside, go for a hike in nature! Here is a link for great light hiking in your area.
Please feel free to reach out to us by responding to this email or calling us if you have any further questions!
Yours In Health and Wellness,
Michelle S Krause LMT, CST-T
240-903-0980
Owner of Vital Fitness Holistic Center
www.vitalfitnessholisticcenter.com
AMTA Maryland Chapter Board Member and New Member Chair
Could it just be dehydration? Do you know how to get the best hydration? A dry mouth is one of the last signs that you are dehydrated.