Autumn Equinox
FALL, what a beautiful time to live in Oregon!! We are blessed to have such a fabulous harvest season upon us. As we move from the long sunny days of summer into the cooler, shorter days of Autumn we are reminded that the bounty of the garden will soon be gone. Why not try to extend it as long as you can by preserving the harvest in a variety of ways…freezing, canning, drying are all great ways to extend the harvest throughout the year. There are many website to search for a variety of ways to preserve foods, just search “food preservation”.
Autumn is also the time of year to really start boosting your immune system if you want to ward off those nasty illnesses that come around as soon as the house gets closed up. Here are 7 simple ways to avoid or minimize illnesses this winter season.
1. Avoid sugar!
I know it’s more challenging this time of year…just watch in the grocery stores how much candy presents itself over the next six months. It starts with Halloween (which starts as soon as school supplies are done), then moves right into Christmas (what ever happened to Thanksgiving??) and onto New Years Celebration, then Valentines Day (as if we hadn’t had enough already), then right into Easter (one last binge). Since when did celebrating these times of year become associated with the overconsumption of sugar and the extra 10 pounds? Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately. These include not only the obvious sugars, but also those that may be hidden, especially in processed foods. So even though there seems to be less fresh availability, you will be doing your body a favor by keeping up with those salads and other leafy greens.
2. Get enough rest!
Regular rest is essential for boosting the immune system, it will keep you strong and ensure that your body has the strength to fight off any nasty bugs that might be swirling around.
3. Eat lots of garlic!
Garlic has some fabulous properties; it is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. Incorporating it into your diet will give you added protection. Don’t wait until you are sick to bump up the amount. The active ingredient, allicin, is found when you use it fresh and chopped. Of course there will be the individual that does not tolerate it very well, but for the majority of us it is a great immune booster.
4. WASH YOUR HANDS (and make sure your kiddos, if you have them, are washing them too)!
In some ways, I think this one should be number one. Even if your immune system is strong, washing hands frequently and thoroughly will provide added protection. After all, most “bugs” are spread through touch. Antibacterial soap is actually not recommended, just find a simple chemical-free soap instead and wash often!
5. Exercise!
For many, this is the time of year to “hibernate” and that often comes with less exercise time. Exercise is just as important, if not more important, this time of year. It increases the circulation and blood flow throughout the body, aiding in the detoxification process. Getting outside and walking or running in the “fresh air” can do wonders for your physical health as well as your mental outlook (ward off those “SAD” times- seasonal affective disorder). We tend to go from the closed up (stale air) house, to the closed up (stale air) office, to the closed up car, etc. It is important to get some “fresh” air if you want to keep those illnesses at bay.
Rebounding (bouncing on a mini-trampoline) is another fabulous exercise this time of year, for one you can do it inside and it is a great activity to keep the lymph circulating. Rebounding 10-15 minutes a day (put on some great music) a couple days a week should be the goal. The lymph is a huge part of our immune health, so keep it moving!
The most important thing is to find something you like (dancing, swimming, yoga, tai chi, etc.) and start doing it now, it will be a lot easier to keep up with if you are already in the routine.
6. Drink plenty of water!
Take your body weight and divide it by 2; this is the amount of water in ounces that you should be consuming each day. Example: weight 160 divided by 2 equals 80 (amount of ounces of water to dink in a day). Remember herbal teas, broth based soups both count towards your water intake. Things like alcohol, sweets, juices, medications, sodas all work against that goal, so be sure to add more water if you are consuming these things. If you only drink 8 ounces a day right now, slowly increase your intake over a couple of weeks, otherwise, you will just be visiting the “ladies room” all the time.
7. Don’t let stress become overwhelming!
We all have stress in our lives, whether it is from work, family, school, etc. We need to have ways of “de-stressing” if we are to have good health. For some that could be a hot bath, for others knitting or reading. Whatever feeds your soul and is relaxing to you, is something to incorporate regularly. When we become over stressed our bodies will be less able to fight off illness. It has been estimated that up to 90% of illness and disease is stress related. So do yourself a favor and find something to help you de-stress. If you feel stress is taking a toll on your health, check out EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).
I hope you all have a lovely fall season and stay healthy through the winter!!
Sincerely,
Carrie Janes, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner