All we hear lately is about a vaccine for the coronavirus and how life may go back to “normal” once we get one. But why isn’t anyone talking about your immune system?

Wouldn’t it make just as much sense as washing your hands and social distancing for you to keep your immune system healthy?

What Does Your Immune System Do?

Think of your immune system as your own personal army. Any time something foreign such as a virus, bacteria or fungi (called antigens) invade your body, your immune system goes on high alert and begins fighting the antigens.

If you notice when you cut your finger or scrape your leg, it gets puffy around the hurt area. That’s your immune system kicking in to kick out the foreign “invaders”.

That’s really a simplified version, but the bottom line is that a healthy immune system is able to fight off a lot of the germs (“invaders”) that are floating around in today’s world.

If your immune system is compromised in any way at all such as having diabetes, going through chemotherapy or having a transplanted organ, your immune system is already working overtime to fight off any more “invaders”.

In that case, your immune system isn’t perking along at 100% and you’re more susceptible to colds, flu, bronchitis – and yes, COVID-19. (I’m so tired of seeing that acronym that I could scream – what about you?)

Why Aren’t We Talking More About Your Immune System?

What am I missing here? Is the subject of a healthy immune system being drowned out by the raging mask debate? All I hear and read about are vaccines and medical jargon and the flu season is coming and shortages and on and on and on.

So why aren’t we taking about keeping your immune system healthy? Why aren’t we talking more about eating clean food, exercise, hydration and getting enough rest? 

It’s frustrating to me that scientists, doctors and big pharma see your health from a “fix it” perspective as opposed to “keep you well” perspective.

Ah, yes. follow the money. There isn’t much money to be made when you’re healthy.

The thing about a healthy immune system is that you still may get sick – just not as sick. A perfectly healthy immune system simply means you have more “ammunition” to fight the good fight against germs, bacteria and viruses.

It doesn’t make you bulletproof. You still have to wash your hands with soap and hot water (along with a few other things).

Getting back to basics make sense and seems to make life a little simpler. Take good care of yourself because the healthier and more vibrant your immune system is, the less chance you have of picking up the latest germs.

It’s a proven fact that simply washing your hands frequently with plain soap and hot water can prevent many diseases. How simple can it be?

And how complicated have we made it?

What Can You Do To Boost Your Immunity?

There’s a few basic (and common sense) things you can do to help yourself get, be and stay healthier. It’s good practice for anytime and all the time, not just in pandemic times.

• Get enough sleep. There’s all sorts of reasons to get enough sleep and your immunity is at the top of the list. Not to mention your sanity.
• Proper Food. Potato chips, cookies and pizza don’t count. But dark chocolate, blueberries, oranges and green peppers do!
• Exercise. Are you ready to do a few jumping jacks? Moving your body boosts your immunity and is also good for fighting depression and anxiety.
• Drink enough water. I can feel eyes twitching over this one. If you’re not drinking the equivalent of 4 or 5 eight ounce glasses of water every day, you’re dehydrated. And dehydration stresses your immune system.
• Vitamin D. Vitamin D enhances the pathogen-fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages — white blood cells that are important parts of your immune defense — and decreases inflammation, which helps promote immune response (*). It also helps your body absorb calcium better.
• Aromatherapy. Thievery Synergy Blend is excellent for supporting your immune system. The 7 pure essential oils that are known to have anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. Lemon is also known to stimulate white corpuscles – an important part of your immunity. Easy and simple, I use mine every single day. Consider pure essential oils as another tool in your healthcare toolbox.

I’m also a big fan of digging in the dirt. There’s a reason our fabulous farmers tend to be healthier than the rest of us. Digging in the dirt exposes you to a diverse microbiome – meaning lots of different germs. And that diversity helps keep you healthier.

The easiest and best way to help yourself is to keep washing your hands with hot water and plain soap. There’s so much more bad stuff out there on grocery cart handles and door knobs then there was even a few years back. 

Why?

Because America fell in love with anti-bacterial soap. It’s the worst thing you can use because even though it kills off bad germs, it kills off the good bacteria that your body needs to fight off the bad stuff.

We over-sanitize our space and our bodies out of fear of becoming sick. This actually does just the opposite. Remember the adage strength through adversity? It applies to your immune system, too. 

A healthy immune system doesn’t mean you’ll never get sick. But it sure makes getting sick a lot harder – and isn’t that the point?

I want you to be healthy – take care of yourself!

Blessings,

Melissa

*Vitamin D: Effect on Haematopoiesis and Immune System and Clinical Applications

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No product mentioned is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified medical practitioner.