Building Immunity to the Flu

For most of us, as the temperature drops, so does our immune system. Fear of the flu has us getting flu shots while casually standing in line at the grocery store or waiting for our connecting flight at the airport. We willingly inject ourselves with viruses and stock up on antibiotics. As a result, bacteria have continued to evolve building antibiotic-resistance, further weakening our immunity.

Getting a flu shot often protects you from coming down with the flu. Once you have the virus in your system, you develop antibodies against it so that you are protected the next time you are exposed. Ideally, we want our immune system strong enough to build the antibodies upon exposure to the virus so that we would be immune even without a flu shot. The focus here is not whether or not to get the vaccination. That is a personal choice. The real problem is the vulnerability of the system that has lead us to need the vaccine. Rather than depend on shots and medications, the idea is to strengthen the immune system through a natural way of living.

Getting the flu is usually an indication that the body needs rest, replenishment of vitamins and minerals, and time to re-bolster the immune system. Holiday stress, over consumption of low quality foods, and lack of movement all contribute to impairing our immunity.

The media isn’t helpful either as it is flooded with ways to get sick:
1. Consume lots of sugar, particularly soda.
2. Eat processed food, as it is so convenient.

3. If something about eating these foods isn't working for you, have some Prilosec or a Tums and keep doing the same thing.

The main reasons for the flu & What you can do differently
A Toxic Diet: Not eating enough nutrient- dense foods and/ or Eating too much sugar	* Increase your intake of nutrient-dense foods * Use appropriate natural supplementation. * If taking a supplement, find a natural one which is not filled with sugars, artificial colors or flavors. * Reduce/avoid your intake of sugar, caffeine, chemicalized foods, and refined white flour foods. * Reduce/ avoid your intake of mucus forming foods such as dairy and fatty meats. * Take soothing showers/baths and exfoliate the skin with a wash cloth to aid the body in cleansing. * Drink warm/room temperature water with lemon, for vitamin C & alkalinity.
Not Enough Sleep	* Get plenty of sleep. Try to be in bed by 10PM and up by 7AM. * Start drinking calming herbal teas such as chamomile, skullcap, oat straw, or valerian in the evening hours if you are having trouble resting.
Emotional Blockage, Limiting Beliefs, and Downward Trending Thought Patterns	* Create a positive support system to address stagnant emotional circuits * Generate positive and resourceful states of mind as a daily practice * Put your legs up against the wall for at least 10 minutes a day (if you can, do this twice). This aids in supporting the lymphatic system in draining and cleansing.
Lack of Proper Exercise	If you are not setting aside time to exercise, be sure to take a walk at least once a day to increase blood and oxygen circulation.
Structural and Energetic Misalignment	Get shiatsu, acupuncture, chiropractic work, or massage to unlock stuck physical/ energetic pathways.