The end of summer marks a few changes. For those on a school schedule, our kids head back to the classroom. Our gorgeous summer climate starts to shift- it gets darker earlier and starts to feel cooler. Yummy summer fruits are no longer in season and we start to think that a warm soup sounds better than a cold salad. In Taoist cosmology, our body, mind and spirit is preparing for a seasonal shift- we transition into the fall months and all seasonal transitions make us vulnerable to getting sick. Listed are some tips on how to stay healthy this upcoming season.
What are the best ways to not get sick?
Common sense practices: wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, don’t touch your face. Rest and get adequate sleep.
Ways to increase your immunity:
Drink plenty of fluids to ensure that your lymphatic system drains freely and circulates smoothly.
Limit the intake of sweet foods and refined white sugar- these impair the body’s ability to kill bacteria.
Avoid over-exertion, both mental and physical, either can suppress the immune system.
Dress appropriately- avoid becoming chilled or overheated. Chinese Medicine believes that wind attacks from behind, specifically the back of your neck, and that this attack is how we get sick with a cold or flu. Wear a scarf and bundle up to protect against the wind.
Take a multi-vitamin; vitamins A, C, D, E & Zince are essential in promoting a healthy immune system.
Manage stress and make sure you are getting enough B vitamins. B vitamins help manufacture antibodies and white blood cells that make up the immune response. In times of stress, B’s can be depleted, which compromises your immunity.
Here are some foods and spices that help to strengthen the body and fight infection: garlic, ginger, citrus fruits, green vegetables, red peppers, cayenne, chili powder and miso soup.
We are most susceptible when we are run down and exhausted. Perhaps it’s a great time to get an acupuncture treatment. Chinese herbs can also be incredibly effective both with preventing and treating symptoms. The best medicine is preventative medicine! Applying some of these practices can help ensure that you stay healthy throughout the year.
