Use these tips to naturally fight off viruses and pathogens and keep your immune system strong
Author: Meagan Roback, RMT
These past few years have been revealing. One thing that stays true through all forms of health is the strength of the immune system.
Our immune system is our defense, it seeks out the pathogens in our body that don't belong. It battles and learns its enemy just in case there's another attack. Boosting our immune system is an integral step to optimal wellness. There are many ways you can boost your immune system from nutrition to movement to breathing exercises.
The lymphatic system includes several glands all over the body. It's intelligence and importance to filtrate the bad is almost perfect; once it has done its job seeking and destroying, it needs our help to release it from the body.
1. Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is a simple yet effective way to help move toxins and pathogens from the filtration mechanism in our bodies of the lymphatic system and liver.
Taking a natural loofah, begin from the extremities and brush towards the direction of the heart. Make sure to pay special attention to certain hot spots, behind the knees, groin area, liver and armpits. Make a clockwise circular brushing on the stomach to help the digestive system.
This process helps move what's in the lymphatic system to the liver to eventually be flushed out of the body.
2. Movement
Movement helps as well. Breaking a sweat each day allows the toxins and pathogens to be removed from our skin. Saunas also help but movement amplifies the beneficial cleansing results.
3. Breathing Exercises (including yoga and the Win Hof Method)
Breathing exercises are particularly relevant to viruses. Kundalini breathing exercises have a variety of uses to help the body release, physically and energetically. It seems so simple yet we take breathing for granted even knowing it's the first and last thing we do in this life. The added benefit is that they also help calm the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system as well.
Being in a constant flight or fight mode in these stressful times, or just life in general, means that our nervous system is typically on overdrive. The immune system will then work extra hard to remove the toxins that build up due to the stress. Restorative yoga is another fantastic tool to help the nervous system re-calibrate and calm down.
Of course then there is the Win Hof Method that has gained a lot of popularity all over the world. The protocol has been scientifically proven to help fight pathogens and strengthen the immune system. For instance, a group of participants were injected with E. Coli bacteria and, using the Win Hof Method breathing and cold therapy techniques, all the participants were able to fight off the E. Coli naturally, with the body's own regulatory system.
4. Nutrition
Nutrition is another factor that is integral to optimal immunity health. Anti-inflammatory rich foods like turmeric, garlic, chilies and cayenne, cinnamon and the like help boost the immune system and support its function.
They're incredibly cleansing for the body, so this also helps move toxins and pathogens out of the body. Reducing processed foods, sugar, coffee, and increasing water intake and nutrient dense foods, especially leafy green vegetables, will help reduce the need to remove unnecessary dietary waste so the body can focus on removing viruses and pathogens.
These are interesting times that have forced us all to look within, to take the time to pause, step back and assess our lives. Life has its ups and downs, that's for certain. Having a highly functioning immune system through it all may provide the silver lining during the down times, and give the added joy of living when life is good.
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. The content provided is for informational purposes only. Use of the content provided on this blog post is at your sole discretion.