The cold days are officially upon us, and winter is just around the corner. For many individuals, winter months bring some of the most special times of the year. Days are spent running around town gathering all of the necessities for the upcoming thanksgiving dinners, gift exchanges, festive school activities, and out of town travels. The days are shorter, and time seems to simply fly by. Before we know it, we have managed to take care of everything around us – except for ourselves.
Immune systems can be more susceptible to illness during this time period due to the colder temperatures, reduced vitamin D levels, blood vessels narrowing, and spending more time indoors within close proximity to others. So, when you add the hustle and bustle of the season to the equation, it is no wonder that our bodies have a harder time fighting against infections.
At Batson ChiroHealth Group, our team frequently discusses the benefits of chiropractic care year round, but especially during this time of year. Simply one adjustment can boost the immune system of an individual, as it can alleviate any neural dysfunction that is present in the body. Neural dysfunction can result in a weakened immune system due to lack of communication within the body.
However, chiropractic care is not the be all end all recipe for a healthy immune system. As is the case with many other things in life, there are multiple factors that must stay in balance to keep the body in optimal health.
These tips (in no particular order) may seem simple and repetitive, but there is a reason why doctors and health care professionals cannot stress the importance of these essentials enough.
1. Wash Your Hands Frequently
Can we get an amen? How many times during the day do we open public doors, shake hands, touch our phones, use the restroom, blow our nose, have a snack, open more doors, and touch our phones many more times. Germs are everywhere! This is not a reason to become paranoid, but more so to simply be aware during the winter months. Keep hand sanitizer close by for the times you are unable to wash your hands.
2. Drink Lots of Water
Water is essential for the daily functions of our body. In fact, 60% of our bodies are made up of water. So, it is safe to say that water is essential for keeping the body functioning the way that it should be. Dehydration can immediately play a part in the body’s ability to release toxins and prevent the kidneys from functioning properly. We know that while running around (again, especially during this time of year), it is not always convenient to have a glass of water close by. However, if an individual can get used to keeping a water bottle on them, this is an easy way to ensure the body is getting enough fluid.
3. Exercise Regularly
Exercise has many benefits for individuals. It releases chemicals in the body that feel good and can result in decreasing depression and anxiety, while increasing self-esteem. Not only does it strengthen your body, but it decreases the risks of a person developing certain diseases. It also can help you sleep better! Exercising can be inconvenient, but if you are able to make the time for it, you will never regret it. Moving a little bit is better than nothing at all! If you are unable to make the time to work out during the week, it is important to still pay attention to how many hours your spend sitting at your desk. Make a conscious effort to get up and move around when you can. Your body will thank you!
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Now, we know this is a tricky one this time of year. Actually, this is difficult to do in our society any day of the year, but especially during the holidays. Too many people worry themselves sick over whether they are going to eat too much of this or that during Thanksgiving or Christmas. We like to recommend having a balance. Balance and moderation is beneficial for just about anything in life. Everything we put into our bodies plays a part in our health, so it is crucial that we are supplying our bodies with the good nutrients that it needs. A poor diet lacking the vitamins and minerals that the body needs can lead to a weakened immune system. Talk to your doctor if you have specific questions about your diet.
5. Make Sleep a Priority
Sleep often times gets put on the back burner, but we cannot stress enough the importance of getting a good night of sleep! Sleep allows our bodies to debrief, process, and recharge. It lowers inflammation in the body and allows us to feel rejuvenated upon waking the next morning. Feeling rested can result in higher levels of concentration throughout the day, increased productivity, and decreased amounts of depression and anxiety. Increase your amount of uninterrupted sleep and see how much of a positive impact it has on your week.