The Winter Newsletter is Coming! Plus—6 Simple Steps to Stay Healthy for the Holidays
Season’s greetings! If you are a patient, keep an eye on your mailbox—our Winter Newsletter is heading your way! If you’d like a sneak peek, enjoy the newsletter’s feature article we’ve published below so you can get a head start on building your immune system for the holidays!
This time of year is about enjoying time with loved ones and making precious memories, but staying healthy is the key to enjoying the festivities to the fullest. Let's talk about some natural, proven ways to boost your immune system this holiday season:
Step 1. Prioritize Nutrition
The first step in optimal immune function starts with what you put on your plate. Embrace a rainbow-colored, diverse diet to ensure you get a wide range of nutrients vital to immune health. Feel free to enjoy your holiday treats in moderation, but also reach for leafy greens, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Add plenty of water, herbal teas, and clear broths to stay hydrated during these cold, dry winter months. Good hydration can help your body naturally eliminate toxins and germs that cause illness. As a bonus, staying hydrated will also contribute to your skin's healthy holiday glow!
Step 2. Rest and Recuperate
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season will be handled better after a good night's sleep! Undervalued and often overlooked, sleep is a powerful tool for maintaining a robust immune system. While we rest, our bodies are repairing and recovering, a process that's crucial to a strong defense against cold and flu viruses.
Step 3. Nutritional IV Therapy
Nutritional IV therapy, such as the Myers' Cocktail, is a powerful way to boost your immune system from the inside out. This IV includes ingredients like Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, B-complex vitamins for energy, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium to support overall health. This mix of intravenous nutrients can effectively support your immune system, replenish depleted resources, and help you fight seasonal bugs. This is the perfect therapy to schedule before and after holiday travel!
Step 4. Mind Your Gut
Around 70% of your immune system resides in your gut, hinting at the crucial role your gut health plays in immune function. Incorporate probiotics through yogurt, fermented foods, and supplements to maintain a healthy balance of gut flora essential for immunity. Also, prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, and bananas help nourish these beneficial gut bacteria.
Step 5. Get Physical
Despite the holiday hustle, it's essential not to skip your physical activity. Regular exercise aids in boosting your immune system and overall health. It stimulates the production of antibodies and white blood cells responsible for fighting infection and disease. Slip in short bursts of exercise such as a brisk walk, dancing, or even fun, family-friendly winter activities like snowball fights or building a snowman!
Step 6. Practice Stress Management
The holiday season can stir up stress which impacts your immune system negatively. Explore stress management techniques such as acupuncture with Dr. Greg Flynn, meditation, deep-breathing exercises, yoga, or simply spending time doing something you love. These practices are shown to lower stress hormone levels, improving your immune response.
We hope you feel inspired to strive for better health this holiday season and throughout the new year! Remember, there's no better gift than the gift of health. If you do find yourself ill, we have a variety of tools to help fight infection from IVs and ozone therapy, to supplements and prescriptions. Please contact us for individualized recommendations—we are here to help!
