It has been a very interesting start to 2020, hasn't it? Severe drought, catastrophic fires, devastating floods. And now, no toilet paper or soap in sight!
We find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic as COVID-19 takes hold of communities in unprecedented ways.
Even in our Byron Bay bubble, it seems like all the essentials are totally sold out across all stores (trust me; we’ve visited them all) activities are cancelled and we're on wait and see.
Staying happy and healthy at all times is really what we all want, especially at this time with the threat of a world-wide pandemic COVID-19 on our doorstep.
So, what can we do to protect ourselves during this time?
"What we know for sure is that our gut health is intrinsically tied to our emotional and mental wellbeing, our health, happiness and in particular, our immunity."
Of course the ideal would be that we can all live in a way, day-to-day, that best supports our gut health, immune health, mental health and the latter, but we know that everyday’s a juggle and health often falls to the wayside.
So now more than ever, it’s especially important to protect your health by making even the simplest of changes to your everyday.
Here are a few really easy ways that you can take better care of your health and happiness and immune system:
1. Water
Seriously - drink water. Lots of water (an annoying amount!).
And here’s why: Your body is super fluid.
Rough estimates show that an adult human body is made up of 60% water; the human brain and heart 73% water, skin, muscles, bones and all your organs - WATER. Most importantly, your plasma (which makes up 50% of your blood volume) is 90% water. Your body and blood need water in order to continue carrying oxygen, minerals, nutrients and hormones to your organs which are critical to your body’s ability to function.
Water also helps to aid in the production of LYMPH in the body; a fluid that is carried through the body by Lymph Vessels. Lymph floats around, collecting bacteria and invaders, moving them to the lymph nodes: small structures that act as filters for harmful substances found in your neck, around your collarbone, in your armpits and groin. These little lymph nodes contain immune cells that help to fight infection by attacking and destroying germs collected throughout the body by the Lymph Fluid.
So, how do you get all fluid and flowing with fresh blood and Lymph that will help your organs function and help fight bacteria and infection in your body?
DRINK . YOUR . WATER
2. Sleep
Sweet, sweet sleep. Something most of us don’t get enough of and spend much of our free time trying to catch up on.
Proper rest and adequate sleep is so important to keeping your immune system functioning.
"When you sleep, your body has time to rest, restore and detoxify; it’s also when your body produces cytokines, a type of protein found in the body imperative to fighting infection, and which increase when our bodies are in fact, fighting something."
When we aren’t sleeping well, sleeping enough, or sleeping deeply, our body's ability to produce cytokines and antibodies is drastically decreased. This makes us significantly more susceptible to stress and sickness: two smoking guns when it comes to decreased immunity and susceptibility.
So get your sleep.
You should be happy to know that in a time like this, it’s actually critical to your health and well-being.
3. Gut Health
Gut health is like old’ faithful around here: we talk about it, live it, breathe it, and have literally built the foundation of IMBIBE upon it.
"Around 70% of your immunity starts in the gut and permeates through the rest of a healthy, functioning body. A healthy balance of bacteria in your gut helps your body to stay in homeostasis, aka. balance."
With an overgrowth of bacteria, your body’s immune responses can become dysregulated, preventing this crucial system from firing when needed.
Taking care of your gut with healthy bacteria sources like a good quality probiotic concentrate is simple.
Probiotics, like our Beauty Renewal, are designed to bring a balanced source of good bacteria to your gut, creating harmony between good and bad, helping your digestion, immune system, mood, skin, hair and nails.
These little friends are crucial to a healthy body and are so simple to add to your day-to-day, especially if they’re absolutely delicious, like ours.
We’ve made ours so simple for you to take - just add 15ml to your glass of water and drink daily. It’s delicious and so easy to drink. And you’re getting 6 billion multi-strain probiotics per serve.
4. Sweat
Reducing stress is a key factor in improving your immune function, but one of the best ways to do that and to keep fresh blood and oxygen flowing through the body is with movement and with sweat!
When you move your body with a light vigor (Yoga, a brisk walk, swimming) it releases chemicals that help to rebuild, repair, and reduce stress: all components of the body’s ability to fight infection and bacteria.
The key to boosting your immune system with movement is to keep it light. Vigorous movement and action produces steroids in the body, which help to fight stress, but also temporarily weaken immunity.
So stretch, breathe deeply, move gently and stay balanced to stay healthy.
It’s simple.
5. Immune Boosting Foods
This is my favourite part: the foods.
We can find a plethora of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties from the foods we eat like garlic, ginger, turmeric, spices, leafy greens, fermented foods and heaps and heaps of fresh fruits and veggies - BLESS.
Here’s my favourite way to drink to my health, wealth and good fortune - with an immune boosting twist:
You’ll need:
- Two-cm piece of fresh ginger
- Two-cm piece of fresh turmeric (be careful this will stain your clothes)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Slice of lemon with the skin
- 1 tablespoon of manuka honey
- 1 litre mason jar
- 1 tablespoon Miracle Collagen
- Boiling water to fill
Peel and thinly slice the ginger, turmeric and lemon. Place in mason jar and fill with boiled water. Let this sit on a counter for a couple of hours - steeping all the goodness.Strain when cool. Add your honey and a pinch of salt and enjoy either cold, or reheated on the stove until just warm Add the Miracle Collagen just before you’re about to serve.
Your health has never tasted so good!
We really hope this helps you at this time.
We’re here for you - if you need us, just hesitate to reach out.
This blog is based purely on the author's personal experience. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment. The author is neither a medical nor health professional and cannot guarantee that the information in this blog post is accurate, reliable or complete. If you use this information, you do so at your own risk and should consult a qualified medical or health practitioner before relying on any information contained in this blog.
