The days are getting shorter and colder, winter is fast approaching in the northern hemisphere. It is the time of the year when most people find themselves struggling to stay healthy and fight the flu season. Being in a good state of health is a key component in fighting virus and bacteria, however there are a few measures that one can take in order to reinforce the immune system and prepare for the cold season.

Ayurveda sees Fall and Winter as Vata time. A time when the elements of wind and space are predominant and it is important to keep our bodies warm and protected. Making sure to dress in warm clothes and eat foods that are warm and comforting to the body. Target foods that bring the elements of earth, fire, and water into the body.  They will help restore balance and ground the mind.

Keeping myself and my family healthy is always a top priority in my house. There are a few extra steps that I take each day with my children besides making sure they are well protected from the cold when they walk out the door. Here are some simple tips for you to remember as you prepare for the flu season.

• Turmeric  is my go to homemade ailment of choice. I have previously shared my recipe for Turmeric Milk here in my blog. At the time I highlighted the importance of turmeric in helping with inflammation. Turmeric is a very powerful anti inflammatory and antioxidant spice. Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting an intruder such as a bacteria or virus. Adding turmeric to your diet is a way to get a jump start in fighting any illness. A few of my favorite ways to add turmeric to my diet is adding it to smoothies, beans, rice, or soup. Local honey, cinnamon, and ginger are also great spices to add to your diet. They also help with inflammation and detoxifying your body.
• Water is your best friend during the cold season. It is so important to keep hydrated for overall health. We tend to drink more water during the hotter months when we feel hot and sweat a lot. However, during the cold months the dry air and also indoor heaters tend to dehydrate our bodies. I recommend drinking a full glass of water right when you wake up and aim for 8 glasses throughout the day. Admittedly, drinking water all day every day can make one miss flavor and diversity.  Mix it up! Drinking tea will also help you to keep warm as will help to keep you hydrated. I love sipping on ginger tea all day long! Green tea is also a great option.
• Eat and drink your greens as a way to keep your body replenished with antioxidants, iron, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. My Green Juice is a great way to guarantee you get a head-start on your daily servings of greens a day. Eating whole foods balances your diet and adds a punch of phytonutrients to your diet. Make sure you favor veggies and fruits when planning your meals.
• Exercise regularly! A well balanced exercise routine includes flexibility, weight training/resistance, and cardiovascular exercises. Practicing Yoga will provide you with all three, just make sure to bump up those sun salutations for the cardio portion of the workout. Exercise is a great way to remove impurities from the body, keep your heart and lungs strong, as well as providing a good dose of happy hormones into your blood stream. During the cold days when we feel like staying in bed with a book, it is very important to resist that urge and go out to get some movement and breathe some fresh air!  Find your routine, make S.M.A.R.T. (Specific. Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) goals when setting an exercise routine.  Marathon runners do not jump into 15 or 20 mile runs right away.  They start small and build up.
• Sleep at least 7 to 8 hours a day. Sleep is the time that your body needs to repair itself from daily stress and just overall fatigue. Sleep is very important to keep your immune system at it’s top shape.  For those of you that have your favorite TV show,, use that DVR and watch it on the weekend.  No need to stay up until 10 or 11pm during the week, just to catch a 30 minute or 1 hour program.
• Meditate or practice any type of mindfulness practice. During meditation our body moves away from the constant state of Fight or Flight induced by stress into a state of restful awareness. During restful awareness our body is able to come back to a state of balance and our mind is able to release stress. Long term stress weakens your immune system thus leaving the body susceptible to bacterial and viral infections such as the flu.
• Seasonal Detox is always a great way to reset and remove toxins from the body. Check out my Seasonal Detox article for tips on how to do a detox at home.

If you need help creating a balanced diet, learning how to meditate, or doing a detox, contact me for a personalized diet plan or to learn Primordial Sound Meditation. Bliss Balance Health also provides retreats for those who want to experience a week of relaxation and detoxification. The retreats include instruction in Primordial Sound, Ayurvedic  Lifestyle, Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Classes and massages. Make sure to contact me at armenia@blissbalancehealth.com or 864 551 5731 to learn more about our services. We also provide daily Seven Spirirtual Laws of Yoga classes for those in the Greenville, SC area.

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