My Six Steps To Support My Immune System
One of the most common questions I get as a health care practitioner and mom is... "What do you do for your family when someone isn’t feeling well?" I’ve got six steps that I use to support our immune system when one of us isn’t feeling well.
This is a topic that I'm very passionate about. I'm a Mom, Chiropractor, and Essential Oil Educator who has a special interest in taking care of myself and my family as naturally and holistically as possible. I like to share what I have learned with others because over the years I have connected with so many amazing families, headed by mamas who are doing everything they can to support their family's health with as little medical intervention as possible.
So, before I answer the question, let me share some of my beliefs so that you understand why it is what I do.
1. Your body (and those of your children) is intelligent. The human body will always pick the perfect response to stress that it encounters. For example, if your 3 year old daughter gets a virus then her body will do whatever it has to do in order to kill the virus. It will raise its internal body temperature (read: get a fever) in order to destroy the virus as it tries to multiply. Viruses love normal body temperature, they do not like higher than normal body temperature and will die off as a fever is produced. Also, it will create an increase in mucous in order to rid the body of the virus. Hence the gunk that is coughed out of lungs and the stuffy, runny noses that are draining. Pretty smart of her body, right?
2. Infections are a normal and healthy part of being human. When we "get sick", it's not always a bad thing. I have to look at a few things to determine whether or not this is my own fault out of conscious (or subconscious) thought and action OR if simply, this is my body (or my children's bodies) growing a better defence system. What do I mean? I mean that if I'm burning the candle at both ends - not sleeping well, not exercising, not eating whole foods, not getting adjusted as often as my body needs, etc. - then I'm likely setting my body up for an infection. It's energy stores are depleted. I can't possibly expect for my body to ward off a cold or flu if I haven't been properly taking care of it.
The second part of this is that getting sick can simply be a way for my child's immune system to expand and get stronger. Childhood infections of any kind are a great way to test, grow, and support the immune system. If we never got sick, then we wouldn't have a heightened immune system to protect us against future infections. When we take medication or give our kids medication, it doesn't allow for their bodies to properly and completely internalize the infection, build an immune response against it, and heal from it. As a result, when future infections hit, the body is less prepared and more likely to get knocked down even harder. Interesting concept, yes?
This all being said, when I or my husband or my kids are sick, it sucks. None of us enjoy being sick. It affects the whole family too. It impacts our ability to do what we want. It impacts our ability to work. It impacts our ability to play. I respect the whole process that the body has to go through when it's healing from a sickness, but it doesn't mean it doesn't sideline our lives. Prevention is key but let's be honest, even with the most organized plan to stay well, we still get sick. So, let me share with you what it is we do once "something" sets in.
My Six Steps to Support our Immune Systems
Get adjusted!
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Regular Chiropractic care is crucial to supporting a healthy nervous system AND immune system. The nervous system is the master control system of your body and directly affects how your immune system functions. If there is interference to your nervous system then there will be interference in your immune system (read: your immunity is working at less than 100%). Get adjusted. Regularly for preventative reasons and to stay well...and then yes, when you feel like your immune system has been compromised, get checked immediately!
Essential Oils
One of my favourite parts to our family's toolbox is essential oils. I use doTERRA oils and I've been amazed at how well they work. Their purpose is to support your body through times when you aren’t feeling well.
OnGuard - An incredible support oil. It's a blend of Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary. I put a couple of drops under my tongue (very spicy, like oregano oil but wow, does it work!), put a drop on each of the soles of my feet, and diffuse it around our home.
Lemon - I add 1-2 drops in each glass of water I drink.
Easy Air- Diffuse along with Onguard and you can dilute and apply to the chest area to support healthy breathing.
Peppermint & Lavender- Fever has its place but it makes it very difficult to sleep, especially for young ones. I will take 2 drops of peppermint & 2 drops of lavender & mix it in 1 tsp of carrier oil. Rub onto soles of feet, back of neck, and down their spine. It creates a cooling sensation that isn't meant to kill the fever, just makes your little one feel cooler when having one.
If you’re ready to bring essential oils into your home, you can check out all the details on this page here.
Drink Liquids
So great to stay hydrated! Water, water with lemon and warm tea (or even warm water) are all easy ways to get fluids in. Bone broth works by bringing oxygen to the cells that need it. I make homemade bone broth once a month and then freeze it in small portions (1/4 cup sizes...or use an ice cube tray to make individual portions). Simmer different bones (oxtails, bones of fish, chickens, cows, etc. - just make sure they are organic!) in water for days (I stick it all in a slow cooker for up to 72 hours). Breast milk for those who are still breastfeeding is exceptional for immune system support
Tone It Down
Hardest part especially for the "go go go" types like myself. But it's crucial to get into a quiet place. Stay home. Snuggle up on the couch or in bed. Watch a movie. Play quietly. Read books. Draw. Our lives are so busy usually that for us, we really need to focus on just being as still as possible.
Avoid Sugar and Dairy
Sugar is a feast for viruses and bacteria. Eliminate it asap (it's not good for us anyhow!). Dairy is a congestant. It will create more mucous than what is necessary. So getting rid of all dairy products is a second nutritional change that has to be made the moment we are fighting something.
The 24 Hour Rule
Did you go to bed with a fever and wake up feeling great? Well, you're likely not out of the woods yet. The rule in our home is 24 hours without fever before heading back out into life. It's too easy for infections to rear their ugly heads again. Your body is still processing! I know that life is there and needs your attention - but I promise you it will still be there tomorrow. Work from home, if you can. Putter around the house. Go for an easy walk outside. But lay low for an extra day to avoid delaying proper healing.
So there you go! That's what we do to beat infections in our home. Hopefully this helps you discover what works best for your family.