Insights on Wellness - Part 2
by Wendy Fritz, RN, R.Ac.,MSTOM, Dipl.O.M.
Here are a few simple techniques to promote wellness:
1. Wear a scarf on cold and/or breezy days. Ever wonder why one of the first signs of an oncoming illness is stiffness in the neck and shoulders or a sore throat? Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches that invading pathogens often enter not only through the nose, but also the back of the neck. Keeping it warm and covered blocks that entry level.
2. Use a sinus rinse or netti pot, especially if you find that you have frequent sinus allergy symptoms or if you are working outside where there is a lot of dirt and dust flying about. Again, the sinus passageways are another vector for unwanted bacteria and viruses. Carefully follow the instructions on whichever product you choose. Make sure if you are mixing a solution, you use distilled water that is warm but not hot.
3. Drink adequate water. This will vary from person to person, but a general rule is 6 8oz glasses per day. Much like our plants who will show signs of distress as a late sign of needing water, many practitioners believe that by the time we are thirsty, our bodies are already dehydrated. Especially people with a lot of phlegm in their bodies, it may take a long time to feel thirsty. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep cells happy, healthy, and ready to take on whatever invaders come your way. Drink to help flush out toxins.
4. Proper nutrition is always important, but doubly so during cold and flu seasons. Do your best to give your body all the tools it needs to keep you well. The majority of our immune system is derived from our digestive tract. Keep your well by eating a variety of whole foods simply prepared, lightly steamed, stir-fried, or roasted. Think about it, if you eat natural foods that your body can recognize prepared in simple ways, then it has to use less energy to take foods apart and, of course, the more nutritious our food, the more goodies we get from it. Ultimately, you will get the most bang for your buck.
5. Get adequate rest. The days are shorter. Pay attention to your body’s signals about moving inward. This can get lost in the stress and hustle of the holiday season, but sleep is our bodies way of renewing, repairing. This may seem all the more difficult as many of us feel like we have already been so limited in the time of this pandemic, that there need be nothing said about it, but that is when we tend to let our guard down, staying up late to binge watch television or finish some project. Give sleep its due.
6. Manage stress. Stress hormones take energy and resources away from our immune system. It can be one of the main barriers to getting adequate sleep. Connect with people you love through phone calls, zoom chats, socially distanced walks outside. Meditate, meditate, meditate! Keep a gratitude journal—this can go hand-in-hand with many of the holidays we may celebrate this time of year. Find ways to laugh often even when laughter seems unrealistic—it moves and circulates energy and releases all kinds of feel-goodie body chemicals to balance out the hormones of stress.