How To Support Your Immune System When You’re Sick
When you’re a mom, resting when you get sick is not always an option. We need to find ways to keep going so we can take care of our families--and ourselves. Luckily, I’ve found a few ways to help myself feel better faster, and I’d like to share them with you!
Keep reading to find out how to support your immune system when you’re sick…
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is key to a healthy immune system. Whether you are sick or not, proper sleep will strengthen your immune system… Studies have shown that a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night improves the effectiveness of T-cells. T-cells are the immune system’s response to viral threats. So that means they are very important to have--especially during cold and flu season! If you find yourself having trouble sleeping, I definitely recommend my three favorite sleepy essential oils: rutavala, lavender, and cedarwood! These three oils have great calming qualities, and they smell AMAZING.
click here to check out my blog post on how to get better sleep naturally.
Hydration
We all know that drinking enough water is important for your whole body--not just your immune system. However, electrolytes are the key to supporting your immune system when you’re sick. Without enough electrolytes, your immune system and nervous system cannot function as they should. This negatively impacts your sleep, like we talked about above, as well as your immune system. My personal favorite ways to make sure my electrolytes are balanced is with organic bone broth, and Nunn Electrolyte tabs.
Stay Home
Staying home and avoiding running around too much is another great way to support your immune system when you’re sick. When you exert too much energy by going out and about, you aren’t allowing your immune system to do its job. Stress and fatigue are sure-fire ways to knock your immune system out, rather than keep it strong while you’re sick. Stress is actually a top contributor when it comes to things that weaken the immune system. Besides this problem, it’s also better to avoid spreading your germs, so that you aren’t infecting others.
Detox Bath
Speaking of slowing down, a detox bath is a FABULOUS way to support your immune system while you’re sick. Detox baths are a relaxing and comforting way to draw out toxins and other immune-system-weakening junk. For my own detox baths, I really love eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, and Ylang Ylang essential oils…
Eucalyptus essential oil is antiviral AND antibacterial.
Lavender essential oil promotes relaxation, which means it can help you get a better sleep.
Lemongrass essential oil kills bacteria, and also has anti-cancer properties.
Ylang Ylang essential oil gives your immune system a boost, and it also reduces inflammation.
I would love to help you get oils and connect you to a wealth of essential oils use in our community- just DM me here for your own collection of oils.
Gentle Movement
The lymphatic system is what filters out and is a huge part of how our immune system deals with sickness. However, it doesn’t have its own pump like our circulatory system to push the fluid through. It relies solely on our movements, and even a lymphatic massage can help. However, when you’re sick, it’s best to stay home; so you can simply practice some gentle movements at home. Simple stretches are a great way to move lymphatic fluid and support your immune system while you’re sick.
Supplement Protocol
Everyone’s bodies are different, so you should definitely consult your personal healthcare professional before adding supplements. However, it is a great idea to have some stuff you can take on hand to support your immune system when you’re sick. For me personally, I take the following whenever I get sick:
1000mg vitamin C 2x daily
10-50k IUs vitamin D3 (I take a lot more because my skin is dark.)
50mg zinc picolinate
Vitamin A I use cod liver oil
I also up my use of the following essential oils:
Thieves oil
Oregano
Thyme
Copaiba
Northern Lights Black Spruce
Frankincense
Myrrh
Eucalyptus (globulus or radiata)
need an oil kit? order here or email hello@lydiakia.com for immediate assistance.
I hope these ways to support your immune system while you’re sick helps you next time you catch a bug. We mamas need to make sure we can always be there for our families, and this can help us do that! If you have any questions or tips of your own, please leave a comment below. I’d love to get a discussion going! <3
LOVE THIS STUFF? Get my free self care guide
