I always laugh when I hear my fellow Edmontonians proclaim their disbelief that summer has already come and gone. I’ve lived in Alberta my whole life, and I’ve become quite accustomed to our cold climate. I know our summers are short and bittersweet, and our winters are long, harsh and, quite honestly, feel like a natural disaster we’ve adapted to living in. But here we are again, preparing to hunker down for another orbit as the north pole tilts away from the sun, and our nights become longer and our days become shorter.

Except now, as we approach winter, there is a different feeling that surrounds the seasonal change. What used to feel like an average amount of disdain for colder days ahead is accompanied by fear and anxiety as the looming reality of COVID lingers in the crisp air. The collective consciousness and awareness of the importance of maintaining a robust immune system are at an all-time high thanks to the Pandemic. If the past two years have taught us anything, prioritizing self-care is a must.

Is there such as thing as “boosting” your immune system? Here’s what Harvard Medical School has to say,

“The idea of boosting your immunity is enticing, but the ability to do so has proved elusive for several reasons. The immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well requires balance and harmony. There is still much that researchers don’t know about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response. For now, there are no scientifically proven direct links between lifestyle and enhanced immune function.”

So what are we supposed to do to prepare ourselves for another cold and flu season, you ask? It boils down to one thing, and that thing is CHOOSING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Let’s review the basics so YOU can help your immune system perform optimally.

Step one: DON’T SMOKE.

There I said it! It’s a no-brainer.
*If you do smoke and want to quit, please see me for some hypnotherapy so you can kick that nasty habit once and for all.

Step two: Eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables.

If you are unsure about what a healthy diet looks like, I highly recommend taking the gut health intelligence test from VIOME. This company created a comprehensive test you can take from the comfort of your home and finally be done with all the guessing games and figure out exactly what foods are a superfood for you and how much of that food you should eat. You’ll finally know exactly what foods you should avoid and why they aren’t good for your gut microbiome. After all, our gut health is the foundation for our immune system. And you get all this information delivered to you via an easy app you can download to your smartphone and refer to when grocery shopping and meal prepping. You can even go one step further and order made for you pre and probiotics and supplements designed specifically for your body’s needs. Doing this has been a total game-changer for me.

Step three: Exercise regularly.

According to Harvard Medical School, “Regular exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against various diseases. Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to good health and a healthy immune system.”

Take this as your sign to move your body, walk outside daily, hit the gym, buy resistance bands, hire a personal trainer, download an app with workout routines, or head to a yoga studio. Don’t be afraid to try something new. That’s how you’ll find a form of exercise that resonates with you. And then, as NIKE would say, JUST DO IT.
*if you still struggle with making excuses and can’t figure out why choosing healthier habits feels so hard, again, see me for a Rapid Transformation Therapy session. We can uncover those subconscious patterns that keep you stuck and reprogram them so you can easily make the choices you want and finally take action.

Step four: Minimize stress.

Go for massage or acupuncture; we have a team of exceptional practitioners, including myself, at Wellness on Whyte, who would be happy to help you regulate that nervous system. You can feel the healing vibes when you walk through the doors. The space is divine.

Step five: Don’t drink alcohol and if you do, drink in moderation.

Being sober has given me so much clarity and mental fortitude. I have felt a massive increase in my health and overall well-being.
*if you struggle with drinking and want to quit, or you just want to reduce the amount that you drink, hypnotherapy can help. I did one session and never looked back.

I hope that this review is beneficial as we prepare for this seasonal shift, to support and strengthen your system.

Take care,

Noelle