Pitter-patter. The rain softly taps on the window, asking in its gentle way to be let in. Pitter-patter. Wrapped in the soothing softness of the duvet, the response is, not now rain, as we wish it to stay out there and wash away the bustle of the city and nurture our trees. With fall in place, the rich colours of the majestic trees lining the streets are washed away, the branches are laid bare, and we must prepare for the cold breezes of winter.
There is great beauty in this season, as in all the seasons, but there are also many challenges to every change. Like the clouds above, noses are dripping; coughs of all tones and pitches ring out; and feet drag as colds and flus chip away at even the toughest of us. Anyone with school age children starts feeling as if the era of perfect health might never come again as, like waves crashing on the shores, one cold after the other rolls onto already taxed immune systems.
Well, yes, it’s hard. But before we all give up and collectively fly to warmer, season-free climates, there are steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of illness and support healthy immune systems. Number one for preventing the spread of germs is hand washing, as well as covering your mouth when you cough. Simple, and yet effective. Proper hygienic practice is the number one way to prevent the spread of germs, and we must teach the kids to follow them as well.
As for supporting your immune system, there is much more that can be done. For example, make sure you are eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet, as well as fruits rich in vitamin C. Vitamin B12 is also important for supporting healthy immune functions. There are many reasons for deficiencies, and in our over-worked go-go-go society, deficiencies are fairly common. These can be supplemented orally or as injection.
Get outdoors every day! Even when it’s cold and rainy outside, fresh air is crucial to your overall well being. Make sure you are wearing clothing appropriate to the climate, and make sure to walk outside, if possible, in nature. Not only is oxygen-rich air crucially important to all the body’s functions, studies have shown that being outdoors and walking is extremely helpful in preventing depression, anxiety, and stress-related issues.
Acupuncture! Yes, that’s right, getting tiny needles stuck into your body can help support the immune system! The merits of acupuncture are well known for acute and chronic pain, but there is so much more that can be treated with this modality, including supporting healthy immune function, boosting energy, and aiding natural, deep sleep cycles.
So, enough arguing with rain drops! It is time to appreciate the beauty of this time of year again. Get your health and energy back to where it was at the beginning of summer! Give Active Life Mobile Acupuncture a shout so you can let us know where and when you’d like your own immune boosting acupuncture treatment.
by Gabrielle Fox, R.Ac.