Tis the season- not the holiday season but the illness season. Allergies, flu, colds and more. It’s the time of the year when you experience just another ordinary day when suddenly, you feel kinda off… maybe your nose is running, your throat is scratchy, and body aches creep in. You think to yourself, could it just be allergies? Maybe my head hurts because I’m dehydrated. But, lo and behold, you are sick. What can we do to prevent illness and increase our immune system?
First, we have to know what we are up against. The flu is no fun. I remember last December when the flu crossed our household, and let me tell you, I felt like I was in a fever dream. Hours would pass that felt like 15 minutes. I didn’t know what day it was. I am sure you have been through this before. Thank the Lord, my husband just happened to be getting over it right as I was first starting to show symptoms.
Influenza
Influenza is a contagious respiratory virus. Symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, cough, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, congestion, and, in some cases, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 4 days after exposure, and the sickness can last 2 to 8 days. Influenza is spread by respiratory droplets from person to person. Typically, by someone infected, sneezing or coughing.
Common Cold
I am sure you have experienced the common cold before. It is an upper respiratory viral infection, which some may experience 2-3 times a year. It is characterized by sneezing, congestion, headache, sore throat, and coughing. The common cold can last up to 10 to 14 days. No wonder so many people continue to go about their lives sniffling and still having symptoms.
Allergies
Oh, allergies. Though we love to see the seasons change, we must suffer somehow. Our immune system reacts to a foreign protein or allergen by producing excess mucus to excrete it out of the body via a runny nose or sneezing. Utilizing coughing to expectorate it up out of the lungs. Our eyes may become watery to excrete it from the body again through tears. Common allergens can include dust, pollen, mites, dog or cat dander, certain insect bites or stings, and food. In this case, though, we will focus on pollen.
Prevention with vitamins
Vitamin C is an antioxidant similar to magnesium; vitamin C helps us become more resilient to stress. Helps with iron absorption. One of my favorite things about vitamin C is it allows collagen production. Collagen is good for hair, skin, and nails. Vitamin C promotes wound healing. Citrus fruits, of course, are a source of vitamin C. It might surprise you, but you can also get vitamin C from leafy greens and potatoes. As always, getting our vitamins from natural sources like our foods is best. Sometimes, you might need a bit of extra help, so you can definitely supplement your vitamin C, certainly during the winter months. You want to ensure you buy from a reputable company with clean ingredients.
Bee’s are helpful too!
Local honey is great for allergies. Honey is a natural antibacterial and antimicrobial agent. Historically, they have used honey to help heal wounds- we actually still use this today in wound care with a type of medical honey to promote wound healing (isn’t that cool!) Honey is full of vitamins, minerals, glucose, amino acids, iron, zinc, and enzymes. Honey has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You can utilize honey to help soothe a sore throat as it coats the susceptible tissue. Any honey will do, but when it comes to allergies, local honey is the best option. This is because when honey bees collect the nectar, they gather it from plants and get pollen on their fuzzy little legs.
Bees bring this pollen from local plants back to the hive. Some think that the pollen content in the honey can help with allergies specific to the type of plants in your area. This has been thoroughly debated, and studies are about half and half on it. I like to think that it is true, and besides what can it hurt? Local honey is more beneficial than store-bought honey anyway, so we might as well invest in it and support local beekeepers rather than the store-bought honey that is cut with corn syrup for profit.
Ways to boost your immune health can include getting sunlight and fresh air, exercising, ample sleep, and a decrease in sugar consumption. Here is why…
Get outside!
Unlike many said almost five years ago, it is not good for your immune system to stay indoors and not be exposed to germs outside your home. That is exactly what builds our immune system. Exposure to UV rays from the sun also benefits us by initiating vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that increases intestinal absorption of important nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and phosphate.
We also need fresh air. When outside, we are more than likely being active, which is another important way to prevent illness. In the winter, it becomes cold, and it is really easy to want to stay indoors wrapped up in a blanket, but being stagnant like this does not help us defend against viruses. Another thing to watch for is sugar consumption. I know that there are many sweet desserts to have in the holidays, but eat them sparingly. The more sugar you consume, the more it suppresses your immune system. Alcohol also suppresses your immune system if you embark on it.
Sleep is vital to boosting your immune system. Have you ever noticed that the times we are worn thin usually are when we become susceptible to catching a virus? Make sure you rest well, at least 7 hours a night if possible. As hard as it is, especially around the holidays- do not pack your schedule to the brim. Now, I am preaching to the choir entirely. It is hard to say no, especially when it is all good things. But being particular about what you invest in and guarding your time are excellent ways to keep yourself from burning out.
The True Sustainer
We can do all of these things to a T, and we might still succumb to sickness. But the Lord is in control, and he is the true sustainer. He heals us from our sickness here on earth, and one day, he will restore us and give us new glorified bodies. What a glorious day that will be. In the meantime, we should take care of ourselves and be good stewards of our bodies. That way, we can serve him to the best of our abilities.
Lord, Thank you for today. Thank you for this life full of so many great gifts and opportunities that come only from you. May we boast in you in sickness and health, in busy and slow seasons, and all the days of our lives. I pray for the reader who does not know you, Lord. I pray that they will take a chance and learn more about you. To you all glory, honor, and power Lord. Amen.