Are you someone who always seems to be the first to get sick and the last to get better? With such a fast paced lifestyle, we rarely take care of ourselves and give our bodies the rest they need. This is when our immune system becomes compromised and we become susceptible to infection. Nature gave us tools to help us stimulate our immune systems and encourage our bodies to heal. Here are some ways that something as simple as water can make you feel like new: Contrast ShowersTurn the shower to a nice warm temperature that you feel comfortable with. Allow your body to adjust for 3 minutes. Turn the shower as cold as you can handle for 20-30 seconds, letting the water hit your neck and upper back first. Adjust back to the warm temperature for another 3 minutes. This is one cycle and can be repeated 3 times, always starting with hot for 3 minutes and finishing in cold water for 20-30 seconds. During an illness with coughing and phlegm in the lungs, contrast showers are a great option to add moisture to the air and increase circulation to the lungs. This will release stuck-on mucous and encourage coughing up and removal of the bacteria. Steam InhalationBoil water and pour it into a bowl about the size of your face. Place your face over the bowl of steaming water and drape a towel over your head, creating a secure and enclosed space where the steam cannot escape. Close your eyes, and breathe in and out through your nose taking the deepest breaths possible. This therapy will last for 5-10 minutes and you will feel your face getting sweaty. Try adding a drop of eucalyptus or thyme essential oil into the water, but remember to keep your eyes closed when you do your inhalation. Immune StrengthMedications have been made readily available to us as a way to get through the day when sick. Coughing, sneezing, fevers, etc. are all ways that our bodies are naturally equipped to fight intrusion from bugs. When we take drugs that prevent these functions, we may feel better in the short term, but we are actually prolonging the length of our illness. Instead, naturopathic doctors recommend a combination of herbs, vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen your immune system year round and can drastically reduce the length of an illness or prevent illness altogether. Vitamins: Vitamins A, B, C, D.
Minerals: Magnesium, Zinc Herbs examples: Siberian ginseng, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Echinacea, Panax ginseng. Spices: Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Rosemary, Oregano To find out what unique combination of herbs and vitamins work best for YOU, please contact Dr. Krysten DeSouza at 905-607-3405.
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AuthorDr. DeSouza shares new research and discoveries along her journey. Archives
November 2018
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