Natural ways to boost your immunity and find your Calm

March 20, 2020

Amidst these uncertain times with the current Covid-19 pandemic, and winter flu season just around the corner, it’s more important than ever to make sure your immune system is in tip-top condition; and that self care is top of your priority list, as stress is a major contributing factor to a weakened immune system! The good news is that there are plenty of natural ways to build yourself up and be proactive.

Increase your intake of key vitamins and minerals

Your immune system functions much better when you’re getting lots of vitamin C and D, and zinc, and there are so many delicious foods that will ensure your diet is rich in all of them.

• Vitamin C: Eat more broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, capsicum, kale, kiwifruit, oranges, lemons, blackcurrants, strawberries, and tomatoes.
• Vitamin D: The best vegan sources are, mushrooms, fortified plant milks, and of course sunshine (without sunblock on).
• Zinc: nuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, lentils, beans, whole grains like quinoa and rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes (chop up and roll these in al little olive oil,salt and  sesame seeds and bake at 200 deg C for 30 mins- for an ultimate zinc hit).
• and – best of all – dark chocolate!

Here’s our go to veg curry we make at home filled with immune boosting and healing ingredients- let us know if you try it!

IMMUNE BOOSTING VEG CURRY

ingredients:
4cm piece ginger finely chopped
3 Cloves garlic finely chopped
2 Medium onions halved and diced
1 Can coconut milk
1 Can crushed tomatoes
1/2 Cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp coconut oil

Vegetables (you can sub other veggies here too):
1 Green capsicum chunky sliced
1 Red capsicum chunky sliced
4 Brown mushrooms sliced chunky
1 Carrot diced
2 Kumara diced
1 Courgette diced
1 Handful cherry tomatoes
Juice from 1 lemon
1 Handful fresh coriander

Method
Add oil to pan and saute garlic, ginger and onions.
Add coconut milk, canned tomatoes and water, bring to boil and reduced to simmer.
Add salt, carrots and kumara, when they are tender add the remaining vegetables and cook for a further 10 minutes, checking to see when tender.
When done, add the lemon juice, coriander and serve over cauliflower rice.

Nom nom!

Get enough sleep each night

We know it’s easier said than done, but getting between seven and nine hours’ sleep each night will significantly boost your immune system. While you’re in dreamland, your body both produces and releases cytokines, which are proteins that fight inflammation and infection. The less sleep you get, the less able you are to fight off illness.

The secret to getting enough sleep is to practice good sleep habits

• Follow a sleep schedule – go to bed and get up at approximately the same time every day.
• Avoid stimulants like caffeine and alcohol for four to six hours before bedtime.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet and cool – 16-19 degrees Celsius is the optimal temperature
• Exercise – even a mere 10 minutes of brisk walking or cycling during the day can help you to sleep better at night.
• Develop a calming pre-sleep routine, like reading a book or relaxing in the tub with our calm bath and massage oil (or massage onto your body before or after bathing) which helps to relax the nervous system

   

Reduce your stress levels

Avoiding stress is something else that is often easier said than done! But it’s currently more important than ever to take some time for self-care and to treat yourself with kindness. There are lots of wonderful ways for you to pamper yourself into a state of relaxation.

• Self care is so important right now so go ahead and love your skin with a decadent and antioxidant rich Chocolate and Orange Blossom Face Masque. 
• Try an online guided meditation or yoga class or via we love FMTV and Gaia)
• Diffuse a calming essential oil like our Tranquility Aromascent Blend.
• Listen to ambient music, which has been proven to relieve anxiety and even pain.
• Give yourself a heavenly at home facial and encourage that lymph to flow and release tension using your favourite facial products and a facial roller or Gua Sha tool.
• Burn a naturally scented candle (we love this brand!)  to release relaxing aromas into your environment.

Stop the germs from getting in

The most effective way to avoid catching viruses is to wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. That means scrubbing them well, all over, for 20 seconds and then drying them thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Keep the air in your house and your hard surfaces naturally clean by spritzing with Verite’s Clear Essence Antibacterial Sanitiser Spray. Containing 65% alcohol and  a proprietary blend of potent antibacterial essential oils, it’s 99.9% effective against surface germs, but also gentle enough to spray directly onto your hands.

You should also avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes, as these are the three areas through which viruses can enter your system. Because touching your face is a subconscious action, it’s actually quite hard to stop doing it, and often the urge is overwhelming. Psychologists recommend substituting a different action, like scratching your arm or the back of your head. If you find you touch your face more often in certain situations, like while you’re on the phone, finding something to do with your hands during that time is a good idea, like holding chakra beads or a squishy stress ball. Another suggestion is to put a bright band or bell around your wrist so you are more likely to notice when your hand moves towards your face.

 
Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water is always recommended – it’s great for your brain, your skin, your blood pressure, and keeping your kidneys healthy. It also plays a key role in your immunity by helping you digest all those lovely, nutrient-dense foods we mentioned in point one. Not only that, but being properly hydrated assists your body to make enough lymph, which carries infection-fighting white blood cells around your body. It also helps you to flush out toxins and waste that might otherwise contribute to making you unwell.

Wishing you all a perfect health and calm over the next while as we ride this out together.

 

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