Natural ways to boost your immunity this festive season

With the weather turning colder and the nights drawing in, there’s never been more of a need to make our wellbeing a priority and give ourselves a much-needed boost. In this blog, we’re taking a look at some of the more natural ways we can boost our immunity to prepare us for the busyness of the festive season.

Sleep

Getting enough zzzz’s is really crucial to our immunity, as it’s our time to rest and restore. To make the most of your bedtime routine, unwind for bed by having a hot bath, limit caffeine (try to stop drinking tea or coffee after 4pm), and instead of scrolling on your phone, opt for a book instead to limit blue light exposure. You could also try keeping Lavender or Aloe Vera in your bedroom as the soothing scents can give you a sense of calm. Feel yourself drift into a peaceful slumber and start reaping the benefits of a better nights’ sleep.

Body tapping

Did you know that gentle tapping of the body in certain pressure points can help to boost blood circulation, support lymphatic drainage and even release tension? This method can be especially useful for those who live a more sedentary lifestyle, due to spending more time indoors and the advancement of technology. We’d recommend gently tapping the skin anywhere between one and five minutes a day.

Dry brushing

Stimulating the lymphatic system, dry brushing is a type of Ayurvedic medicine which can be used to rid the body of toxins. This can be done using a brush with dry bristles, and then brushing the skin using circular motions to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells. For an extra pamper, you could use an exfoliating cream before brushing.

Vitamin D

With winter creeping in, we often aren’t getting as much sunlight as we need. Known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D plays an important role in the function of our immune system. Apart from the glorious rays from the sun, the most effective way to ensure we’re getting enough of the sunshine vitamin is through our diet (think oily fish, eggs, mushrooms and dark leafy greens), and also by taking a supplement if needed. Vitamin C and Zinc are also hugely beneficial for giving our immune system a boost- so make sure your diet is rich in fruits and vegetables for vitamin C and red meat and milk for zinc, (or if you’re vegetarian or vegan, chickpeas, and nuts).

Rest plenty

Take some time out of your day to curl up on the sofa with a blanket if you feel like you need to rest, instead of powering through. Honouring this feeling can help us avoid burn out by improving our physical health and mental wellbeing and allowing us space to breathe and reconnect. Opt for a calming yoga session with plenty of Yin postures or try some detoxifying seated twists.

Exercise

Too much vigorous exercise can take a toll on our immune system, however, regular and gentle exercise can actually help to strengthen our immunity. If you’re pushed for time, put on a song you love and dance around the room for a few minutes, or go on a short walk- you’ll start to feel the benefits in no time!