Optimal Wellness During Cold & Flu Season

Optimal Wellness During Cold & Flu Season

By Alicia A Berg, HHP, CMT

     How do we stay healthy during the combination of harsher weather, holiday stress, and proliferation of viruses that accompany this time of year? While there is no one magic pill to address how these stressors affect our bodies and minds, there are some things we can be mindful of. Our first line defenses are practical, simple concepts. 1.Get plenty of rest. Our bodies perform vital regenerative tasks while we sleep! 2.Exercise regularly. Movement stimulates the flow of lymph. The lymphatic system is the primary structure of the immune system. 3.Eat a balanced diet, which includes plenty of fresh produce from the bounty of the harvest. 4.Moderation! Avoid overindulging in sugar, alcohol & processed foods. A large part of our immune system lies in our gut. The mucosa that lines the walls of our intestinal tract houses immune cells within lymphoid structures. This means our ability to stay well is affected by what we ingest. So….Be Mindful This Season!

     What? You say I’ve just taken all the fun out of the holidays!? O.K., so reality is that almost none of us adhere to all of these ideals, all the time. Although they are simple concepts, they are not always simple in practice.

     So, as a Holistic Health Practitioner and as a human with a body, I have found some gems in immune support supplementation. My current favorite tool in my medicine cabinet is ESSENTIAL DEFENSE by METAGENICS. It is a Chinese Botanical formula taken at first signs of the common cold. The effects are swift & profound. The last cold I caught, I went from being woman down on the couch (with a box of tissues attached to my face!) one day to on with my life the next day! It will make you a believer too! For an immune system boost, I like METAGENICS ULTRA POTENT-C POWDER. It is easy on the stomach and “helps promote natural killer cell and white blood cell activity”. Finally, I turn to homeopathy for dealing with the flu virus. I have found BOIRON’S OSCILLOCOCCINUM extremely effective when taken at first sign of flu-like symptoms. In my experience, Essential Defense & Oscillococcinum can prevent cold & flu respectively when taken at fist symptom. If illness has already taken hold, both shorten the duration and severity of symptoms. Oscillococcinum can be found at your local health food store. If you have questions about or are interested in ordering Metagenics products, feel free to contact me.

     In addition to supplements, massage therapy can be helpful to manage stress, move lymph, and stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. I have two favorite massage sessions to receive when feeling rundown. One is CranioSacral Therapy. CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, energetic method of structural alignment. It helps improve the overall function of the  nervous system, which works synergistically with the immune system. The next is a stimulating Asian Blend that includes Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage), Table Thai & Shiatsu, which are traditionally known to remove blockages to Qi & keep energy flowing through the meridians. There are many other massage modalities that can assist in promoting wellness. I hope you enjoy exploring them all!

     When, in the course of a cold or flu, is it appropriate to receive massage therapy? It is important to remember that receiving massage during the acute phases of a cold or flu is contraindicated. Please stay home, take care of yourself, and keep the transmission of the virus at bay when acutely ill. However, if simply feeing rundown or in sub-acute stage, talk to your practitioner about designing a session to support your body’s own innate ability to heal.