Why should I worry about my immune system this summer?  Flu season is not here, and it is 85 degrees outside.  

The immune system needs to be taken care of in all seasons.  It is not just something that is important when others around you are becoming ill.  

Most people don’t wake up one day and decide to purchase a house.  They will have saved for months or even years for a down payment.  As a down payment does not happen overnight, neither does a healthy immune system.  

You cannot do damage to your immune system all summer and wonder why you catch the flu in the fall.  Often people are ill in the summer due to neglect of their immune system.  

Summer has its challenges.  We go from hot and humid outdoor temperatures to cold and dry indoor temperatures.  The contrast of indoor and outdoor climates can be larger in the summer than in the winter, and this contrast is a huge challenge for our immune systems. 

Here are three reasons to support your immune system this summer: 

1.  Illness is no respecter of seasons.  People can be ill in summer and spring almost as easily as in the fall and winter. 
2.  Flu season never takes a break in the fall.  Begin to support your immune system now, and you may reduce the chance of taking sick days this summer as well as increase the likelihood of avoiding illness this fall and winter. 
3. A healthy immune system may help you avoid other serious health challenges that can happen any time of year. 

How many of these tips can you incorporate into your life? 

1. Take a vacation.

Your vacation should be as long as possible.  Two weeks are a good starting point.  The last time we took a two-week vacation, it took me the first week to wind down.  

If you cannot take a two-week vacation, take one week, or at the very least, a long weekend.  Can you take a Friday and Monday off? 

Just a few benefits of a vacation are stress relief, relaxation, and improved mental health.  

2.  Run your A/C minimally. 

When the weather is hot and humid, it is rather tempting to make your schedule so that you are in air conditioning for as much of your day as possible.  While the A/C can be a live saver, consider turning it off as much as possible. 

If you live somewhere very humid, you will need to run it more; I understand from living in the south for close to a decade.  However, the fact that you run it does not mean it should be at 60 degrees.  Set it as high as you can (73 or 75) and use the A/C mostly to reduce humidity.  

Look at the weather forecast.  Is there a cooler day in the near future when you can open windows and shut off the air conditioning? 

Find creative ways to stay cool.  For ideas, visit this blog post.  

 3.  Eat maximum amounts of fresh, locally grown produce.  

Not everyone wants to or can grow a garden, but almost everyone can join a CSA, buy produce from the farmer’s market, or go berry picking at a local farm.  Locally grown produce will have more nutrients in it because you will be eating it soon after it is harvested. 

Be sure to avoid produce on which toxic pesticides and insecticides have been used.  

4.  Spend as much time in the sunshine as possible. 

Especially if you live in a colder climate, those these summer days of sunshine are rather limited.  Be outside as much as possible to absorb Vitamin D from the sun’s rays.  If you will be outside for several hours, or if you have fair skin, be sure to avoid sunburn.  

Vitamin D is essential to support your immune system.  You can get much of it for free outdoors. 

5.  Build exercise into your daily life. 

If you don’t care for gyms, it’s ok.  I do not either.  However, I walk outside.  Do you enjoy cycling, rollerblading, or canoeing?  Enjoy those as much as possible.  You can use cycling and rollerblading as modes of transportation too.  You’ll save on gasoline for your car as well as get fresh air and Vitamin D.  You may be in a better mood and experience better sleep at night!  

6.  Substitute seasonal fruit for sugar-laden desserts. 

Sugar lowers your immune system and destroys healthy bacteria in your gut.  If you make desserts at home, research healthier ways to make them (with honey or maple syrup or at least reduce the amount of sugar).  Eat seasonal fruit instead of cakes, pies, and cookies.  Did you know that frozen dates and grapes are nature’s candy?  Try them, and your appetite for cakes and pies may diminish.  

7. Free your schedule of unnecessary tasks and activities.

I have heard comments about how people are realizing how busy they are–unnecessarily.  Thanks to Covid, we have a better understanding of that life can be more peaceful.  It is not always necessary to run on hardly any sleep and to have a schedule full from 7 am to 9 pm daily.  By freeing your schedule from needless activities, you will have time to take care of your health, and you will have less stress.  

Have you learned about the importance of your immune system?  I trust this blog post will inspire you to take better care of your immunity.  Please note that I have not always been as healthy as I am now.  As a matter of fact, I used to have a very low immune system.  If you want to take the best care of your immunity as possible, let’s get in touch.  I’d love to hear your concerns and share exactly which natural remedies helped me.  Just fill out this short questionnaire, and I will get back to you within 24 hours.  I have time in my schedule this week to help one person, and whoever contacts me first will have first priority.  All others will be scheduled into the following weeks.  

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