Winter Immunity: A Pound of Prevention Starts Here (Part 1)

Here in Staunton, VA, August has lost its summer hold. Instead, it feels like fall is upon us.

So here at Jewell's Naturals, that got us to thinking about how the change from warm weather to impending cold weather affects our health.

Maybe that's why so many of us associate cold weather with increased illness. It seems like Old Man Winter can really beat you down if your immune system is under stress.

How Stress Dramatically Affects Your Immune System

Both adrenaline and cortisol are big time players with your immune system.

Each has the ability to regulate every cell in your immune system.

How?

Adrenaline leads the charge for those "fight or flight" situations. For example, if someone is chasing you, adrenaline kicks in boosting your immunity temporarily.

Cortisol, on the other hand, is necessary for stimulating proper immune function. However, when stress becomes chronic, cortisol becomes elevated.

And that suppresses the deeper aspects of your immunity, which protects you from disease.

It also increases inflammation in your body.

What does chronic stress look like?

Well, when was the last time you felt completely relaxed?

Thought so. And that's true for most of us.

We have become so used to feeling stressed, we can't imagine relaxation as a natural state of being.

Yet, our bodies tell us how stressed we are in a number of ways:

Tight neck
Tight shoulder
Migraine
Sciatica
Low back muscle tightness
Easily irritated
Depression
Add yours here!

If stress continues over a long period of time, your adrenals may run out of gas, producing too little cortisol. That means your immune system can't be stimulated.

Worse, because cortisol is the primary anti-inflammatory go-to guy in your body, inflammation can run amok if this hormone is too low.

So What Can You Do To Build Your Winter Immunity?

Just because you live in a stressful world doesn't mean you're powerless against it! The first step, becoming aware of the impact of chronic stress on your life, is critical.

You have to really get how stress is beating up your body. Once you do, implementing positive counter measures can become part of your lifestyle.

For example:

Each of these practices is vital to supporting your immune system!

Stress, the Change in Seasons, and Immunity

There are several times during the year when it's critical to build up your immunity, even if your immune system is strong.

Under periods of extreme stress
Weeks prior to winter
Preparing for summer travel
Attending a new school

In other words, any time there's additional stress on your body.