The snow and ice this weekend, and the subsequent school closures today, are a sure sign that winter is here. The twinkling lights in the windows of more and more houses and the bombardment of festive adverts and familiar annual tunes also signal the fast approach of Christmas. This blog is my attempt to arm you with some effective ways of keeping your immune system strong and your mind and nervous system soothed in the midst of what can quickly become a tiring, chaotic, bug ridden Christmas frenzy if we are not careful!
I have done it numerous times myself. Once or twice ending up in bed and ill on Christmas Day, having run myself into the ground on the run up, not prioritising myself or my health over less important trivial nonsense that I feel like I ‘should’ be doing at this time of year! You know the things I mean. The things you see people all around you doing and getting swept up in the craziness of it all – the gift buying, the striving for perfection of one glorified roast dinner, the numerous exhausting christmassy activities with the kids, the work ‘dos’ you’d rather not be at, late nights, the excessive consumption of nutrient void food and alcohol and their after effects, tying up work for the year, the madness of end of term school events including pantos, performances, christmas fairs…I know you know!
Well for a few years now I have turned my attention to doing Christmas ‘differently.’ Some years I have failed miserably and fallen into the same old stories, habits and overwhelm but the shift IS happening. I’m taking miniscule steps in the right direction but it IS happening none the less! The difference this year is that I have actually communicated my intentions and my desires for necessary change to my nearest and dearest and my quest for more peace and less mayhem is laid out clearly on the table and so far, it’s going smoothly. I know it’s only December 4th but I have a small win to celebrate already.
This weekend, when we decorated the house for Christmas, I challenged myself and my family to only choose and display the decorations that we all absolutely love and that bring us joy. We stuck to this and it feels so much more restful around the house with it being less cluttered. The fact that every single surface is not covered in plastic, flashing or noisy Christmas decorations and we haven’t felt the need to put things out that we don’t really like just because a family member bought it for us years ago and there is a tiny sentimental connection to it, is really freeing. I am relishing the simple, minimalist approach this year. It still feels festive and super cosy but we can actually notice and appreciate what we have intentionally chosen to put out so much more. In the space we have created, I have purposefully left my Buddha figure next to the armchair by the Christmas tree, alongside my journal and my late Dad’s book entitled ‘Silent Mind, Holy Mind.’
I read this special book every December and I’d like to share one of my favourite parts of this book with you from it’s opening few pages:
“For many, Christmas means shopping, spending money, buying presents and creating confusion. Such confusion is entirely of our own making. We have the power to make Christmas meaningful, peaceful and truly religious, but instead of using this power we succumb to worldly negative energy…We must recognise the negative mind for what it is and then slowly begin to find a solution for the pain it causes ourselves and others. If we do nothing to correct our motivation and distorted ways of thinking, then Christmas exists merely for the ego…therefore, if you want to come to this Christmas celebration and bring a present, the best present you can bring is a peaceful mind. If you can make such an offering with true love for one another, that is enough. There is no need for too much physical preparation and activity.”
Strategically placing this book means that, when I sit down, I am reminded of the wise words it contains and remember to pause, breathe and just BE. There is no need to be constantly DOING this season. I don’t have to strive for perfection and compare myself to others. I can lower all my expectations and focus on my mind and not my ‘to do list!’
Can you give yourself this permission also?
If we can allow ourselves to do this, then we will feel a sense of calm rather than panic and be more able to be fully present to enjoy the little moments of joy this time of year instead of being so distracted that they pass us by unnoticed. What’s more, if we are rested and under less stress then our immune systems can function so much more efficiently for us too. Did you know that CORTISOL, the main stress hormone, impedes the natural abilities of our immune system and, if your immune system is sluggish, that is when the coughs, colds and sniffles are most likely to catch you.
No matter how busy you are, I urge you not to let your self care and stress management practices slip. I intend to continue daily yoga and pilates at home and also short mindful meditations plus positive affirmations to start my day throughout December. These are important to me and I know ‘a little goes a long way.’ It only has to be 10-20 minutes set aside morning or evening for me to really feel the benefits. My immediate family also notice the positive affects these short daily strategies have when I include them in my day. I do them for their sake as much as mine!
Here are some other essentials to pop into your winter wellness toolbox to ensure your immune system stays healthy:
- regular exercise – 30 mins a day ideally, such as a brisk, fresh walk in the daylight
- avoidance of excessive alcohol
- drink plenty of water and herbal teas to keep hydration levels and energy boosted
- avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
- maintain healthy eating with adequate daily fibre intake to help your good gut bacteria thrive. I know you will have heard this before but it’s important to remember that 70% of your immune system resides in your gut where friendly gut bacteria feed off the fibre you consume, producing short chain fatty acids which are essential for many bodily functions including a strong immune system. FACT – Fibre only comes from PLANT FOODS, always best eaten in their WHOLE form and UNPROCESSED to ensure OPTIMAL FIBRE, NUTRIENTS and ANTIOXIDANTS are retained and absorbed for full effect in your body to boost your immune health.
- minimise consumption of refined foods, sugar and pro inflammatory substances – all known to raise your blood sugars and weaken your immune system. I will be sharing some delicious and satisfying alternatives for you to try this month on my social media platforms, accompanied by full, easy to follow, instructional recipe videos.
- consider a Vitamin D supplement – about 80% of people in the UK are deficient during the winter months and research has shown that taking 400iu-2000iu of Vitamin D per day markedly reduces infections in adults and that this vitamin has a protective effect against respiratory tract infections.
And finally,
- prioritise REST and SLEEP. Say ‘No’ if you need to and give in to restorative rest and recuperation this season. You don’t need to come up with an excuse, be honest. I’m sure such honesty will be admired and may encourage others to gift themselves the same act of self care and self love to replenish energy and conserve strength.
Wishing you a healthy winter season ahead and a happy, peaceful Christmas xxx