It’s May! Can you believe it? I hope that you’re feeling and enjoying the glow and energy of springtime.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the survey I sent out. Your feedback gave me insight into what you’re looking for and how I can continue to offer resources and help support you now, and in the future.
The topic that received an overwhelming response is “A Holistic Approach to Boosting Immunity” and I’m delighted to offer that topic as a three-part series, both here in my bulletin and on my weekly Wednesday Facebook Lives.
Over the next few weeks I will provide important and simple ways you can best take care of yourself, and your health, right now. And of course, for the long term.
Let’s make sure we’re on the same page.
What is a holistic approach? This approach takes into consideration you as a whole being, that is, your mindset, diet, nutrition, and lifestyle and how they all impact your health, and your immunity.
What is immunity? Simply put, the immune system is the body’s defense against infections; immunity is the state of resistance, of being immune, from or insusceptible to a particular disease or pathogen, or the like.
What does it mean to boost immunity? To boost is to support and help bring into balance.
What is the connection between mindset & immunity?
“Your immune cells know your deepest feelings.” - Dr. Mark Hyman
Every cell in your body is listening to your thoughts and those thoughts have a significant and measurable effect on your body and brain.
Research confirms what you think and feel impacts your immune system through chemical messages from the brain. Stress, negative thinking styles, and certain emotional states have a negative impact upon your immune system, creating an environment increasingly susceptible to disease.
Good news! Your mindset (your thoughts and attitudes) is something you can control.
5 Mindset & Immune Boosting Tips
1. Have fun, laugh, and connect with others.
Smiling, laughing, and enjoying yourself decreases stress and enhances your immune system. While connecting with others may look different during the current situation, it’s imperative to maintain relationships whether through phone calls, FaceTime or Zoom happy hours and workouts, and other creative ways. Connecting, sharing, and laughing with friends and family is a powerful way to strengthen your immune system and boost your mood.
2. Practice gratitude.
The practice of gratitude can have deep and impactful effects on your life. When you fill your mind and body with feelings of appreciation and thankfulness, your parasympathetic “rest and digest” is activated, which, in turn, relaxes this part of your nervous system. Being in a parasympathetic, relaxed state, produces many positive results, including decreased stress and cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, better sleep, and improved immune function!
Check out the “I Want” writing exercise.
3. Positive self-talk.
You know how important I believe your thoughts are. I promote positive self-talk and self-compassion. Why? Because positive thoughts, positive affirmations, positive self-talk are mood enhancers. And when you boost your mood, and are kind to yourself, you’re more relaxed and this helps balance your immunity. I suggest writing down positive statements that are meaningful to you and revisiting them daily.
4. Set small, realistic goals.
A goal is an idea of a desired result that you envision, plan and commit to achieve. We set goals because they give us a sense of meaning and purpose. Goals point you in the direction you want to go and engage you in intentional action; they offer hope, give clarity, and provide actionable steps to help stay focused, and feel connected and grounded.
Check out Setting & Keeping Goals During Uncertainty.
5. Be patient with yourself and others.
Patience is the ability to stay calm while you’re waiting for something, someone, or an outcome you need or want. As humans, we’re pretty likely to lose our patience from time to time. But impatience brings about stress. And you know how hurtful stress is on your mood and immune function. How do you remain patient with yourself and others? When you start to lose your patience take three deep breaths, slowly in and slowly out. Three intentional deep breaths often will help your frustration dissipate. You can also practice walking away and taking a time out. A 5-10 minute break from the situation can help you to calm down.
Your mood, attitude, and mindset have a direct effect on your immune system.
When you enhance your outlook, you boost your immune system. Laughter, connection, patience, positive thoughts, happiness, and feelings of accomplishment foster wellness and are immune boosting.
Starting now, choose one positive thing you can make a daily habit that will both shift your mindset and improve your life. Rock n’ roll! I know you can do it!
Join me tomorrow, Wednesday May 6 with a Free Facebook Live Workshop.
What: Boosting Immunity through Mindset When: Wed. 5/6 at 1pm EST / 12pm CST / 10am PST Where: LIVE on my FB page, Alyssa at Wellness HQ.
Love,
Alyssa
P.S. Mark your calendars! I’m offering FREE Workshops on Facebook Live every Wednesday in May at 1pm EST / 12pm CST / 10am PST. This month’s topic: A Holistic Approach to Boosting Immunity.
P.P.S. My recent FB Live workshops are up on YouTube! "What is Self-Compassion?" and “How to Set & Keep Goals During Uncertainty.”
