Winter can be a magical time for many. There are the fresh fallen snow and the dazzling ice creams, as well as the pleasure and cheerfulness of vacations, holidays and snow days. But for many mothers, especially those with very new babies, Winter also represents a multitude of seasonal wellness challenges. The good news is that mothers with some changes in the diet and lifestyle can defend themselves and their breeding against the attack of germs.
1. Eat less (or no) sugar.
The holidays have come and gone, and many will have surrendered to their honest share of sweets, treats and decadent ate. But all that sugar can actually work against the immune system by suppressing its ability to combat bugs. Even if you are not the new intentions of the new year, who decides to reduce your and your children, sugar intake until spring will help to strengthen the immune system when you need it most!
2. Eat more vitamin C.
Of course, people consume less fruit in the winter, because it is not in the season, but also because we tend to have comfort food that are rich in fats and starchy carbohydrates. There is nothing wrong with giving that comfort food edge, but adding regular amounts of fresh fruit, especially oranges, apples and lemons, can dramatically increase the biological vitamin C that your body receives. If you want an even bigger boost, or you are sick, taking a vitamin C supplement with your fruit will increase the absorption of nutrients.
3. Drink less caffeine and alcohol.
Another thing we tend to spoil myself during the holidays are drinks that contain caffeine and alcohol. These too can work against your immune system and overall body water, because your liver and other organs must give priority to metabolizing these above other functions. It is probably not realistic for most mothers to give up caffeine and/or alcohol. Finally, we exhaust ourselves at every level and take care of our children and it is obvious to want to find a certain degree of delay by treating ourselves into drinks that we like. But keep in mind that life only gets more difficult when we get sick, and by reducing caffeine and alcohol, we can help to distract extra pressure on the immune system. Instead, choose a lot of water, and if you don’t like normal water, infuse it with some form of fruit, herbal tea or even cucumbers.
4. Take more vitamin D.
In recent years there has been a lot of talk about how critical vitamin D is with total body -waterness and immune function. Unless you live in the very southern us, or closer to the equator, there is a good chance that you just won’t get enough. If you have not tested your vitamin D levels in the past year, it is worth calling your doctor to have your levels checked. Supplementing with vitamin D3 can have a huge impact on well -being, physical and mental health.
5. Use less antibacterial soap/wipes.
Our intestines are populated with tons of bacteria – there are more bacteria in our bodies than cells! We are healthy when the “good” or useful bacteria exceed the “bad” bacteria. When we overload our houses and our body on products in the hope of keeping the bad at bay, we also destroy the good ones. Just as antibiotics are not only focused on the bacteria that cause disease, so chemical soaps and disinfectants not only kill the germs that we do not want. Instead of using this chemical soap, just keep on a regular washing with a good old -fashioned soap. It is much more effective than you think. And keep in mind, although children have to be in clean environments, they do not need sterile environments. Some levels of “bad” bacteria are needed to help their immune system learn to fight them.
6. Increase your probiotics.
By continuing the previous point, we can supplement the good bacteria in our body by eating and supplementing with probiotics. Certain foods that are fermented contain natural probiotics that help retain a favorable bacterial balance in the intestine. You can also get these good bacteria from probiotic supplements that are available in most health food stores. When selecting a ensure that you read the inactive ingredients – you want as little as possible – and make sure they have to be cooled, which is a sign that the bacteria are actually alive and useful.
7. Reduce visitors and social calls.
This probably seems like a no-brainer, but only because there are vacation/events/birthdays, etc., does not mean that you invite people in your house. No, we should not live in fear of germs or illness, but depending on how young your child is (ren), it might be best to limit visits in the winter. That will reduce exposure. If you have guests, even if they don’t intend to hold your child, ask them to wash their hands and leave coats and shoes at the door.
8. Sleep.
Yes, if you are the parent of a small child, you can laugh about it, but it still notes that sleep is crucial for both mother and baby health. Even if you don’t sleep all night, the advice has never been relevant to “sleep when the baby sleeps” as it is during “ick” season. Even if your child is older, you make time for a rest period every day. Our bodies get stronger when we sleep, and if we run ourselves rawlessly, our immune system cannot collect the energy to combat the insects to which we are exposed. Do not strive for a perfect 8 -hour sleep, because that is not possible for most of us, but just try to rest more than you are used to. Every little extra helps.
9. Spice with garlic.
When it comes to garlic, people seem to love it or hate it. But garlic is a super immune booster, and even if you don’t enjoy the stuff, consider storing your house with different cloves for use in an emergency. If you feel a bug coming up, or you are close to sick people, you can roast them in the oven and then eat them, or, if you are really crispy, you can eat the entire clove raw. Yes, you will smell like you have eaten garlic, but I like to tell people that common insects do not like the smell of garlic, so they stay far from your way. But seriously, it may sound ridiculous, but garlic can smother the “ick” in the bud. If you really can’t take the idea of eating garlic, you can buy garlic supplements that are (literally literally) easier to swallow.
10. Move more.
It is so difficult for many of us to keep regular fitness routines when we are after children, but it can be even more difficult in the winter months when the weather keeps us in. But still, even if you are used to long runs or regular gym training courses, you can even use the smallest space in the house to give your body a good boost of regular exercise. Yoga, Pilates and Barre training sessions are all conducive to smaller spaces and are also excellent stress busters. They also promote restorative sleep. Even if you are not the Yoga type, consider giving one of these an attempt, and you can notice that you are addicted to the amazing benefits that are far beyond the end of the sick season.
Writer Aimee Mcnew has a master in holistic nutritional therapy (MNT) and is also a certified doctor from Nutrition Therapy (CNTP).
Only for educational purposes. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or to sell a product.
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