It’s that time of year again, BACK TO SCHOOL. Unfortunately, this time of year is met with hesitation, exhaustion and usually sickness follows for the entire family.
Did you know that scientists are now saying up to 70% of our immune system is located in the gut?
All the excitement of back-to-school can usually cause an array of emotions, and one of those is stress for both parents and kids alike. Stress deteriorates the immune system and the body’s natural defenses. The constant changes in schedule, being exposed to more people= more germs, and the change in season can tax the immune system further.
This is a great time to focus on boosting both you and your family’s immune system, especially by focusing on a nutrient dense, whole foods diet.
Tweak the Diet First:
Eliminate most sugar, and all fruit juice (homemade veggie juice with some fruit is okay a few times per week) and all soda, swap soda for a 4g of sugar or less kombucha, I love the live brand, find it HERE.
Eliminate dairy, especially conventional dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt) conventional dairy tends to make kids more prone to sinus issues, think congestion and ear issues.
Increase green veggies like: kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, and fresh berries I love organic blueberries. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your child is getting a minimum of 2 servings of veggies or fresh fruit at each meal.
Make sure you child is getting high quality protein and high quality fats (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado) at each meal. Fats help to improve brain function.
This time of year, many families head to the pharmacy in hopes of a good multi-vitamin. Not only are many multi-vitamins made with synthetics, they simply aren’t enough nutritionally to aid the body. They can fill in missing pieces, but nothing can substitute for proper, nutrient dense foods. If you do want a trustworthy multivitamin try THIS ONE.
Here are some of my favorite supplements when you need to fill in missing pieces:
Probiotics and probiotic rich food improve digestive function (remember the immune system is found in the gut.) Choose a high quality probiotic from the refrigerated section of your grocery store and mix into a food like raw kefir or a nutrient dense smoothie.
Zinc reduces the likelihood of viral infections, especially colds, absences from school, and antibiotic use in kids. It can easily be given as a flavored lozenge to older kids; for younger children try a liquid.
Give Vitamin C daily: I’m personally obsessed with Young Living’s Super C Chewables. They’re delicious and I can almost guarantee your child won’t fight you on taking them.
Give homeopathic cell salts daily.
Give one dose, twice weekly of homeopathic Oscillococcinum and stock up before cold & flu season. I have a minimum of 2 boxes in my arsenal at ALL times.
Make an immune boosting essential oil roller from Young Living oils. My favorite blend is: 3 drops thieves, 3 drops sacred frankincense, and 3 drops eucalyptus.
Diffuse Young Living essential oils at night when your body is sleeping/recovering.
Make warm tea with manuka honey and sea salt.
When my baby/family is under the weather or when everyone around us seems to be sick:
I give elderberry syrup. If DIY’ing ain’t your cup of tea, you can just buy them.
I encourage bone broth for essential vitamins and minerals.
I give Young Living’s Ningxia Red twice daily
I diffuse essential oils like thieves, frankincense and eucalyptus.
I use epsom salts with essential oils during bath time (always with a carrier oil like liquified coconut.)
I consider herbals like: Andrographis which has been shown to boost immunity and reduce the frequency of upper respiratory infections, and also help to shorten their duration when they do happen. Given at 50-200 milligrams a day, generally for 5 days if you’re trying to ward off a cold.
I douse every space with mini thieves spray
I ditch household toxins with Young Living’s thieves cleaner
Don’t forget the basics…
It may seem obvious, but make sure you return to the basics of good health:
Sleep is foundational – To build immunity naturally, set a healthy bedtime and incorporate an evening routine to make night time smooth and easy.
Always encourage water over any other liquid.
Exercise regularly to boost lymph cleansing.
Spend time outdoors for natural Vitamin D levels before we switch to the dreaded time change.
