Strengthening Your Immune System

Well, September is here, the Autumnal Equinox not far behind, and with them come the change of seasons and the start of the "cold and flu" season. This month is an excellent time to begin strengthening your immune system so that when the colds and flus do arrive, you have a better chance of fending them off. In this article I will discuss some very simple ways that you can to start building up your immune system.

Protect your neck - In Chinese medicine we call conditions like colds and flus exterior attacks meaning that a pathogen from outside your body has somehow penetrated it and is now waging a battle with your protective Qi/Energy. These pathogens can enter the body via exposure to wind, cold, heat (and sometimes dampness, but that's for a different article); but they can only enter the body if your protective Qi is insufficient. ...Another way to explain this... imagine someone trying to enter your house: if your doors are locked and the windows are closed, it's very difficult to get in; but if your windows are open (maybe the screens are missing) and your front door is wide open, then it's very easy to get inside. Some parts of the body are more sensitive and vulnerable to exposure: specifically the back of the neck and shoulders. Many of the points located in these areas are translated as "wind points" because of the sensitivity they have to wind, cold and heat. So, that said, in Chinese medicine we believe that protecting the neck and shoulder from drafts, winds, and the elements is very important for preventing exterior attacks - especially in the late Summer and Fall when we are experiencing the change of seasons. This includes air conditioning drafts, ceiling fans, and cold night air. Wearing a scarf, light jacket, sleeping with the covers over your neck and shoulders are all ways to protect those wind points on your neck and shoulders. ...Turns out your mother was right: "wear a scarf"!

Get Plenty of Sleep - Our bodies heal and rejuvenate themselves when they sleep. So making sure you get plenty of restful sleep is very important in maintaining a healthy immune system. Ideally, we get adequate, restful sleep at night, but if this isn't always the case for you - consider maybe a short afternoon nap. It is believed that even a 20 minute "power nap" can help re-energize the body and strengthen our immunity.

Eat Well/Good Food Choices - Remember, we get much of our energy/Qi from the food we eat. The more natural and fresh our food is, the more Qi it contains. Try this simple experiment: go to a Farmers' Market and check out the organic produce. Smell the fruits and vegetables, feel them, look at their beautiful colors - can you feel the energy in them, the vibrancy, the life? Now go to your local grocery store and pick up a frozen dinner or a package of potato chips - feel anything? Probably not much, huh? So, the fresher the foods you eat, the more Qi you are giving your body to work with.

Get Regular Exercise - Moving about and getting regular exercise is another way to build up your Qi/Energy. Whether it is a morning walk around your neighborhood or a trip to the gym, moving will help build up your immune system! Some types of exercise are particularly good at building up energy: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga are all excellent ways to increase your Qi.

Have a Positive Attitude - feelings of Gratitude and Forgiveness are being shown more and more to have a profound affect on our health and our immune systems. When we are feeling grateful we tend to have a more positive outlook, feel better about ourselves, have more energy, and may experience less depression and negative thoughts. If you don't already do so, I recommend keeping a daily "Gratitude Journal." ...I have kept a Gratitude Journal for many years: every night before I go to bed, I write down 5 things for which I am grateful for that day. It is an opportunity to reflect upon each day's events, give thanks for the many blessings I have received, and to let go of any negativity or frustrations I might have experienced that day.

Take Your Vitamins and Supplements - If you don't already take vitamins, I recommend taking a good multivitamin each day. Our bodies are exposed to so many stressors and pollutants these days, it is important to make sure we supplement our food with a good vitamin. If you tend to catch colds easily, there are also some excellent Chinese herbs that can help build up the immune system. One commonly used formula is called Yu Ping Feng San, or Jade Windscreen. This formula contains three herbs which work together to build up the Protective Qi, expel External Pathogens, and strengthen the body overall. Ideally, this formula is started 3 months before the start of cold and flu season to allow the body time to build up its immune system.

So, these are some general "helpful hints" for staying healthier in the months to ahead. If you have additional questions about herbal formulas, or anything else, please feel free to email me. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be VERY helpful in strengthening the immune system, relieving cold and flu symptoms (should you happen to catch a "bug"), and treating conditions like coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, and bronchitis.

May this Autumn be a season of excellent health for you and yours.

In health,
Pat