As we head into cold and flu season, we’re often thinking about what we can add to help support our immune systems.
More supplements. More immune-supporting foods. More things to DO. But sometimes one of the best things you can do is actually much simpler…
Go to bed.
Sleep plays an important role in healthy immune function. While we’re sleeping, our bodies are busy with rest, repair and regulation, and our immune system is very much a part of that process. When we’re consistently running on too little sleep, we’re asking our bodies to keep up without giving them adequate time to recover.
And fall can make this tricky. Kids are back in school, germs are circulating, activities are starting up again and suddenly everyone’s schedule is packed.
So…how can we support better sleep?
Start with the basics:
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Try to keep a relatively consistent bedtime
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Be mindful of caffeine later in the day
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Dim the lights in the evening
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Reduce things that keep your nervous system stimulated right up until bedtime (Technology)
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Most importantly, give yourself some time to transition from go, go, go…to rest. Read a book. Take a bath. Stretch. Put the phone down. Make a cup of tea. Whatever tells your body, we’re done for today.
A little extra support 🌿
This is one of the reasons I created Deep Sleep Tea through Harmony Tea Co. It’s a blend of herbs traditionally used to support relaxation and sleep, and making a warm cup can also become part of that nightly wind-down routine.
Deep Sleep Signature Blend – Harmony Health Clinic
As we head into cold and flu season, remember that supporting your immune system doesn’t always mean adding something else to your plate.
Sometimes it means taking something OFF of it. Get some rest. Your body has work to do. 😉