WORKPLACE WELLNESS
Take two peppers and see me in the morning
Use natural ways to boost immunity Bears hibernate, trees shed their leaves and slow down. Birds have the good sense to fly south. Winter should
be the season to reduce the pace and fall into a rhythm with the long nights. It is a good time to strengthen and balance your immune system, eat nourishing food and take more rest.
With our contemporary work life it is all too easy to accept an overloaded work schedule, take on too many commitments and run ourselves into exhaustion. Self care implies cultivating an awareness of how we
feel and taking preventive measures to bring more balance between activity and rest. It includes eliminating factors that compromise our immune system as well as cultivating habits to boost it.
Like other mammals, the biological programming for humans during the dark winter is to slow down. People who live in rural communities are more attuned to this
rhythm, rising and sleeping with the sun; but our urban existence is run by the clock and contrary to what our bodies prefer. This neglect, in addition to
more time spent indoors in poorly ventilated buildings, exposes us to greater risk of falling sick. There are measures we can take to counter this threat, but first we must understand our immune system.
Immune deficiency has varied symptoms as it is connected to many functions of the body. Symptoms such as susceptibility to colds, flus, and other viruses, chronic
fatigue, allergies, arteriosclerosis, cancer cells and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) all show a weakened immune system. The immune system is a complex
defence mechanism involving many functions of the body. It has the ability to fight both inner (cancer) and outer invaders (bacteria). Depending on the situation it is necessary to either stimulate or calm it.
For example, allergy symptoms are signs that the immune system is too active. Relaxation, because of its impact on the pituitary and pineal glands as well as the
nervous system, allows the immune system to settle down and stop attacking what it perceives as invaders. Similarly, at the on-set of a cold, relaxation helps the immune system attack viruses and bacteria.
Amongst the many elements comprising the immune system are the thymus, pituitary and pineal glands, the spleen and pancreas and lymph nodes, as well as the kidneys
and liver. Our immunity is also a reflection of our energy level. The Chinese concept of Wei Chi – protective energy layer around the body - is akin to the
notion of an electromagnetic field. Although they’re invisible, we are profoundly influenced by, as well as deeply influential, to magnetic fields. Qi Gong,
yoga, meditation, relaxation are all thought to greatly enhance the powerful immunological response of our body, while stress, negative attitude and toxic environments suppresses immune functions. For example, stress and fear secrete
adrenaline and cortisone, both damaging to the immune system. Other immunosuppressive elements are white sugar and hydrogenated oils. White sugar laces the
blood stream with insulin and this suppresses secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. Growth hormones are prime regulators of the immune system.
Hydrogenated vegetable oils create free radicals that destroy cells and impair immune activity of white blood cells. Processed foods in general tend to be high in sugar and hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Other immune-depressing substances are heavy metals like cadmium, lead, mercury and aluminum, which are found in tap water, contaminated fish, polluted air,
fertilizers in food, cigarettes, antibiotics, recreational drugs. Spices that enhance the immune system include cumin, fennel, coriander, tumeric, ginger and
black pepper. Foods that have a similar effect are miso soup, parsley, adzuki and mung beans, tofu, raw fish, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, raw almonds, seaweed, rice, couscous, pearl barley, squashes, zucchini, asparagus, chlorella
and yogurt. If you are not able to find the aforementioned foods, supplement your diet with vitamin C, A, E and B complex as well as minerals such as
selenium and zinc, magnesium, potassium, manganese, sodium, copper and chromium. Amino acids like arginine, ornithine, cysteine, taurine, methionine, and
glutathione are good immune enhancers, but not all available over the counter. Essential fatty acids found in fish and flax seeds (rich in omega 3 oils) are
essential. Enzymes and lactobacteria are useful for the spleen and pancreas and the digestive tract. Herbs like astragalus, ginseng, ligustrum, echinacea, pau d’arco, shitake mushrooms have been used for centuries for their
immune-boosting properties. Get lots of rest and exercise. I cannot overemphasize the importance of positive attitudes such as enthusiasm, love and
gratefulness. They energize the entire immune system and stimulate the production of antibodies. A flexible way of living adjusted to natural rhythms is
conducive to better health. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach but rather a tailored lifestyle well adjusted to particular needs and natural rhythms leading to optimal living and productivity. |
