why is everyone sick in the winter -- and how not to be

a guide

I have a theory that a big factor why people are so much more susceptible to getting sick during the winter is because we are pushing ourselves way too hard.

In my opinion, a lot of times when we get sick it is our body trying to communicate with us to slow the f down. Too often we are rushing constantly, always have a billion things on our mind, are never being present and always worrying about the next thing, and all of this chaos in our mind prevents us from truly resting and allowing our bodies to restore. Maybe?? sometimes ?? this works for us — I mean our bodies are strong…However this constant stress on our bodies and brains takes away from our body operating at it’s most efficient level.

When we are in a constant state of fight or flight, our body shifts energy away from necessary operations (digestion, immunity, etc…) to focus on the “threat” and conserve energy for immediate action (like fighting or fleeing).

During the Spring and the Summer when our bodies are naturally inclined to have more energy and endurance, this constant fight or flight may feel a bit more manageable (even though it’s not sustainable). But during the WINTER — a time of hibernation and rest — our bodies are like hell no. It’s just too much. So — insert body communicating with us to GIVE ME REST NOW SO I CAN RESTORE AND HEAL MYSELF — aka, susceptible to sickness.

immunity lineup

Getting sick is annoying, but it does force us to slow down. Just imagine if we just slowed down a little bit more every day instead of going crazy until our body quite literally forces us to shut down and slow down — how much better we’d feel.

One of my main goals in this New Year is to move through life more slowly. Savor in the mundane. Take more deep breaths. Be more present. Allow myself to ACTUALLY rest instead of being anxious that I am not being productive the entire time I’m resting. Reframing it in my mind that rest IS productive.

So — with slowing down a the forefront — let’s get into how to best support our immune systems this winter.

On The Menu:

• 10 tangible tips to support overall immunity + health

• My immunity tool-box

• 5 recipes for immune support

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. None of this is medical advice. Just a fun discussion and conversation based on my personal experiences and learnings. Pls speak to a medical professional before starting anything new, every body is different. If you feel lost on where to begin, I recommend finding a functional or natural medicine doctor to deep dive into you.

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How-To Not Get Sick this Winter

1. REST. REST. REST.

Prioritize rest. Seriously — sleep more. When the nights are longer, this impacts our bodies internal clock. We are wired to rise with the sun, and wind down with the moon. A couple fun facts I saw recently —

• Before the lightbulb was invented — people would sleep 11 hours on average

• Arctic communities (specifically the Inuit) would sleep 14 hours a day during the winter

Honoring our bodies during the winter is so integral, and I wrote more about slowing down during the winter time here:

New Years R̶e̶s̶o̶l̶u̶t̶i̶o̶n̶s̶ Hibernation

2. OPEN AIR THERAPY

We tend to stay inside a lot more during the winter, which makes sense because the temp drops so much, but it is so important to expose ourselves to the open-air.

Open-air exposure, particularly when we are sick, is valued for its therapeutic benefits. This practice has been rooted in both traditional medical systems and common wisdom, emphasizing the restorative power of fresh air and sunlight.

Exposure to open air increases oxygenation to the body — which can improve cellular function, energy & immunity. It aids in proper detoxification. It can help to reduce stress and improve mood. Even when the sun is not fully out — we get exposed to vitamin D which is crucial for immunity. Open spaces also lowers the concentration of airborne pathogens (the outside air is almost always cleaner than inside air — SO important to open up windows and let in fresh air). It is known to improve overall respiratory health and promote overall healing benefits.

me today forcing myself to get fresh air and sunlight even though I am freezing my ass off

Exposure to the outdoors and sunlight also helps our bodies circadian clock / rhythm go into balance — which improves overall sleep and rest (the key.) So even if you aren’t feeling 100% — get outdoor time! It will shorten recovery time.

3. FOOD AS MEDICINE