Tips to Support Autumn Immunity
To support ourselves in the colder seasons, we take steps to strengthen yet not overstimulate immunity. Our immune response is impacted by everything from what we eat, to our handling of stress and, of course, to these seasonal thresholds.
In the season of Fall, the natural world slowly begins its retreat back into itself, into cooler days and an inner focus instead of outer growth.
A number of practices are essential to harmonizing with the Fall season and to regulate immunity at this time of year:
Get extra sleep: We know that adequate rest is necessary for healing and building our resilience. With less daylight, our need for sleep also increases.
Slow down: As nature pulls back from the abundant activity of the warmer months, so do we. We follow its lead and adopt quieter, more reflective and restorative behaviors.
Adjust your diet: We also know that immunity and digestive health are intimately linked. We make meals of longer-cooked, more easily assimilated foods, such as soups and stews, so that our vital energy is available for regeneration instead of digestion. We roast the sweet, grounding, root vegetables that nature continues to offer, and with which our Stomach-Spleen system thrives.
We use:
garlic
onions
ginger
horseradish
These foods especially benefit us in Autumn, stimulating circulation and reducing stagnation with their pungent flavor.
Make your medicine: nature provides us with so many foods, spices and herbs that our bodies have evolved with, and heal with. Check out this Fire Cider recipe you can make that will help you protect yourself during the colder season.
