Elevate Your Soul to Boost Your Immune System

For many of us, dropping temperatures are a cue to boost our immune defenses, so we’re not sidelined by every virus that makes its way around workplaces and schools. Dosing up on vitamin C and keeping oil of oregano at the ready are great for keeping sickness at bay, but they only address the physical body. An often-overlooked strategy for staying healthy is caring for our emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Negative, self-destructive thoughts and long periods of stress can wear down our defense making us very susceptible to illness. Read on for four soul-nourishing practices to help you continue to thrive in the cold and flu season.

1) White Sage

Smudging with white sage is a sacred practice that originated in the First Nations tradition. White sage has powerful anti-microbial properties and cleanses the air when burned.  Sage burning also releases negative or stagnant energy trapped in our homes and energy fields, which can profoundly uplift emotional and spiritual health.

The Practice
Burn a sage wand and waft the smoke all over your body and in the all corners of your home. Visualize yourself being surrounded by healing, loving, and peaceful energy.

2) Daily Meditation

Meditation is a simple yet transformational practice that will elevate your health and, over time, help you to cultivate a more peaceful state of mind. Often people say that they aren’t able to meditate because they can’t quiet their minds. Know that an active mind is normal; the quieting happens with practice.

The Practice
Begin with just five minutes a day and work your way up to 30 minutes over the course of a month.  Starting your day from a grounded place will set the tone that benefits your health all day. 

3) Superfood Tonics

Chaga mushroom and raw cacao are two of the most powerful superfoods on the planet and, along with being physically beneficial (and delicious), they are soul nourishing as well.  Chaga is prized in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its ability to preserve youth, increase life-force energy and create a general feeling of wellbeing.  Chaga also contains Beta-D-Glucans which boosts and regulates the immune system.  

Raw cacao contains high levels of zinc and other phytonutrients help keep the immune system high functioning all year round.  It’s also rich in compounds that raise serotonin levels and produce feelings of relaxation and happiness. 

The Practice
Heat up your favourite nut mylk. Add two teaspoons of raw cacao and chaga mushroom powder. Stir (or mix in a blender for more froth).  Add some raw or manuka honey (optional).  Sit in peace and  solitude while you enjoy your tonic.  Say aloud, or silently, "May this tonic nourish my soul, and nurture my body.” 

4) Acupuncture

Monthly acupuncture sessions reduce stress, calm the mind and boost the immune system. Keeping your defensive “Wei Qi” strong is very important during the winter season. When Wei Qi is weak, invaders—like that pesky cold—can conquer. When it is strong, no invaders can enter your body. 

The Practice
Commit to an acupuncture session once a month. Monthly acupuncture works powerfully to elevate your mind, body and soul. If your immune system is weak, commit to weekly visits.  

Setting aside at least 30 minutes a day to nurture and care for your wellbeing is the most powerful gift you can offer yourself and those in your life.  It’s time to toss out all the excuses and guilt that are keeping us from the self-nurturing habits that will transform both our health and the way we show up in our lives.