Happy New Year!It's the start of a new calendar year, but not necessarily the natural time to feel the pull of renewed energy that begins in the spring. In the winter, it's ok if you don't quite feel ready to get going. More rest and time for restoration might be needed before you fully emerge from the cocoon. I actually like the imagery of a seed that's waiting in the ground, preparing to grow soon.
How were your holidays? Almost every single patient and person I know experienced some kind of flu, sinus infection, gastro bug, or other thing in the last month. Unfortunately, my family was hit hard too. Yet again, I know that when we go down like that it's because we were completely run down, and on reflection, I'm not surprised - we had 4 hockey tournaments in 5 weeks, sports injuries, busy work schedules and some major stressful events. We're also not the only ones, which is why I bring it up here.
Tip #1: The 3 week cough seems to often be from the sinuses as a post nasal drip, which is why cough syrup isn't helping it. Treating the sinuses is key. Sometimes the phlegm is creating a secondary bacterial infection in the chest or sinuses -> this needs further attention.
Tip#2: A. Vogel Throat spray is wonderful for sore throats. (I used it at my sister's recommendation.)
As many of us recoup and rebuild, I'll share some of the things that have been especially helpful to my family, and also to patients.
Upon returning to life, continue to keep things simple with clean food, lots of sleep, and movement. Begin to build strength with muscle exercises (to your ability) for mitochondial health - yoga, weights, body weight, etc. Focus on maintaining balance in your life, and appreciate when you reach your limits and begin to feel rundown.
Next, the adrenal glands (which respond to stress amongst other things) also play a role in immune function, and I feel are a significant factor with this winter's illnesses. When you are feeling better, we can introduce support for your adrenals. Also, the gut should be addressed too - it's where 70-80% of your immune system resides.
This hasn't been the holiday season or start to the new year that I was hoping for, but it may have been exactly what was needed.
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon! If there's one thing I've learned these last few years, it's the every day actions that make the most difference in our health - not the resolution that happens on January 1st (although goals can help you make a change and stay motivated!).
Take care,
Dr Christa
Book Appointment
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
How were your holidays? Almost every single patient and person I know experienced some kind of flu, sinus infection, gastro bug, or other thing in the last month. Unfortunately, my family was hit hard too. Yet again, I know that when we go down like that it's because we were completely run down, and on reflection, I'm not surprised - we had 4 hockey tournaments in 5 weeks, sports injuries, busy work schedules and some major stressful events. We're also not the only ones, which is why I bring it up here.
Tip #1: The 3 week cough seems to often be from the sinuses as a post nasal drip, which is why cough syrup isn't helping it. Treating the sinuses is key. Sometimes the phlegm is creating a secondary bacterial infection in the chest or sinuses -> this needs further attention.
Tip#2: A. Vogel Throat spray is wonderful for sore throats. (I used it at my sister's recommendation.)
As many of us recoup and rebuild, I'll share some of the things that have been especially helpful to my family, and also to patients.
- Nourishing foods
- soups, use bone broth to make rice or mashed potatoes, root vegetables, teas, proteins, cooked greens (the spinach in our veggie share was magical in December), water with lemon & cucumber, limit dairy & sugar, healthy oils are important too - Sleep
- a lot
- when we thought we were better and tried to rejoin the fast pace of life, we would rebound -> bodies were saying "not ready yet" - Walk or Yoga
- gently when able, to keep the lymphatics moving
- or just open a window if that's all you can do - Sauna, Red Light, Hydrotherapy or "Happy Light"
- the clouds and fog have been tiring, but our cells respond to heat (and cold) and the full spectrum of light - Vitamins/Minerals, Herbs & Homeopathics
- these vary incredibly depending on your personal needs, but ACES +zinc, Mushrooms, NAC, eucalyptus oil, and immune fortifiers have been great - Treat the sinuses
- saline sprays or other nose sprays, neti pots, eucalyptus steams, etc. - Grace
- you cannot heal in the same conditions that made you sick :(
- give yourself a chance to recover without putting pressure on the speed of healing
- "sickness" is needed to move things out of the body and is a way of 'detoxing', the innate intelligence of our systems is remarkable - Get creative
- we drove out of the area on the weekend and found blue sky and sun (photo below), it was short but impactful!
Upon returning to life, continue to keep things simple with clean food, lots of sleep, and movement. Begin to build strength with muscle exercises (to your ability) for mitochondial health - yoga, weights, body weight, etc. Focus on maintaining balance in your life, and appreciate when you reach your limits and begin to feel rundown.
Next, the adrenal glands (which respond to stress amongst other things) also play a role in immune function, and I feel are a significant factor with this winter's illnesses. When you are feeling better, we can introduce support for your adrenals. Also, the gut should be addressed too - it's where 70-80% of your immune system resides.
This hasn't been the holiday season or start to the new year that I was hoping for, but it may have been exactly what was needed.
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon! If there's one thing I've learned these last few years, it's the every day actions that make the most difference in our health - not the resolution that happens on January 1st (although goals can help you make a change and stay motivated!).
Take care,
Dr Christa
Book Appointment
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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