Wellness Tips to Support the Immune System

#NatureMadePartner This post is sponsored by Nature Made, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

It is always important to maintain a healthy and strong immune system, no matter what. Stress, anxiety, and everyday tension can significantly impact our ability to stay healthy and vibrant. If we don’t address all the factors at play, we simply won’t have the energy and stamina to navigate and thrill.

Below are some of my personal practices and recommendations for supporting a healthy immune system.

Mindful Breathing and Meditation: Engaging in a daily breathing and meditation practice has a positive effect on the body. These practices do the following:

• Lower cortisol levels;
• Improve the function of the autonomic system in our body which works behind the scenes by responding to physical and mental stress
• Lower blood pressure
• Improve arterial blood flow

I always suggest doing a short breathing practice like alternate nostril breathing prior to meditating. By combing and taking 15 minutes out of your day, you are able to bring yourself into a state of calm and soothe your nervous system, which ultimately powers your immune system. Another way I support my body in the morning before or after meditation, is by taking a Nature Made Elderberry capsule. This black Elderberry supplement provides 100% of the Daily Value for Vitamin C and Zinc, two essential immune support nutrients — in just one daily capsule.†

Yoga and Sleep: Yoga is one of the most effective ways to boost immunity naturally. It lowers stress hormones, strengthens the nervous system, and stimulates the lymphatic system, which removes toxins. Yoga also aids in deeper, more regulated sleep, which is essential for overall wellness. Sleep is also one of the most important factors in keeping your system healthy and balanced. Two of my favorite yoga poses before going to bed are Supported Bridge Pose and Child’s Pose.

Supported Bridge Pose
• Lie on your back, bend your knees, and keep your feet hip-distance apart on the floor (about 10–12 inches from your pelvis). Make sure the knees and ankles are in a straight line.
• On the inhale, slowly lift your lower back, middle back, and upper back off the floor.
• Place a large pillow or yoga block under your hips, and rest comfortably for 1–3 minutes.
• Close your eyes and breathe easy as you relax.
• To come down, lift your hips, remove your props and gently relax the spine of the earth.
• This posture opens the heart, improves blood circulation, balances energy in the body, and calms the mind.

Child’s Pose
• Come onto your hands and knees, draw your hips back to meet your heels, bring your big toes to touch, and open the knees wide.
• Release your chest forward between your legs (you can also place a pillow between the legs and rest your chest on the pillow), and rest the entire upper body and let go.
• The arms can rest alongside the body or extend lightly over the head.
• Remain in the posture for 1–3 minutes, and breathe slowly in and out of the nose.
• Slowly come up and sweetly drift into sleep.
• This posture is great, releasing tension in the lower back, active digestion from the abdominal compression, soothes the mind, reduces anxiety and fatigue.

Although I suggested these poses can be done prior to bed, I sometimes use them as a method to reset my nervous system in the middle of the day. Another midday reset is Nature Made Vitamin C Gummies. These delicious tangerine-flavored gummies contain 250 mg of vitamin C per 2-gummy serving to help support the immune system.†
Vitamin C is also necessary to produce collagen in the body, which helps support healthy skin.†

Staying healthy and vibrant doesn’t take much, it only requires mindful attention and a personal commitment to making healthy choices.

#MyHealthMyLife