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Our immune systems are beautifully designed to protect us from harmful bacteria and viruses. However, stress; physical, mental and emotional, and not taking care of our bodies can have a negative effect on our ability to ward of viruses and harmful bacteria and also lead to chronic disease. Stress is a natural part of life, but it is how we respond and cope with stress that greatly affects our health either positively or negatively, which in turns affects our susceptibility to illnesses and ability to heal.
Becoming ill with the flu or a cold is not necessarily a sign that you and your child have a weakened immune system. It is natural to become ill, and for children it helps to build their immune system. Although, signs that you or your child have a weakened immune system are: frequent colds and flu, coughs that do not resolve after two or three weeks, a flu that goes deep into the chest and even turns to pneumonia; repeated sore throats or strep, tonsillitis, ear or sinus infections, not fully recovering from a cough or flu after several months or even over a year, for example.
One can maintain a strong and healthy immune system by: regularly eating nutritious foods; getting enough sleep, rest, fresh air and sunshine; taking vitamins, anti-oxidants and probiotics; drinking enough water and also exercising regularly and reducing the amount of sugar and processed foods in ones diet, and reducing stress by allowing you and your child time to breathe if you have a hectic schedule.
Addressing ones health holistically, meaning, physically, as well as, mentally and emotionally, effectively supports or rebuilds our immune system, making one less susceptible to illness in general and better able to resolve illnesses when they do arise.
Holistic medicines, such as homeopathy, work with the mind body connection in a person, rebalancing health not just on a physical level, but on a mental and emotional level as well, alleviating susceptibility to chronic illness and simultaneously building a strong immune system. Along with preventing chronic illness, homeopathy can also relieve flu symptoms by speeding up the healing process within the body so that lingering cough or flu can resolve faster.
Canteris Hartley, DCH, HMC, Classical Homeopath, has been in practice for over 15 years and practices in Gibsons. For more information visit www.coasthomeopathy.com or call 604.886.3844
By Canteris Hartley, Classic Homeopath
