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The holidays have always been a bit of a challenge for me. I love spending time with my family, but the anxiety of wrapping up the year often has me stressed. I know stress and the hectic nature of the holidays can really take a toll on me. As an adult I’ve been extra mindful of the ways in which I take care of my body especially at this time. There’s so much to process and so much changing, not just the weather. Nobody is trying to get sick because who has time? I’ve learned the hard way that the more we care for our bodies, the easier it is for that body to come through for us when we need it.

This year we’ve got the common cold, flu and COVID so plenty for our immune system to fight. While, of course, I’m staying masked up and mostly inside, it’s still super important to me that I’m doing all I can to support my immune system so that it can support me. Everyone is different and so our approach to immunity may be a little different, but I’ve found a few things that help me get my immune system right from a few different angles. I’m not a medical professional, so I would definitely suggest chatting with yours about what’s best for you, but these are some of the things that have worked for me. I’m going to explain more about why I prioritize taking certain things because I’m all for sharing info and empowering folks to do what feels best for their bodies! The more you know, right? I really look at immunity through a few lenses including overall immune system support, sleep/recovery, and gut health. The breakdown below shares more about what that means for me.

Sleep: This is overlooked, but the first thing I think about during this time of year. Sleep is free and something that we should all be doing more often. I’m guilty of going to bed late and struggling to wake up early, so believe me, I get it because life gets busy but rest is crucial for your body. While you’re sleeping, your body is able to recover, and since I often have trouble sleeping, I’ve been using this Garden of Life Whole Food Magnesium supplement before bed to help calm and relax me to get a better night’s sleep.† I’ve created a routine

Elderberry: I’m all for natural remedies and knowing exactly what you’re taking.  Elderberry is a key ingredient I look for when I’m searching for natural products to support my immune system. The berries and flowers of the elderberry plant help ease inflammation, lessen stress, and are known to also have helpful effects on your blood system according to WebMD. The Garden of Life Elderberry Syrup is my go to as an overall supplement for immune system support†.

Probiotics: As a woman, probiotics are something I’ve been taking for awhile because not only do probiotics help with gut health, but taking the right variety can help with your mood and your urinary tract as well.† I’ve always felt the connection between my gut health and overall health so I’ve made taking probiotics a part of my routine. Simply put, these are good bacteria that balance out the bad and the Garden of Life Ultimate Care Probiotics are my current favorite gender neutral household option.

Zinc: This is a nutrient that helps your body out in so many ways. It’s considered an essential nutrient, which just means it can’t be made or stored by the body but it’s important. We typically get it through food, and it helps with everything from DNA synthesis to immune function. Fun fact, zinc is the second-most-abundant trace mineral in your body, only second to iron. This means it’s really key and for folks who are a bit more picky with eating a supplement can be super helpful in making sure your body is getting enough. The Garden of Life Raw Zinc is potent so you don’t need a lot but it supports your  immune, skin, and eye health.†

Not to make a cheesy sports reference but this is the playoffs and these are my starting four. The four products that help me be the best me I can be, especially during this hectic holiday time. These products are all easily found at your local health food store and I’ve also got them on my Amazon Shop!

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.