Boosting Your Immune System-SAD Tips

Naturally/Organically Preventing/Shaking Up Seasonal Affective Disorder

Don't fight SAD-Prevent it! 

It's common for depression and for your immune system to decrease during the winter, especially during gloomier days yet it is also VERY treatable! Stay proactive and learn some signs and why it happens. 

During the Winter days we may.....

1) Become less active 

2) Get less nutrition from vegetables and fruits (in the Eastern US has less nutritional value due to, not only the soil depletion but the time it takes to get to us and being stored for so long)

-we have less availability of fresher produce (in the Eastern US

-produce comes from further away and the storage time causes the produce to lose nutritional value

3) Getting less of some nutrients will keep our bodies from being able to retain other nutrients (affecting how our neurological system fires and how we digest food etc)

3) Want to sleep in more or take more naps

4) Tend to turn down invitations to go out. 

5) Suffer more sicknesses/illness/pain

-decrease fluid flow (neurological and blood flow), decrease nutrients flowing 

-decrease muscle tone 

Here are some great ideas and links to help prevent or get you out of the WINTER FUNK! 

1) Set up a plan-Get yourself on a regular schedule (even if it's just your wake up and sleep time)

2) Surround yourself with others-schedule social dates

3) Exercise on a regular basis-preferably the same time each day

4)Click here to learn more about boosting your immune system

5) Join a class you are doing both socializing and keeping your muscular system pumping for healthy flow and your immune system! 

6) Sunlamps and Biomats-Open the shades, get outside or use an indoor sun lamp, here's why to go natural and not to supplement vitamin D

-SUNLAMPS-I'm including some sun lamps that I have used or purchased for others.

-Keeping active helps us to absorb vitamin D as well, so get that in your plan for minerals and vitamins to absorb properly

I use this sunlamp on my workdays, when I'm in my office from 7am-10pm, after the second day I would get groggy since it is always dark.

My aunt who is 88 years old and sometimes can get off schedule and it gives her a subtle 'nudge' to wake up. It will also start her day with some vitamin D if it's too cold walk outdoors.

7) Get a soak, if you don’t have access to natural warm/hot spring soaks, get to a soak spa.

8) Get to a beach (this is written by my colleague in Florida Dr Mary) but for those that can’t-bring the beach to you, those in colder states! Check out her blog for vitamin and mineral information!

DAILY IDEAS....

-Start your day with some yoga a Sun Salutation and a seated Sun Salutation

-Meditation (click here for a mediation challenge)

-warm (not hot) bath with some magnesium flakes, Epsom salt works fine too  (activates the nervous systems to allow your muscles to relax)

-Sunlamp or light therapy-we use a biomat during our therapeutic bodywork sessions-it helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to release the 'fight or flight' mode

-journaling

If you don't have time to do ANYTHING else, DO THIS.... just 5-10 mins a day

-Lay with your legs against the wall and your feet up-this helps to relax the pelvic area, rushes blood to the thyroid, thalamus, heart, brain, pituitary gland and more! It helps with Insomnia and total organ function. Here is a YouTube video with three easy moves that are sure to help you sleep better and get more energy.

Weekly or Biweekly....

Craniosacral therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork can help alignment for the fluids to move and allow your neurological system and blood flow to circulate better increasing communication in your body. It will take away the aches and pains (newer and the oldest of injuries) and allow the body to feel more at ease and keep your immune system healthy. Click here to book your next session

Get outside, go for a hike in nature! Here is a link for great light hiking in your area. 

To book with Michelle for a personalized session and to learn more about how your body can heal, click the relevant below or feel free to reach me at 240-903-0980.

To book a complimentary consult or a custom session with me you can click here. 

To learn more about me click here

How to join my Wellness Accountability Book Club click here

Existing Patients click here to book

In Health and Wellness, 

Michelle S Krause LMT, CST-T, Holistic Health Specialist

Certified Teaching Assistant and Techniques Therapist Click link here:  (Mentor, UII Book Club Host and Upledger CST-T Study Prep Group Leader)

Member of the National Board of Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers and a board member with the Ethics and Standards Committee

Current member with Maryland AMTA and former New Member Committee Chair and Board Member

Offices in Severna Park Maryland and Berkeley Springs West Virginia 

A little about me,

I’m an Elite Brain Health Specialist Clinician , working as a Certified CranioSacral Therapist with Michael Morgan of Upledger Institute with Alzheimer's research and Menopause related brain health. I have 5 children, homeschooled two of them while I was a fire fighter in Baltimore City before suffering a career ending injury and meeting my husband. I was told to have a surgery or become a quadriplegic within 3 years and that was 20 years ago. I began doing major research on my own and have healed my scoliosis, herniated discs, concussions and more through the many disciplines that I bring to your sessions. My mission is to assist others through CranioSacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation and other disciplines while educating others to become their own advocates, feel into their body and lifestyle and create health and lifestyle plans that work best for them and take them from “I’m exhausted & I’ve TRIED EVERYTHING” to living their best lives.