I can’t believe the new homeschooling year has officially begun!  Dumpling started back on Tuesday, and the rest of us start co-op on Friday.  I always love summer break, but I crave the schedules and routines and cooler weather that each new homeschool year brings.

I’ve been enjoying the cooler mornings we’ve been blessed with recently, which has me thinking all about supporting and boosting immune function.  After relaxing over the summer, this is the time of year when I really start revving up all of our natural immune-supporting and preventative routines to help keep us above the wellness line.

My goal is preventative health, not simply managing symptoms after sickness strikes.

The idea is that by supporting our immune systems, we can give our bodies more of a chance to fight off whatever comes our way.  Because, let’s face it, there is no shortage of germs.  Of course, this doesn’t mean we never get sick.  We’re not superhuman.  But immune-supporting wellness routines definitely increase our chances of staying out of the doctor’s office.  Keeping our bodies healthy and strong allows our immune systems to do exactly what they’re designed to do – fight sickness.

Here are some of my favorite wellness-supporting ideas:

1. Tweak the diet.  Swap out processed foods for whole (organic, if possible) foods.  We get pretty relaxed about this over the summer with extra sugar and treats, so I incorporate lots of wholesome, nourishing meals and snacks once the homeschool year begins.  In addition to cutting back on sugar, this includes cutting out chemical additives, artificial dyes, and preservatives as much as possible. They may be deemed “safe” by the government, but they’re not real foods. Often made from petroleum, plastic, and even bugs, they can wreck havoc on our bodies in ways we often don’t notice.  Some are even considered potential carcinogens.  Especially for children who experience ADHD symptoms or simply have trouble focusing, these additives should be eliminated (or at least reduced) to support proper bodily functions.
2. Stay hydrated.  Again, the relaxed schedules (or lack of schedules) during the summer often mean we aren’t keeping track of how much water we’re drinking.  Hydration is critical for proper bodily functions on all levels, so it’s necessary that we make it a top priority for good immunity.
3. Take sleep seriously.  I am very serious about sticking to bedtimes during the school year.  Routines are life-giving, and proper sleep is absolutely essential.  It takes extra planning to make sure the to-do lists are done in time for bed, but it’s so important that our bodies get the needed rest time to repair and restore all the normal cell damage done during the day.  Students, especially, need (more than) adequate sleep to perform at optimal levels with their schoolwork.
4. Get lots of antioxidants.  Though we can get antioxidants from eating plenty of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, we aren’t always getting the number of servings we should.  That’s why we like to support our bodies further by supplementing with NingXia Red.  Extra antioxidants help our bodies heal from oxidative stress, which can lead to weakened immune systems (making us susceptible to sickness) if left unchecked.  NingXia Red is a super juice supplement that ups our antioxidant game by providing powerful compounds, phytonutrients, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals that support total body wellness.
5. Roll with Thieves.  I’ve written lots about Thieves before, but our Perfect Attendance roller is essential for our back to school wellness routine.  A 10ml roller bottle filled with 20 drops of Thieves essential oil, 10 drops of Oregano or Immupower (if you have it), and then the rest with your favorite carrier oil, does the trick. We rub it on our feet every single evening as part of our bedtime routines, especially in the fall and winter. It’s so easy, even kids can do it themselves. In fact, they all have their own rollers. This habit only takes a few seconds, and I fully believe it helps to keep us above the wellness line.
6. Supplement with a daily probiotic.  Gut health has become all the rage in wellness circles, and for good reason.  Did you know that up to 70% of our immunity comes from the gut?!  A healthy and balanced gut supports a healthy and balanced immune system.  Though eating fruits, vegetables, and yummy ferments supports a healthy gut, supplementing with a probiotic is an easy way to boost our efforts.  Keep in mind that not all probiotics are created equal though, so do your research.  I trust the Young Living Life9 and Kidscents MightyPro supplements, and I also like the Nordic Naturals brand.
7. Supplement with Vitamin C.  Known for supporting a strong immune system, Vitamin C is a necessary antioxidant for tissue growth and repair, as well as maintenance of healthy teeth, bones, skin, and cartilage.  Some evidence suggests that taking regular doses of supplemental Vitamin C can reduce the severity and decrease the length of cold symptoms.  Again, I stick with the Young Living Super C and Chewable Super C (for the kids) for our daily doses, because I’m confident in their superior quality.
8. Supplement with Vitamin D3.  There’s plenty of evidence supporting the fact that most Americans are deficient in Vitamin D.  Especially as the days get shorter, we spend less time in the sun and can sometimes benefit from supplementation.  In addition to supporting calcium absorption and strong bones, Vitamin D is a known immune-booster.  I get Vitamin D supplementation in my Ritual multivitamin, but I like the Nordic Naturals gummies for the kids.
9. Supplement with Omega 3’s.  Though Omega 3s may not be directly associated with boosting immunity, they’re so good for all bodily functions, so we supplement during the homeschool year.  I don’t usually keep up with it for the kids in the summer, but it’s a priority when school is in session.  For the kids, Nordic Naturals Complete Omega Jr. is my choice.  I get Omega 3s with my Ritual multivitamin, but I also supplement with Young Living’s Omegagize.
10. Consider a multivitamin.  If you don’t like taking several individual supplements, consider a multivitamin instead.  I’m the only one in the family who takes a multi, but it’s certainly worth considering.  As always, do your research – all supplements are not created equal, and you’ll want to find something that meets your needs.

Now I want to hear from you.  How do you like to support your immunity?