I know when I’m coming down with something: my head aches and I’m tired, not like “Oh I shouldn’t have stayed up so late to watch that last episode tired” but “what demon has stolen all my life juice and left me feeling like a sack of crap” tired. Luckily, colds and flus usually don’t linger for me because the second I begin to feel under the weather I start in on the list below – it usually just takes a day or two for me to start feeling like myself again.
Here are my tricks:
1. Get the garlic into ya! Peel it and pop it. Into your mouth. RAWWWW. It’ll burn like a MOFO but chase it with some water and you’ll be fine.
2. Plug in your blender or juicer! Make yourself an immune boosting concoction of beets, greens, carrots, ginger, and anything else in your fridge that’s crunchy and colorful.
3. Rest! Skip the Vinyasa and chill. Try on a few Restorative Postures or enjoy the healing affects of Yoga Nidra. I’ve learned that “sucking it up” and just pushing through will only lead to a prolonged period of feeling like garbage. Don’t be a hero: give yourself a couple of days to rest and recover and it’ll make all the difference.
4. Break out the essential oils! Try YogaTherapy NL’s Immune Booster (a delicious blend of oils like Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint) to ward off the ickies. Inhale the scent with some soothing deep breaths or massage a few drops into the soles of your feet before bed.
5. Brew a turmeric latte! Turmeric can help with inflammation so I try and add it in wherever I can. To make yourself a 
Golden Drink combine a mug full of water or milk (or half and half), a teaspoon of coconut oil, a teaspoon of turmeric, half teaspoon of cinnamon, and some black pepper (turmeric is more easily absorbed by the body when combined with pepper). Heat in a saucepan over the stove until it’s good and hot – add in a little honey or maple syrup to taste. I like to transfer the potion to a blender to get a nice smooth mixture but you can always pour into a mug right away (just be sure to stir constantly with a spoon as you sip so all of the magical powders don’t settle to the bottom).
Here’s to staying healthy and well!
-melanie-
xo