Have you ever noticed that the “Cold and Flu Season” typically happens right around January? We’re often told that that is because we are all cooped in together because it is cold outside and we share more germs indoors and that is how they are spread. So the idea is that colds and flus are more common because we are inside and because it’s cold outside.

Ah… actually, cold and flu season in Australia is also in January. That’s odd, isn’t it? In Australia, which is on the opposite side of the earth, January is the middle of summer time.

What some people have noticed is that it may not be the germs and closed spaces that are to blame, but all of the holiday imbibing we do in the week’s proceeding cold & flu season. We weaken and suppress our immune system and open ourselves up to being susceptible to those germs.

Just think of it; what is Christmas for most people? High stress and the anxiety of socializing, juggling money to buy presents and pay all the bills, running from here to there for get togethers. We eat (and over eat) all sorts of treats and drink considerable amounts of alcohol. We also are going to bed 7-8 hours past sunset. That disrupts out circadian rhythms and makes us chronically under-rested.

About a week after Christmas comes New Years Eve; While not as stressful, it still has loads of social stress and merry making with loads of food and drinking and staying out late.

In Chinese medicine, all of these things are called “insults” to our body; The late nights of going to bed so many hours after sunset, the rich foods, the holiday stress, the socializing, the booze…

All of those things tax and fatigue and weaken our body’s natural ability to stay healthy and fend off colds and flus (which are viral infections). The theory is that if we had not beat down our immune system with all of this merry-making, then we would easily have the ability to defend ourselves from the viruses and germs.

So it’s not the germs, but rather our weakened immune system that makes us susceptible to getting sick.

Don’t get me wrong; I love all of the festivities of Christmas and New Years. Each is full of hope and family and fun and promise for a better tomorrow.

Now that we are past Christmas and gearing up for New Years Eve and the cold and flu season beyond, I offer these few suggestions to stay healthy this winter.

1. Go to bed early. 7:30 may not be socially acceptable, but it is probably the best time to go to bed for the night. Why? Well, just think of summer. The sun sets at 9:30 and your in bed an hour or two later. But in December the sun sets at 4:30 and we’re still up 6 or 7 or 8 hours later. That’s crazy! The wise Chinese sages of antiquity would tell you to follow the natural rhythm of the days and nights and go to bed soon after sunset. Don’t fight staying awake just because you “are supposed” to watch the Tonight Show.
2. Get some sunshine. According to several government studies, a large percentage of Americans are chronically short of vitamin D which is a major player in our immune response and ability to handle holiday stress of all sorts. They put it in our milk, but more and more people are skipping the milk (which causes inflammation… but that is a topic for another day). That’s ok since all we really need is 20 minutes of direct sunshine each day to produce our own vitamin D. Some suggest sitting in a sunny window each morning while you enjoy your breakfast. Easy.
3. Get some exercise. You have to get at least a half hour of mild to moderate exercise every day. You must. No exceptions. Just do it. A half hour walk will do. If that is too difficult, you can split it in half and do 2 / 15 minute walks. I am also a big fan of focusing on strengthening the legs to strengthen the immune system and increase heart blood flow. So simple “kitchen sink squats” will do wonders for how you feel all winter.
4. Stay Hydrated. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This deflates your immune system too. So be sure you are drinking enough water or eating enough juicy fruits and vegetables.
5. Gargle with salt water every day. Studies show that this astringes the back of the throat and tonsils (where germs get their foothold) and decreases colds and flus.
6. Wear a scarf. This one sounds odd, but ancient Chinese medicine tells us that all colds and flus enter on the breeze through the “wind windows” at the base of the skull. There is even an acupuncture point there that goes by that name. There have actually been a few university studies showing that wearing a beefy scarf actually increases and improves many markers of the immune system in blood draws. Maybe those crazy Chinese were onto something.
7. Eat well, limit your alcohol and be gentle with yourself. I suggest 10-20 minutes of meditation every day too. Meditation is incredibly easy yet difficult at the same time. To meditate, you sit in a comfortable chair and simply practice not thinking about anything. One common strategy is to simply “watch” your breathing. Just pay attention to it. When you notice that a random thought has entered your mind, you simply acknowledge it, and let it drift on by without engaging with it. Set a timer for 10 minutes and just keep “letting go” of your random thoughts when you notice them. You will notice how loud and cacophonous your mind actually it. It’s amazing. So just keep going back to observing your breath. Easy… yet oh, so difficult at the same time. It is great exercise for calming the mind and getting into the habit of letting unwanted feelings and emotions and thoughts go when they pop up throughout the rest of your day.

So, that is just a couple. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. The number here at Austin Acupuncture is 434-8700.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Austin Acupuncture Jason…