September Sickness

This time of year, there is an increase in the common cold, sinus infections, and especially the flu. It seems everyone around us gets sick. Why? There are several reasons.

First of all, this time of year, change is in the air. Harvest has started, Fall is coming and school is getting back in session. Farmers and gardeners are running around frantically trying to bring in the harvest, can or dehydrate it, or sell it, resulting in increased stress. Parents and grandparents are running around getting school clothes, school supplies, arranging after school care, registering for dance, music, sports or other after school activities and the list goes on. The stress this time of year is generally high. Stress compromises the immune system. When your immune system is weakened, you are more likely to succumb to a viral exposure.

Stress isn’t the only weakening factor. When running around like crazy, good home meals get replaced with nutrient-poor fast foods or junk food. Most people acknowledge that if you eat poorly, you will feel poorly. When you are stressed is when you need to eat the BEST! When stress is weakening your immune system, if you eat well, you are more likely to help support it. When you eat poorly, you add to the weakening process.

Add to that sleep deprivation and you have the perfect formula for getting ill. Most people are staying up late processing their harvest, working out the increased financial outputs (either technically or in their heads or worrying), staying out late to avoid rushes at the clothing and school supply stores, and just in general, trying to get things ready.

Children are stressed too as they are equally involved. In addition, they have the added stressors of getting used to a new teacher, trying to figure out what’s expected of them, meeting new friends, worrying about kids they don’t get along with, worrying about fitting in, etc. Combined with the same compromised diet due to the hustle-bustle starting school creates, their immune systems get weakened as well.

How to avoid getting sick is simple. If it’s not too late, plan all the running around earlier so that it is less stressful. Open a savings account and every week add a little to it, so by next year the financial hit is less (leading to less stress). EAT WELL! Plan ahead so your diet isn’t compromised. Eat even better – more whole, fresh foods and especially vegetables as the minerals help your stress-coping mechanisms. Plan so that you can get to bed earlier and not come into the next day even more sleep deprived.

If you already have a compromised immune system, try acupuncture, herbal medicine and work with a good nutritionist to help strengthen and regulate your immunity in order to resist illness better. September doesn’t have to be “sick month”. There is much you can do to be well now, as well as in the future.

© 2013 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Dr. Carling is a “Health Detective,” she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Dr. Carling considers herself a “professional student” – she has attended more than 600 post-secondary education courses related to health and healing. Dr. Carling gives lectures here in the U.S. and internationally and has been noted as the “Doctor’s Doctor”. When other healthcare practitioners hit a roadblock when treating their patients nutritionally, Dr. Carling is who they call. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic.

Medical/Health Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article or podcast should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this article or podcast. Readers/listeners should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author, but readers/listeners who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

Recent Articles & Podcasts

Let's Solve This Puzzle Together!

At Vital Health we help people find clarity regarding the root causes of their health challenges and provide step-by-step guidance on what to do, and when to do it, in order to restore health naturally.