How I’m Strengthening Our Household Immunity

Last month, our household experienced a few tummy aches and upper respiratory infections. These were most certainly brought on by a combination of Halloween, daylight savings time, and more time spent inside.

We limit the sweets (our girls do a good job of self-regulating now, too) and have been visited by the Switch Witch for years, but we still need to strengthen our household immunity, especially with the turn of the seasons and much cooler days and nights here in Maine.

Here's what we do during these times…

Epsom salt baths:

These aren't limited to times of feeling under the weather; they're one of our family's absolute favorite self-care tips. They immediately help the nervous system feel calmer and soothe general muscle aches. We use 2 cups (1 lb) per bath.

Ginger, lemon, (and sometimes raw local honey) Tea:

It's so good! I drink water with lemon and ginger every morning during this time of year. Here's how I prepare the ginger: peel a few inches of ginger and roughly chop, then boil it in 3-5 cups of water for 10 minutes to decoct the oils and compounds that give ginger its flavor and aroma. These compounds include gingerols and shogaols, which are the main bioactive components of ginger and are highly anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, great for nausea, and generally excellent for digestion.

Tip: After we use the fresh version that day, I freeze the remaining ginger water into silicone ice cube trays. Then, I use a few cubes every morning with half a lemon squeezed for the next few days until I have time to make a new batch.

Warming socks at night:

This is ****a classic naturopathic hydrotherapy technique we've practiced since the girls were toddlers. After a hot bath, dry your feet off and head straight to bed with wet cotton socks (thoroughly wrung out) and a pair of wool socks. Place the cotton socks on first, then the wool socks over so they completely cover the cotton socks. Sleep with these overnight (the first few minutes are a little strange, then your body will work to warm AND DRY the cotton socks). This keeps the blood circulating and increases the body's white blood cell count. Your nervous system will feel calm overnight, and your feet will be dry and toasty in the morning.

Prebiotics and probiotics:

For prebiotics, our family LOVES kraut (any kraut, but especially red-pigmented krauts with beets or red cabbage).Our favorites right now are the Real Pickles and Wildbrine brands.

Soups, broths, and stews:

There is actual research on why chicken soup helps our immunity; it has incredible minerals and nutrients and is easy to digest. We make our own stocks but also love the *Kettle & Fire* broths.

Vitamin D3:

It's always important to keep up with the whole household this time of year!

Rest, cuddles, and snuggles with our humans and furry family:

It is not that you need this to be convinced, but there is research on how this benefits our immune health.

As we move deeper into the colder months, it’s all about being proactive with our health and taking these simple, yet powerful steps to support our immunity. I hope some of these tips inspire you to strengthen your household’s wellness toolkit, too.

Remember, sometimes the small, nurturing rituals make the biggest difference. Whether it’s an Epsom salt bath, a cozy cup of ginger tea, a spoonful of kraut, a cup of warm broth, or just extra snuggle time with loved ones, these moments help us stay grounded, resilient, and connected.