13/11/2024
The chilly weather is officially here—finally! I love these cold, bright November mornings. They’ve definitely been getting me out to the park more with the dog, it’s been such a good reset. I hope you’ve been finding little ways to bring joy into your days this November, too!
With winter arriving, we’re all likely bracing for the usual round of coughs & colds. I recently listened to a great episode on the ZOE podcast about how our immune system works & how to keep it resilient—I’d highly recommend it! Listening to it, I couldn’t help but think of how many of these immune-boosting tips we already practice on the yoga mat. Practicing yoga isn’t going to magically stop you from catching a cold, but it might help you recover more quickly!
Here’s how yoga can really support our immune system:
🧘♀️ Mind-Body Awareness: Yoga helps us tune into what’s going on in our bodies, so we notice when something’s off & can slow down and let ourselves recover.
😴 Better Sleep: After yoga, many people report deeper, more restful sleep, which is when our body gets to work repairing & strengthening itself—essential for a strong immune system.
💆♀️ Lowering Stress: Yoga lowers cortisol, boosting our immune resilience & helping us fight off germs more effectively.
🌬️ Breathing & Lung Health: Yoga encourages nasal breathing, which filters & humidifies air, protecting the respiratory tract. Breathing practices also increase lung capacity & oxygen flow, supporting our immune response.
💧 Lymphatic Flow & Circulation: Yoga poses stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps filter toxins & deliver white blood cells where they’re needed. With better blood flow & reduced inflammation, our bodies can respond more strongly to infections.
I also get that this type advice can sometimes feel like just another thing to add to the already overloaded “To Do” list. So instead of aiming for a full workout, an hour-long yoga session, or a 5K run, maybe it’s simply about stepping outside, softening your gaze, & taking a few deep breaths. Those small moments of pause can actually bring the most benefit on those busy, hectic days.