The thymus is the immune
system’s headquarters. In fact, recent evidence suggests that the
thymus is similar to a university, for it has a voluminous library
along with numerous research labs and classrooms. This vast library
includes every pathogen you’ve ever been exposed to—plus the
antigens for combating those pathogens, should you be re-exposed. In
the research labs, cells and other materials are continuously analyzed
to determine if they pose a health risk. And the classrooms? Thymus
trains immune cells for specific tasks and, once those jobs are
completed, retrains the unused immune cells for new tasks.
If you think
you have to fight cold germs single-handedly, think again: Thymus has
access to the 100 to 200 billion immune cells in your body. In order
to know how to work with thymus better, you might need some basic
Driver’s Ed—and that’s where I come in. I ensure that the
operating condition of my patient’s thymus is satisfactory and then
teach my patient how to work with this highly intelligent and powerful
gland. Powerful? That’s right! Thymus can perform many of the tasks
normally associated with a modern hospital’s operating room—often
at the speed of thought and without the need for an anesthesiologist.
To maximize
your chances of staying healthy this winter, here are a few helpful
suggestions from Thymus:
1.
Hydrate
When we ask
the immune system what’s the most important thing that their
owner/operator could do to help the immune system, the single most
common refrain is “Drink more water!”
This is especially true here in the polar desert, where winter
temperatures bring extremely low humidity. When we don’t drink
enough water, there is less mucous in the respiratory passages and
upper gastro-intestinal tract to capture inhaled and ingested
pathogens so that they can be neutralized.
And remember:
water is not tea, coffee, soda, milk, etc. Many of these
beverages are diuretics. That means they pull fluids out of the body,
rather than hydrating us. Nor are all waters created equal. Municipal
water is often laced with chlorine and fluoride; both are hard on your
immune system. Best is
well water from a reliable, regularly tested source. Next best is
water that’s been filtered to remove contaminants.
2.
Hibernate
The second
most common request from the immune system is “More rest!”
Although it would seem natural to sleep more in the Alaskan winter,
many of us turn into night owls during the long dark. Make a conscious
effort to get to bed at a reasonable hour and get plenty of sleep. A
homeopathic like Rescue Remedy may also help combat stress.
3.
Lavatate
Because
we spend so much time indoors in confined spaces with other people and
their germs during the winter, it’s especially important to wash our
hands frequently—especially after touching surfaces touched by
others and when around sick people. For extra protection, don’t
leave home without essential oils such as Thieves (made by Young
Living) to keep cold bugs at bay.
4.
Saturate
To function
optimally, your body needs nutrients: vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
Many of these nutrients are available in food, especially if
you eat a well-balanced diet, and particularly from organic sources.
Like a team, your body is only as strong as its weakest player.
Likewise, whatever nutrient you lack most sets the ceiling on how
healthy you can be. So, how do you know what supplements you need?
Take a comprehensive blood test.
5.
Communicate
It’s very
hard to be healthy without healthy, satisfying personal relationships.
If you are a quart low in this regard, roll up your sleeves and
get to work. Tired of your fellow humans? Get a cat, or—if you are
really desperate—a dog. If all else fails, find humor in your
situation; your experience of it is bound to improve.
6.
Recreate & Aerobicize
In
addition to reducing stress, blowing off steam, unleashing good
chemicals, and dumping toxins, exercise is good for the soul and will
help boost your immune system. How much is enough? Take your pulse
first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. It will be
lowest on days when you are well-rested. That is your baseline. On
those mornings when your pulse is significantly elevated on awakening
(5 to 10 beats per minute above baseline), either skip exercising
entirely or exercise lightly.
7.
Energize & Harmonize
Yoga,
mediation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi and stretching all help to reduce stress,
clean the body’s emotional lint screens, and improve the immune
system. They are
especially wonderful to use on those days when it is just too darn
cold to linger outdoors. Acupuncture, acupressure, and Reiki can also
be helpful for energy balancing.
8.
Maintainize
Your body’s
immune system includes the mucous membranes, skin, thymus gland,
liver, spleen, and circulatory and lymphatic systems. This is a
mechanical system. Exercise will improve function, but the immune
system and its components often need mechanical tune-ups. For example,
to function optimally, the thymus needs space, adequate blood supply,
and (if it is tired) energy.
9.
Accessorize
Most of us
naked apes are not equipped for unassisted combat with the Alaskan
winter. The immune system, like our other physiological systems,
functions optimally in a narrow range of temperatures. Being chilled
to the bone may suppress the immune system enough to let cold or flu
germs run amok. So for your health, dress for warm success from head
to toe!
Following
these nine simple steps should keep you healthy through the winter. If
a cold does manage to break through the defenses, these same steps
should minimize the trouble.
A
CranioSacral therapist in Anchorage, Mike
Macy works with thymus, internal organs, and substructures of the
brain to locate and address the causes of chronic and mysterious
health challenges.
