Immune Support and Other Wellness Tips for Fall

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Immune Support and Supplements For Fall

Going from fun summer getaways and weekends up north to work routines and school desks can be jarring. Returning to cramming for tests, tackling large projects at work, and juggling busy schedules can be an adjustment! If you or your loved ones need extra support during this time, the Wellness team has suggestions to help.

Whether you’re seeking immune support, supplements for anxiety, or support for focus, here are wellness items that can help you get back on track this fall.

Immune support

Back to school and work routines plus staying indoors can lead to extra exposure to germs! If your household could use extra immune support this fall, there are a number of things you can do. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should aim to consistently get enough sleep, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoid foods that are highly processed, and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day (it doesn’t have to be all at once).

“As fall approaches and kids go back to school, it’s a good time to revisit things we can do to support our immune systems,” says Jackie Joie, wellness department manager at the Minnetonka store. “In addition to implementing healthy lifestyle habits such as making healthy food choices, getting adequate sleep and exercise, and managing stress, supplements can add an extra layer of support to help keep your immune system functioning optimally.”

There are a number of items that support immunity throughout the wellness department.

“Vitamins C, D, and A, minerals such as zinc and selenium, as well as numerous herbs, homeopathics, and probiotics are all great options,” says Jackie. “An added bonus: Many of these come in kid-friendly options to make things go down a little easier. For the adults, if you prefer more of an ‘all-in-one’ option, check out Wellness Formula by Source Naturals, a top seller in our department.”

Here are a few more of the many supplements and homeopathic blends available that offer immune support.

Kids Probiotic and Immune Support for Fall

 

  • Herb Pharm blends are liquid, herbal extracts, and the line includes a number of blends to support immunity. Daily Immune Booster, Rapid Immune Boost, and Super Echinacea are popular blends, as are their blends made for kids. That includes Kids Immune Avenger and Kids Echinacea, which comes in an orange flavor and can be easily added to juice.
  • Probiotics are key to a healthy digestive system, which in turn is vital to your immune system. You can eat probiotic-rich foods, such as kimchi, kombucha, pickles, and yogurt, or take probiotic supplements. There are a wide variety of probiotics at the co-op, including chewables for kids. Please remember to follow storage instructions, since some probiotics should be refrigerated.
  • Ollois homeopathic line is an organic, vegan line of homeopathic remedies, which you’ll see in Wellness as a collection of small containers the size of a tube of lip balm. These can support you after you’ve developed symptoms of an illness, including coughs and colds.

Anxiety support

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), almost one-third of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder once in their lives. Heading back to school and classes after the summer break can be particularly hard on teens.

Staying active, meditating, and doing mindfulness techniques can be helpful. (Please see your primary care provider for more information.) There are also certain supplements that are geared toward anxiety support.

Kids Calm Gummies and Support for Fall

  • Rescue Remedy is a line of flower remedies traditionally used to support mild anxiety and stress. It comes in both liquid droppers and chewables, and includes blends for kids.
  • Lemon balm from Herb Pharm can help soothe nerves and support calm.
  • Kids Calm gummies from Nordic Naturals come in a strawberry-watermelon flavor, are made for kids age 3 and older, and can support calm without causing sleepiness.

Focus support

Ever had a day where you felt less than sharp? Maybe you’re a bit foggy or feel distracted. According to the NIH, when it comes to brain health, following a healthy lifestyle is key. That includes staying active, avoiding smoking and heavy drinking, following a healthy diet, and managing any chronic health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and depression.

There are a number of supplements at the co-op that support focus and brain health. Here are a few favorites from the wellness team.

Neuro Fuel and Focus Support Supplements

  • L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves that can help support focus, particularly when taken along with caffeine. The Lakewinds branded variety is a budget-friendly option.
  • Natural Stacks Neuro Fuel is a nootropic that can help combat brain fog and support the dopamine system to help stay focused.
  • Life Extension Neuro–Mag supports memory and recall with magnesium.

You may be reluctant to say farewell to summer. But there’s something grounding about returning to fall routines and a regular schedule. If you or your household could use extra support during this time, stop by the wellness department and see what might work for you!

When taking any supplement, including supplements for anxiety, be sure to talk with your health care provider ahead of time. Please discuss with them any medications you take to avoid any possible interactions.

Get more ideas for making your fall better with our easy lunch ideas.