You’ve got a lot going on. Whether you’re stressed at work because of a project deadline drawing near or the kids have activities every night this week, it feels like you’re on a treadmill going 100 miles an hour. 

This is usually the time your immune system is fighting its hardest. 

Will it win? Will it succumb to the stress? 

I don’t know about you, but I just don’t have time to be sick. There’s simply too much to do and it’s important to feel and perform at your very best. 

I’m proud to admit that over the past ten years, I’ve rarely been sick. Honestly! Even with being around so many people running two restaurants and keeping up with a hectic schedule.

It wasn’t always that way. Years ago, I could count on getting sick on my second day of my vacation. What a terrible way to spend your time off. Staying cooped up in bed and feeling miserable. The illness would run its course just in time to go back to work.

Looking back, I realize that my work load and stress level would build up and wear down my immune system. I ignored the signs my body was giving me. Once my vacation started and I could relax a bit, my immune system had already lost the battle to illness.

Life is still busy. Stress is still present. I still have a crazy hectic schedule. But what is different? Why don’t I get sick like I used to?

I realized that staying well is a deliberate effort. 

Back then, if I would have listened to what my body needed, I would have realized I needed to disengage. Making time for myself to simply get away for maybe an hour, or even half an hour, to recharge my immune system does a lot of good.

Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal about staying well. I know what works for me, and I love having conversations with our restaurant patrons, like you, about what healthy lifestyle practices work. 

That’s why I’m delighted to announce that our monthly blog is devoted to sharing ideas, hints, and inspiration to living healthy and well. 

You can’t control what comes at you, but you can control how you handle it.

Here are two habits I’ve implemented that have helped me stay well and keep my immune system resilient.

Scheduled relax time

It’s important to understand your body and recognize the signs when you start to wear down. Instead of pushing through because you have too much to do, put “you-time” on your schedule. It doesn’t have to be a long block of time but making the investment of time in the short-term is well worth the long-term health benefits. 

Schedule a massage. Curl up with a good book. Even if it’s soaking up the Florida sun for 15 minutes, make it something to look forward to during your stressful times. Keep your appointment with yourself. It should be viewed as your reward system.

Your scheduled relax time will help to remove some of the cortisol or adrenaline from your system and allows your brain and body to recharge, instead of always being on high alert. 

Eat plenty of raw vegetables

Make it a habit to increase your daily intake of raw vegetables to super charge your immune system. For a little something different, how about juicing? That’s my favorite way to get an extra boost. Try this juicing recipe.

Healthy Juice Recipe

  • 4 med carrots
  • 1 med red beet
  • 8 stalks of celery
  • 2 apples1 piece of ginger — 2 inches long
  • 1 inch thick
  • 1 bunch kale

Clean all items thoroughly, process in a juicer, stir and serve.
Makes approximately six 8 oz servings.

Not a veggie person? Stop by Bamboozles. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told by our non-veggie eating patrons that they can’t believe how many Bamboozled vegetables they like to eat.

You’re busy and you don’t have time to be sick because being sick cuts into your productivity. Even worse, it could cut into your fun time. Making small and consistent shifts in your daily habits can strengthen your immune system keeping you healthy and happy. 

We’d love to do our part and by keeping your immune system strong. Either of our locations can be your little getaway to relax and unwind from a hectic day by enjoying a tasty, healthy, and bamboozled dish.

We can’t wait to see you again.