As the weather cools down, and people spend more time indoors, cold and flu viruses get active. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, the viral disease caused by a SARS-related coronavirus, is by definition airborne.

With COVID-19 starting a second wave, more people will be looking for solutions to keep their immune system robust.

Most clients can benefit from your health coaching support to protect themselves from seasonal illnesses. You can offer your clients one of several done-for-you MBODY360 plans as a fall immunity booster program.

Your Immune Support Plans are Ready to Go in MBODY360

With dozens of done-for-you plans complete with recipes, shopping lists, and meal plans already in MBODY360, you could launch your group program today. To create a fall immunity booster program, you can offer one of these anti-inflammatory plans:

  • Autoimmune Paleo – the AIP Paleo meal plan supports clients with inflammatory issues and autoimmune disorders. Anti-inflammatory recipes that are free of grains, dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds, and nightshades support the body for healthier immune response. The plan also excludes sugar, refined oils, processed foods and alcohol.
  • IF Cardiometabolic – the Intermittent Fasting and Cardiometabolic plan can help promote a healthy heart and also be used by clients with Hypertension or High-Cholesterol. The recipes include healthy fat and are gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of added salt.

Intermittent fasting has been found to improve metabolism, lower blood sugar, and reduce inflammation, which can also offer immune system support.

Recommend Anti-Viral and Immune Supportive Nutrients

Besides the recipes within your nutrition plans, you can also encourage your group program participants to incorporate the following nutrients in their meals:

  • Zinc – This essential trace mineral supports metabolic function, immune system, and wound healing. Foods that are rich in zinc include chicken, red meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts and seeds.
  • Quercetin – these flavonoids have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Some foods that have high levels of quercetin include apples, berries, grapes, broccoli, citrus fruits, cherries, green tea, and coffee.
  • Vitamin D – This essential vitamin supports the health of your bones and teeth and promotes healthy immune function. You can get this vitamin naturally through exposing your skin to the sun. Absorption decreases during cold winter months when skin is less exposed. Foods that contain vitamin D include salmon, sardines, egg yolk, shrimp, and fortified milk, cereal, and yogurt.
  • Resveratrol – This antioxidant offers anti-inflammatory protection and also has antibacterial, antifungal and cardioprotective properties. You can find this nutrient in blueberries, cranberries, wine and dark chocolate.

Include Lifestyle Changes that Can Support Immune Function

Beyond eating well and incorporating immune-supportive nutrients, there are other lifestyle factors that clients can make to support a robust immune system.

In your group program, you can also recommend clients take on additional lifestyle changes such as:

  • Sleep hygiene – Have your client track their sleep. Recommend that they get into bed at a consistent time and try to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night consistently.
  • Exercise – Clients can track their movement and how often they exercise. Consistent, daily movement at moderate or vigorous levels, depending on level of health, can help support immunity.
  • Fresh air – Staying indoors with the windows closed can increase the concentration of indoor air pollutants — everything from gas stoves, off gassing from furnishings, chemicals from household products.

Opening the windows circulates new air in and reduces indoor pollutants. You can also encourage clients to go for walks outside, spend time in parks or taking forest bathing walks in the woods.

Encourage Life-Long Habits for Healthy Immunity

Your clients’ health journey doesn’t end with their group program. It is the beginning of cultivating healthier habits to prevent both seasonal illness as well as long term, chronic conditions.

Some clients will stick with their new habits. Others will need more support. You can offer clients an additional group program, self-guided programs or one-on-one coaching to help them become active advocates for their own wellbeing.