Let's talk about immune system upgrades.
I know. This is the ICK we all dread to see show up in our homes and into our schedule. The kind that knocks you down, forces you to cancel plans, makes you sweat through your favorite hoodie, and has you begging to get life back to normal as soon as possible.
It is important to note—I don’t believe I “caught” the flu. I don’t believe in the big bad bug theory where we are powerless victims to invisible invaders lurking around every corner. We've all grown up with the germ theory, and it’s what we’ve been conditioned to believe. But it is NOT the full truth and I believe it's essential (if you haven't already) to take a look into the terrain theory.
I believe my body was ready for a reset, my system needed to purge, and what looked like illness was actually my body working exactly as designed. The way I see it, sickness & health are not things that randomly occur. They are states that we actively create when the balance of stress, toxins, and depletion outweighs our body’s ability to adapt. Maybe it was poor sleep, overworking, too much junk food, emotional stress—or all of the above. Either way, my body knew what to do, and my job was to trust it, support it, and get out of the way.
(**For more on terrain/germ theory... A few must-reads on this perspective? The Contagion Myth by Thomas S. Cowan and Sally Fallon Morell, Why We Get Sick by Benjamin Bikman, and What Really Makes You Ill? by Dawn Lester and David Parker.)
Back to my upgrade...
I didn’t run to urgent care. I didn’t start Googling worst-case scenarios. I didn’t numb it all away.
I surrendered to the process. And, I turned to my tools. I got adjusted. First thing. And daily throughout the process. I got adjusted because when my body is working through these things, the last thing I need is nerve interference. I want my brain-body connection clear, strong, and firing on all cylinders. I wanted my immune system to do what it was built to do—fight, adapt, and come back stronger!!
That doesn’t mean it was easy.
The Pain and the Process
High fever? Oh yeah. I felt on fire—deep aches in my bones, especially my hips and pelvis. It was the kind of pain that makes you restless, makes you whimper under your breath, makes you want it to be over NOW.
But here’s what I reminded myself: this isn’t my body failing. This is my body winning. This pain, this exhaustion, this fever—it’s not a problem. It’s the solution.
It is NOT comfortable, but IT IS purposeful & productive. It’s a full-system reset, a detox, a forced pause to flush out the weak and make way for the strong. My body wasn’t betraying me. It was healing me. And in the process, I learned some things. So, from one warrior to another, here’s what helped me—and might help you too.
1. Get Adjusted (Again, and Again)
I started with an adjustment and I ended with one too. My nervous system needed it. When your body is in battle mode, you want your immune system functioning at 100%, and there is no better way to support that than chiropractic care. Get checked. Get adjusted. Let your body work for you, not against you. "The Big Idea" is that there is Innate Intelligence within you that is working FOR you all the time. Chiropractic keeps me anchored in this truth. Chiropractic & visits with my chiropractic team remind me to TRUST THE PROCESS when I am weak or when I am tempted to push against these processes instead of rest and work with them.
2. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
Fever burns through fluids. You feel weak because you’re dehydrated and losing electrolytes faster than you realize. I loaded up on:✔ Bone broth (heals the gut, restores minerals, and tastes like a hug)✔ Coconut water (nature’s electrolyte drink)✔ Herbal teas (ginger, peppermint, chamomile)✔ Warm lemon water with a pinch of sea salt (hydration + minerals + vitamin C boost) ✔ Electrolytes! (I like https://superieurelectrolytes.com/)
3. Eat to Recover, Not Just Survive
My appetite was all over the place, but I made every bite count:✔ Garlic & onion – Nature’s antibiotics, fight infection✔ Citrus fruits – Vitamin C powerhouse✔ Fermented foods – Gut health = immune health✔ Turmeric & ginger – Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving✔ Wild-caught fish – Omega-3s for healing. -- It is also common to lose your appetite. That's okay. Your body will survive. And, this is part of the detox and upgrade. There is tremendous power in fasting!
4. Let the Fever Do Its Job
I wanted to break the fever SO badly. But I knew better. Fever isn’t the enemy—it’s the warrior, the internal fire burning out the invader. I let it run its course while staying comfortable:✔ Light, breathable blankets✔ Warm baths with Epsom salt & essential oils✔ Sipping warm fluids✔ RESTING (no guilt, no pressure)
5. Move When You Can, Rest When You Must
The flu loves stagnation, so when I had a little energy, I did:✔ Light stretching✔ Rebounding (mini-trampoline to help lymph drainage)✔ Slow, deep breathing to keep oxygen flowingBut when my body said stop—I listened.
6. Caring for Kids Through This
Watching little ones feel miserable is so hard. Innately, we want to take pain away. We wanto protect & limit discomfort for our kiddos. Let them lean into your trust in the healing process. Teach them that there is power in this upgrade. Teach them about the gift of rest. Choose your words wisely--because these words will become their stories & beliefs. Just like us, their bodies know what to do. Here’s how to help them through it:✔ Adjustments – I keep my kids’ spines clear too. Their recoveries are always faster because of it.✔ Hydration tricks – Popsicles made from coconut water or herbal tea are lifesavers.✔ Snuggles & calm – Healing happens best when they feel safe and comforted.✔ Distraction – Gentle books, soft music, dim lights. Keep the nervous system calm.✔ Trust their fevers – Unless dangerously high, let it work! Don’t panic. Just support.
The Final Note: Trust & Time
I won’t lie—I wanted out of this flu faster. But I also know that rushing healing isn’t true healing. This was a time to slow down, surrender, and allow my body to do its thing.
And now? I feel stronger. Clearer. Lighter. Upgraded.
So if you’re in it right now, feeling miserable and wondering if it will ever end—it will. Winter will pass.Your body is better and stronger for this time. There is purpose in the design—even in the sick, not-so-fun parts. Trust it. Move through it.
And don’t forget to get adjusted.
P.S. Want to dig deeper?
If this perspective resonates, check out these books and podcasts that challenge the mainstream narrative and dive deep into terrain theory and holistic health:
📚 The Contagion Myth – Thomas S. Cowan & Sally Fallon Morell📚 Why We Get Sick – Benjamin Bikman📚 What Really Makes You Ill? – Dawn Lester & David Parker🎙 The Way Forward Podcast with Alec Zeck🎙 Terrain Theory Podcast
------
Disclaimer:
You know your body. You know your child. Always watch for red flags during these times. Seek help when needed—it can take a village. This is not medical advice. Listen to your body, trust your instincts, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or feel beyond what you can manage.
Comments