Immune systems rarely need a boost, they just need the tools to function a peak performance. The number one way to kneecap your immune system is to not get sufficient sleep. Flu vaccines have been shown to be dramatically less effective when sleep deprived individuals took them. Your body needs 7-8 hours, full stop.
Supplements are a racket. Most are concentrated doses of micro-nutrients that your system immediately flushes because they're not in a form your body can absorb effectively. You get these nutrients best through whole foods. Want vitamin c? Eat an orange. Increase the amount and variety of fruits and veggies in your diet.
Two side comments: Rain/getting wet does not cause colds. Neither does eating/drinking cold foods, another misconception I have heard. However, cold, dry air (like from an AC) does dry out our sinuses which makes us more vulnerable to cold viruses. Getting outside and drinking warm drinks (like the teas deardoveswings suggests with helpful herbs) will keep our mucus membranes hydrated and effective barriers against contagions.
Finally, COVID is still around and we are in the latest wave. Avoid crowed indoor venues when you can. Wear a mask when you can't. Especially if traveling on planes.
Related Recs
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for colds:
- the Persians say 'bookhoor' - it is basically a facial steam with essential oils. Take your kettle. boil water. Water in bowl, covered with towel. Pop in eucalyptus, tea tree and lavender essentials (or really anything for an easy breathe). 3 to 5 drops. Don't go wild now, this steam has a bbite. Put your face under the towel for 10 minutes and breathe in the steam. Do it daily until you're recovered.
- as the Chinese do, I would avoid eating anything that is cold (e.g. ice cream) or drinking cold drinks with ice (sorry you can't have your iced matcha today)
- if you have a sore throat, honey lemon will do you a delight! put some honey into some warm water and dissolve (make sure it's not boiling because it kills the antibodies), squeeze some lemon juice into the water and drink! if you're feeling extra ethnic, add turmeric and garlic to the mix prior to other ingredient. This occurs through a boiling process on the stovetop.
- don't go out! also don't go near toxic people! because they will rain on your parade and rain is to be avoided when you are susceptible to getting sick3r
- healing prayers <3
if you have the flu pls get your yearly flu shot! make sure you get it significantly way before the colder months arrive wherever you reside, especially.
Nov 7, 2024
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had a famously awful immune system when i worked around kids for years. took a while of trial and error before i learned what works best. other than general hygienic habits paired with optimal sleep and hydration, elderberry-ginger-turmeric are my best friends. i never found echinacea or vitamin c supplements to be very much help. here’s some small ways to incorporate them into your day to day:
-a cup of elderberry tea everyday as a preventative measure (rishi makes an elderberry-ginger one but it’s very strong, just a heads up. most if these things will be, sorry.)
-ginger shots. i make my own to save money as it’s fairly easy. orange juice, tumeric, pepper and sometimes manuka honey.
-ginger-tumeric chai for the warm months, a cold ginger green tea or elderberry hibiscus in the cooler months
-instead of tea, elderberry syrup. something that can be made with dried elderberry, but to be honest it’s easier to buy.
outside of preventative measures, when i feel something coming on, i will down like 5-6 cups a day of one of/or a combination of these herbal teas (i usually do like 4-5 cups elderberry tea and maybe 1-2 cups of a ginger based tea). it’s very excessive yes and it’s not the most fun but it has cleared me up 9 out of 10 times. but even if it doesn’t, it still lessens the severity and time of symptoms.
Aug 19, 2024
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Unfortunately, there’s not shortcuts I’m aware of. Once you feel it coming on, it’s too late. Emergen-C is a scam. I used to feel Zicam helped shorten a cold but when I dug deeper I realized if there was any material affect, it was likely placebo. (Which if either of these worked for you in the past and you believe they work, placebo is a valid healing path is some cases).
Rest is the best course. Your immune system needs sleep and nutrients to do its thing best. Minimize activity where you can. Exercise will make your symptoms worse. So chill and alleviate symptoms as you can.
May 5, 2024
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLE—This is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODY—This supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title 👆
IMAGE—No rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINK—I highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.—(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLE—This is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODY—Provide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title 👆
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASK—Recs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLE—Lists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODY—Free reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGE—Optional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINK—Add your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJI—Whatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024—Clarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025—Moved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
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This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025
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i will eat one every day i do not give a fuck anymore
Jan 30, 2024