Tell us if this sounds familiar: You pick up a new book, catch wind of a new product, or hear about a new wellness cure-all and decide to go all-in immediately. The first few days are great—you’re feeling energized and committed to this new way of living. But a week or so in, your interest seems to slow. Maybe you’ve ditched the diet or aren’t engaging with the regimen like you did at the beginning. We’re here to tell you that’s 100% normal.

This start-and-stop, perfectionist mentality is the reason why these quick-fix solutions to our health rarely (if ever) create long-lasting, sustainable change. What actually works are the plain and simple habits we practice again and again each day. This is true for every aspect of our wellness— immune health included. Below, we’re sharing five actionable tips that you can incorporate into your daily routines to boost your immunity and help you feel your best.

Start With A Swish

As with all things Ayurveda, we’re regular adherents to a daily oil pulling practice. While the routine touts many benefits (drawing out toxins from your mouth, whitening teeth, and reducing inflammation in your gums), oil pulling is also an all-natural way to boost immunity. Swishing coconut oil decreases the amount of bacteria in your mouth, ultimately supporting ​your overall well-being.

Incorporating oil pulling into your morning routine couldn’t be easier. Start with about a tablespoon of ​coconut oil​, melting and swishing around in your mouth for 10-15 minutes. If you’re short on time, know that every little bit (even just a minute!) counts. And while you might think that the more vigorous the swish, the more effective the result, all you need to do is a gentle pulling and sucking motion with your mouth to reap the benefits. You can even multitask by oil pulling during other parts of your routine—whether that’s while showering, getting dressed, or anything else your morning involves. Just be sure you’re spitting your coconut oil into the trash and not down the drain. When the oil hardens, it can clog your pipes (no thanks!).

Get Grounded and Connect With Yourself

Stress plays a huge role in our immune health. Ever noticed how the busier you are, the more likely you seem to catch a cold or come down with the flu? Whether you’re pulling all-nighters trying to meet a deadline or managing multiple kids’ schedules, high levels of stress make us more susceptible to bugs that might come our way.

The good news is that there are many ways we can go about reducing stress in our lives. As soon as you wake up, pause before you get out of bed and take a few deep breaths. Mindfully and intentionally inhaling and exhaling can stabilize blood pressure and counter our natural stress response to the inevitable unpredictability of our lives.

Sip On Something Delicious (And Immune-Boosting)

If your breakfast routine is lacking inspiration and immune-boosting nutrients, the good news is that there are endless recipes to help you get a healthy start to your day. Not only are smoothies simple to blend up, but they’re an easy solution to packing a variety of nutrient-dense ingredients into one delicious drink. ​This recipe​ combines fruit, oats, and peanut butter for a creamy breakfast that tastes just like your favorite shake while leaning on coconut oil to keep you satiated until lunch.

If coffee is your breakfast M.O., try boosting your morning cuppa with a spoonful of CoCo. Not only are you kickstarting your metabolism and giving your body a boost of energy, but because Conscious Coconut Oil​ boasts a healthy dose of lauric acid, it helps fight bacteria in the body and create a hostile environment for viruses. Not a coffee drinker but still want to work coconut oil into your a.m. beverage? Try this ​Citrus Honey Ginger Tea​ ​as a cure for common ailments like sore throats, colds, or a stuffy nose.

Give Dry Brushing A Try

If you haven’t incorporated dry brushing into your routine yet, now’s the time to get on board. Lymphatic drainage massage​ is a gentle massage that targets and stimulates the lymphatic system, which plays a huge part in the immune system and supports the body’s ability to fight off infections. In the morning, start by moisturizing your body head to toe with a layer of coconut oil. With your ​dry brush​, start at your feet and move toward the heart using firm, small upward strokes. The key is to be gentle—the goal is exfoliation, not to cause damage to the skin! Head to ​this post​ for a full tutorial.

Connect With Supportive Movement

It’s no secret that exercise is a key component in helping you feel your best. When we move our bodies, endorphins are released—the feel-good hormone that does double-duty in helping you manage stress. Endorphins work to ​reduce pain and increase pleasure and joy.​ You know that I-can-take-on-anything feeling that comes after a great workout? That’s the result of endorphins at work.

And while you may be tempted to think that only hours at the gym (or in your workout room at home) is the only way to increase the release of endorphins, any form of exercise will do. So whether that’s a HIIT workout, strength conditioning routine, or going for a jog around your neighborhood—whatever you connect with and can keep a consistent practice of doing will help reduce stress and boost your body’s immune response.

Here’s the takeaway: While all of these ideas can support your immune health, there’s no need to incorporate all of them at once. We recommend starting slowly and introducing these practices into your routine little by little. ​Be patient, see what resonates with you, and build from there.

Start incorporating healthy practices into your daily routine with Conscious Coconut. Whatever your day looks like, we’ve got what you need to feel your best. Whether it’s ​travel wipes​ for when you’re on the go or a h​air mask kit​ to add to your self care toolbox, you can shop all of our options ​here.