Holiday Travel and Respiratory Season: Strengthening Immune Health for Late November

Strengthening Immune Health During Late-November Travel and Respiratory Season 

Late November typically marks one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the United States while respiratory viruses begin to increase in circulation. Supporting immunity and recovery during this high‑mobility period hinges on maintaining restorative sleep, minimizing physiologic stress, and preserving musculoskeletal balance (Besedovsky et al., 2019).

The Critical Role of Sleep in Immune Function 

Sleep quality is a core determinant of immune responsiveness. Scientific reviews show that poor or insufficient sleep reduces production of infection‑fighting cytokines and weakens antibody responses, increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections common in fall and winter (Irwin, 2019; Besedovsky et al., 2019). During periods of travel and schedule disruption, preserving sleep continuity is therefore an important part of minimizing illness risk and supporting recovery.

How Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy Promote Wellness 

Movement and alignment therapies reduce pain-related stress and improve functional capacity. Chiropractic and physical therapy approaches support spinal alignment, circulation, and muscular balance, effects that translate into lower physiologic strain and improved capacity for restorative sleep and immune function at the population level (Gleberzon et al., 2023; Lynch et al., 2022). These therapies are part of an integrative picture that contributes to resilience during peak respiratory seasons.

The Role of Massage Therapy in Immune Support and Recovery 

Massage has demonstrated short-term effects on stress hormones and lymphatic circulation, physiological changes that can support immune defenses and recovery after minor illness (Rapaport et al., 2012; Field, 2021). In the context of travel and winter respiratory activity, reduced stress and improved circulation support overall wellbeing.

Integrating Ergonomic Sleep Support for Optimal Recovery 

Sleep posture influences both comfort and continuity of rest. Evidence indicates that appropriate cervical support reduces neck muscle activity and perceived discomfort across sleep positions (Daryushi et al., 2025). During high‑travel periods and the start of flu season, consistent cervical alignment supports restorative sleep, which in turn supports immune function and recovery potential. Pillowise personalized pillows apply measurement-based fitting to help maintain neutral neck posture across different beds and travel settings.

Late‑November’s travel and respiratory‑season context highlights the value of preserving restorative sleep and musculoskeletal balance. 

To explore Pillowise pillows for consistent cervical support:

Find a Reseller: https://www.pillowise-usa.com/points-of-sale
Become a Reseller: https://www.pillowise-usa.com/chiropractor

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Flu season and surveillance: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/index.html
• AAA: Thanksgiving travel forecasts and reporting: https://newsroom.aaa.com/
• National public-media coverage of holiday travel (e.g., NPR reporting)

References

• Besedovsky, L., Lange, T., & Born, J. (2019). Sleep and immune function. Pflugers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology, 471(6), 1–18.
• Daryushi, M., Sadeghi, A., Taghavi, S. M., & Davoudi‑Kiakalayeh, A. (2025). The influence of pillow shape and content on neck muscular activity and perceived comfort according to sleep position. The Open Public Health Journal, 18, e18749445371712.
• Field, T. (2021). Massage therapy and immune function. International Journal of Neuroscience, 131(10), 937–942.
• Gleberzon, B., Goldberg, B., & Todres‑Masarsky, M. (2023). The influence of chiropractic adjustments on immune function: A literature review. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 22(4), 268–274.
• Irwin, M. R. (2019). Sleep and inflammation: Partners in sickness and health. Nature Reviews Immunology, 19(11), 702–715.
• Lynch, M., Driscoll, T., & Walker‑Bone, K. (2022). Physical therapy and immune function: A review of evidence and applications. Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 52(7), 365–375.
• Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P., & Bresee, C. (2012). A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(8), 789–797.