Immune Support Tips in the time of COVID
In every time of difficulty there is opportunity. The world pandemic of COVID has brought us all to the same plane. What is clear is that the attention we pay to our health, the health of our immune system at this time and to the recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control benefit us, our family and the world. This is an opportunity to make a difference in our health and the health of others.
Of course, WASH YOUR HANDS for 20 seconds, OFTEN.
Of course, USE HAND SANITIZER (Here is a simple homemade recipe to make)
Of course, keep physical distance by staying home and away from groups of people to minimize exposure.
Of course, SNEEZE and COUGH INTO YOUR ELBOW.
Of course, wipe down surfaces.
AND……here are some other things we can do while we are staying home to help support our immune system.
STAY CONNECTED to those you love. Ask for help. These are unprecedented times and we cannot do it alone.We can help each other with conversations on the phone, FaceTime, emails, running errands for those who are concerned about going out, babysitting kids who are home and their parents need to work, donating food. Doing for others has a most beneficial effect for all involved.
RE-DISCOVER and discover what what makes you feel good:
- Move!
- Get out in the fresh air. Fresh air and sunlight are enormously beneficial to our health, well-being and state of mind. Clean up your yard or your container plants.
- Sing! Play music!
- Draw! Write! Create! Knit! Cook!
- Crossword puzzles or spelling bee anyone? Puzzles…….
- Can’t get to the gym? Try YouTube for a plethora of workouts to do at home.
Now to support your immune system:
- Stress: No way to get around it now, from stress about health, finances, work, kids and family the stress of this pandemic is unavoidable. This stress will not be going away soon. However, we can learn how to work with stress to minimize its effects. The skills we develop can help to calm our nervous system which in turn supports our immune system. Here are some resources:
- Meditation
- Movement
- Breathe! We can do this anywhere. Breathe in for the count of 4….gently hold your breath 4 …..and slowly exhale for 4. This will stem the flow of adrenaline and help to calm you down.
- Eat well and reduce foods that diminish your immune system function such as the usual culprits: processed foods, sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, cannabis (yes, too much pot smoking or edibles will not optimize your health and well-being).
- Self Acupressure: See this resource
- Digestion: We are what we eat and digest and I cannot stress enough how important eating well is at this time.From a Chinese medicine point of view the key to good health is good digestion; and the key to good digestion is eating well and minimizing stress.
- If you do anything add dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collard greens, bok choy, mustard greens, arugula or broccoli into your diet every single day.
- If stress is minimizing your appetite eat easy to digest foods such as soups and stews rich with vegetables. Lightly cooked vegetables or fish. Add in winter squash or sweet potato or yam.
- If you suffer from any digestive distress and are following a plan to treat it stay on it and avoid aggravating foods such as processed and refined carbohydrates., sugars, fried or greasy foods, alcohol and coffee.
- Avoid cold foods from the grab and go. Cooked food is easier to digest.
To learn more about supporting your health and immunity, set up a consultation with Ellen Goldsmith, L.Ac. here.
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