March 4, 2020
Hello All:
I am compelled to post this because I believe what each of us does matters! The coronavirus called COVID-19 is dominating media, the economy, and healthcare generally; and I’m finding also my daily life! Yes it is a virus…also there are a multitude of viruses in this world. As well as bacteria and micro-organisms…our lives are consumed with these things both helpful and not-so-helpful. Hopefully that goes without saying!!
So why I write today is mostly for my own need to connect with people.
I am literally avoiding the media - all the popups on my phone from newspapers I really like, reading nothing more than headlines really or skimming a printed newspaper article, even muting stories on the radio and tv about COVID-19. I want to be informed rather than inundated.
I reach out now to connect with you because human connection is crucial to healthy living. Plus I have ideas to remind us all the world is not actually coming to an end…at least not due to this current virus-craze.
I hope this can be an opportunity taken to get clear about our own self-care. What each of us does matters not only to ourselves, but also to our families, friends and communities.
In fact, when the body is healthy it will protect us from unwanted germs, because among many amazing functions, that is how the body is.
Ways to support ourselves in this moment:
First wash your hands with soap - sing the alphabet song or old MacDonald will work too - for at least 20 seconds; carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer to use in case of no hand-washing access.
Second do everything you can to get good sleep at night - drink caffeine less and stop earlier in the day, do not eat food just before going to sleep at night.
Third decrease amounts of sugar you eat in everything - including from sodas and all the way to fruits. My opinion - drop the sodas and eat less sugary fruits like grapefruit or blueberries; do what you can!
And fourth, plus: Drink water/stay hydrated; oregano oil and vitamin C can help support immune function during times like these (even if you get some sort of cold or other issue); consider visiting your acupuncturist or massage therapist, or whoever you see to help your body reset - getting any type of bodywork will support strong immune function; find ways to connect with others for support too, just to talk about what’s going on.
Thank you and take care,
Emily