How are you doing?
In the past few days the COVID19 situation has seriously escalated, and that has left so many of us feeling stressed and full of fear – understandably.
There is a lot of panic – some of it real and some of it excessive. The bottom is line is that we are preparing for 40-70% of us to be infected with the virus, but remember that it only kills less than 1% of people under the age of 50. Most of us will experience it as a bad flu.
For those of us over the age of 70 (and especially 80) strong self-quarantining is essential as the virus has a higher mortality rate. Even though we are all taking measures to reduce the spread and exposure it ultimately comes down to each individual taking responsibility for their own health and safety.
How am I preparing myself and my family for COVID19? My 5 Health Tips are listed below:
Health Tip #1:
Manage your stress and fear – both of which can lower lymphocytes in the immune system, which can leave our body more vulnerable to the virus. It is so ironic that a culture of fear that has been created around something that thrives on fear.
Instead of succumbing to sitting in front of the news all day and getting sucked into all the fear and panic, take a break. Know the facts, have a plan and then let it go.
While the world is slowing down far a few weeks, see this as an opportunity to catch up on some rest, watch some funny movies, and spend some time talking to old friends on the phone (so retro, I know). Go for a long walk in the woods, have a bubble bath and make an amazing meal. Have fun and enjoy.
Health Tip #2:
Wash your hands and stay away from large crowds. Have fun with your kids if they are home from school.
Health Tip #3:
Eat an amazing diet full of fruits and vegetables – and NO SUGAR. Sugar is the food of the virus. If you have not removed sugar from your diet yet, now is the time. It will do more to strengthen your body’s resilience than almost anything else.
Health Tip #4:
Exercise and Rest. Get outside and go for a walk in the woods. Breathe some fresh, clean air. Do some yoga or a barre class at home using an online program (I love glo.com). And then afterwards, enjoy a long nap. Give your body all the things it truly craves – this will go a long ways to strengthening your body and making less vulnerable to the virus.
Health Tip #5:
Take a few well-researched supplements to strengthen your body. Check out my recommendations in my video below. Sneak peek: mushrooms, colloidal silver, probiotics, immune teas.
I hope this helps. Please don’t panic – instead try to enjoy this break that we have all been given. Do the things you have been putting off (at home, of course) and take excellent care of yourself. This too shall pass.
Sending love,
Dr. Stacey Shillington ND
