Advice About Immunity at the Time of Covid-19
A lot of clients are asking what they can do to improve their immune systems. It is important to point out that the advice here is general in terms of aiding the immunity. With regards to Covid-19, the corona virus, we do not have natural immunity. The following suggestions are not a guaranteed way to prevent you from getting the virus. Those of us who want to be healthy look to aid our immune systems as much as possible.
Improve Your Diet
Make sure your body has the raw materials it needs to keep itself in good repair. Avoid processed foods and convenience foods that are often stripped of their nutritional value and are often loaded with sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. Supplement as needed. Having a good diet is very helpful.
Also helpful is not eating the things that make you sluggish and tune down your immune response. The biggest factor here is sugar, or simple carbohydrates such as breads, potatoes and pasta. Whilst a moderate amount of these is fine, bingeing or having them as the main part of the diet can impact the body’s defences; insulin is a known immune suppressant. Slow down on energy drinks, sweet drinks, chocolate and crisps.
Get Sufficient Restful Sleep
There is a growing awareness about the importance of sleep on our overall health and well-being. Most of us benefit from seven or more hours. Without enough rest it is tempting to rely on tobacco, coffee, sweets or energy drinks to fool ourselves into thinking we have plenty of energy.
Having a regular sleep pattern is also very important. Getting to bed and rising at a similar time is a real powerhouse for good health, mental wellbeing and seems to aid the immune system. Try recording live TV (so you can go to sleep) or watch it on a streaming service. These services remember where you were up to and you will not miss out on the next exciting part of the story.
Exercise Regularly
Unlike our circulatory system that relies on the heart, the lymphatic system depends upon exercise and movement to circulate these germ-fighting fluids. Most of us sit most of the day, take the escalator and look for the closest parking spot. Instead, look for ways to keep active and add more stairs and steps to your day.
For this reason we must take the government’s advice and walk everyday (as long as we are not asked to stay at home 100% of the time). We sent some yoga stretches last week. If you have not got these or would like more, please email the office.
Wash Your Hands
There is no need to become obsessive, but regular hand washing is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy. Many germs enter our body when we use dirty fingers to rub our eyes, touch our nose or wipe our lips. There is no need to use scalding hot water.
Washing your hands with hot soapy water does a number of things to help. Hot water has a lower surface tension and so it is more effective at getting into the nooks and crannies of your hands and nails. Soap breaks the chemical bonds between fat molecules which is why you can see the fat in a cooking pan breakup into smaller droplets when you add the washing liquid. Cellular organisms use fats in the coating of their outer layers. Soap disrupts the outer layer of germs, making them less potent and giving your immune system a head start.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
Our thoughts can dramatically affect our health. Whilst it is important to keep up with news and keep in contact with our friends and neighbours, we need some time and space to ourselves each day. There are interesting things on the radio, TV, to stream on the internet or to listen to as a pod cast. This time of national lock-down can be a wonderful opportunity to learn about new topics, relearn forgotten skills and explore the amazing world from home. There is much more to it that Covid-19.
Reduce Stress
Lower your physical, chemical and emotional stress levels. Are you prone to worry and fear? Spend time in quiet meditation, prayer or being still in a natural setting. Many find relief by conducting a media ‘fast’, eschewing all forms of media for a month or longer.
Whilst we are ‘locked up’ some have access to work that needs doing, gardens to be tidied and exercise equipment to use. Some of this is great but too much can tax us physically, reducing our ability to mount a good immune response.
Stay Hydrated
We are mostly water. Our body relies on this fluid to conduct millions of functions, especially that of our immune system. If you wait until your body alerts you that you’re feeling thirsty, you’ve probably waited too long. Drink enough water so your urine is a light straw colour rather than dark and concentrated.
There is a myth on the internet that drinking the right amount of water can help you fight Covid-19. This is not true but being dehydrated will certainly lower your ability to recover from any infection.
Our immune system (working in cohort with our nervous system) successfully fends off germs and other pathogens all day, every day without a conscious thought from us. We are not notified when our immune system successfully neutralises germs and only notice on those rare occasions when it fails.
