We are a couple of weeks into our lockdown, have got the social isolation, and handwashing sorted but what else can you do to optimise your health and that of your family during this time?
Self-care – this is so important right now. The most important thing you can do now is nourish yourself, and in so doing boosting your immunity and resilience.
Sleep – really work on at least 8 hours per night, with naps and rest periods as needed. Reach out to one of our practitioners if you are really struggling with sleep.
Try to reduce your stress – this may mean limiting social media, taking care that what you read is informing and not fear-based.
Find time for things you really enjoy – music, painting, drawing, crafts, dancing, reading, writing …. Things that make you feel relaxed and ‘good’.
Stay in touch with family and friends – using the multiple platforms out there. Many can handle ‘group’ chats as well.
Spend time in nature, walking, running, biking – enjoy the quiet, the birdlife, autumn leaves and those precious rays of Vitamin D giving sunshine.
Use your brain – podcasts, puzzles, crosswords, learn a language or a new instrument (or improve on the one you are already playing).
Spend time with pets – those dogs out there are loving all these extra walks.
Stay intimate with partners – use this time to enrich and work on your relationships.
Immune Support – again so important right now. You can use this lockdown period to really work on bolstering immunity for the winter ahead, or for the essential workers out there now really is the time to make sure you too are well supported. What you eat does have quite a dramatic impact on your immune system and of course general wellbeing. Eat nourishing foods, explore new recipes and ideas.
Foods to enjoy due to their immune-stimulating properties include garlic, onions, leeks, fresh herbs, lemons, good quality proteins, lots and lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, bone or chicken broths, and soups, slow-cooked meats, stews, fresh juices, and smoothies.
Foods to discourage include alcohol, refined sugars, white processed foods, and flavorings/chemicals/preservatives/colourings and additives. Caffeine … for a lot of you that has been a no for some time, for others just don’t go overboard.
Drink lots of warm drinks/hot drinks including green tea, as it is thought that the heat stops the virus from taking hold.
Herbal medicines are a great option at this time. It is worthwhile speaking to your practitioner about what may best suit your needs. Specific herbs that may be of use at this time include Andrographis, Astragalus, Echinacea, Olive leaf, Elder, Licorice, Polygonum, Baical Skullcap, Rhodiola and any of the mushrooms (or combinations of them).
Nutritional medicines (to support a wholesome diet, not replace it!) – we are looking here at nutrients that support and healthy and robust immune response. Talk to your practitioner about dosing and what might suit you best.
Zinc – zinc lozenges may be quite effective to help eradicate the virus in the throat before it takes hold.
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Glutathione – improves white blood cell activity to help fight something off. Liposomal or transdermal delivery best.
Topical support - try gargles of pink Himalayan salt and water morning and night, or herbal throat spray, or even green tea. You can also use something like XClear saline nasal spray, or a netti pot with saline to keep nasal passages clean and clear.
Brush teeth with pink salt before cleaning with toothpaste.
Pregnant Women - please stay in your bubble and be vigilant. There is not a lot of information on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and the numbers of women who have contracted the virus and given birth are small. Evidence on pregnancy outcomes after similar viruses such as SARS suggest that adverse outcomes in pregnancy can occur, most especially preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. The following links may be of use if you want a more extensive update - https://www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy or https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32105680
Please seek advice from your practitioner before taking any extra herbs or vitamins – this is not a time to self-prescribe.
Breastfeeding Women - when breastfeeding your body will increase its immune support naturally. But please support yourself well nutritionally, avoid dieting, sleep as much as you can, limit social contact and practice safe hygiene. Again with respect to supplements and herbs check in with your practitioner and avoid self-prescribing.
Newborns - keep those wee babies safe at home, away from others and make sure mum is well looked after and nurtured. In saying that do get out for walks etc, just maintain social distancing.
Those trying to Conceive - People trying to conceive either naturally or using ART should stick to their bubbles strictly. If you can delay your cycle it is probably best to do so and spend the time focusing on optimising health and nutrition. Fertility NZ is running a series of information and support webinars – there is one this Wednesday 8th April at 7 pm where each clinic in NZ will explain how their clinics are currently operating and when they expect operations to resume. Call 0800333 306 or email support@fertilitynz.org.nz for further details.
Immunocompromised individuals and older people - these groups are very much at risk and it is imperative they follow strict adherence to social distancing and lockdown. If you do need to visit a medical centre try and visit at a quiet time and minimise time spent in the centre – it may be that you can wait in your car and get a text when the Dr is free to see you.
If you are taking herbs and supplements again check in with your natural health practitioner for any possible interactions or particular requirements for yourself. It is not wise to self prescribe.
Dating and sexual health - This is a tricky time especially for our youth. Please stay in your bubble and be creative in the ways you can interact with your partners/peers that does not involve physical contact at this point in time.
Let’s use these times to reflect on how we can better support society and the environment moving forward. Bring more thought into our purchases, our waste and our contributions to pollution. How can we help others – sometimes a quick phone call to someone you care about is just what they need. Help others where you can – this gives them joy and support but also helps with your connectedness as well.
These are tricky times, difficult times, but we are all in this together. Let’s work together, support each other, stay in our bubbles and hopefully, this time will pass soon.