COVID-19: What YOU Can Do
Michael Meuth, L.Ac., ACN — March 19, 2020
In these uncertain times, many people are finding it difficult to cope with the anxiety of not knowing what comes next. I want to offer a few grounded, practical messages today — ones I’m not seeing much of out there — to help you get through this turbulent period with more ease and clarity.
This is a three-part series. In this post I’m covering the foundational pieces. Be sure to check out Part 2 (specific herbs I recommend) and Part 3 (nutrients and best food sources) for the full picture.
We’ll cover:
- How to keep calm
- How to keep healthy
- How to work with specific herbs (Part 2)
- How to get well and stay well with nutrients (Part 3)
#1 — Keep Calm. Because It Matters to Your Health.
Keeping calm doesn’t mean being naive or blindly optimistic. We absolutely need to practice basic safety precautions. But if we allow ourselves to spiral into worry and fear, we begin to sabotage the very system we’re trying to protect — our immune system.
When you worry and stress, your brain and central nervous system react to those thoughts the same way they would to a real physical threat. Anything that activates your fight-or-flight response — your sympathetic nervous system — releases adrenaline and cortisol into the body. Cortisol sends blood to your arms, legs, and brain stem, and drives it away from your vital organs, your gut, and your logical, frontal brain. Studies have consistently shown that chronic stress decreases immune system response.
The tricky part: when you’re in a state of constant worry, it can feel like you can’t stop even when you know it’s counterproductive. But there are real techniques that help.
You can download a simple handout I created that walks through a technique for mentally “discharging” the emotional limbic system [link here]. I also recommend this excellent list of evidence-based strategies for building mental resilience: The Hour — A Psychologist’s Science-Based Tips for Emotional Resilience
And here’s something worth knowing: the things that make us feel happy, connected, and energized are proven to enhance immune cell response. There’s an entire field of study — psychoneuroimmunology — dedicated to this connection. Our moods and our sense of connection have a profound effect on strengthening immune cells like B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages — all of which help us fight off illness. On the flip side, stress and social isolation trigger adrenaline and cortisol release, weakening overall immune function.
Meditation and staying connected with friends and family — even over the phone or internet right now — are two of the most powerful things you can do.
If you’re struggling with stress, worry, anxiety, depression, insomnia, or general mental unrest, call us to ask about neurofeedback appointments or a NeurOptimal rental system. You can also view our schedule [here].
#2 — Keep Healthy.
Beyond the mental-emotional side of things, there are concrete physical steps you can take right now.
Prioritize sunshine, fresh air, exercise, and good nutrition — particularly abundant sources of vitamins A, C, and D. Avoid added sugars and empty carbohydrates as much as possible, and focus instead on building your body and the microbiome of your gut.
The gut is the front line of your immune system. It’s meant to house a complex, diverse ecosystem of living microorganisms — think rainforest. Processed foods, added sugar, and antibiotics leave the gut imbalanced and inflamed — less like a vibrant jungle and more like a clear-cut hillside.
Nurture your gut with whole foods and fiber from vegetables and fruits so that beneficial bacterial cultures can thrive and protect you. If the gut barrier is breached and an invader gets deeper into the body, you’re working much harder to address it — and your focus has to shift to more aggressive strategies like antimicrobial herbs or medications.
The body loves variety. Regular fruits and vegetables from your grocery store are a great foundation — but mixing in a few heirloom varieties, spicy and pungent mixed greens, or fresh garden herbs can give your system even more to work with.
Want help motivating your kids to eat better? [Click here] for my article on ten strategies to help your child build healthier habits.
[Continue to Part 2 →] Specific, evidence-based herbs to keep your immune system strong and help fight off infection.
[Continue to Part 3 →] The best supplements and foods to make sure you’re not leaving yourself vulnerable.
