Self-care, things to keep us healthy

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There is so much information coming at us these days. Each bit has another nuanced piece of information with instructions on what to do. All of this can be overwhelming and yet addictive. Is there something that I am not doing that might keep me safe during this pandemic? One feels obligated to read everything that comes by shouting COVID-19.

I am a firm believer in the KISS concept - Keep It Simple Stupid and so I am offering a few bits and pieces gleaned from about 40 plus years of study regarding health. Take what seems reasonable and works for you and set the ones that do not resonate with you aside to consider later.

  1. Be gentle with yourself. These are stressful times. We are sequestered, unemployed or working and studying from home.

  2. FInd ways to simplify your daily routine. If there is more than one of you in the home, divey up the domestic responsibilities.

  3. If you can get outside and keep the physical distancing, do so. If not, open a window and breathe. Try slow, full inhales and then long slow exhales. See if you can extend the exhales a bit longer than the inhales.

  4. MOVE. Do yoga, dance, tai chi, chi gung, marching in place, riding that stationary bike that has been sitting in the corner for years. When you move, you help your lymph system (the garbage collection system of your body) work more efficiently. As you move, invite your body to explore twisting as well as forward and back bending. Confined to our homes we are sitting a lot and probably hunched over computers and phones

  5. Make sure your meals have fresh veggies. Explore different colored veggies as well as different tasting ones. Including a variety of vegetables in your meals gives you a broader range of vitamins and minerals.

  6. Go easy on those prepared baked goods and sweets. FInd some natural snacks that satisfy your sweet tooth.

  7. Hydrate well. Plenty of water. Drink hot water with lemon in it in the morning. It is very alkalizing. Your body works better when alkaline. When we are too acid we weaken our immune system. Same reason you need to eat more veggies and fewer sweets.

  8. Drink tulsi tea! Tulsi is a favorite of mine. It is an adaptogen which means it helps your body work more efficiently. When we are stressed our adrenal glands send out cortisol which helps ramp up our sympathetic nervous system - our fight or flight mechanism . If we are under continual, longterm stress our adrenals can become depleted. Tulsi helps re-regulate our adrenals and cortisol production. It does not eliminate the stress but mitigates it effects on us.

  9. Take time to laugh.

  10. FInd small things to be grateful for and take pleasure in small delights.