I’m not going to update you on the status of COVID-19 because I’m sure you’re staying informed as well as possible but I’m preparing for a talk next week about things you can be doing to stay healthy, with the reminder that getting sick is also a great exercise for your immune system. Yes, this virus can be very serious for certain populations but mounting a solid immune response is essential for a properly functioning immune system throughout your life. That being said, here’s a simple list of the things you could be doing to support your immune system on a foundational level.
Get adequate sleep and adequate rest.
Avoid sugar, alcohol and processed foods. 1 tsp of sugar can depress your immune system for up to 5 hours after consumption. That’s a BIG deal! In general, prioritizing home cooked foods, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 1-2 servings of fruits, grass-fed or pasture-raised animal proteins, legumes and whole grains is the way to go in general, but especially now.
Move your body and spend time outside. Both of these things increase the oxygen delivery to your cells and increases immune cell count in your body.
Stay hydrated. If you’ve been struggling to get in those 8 glasses of water per day, now is a great time to start.
Wash your hands > Using hand sanitizer. I read a study today that washing hands with just water alone gets rid of viruses faster than hand sanitizer. Double down and use some soap!
End your showers with a cool spray for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. This can reduce incidence of colds and flus by 50%.
Nasal irrigation: It takes up to two days for viruses to establish themselves in your mucus membranes. Regular nasal irrigation can help clear the virus before they have the chance to take hold. My favorite nasal irrigator is made by @nasopure . If you’re in Bend, Oregon , I have a ton of samples of these I’m happy to give out so just DM if you want to pick one up.
There are also plenty of fancy supplements out there to boost your immune system but by prioritizing the above, you should be in a really good place to prevent infection or handle illness as well as possible.
If you want to add a couple of raw garlic cloves to your meals and some elderberry syrup, I support you 100%. Just remember you can’t out-supplement a low quality diet and lifestyle. I’ll be posting some other tips in the near future so please follow along!
