Covid-19. We can’t get away from it. It confronts us in every aspect of our lives right now. The shutdowns are unprecedented in American history and foreign to all of us. The job losses have complicated the health concerns even further. The fear across our country is at a new height. There seems to be no place of escape from the effects of our current situation.
As individuals, many of us feel we have lost control. Someone else is dictating what we can and can’t do, where we can and can’t work, how we can and can’t conduct our daily lives. It is uncomfortable to some and paralyzing to others.
Where are you on that stress meter? How can we bring a sense of calm back to our lives that don’t look at all normal right now?
First and foremost, contrary to what the media would have us believe, realize YOU ARE NOT HELPLESS! There are many things you can still control if YOU choose to do so. Think for a moment of walking through a buffet line at a restaurant. A variety of food is available to us: some options are healthy foods, while others contribute to poor health. The key is, what will you choose? Right now, our “buffet line” of life opportunities has been limited, but there are still plenty of good choices to be made. You still control what goes on your plate in many ways.
CHOOSE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS. If you are reading this blog, you already have chosen to put yourself or a loved one on a healing journey. You are continuing, or learning how, to care for yourself in a meaningful way, especially during this time when a healthy immune system is needed. The extra time at home can be committed to learning even more. There are many holistic resources on the web that are available and free, so commit to learning more about your health. Take time to read good books on health also. Grow your brain!
CHOOSE TO USE THOSE SUPPLEMENTS AND THERAPIES THAT STRENGTHEN YOUR BODY. DON’T JUST LEAVE THEM SITTING ON YOUR COUNTER.
Holistic medicine has many answers to offer the world for COVID-19, and for any virus. Traditional medicine is offering only a couple of things:
- Wash your hands
- Social Distancing.
- They are frantically looking for a drug or vaccine to fix this mess.
This virus can be a serious threat to some people. However, holistic practitioners across the world are using oxidative therapies such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and high dose Vitamin C, as well as specific vitamins to successfully navigate the course of this illness. Many of these therapies can be done from your own home, and numerous practitioners are seeing success with their patients who contract COVID-19. Dr. Matalone supplied his list of recommendations in the previous blog. Click here to read.
CHOOSE TO FEED YOUR BODY WELL
You control what you eat. Choose a non-inflammatory diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables, pastured eggs, chicken, fish and meat free of chemicals and antibiotics. The Mediterranean Diet works for most people. Avoid refined sugar since it compromises your immune system for about six hours.
You control when you eat. Stress eating and boredom eating are real things, so back away from the refrigerator! Plan and prepare your meals and snacks in advance to keep yourself focused. Six months from now you will be glad you did.
You control what you drink. Water, water, water….clean water and plenty of it. That’s your best option. Make anything else an occasional treat. Eliminate sugar-filled drinks. If soft drinks are on your must-have list, try Zevia or one of the flavored waters available in stores. Alcohol is not advised as it can compromise immune function and can interfere with blood sugar levels. If you must, keep it at an occasional drink.
You control when you drink. Keep a glass of water nearby all day long. Remember, if you are using Vitamin C (and you should be), it is a diuretic, so be diligent with your water intake.
CHOOSE GRATITUDE
As we are bombarded daily with negative news and attitudes and all that is wrong in the world, make a conscious decision to choose gratitude. Multitudes of studies indicate that grateful people enjoy positive mindsets, reduced stress, better sleep, better moods, less fatigue, less inflammation, lower rates of depression and many other benefits. Others may temporarily control some of what you can do right now, but only YOU choose on what your mind dwells! Some naturally find it easy to be positive and thankful. For others it is a very real struggle, but it is worth the fight. Do not let your mind dwell on what you cannot control and what you do not know. Instead dwell on what you can control and what you do know and what you can accomplish.
Keep a gratitude journal. Each day write down five things for which you are thankful. Go over them frequently to remind yourself there are still plenty of positives in your life.
CHOOSE TO SET GOALS AND ACCOMPLISH THEM
You can control much of your day and how you spend your time. Each person may have different priorities, but we can all recognize a few good ones.
- Maintain a good routine. Get up. Get dressed. Make your bed. Review goals you have for the day and start working on them.
- If you have lost a job, commit to spending a certain amount of time each day to looking for a new one. Seek out resources available now to help you through a difficult time of lost income.
- If you now work from home, set a realistic schedule of how that can be accomplished. Set up a workspace in your home suitable for your needs.
- Exercise daily. To whatever extent you are able, exercise.
- Get outside in the sunshine to improve your vitamin D levels.
- Spend time with the family or friends you live with. Find ways to enjoy each other. Remember everyone’s nerves are a little on edge right now, so be patient. Play games, cards, etc. and you may discover new reasons you love them! If you live alone, utilize your phone or Face Time frequently to prevent feelings of isolation.
- Keep a project going. Put together a puzzle, sew, build something, cook, or start a new hobby. Do whatever helps you relax while also requiring concentrated mental effort.
- Identify people you can help and then help them. For some that can mean going to the grocery for an elderly couple, for others it may mean praying for people you know that need help.
- Pray and/or meditate throughout your day. It is proven to calm the body, reduce stress and modulate adrenal function. Prayer also helps us concentrate on the hope we have in our faith and that God is indeed in control.
- Have some fun. Whatever you enjoy, do it!
CHOOSE TO RECOGNIZE IF YOU ARE NOT COPING WELL AND NEED HELP DEALING WITH THIS CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE.
Often it is a friend or family member that helps identify when someone is overwhelmed by life. With less social contact, it is more important that you know yourself and check in with your doctor or a crisis line if you are feeling too overwhelmed.
Dr. Matalone is available via in office appointment or via phone appointment. If you would like to talk with him, please call the office to set up your appointment.
Dr. Matalone has seen success with people who use different supplements in times of stress. CBD oil, Ashwaghanda, Cortisolv, Relax AM-PM, GABA, L-Theanine and others may be of benefit. These are all available through Optimal Nutrition and Wellness. A member of his team can assist you when you call, drop by, or order online.
Remember, while none of us like the current situation, we can find the good as we help one another through it. Choose to protect your physical body as much as you can by using Dr. Matalone’s suggested protocol. If you contract COVID-19, please get in touch with our office immediately for additional support. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to help others, your hands busy accomplishing your priorities, your minds open to new, creative strategies to manage uncertain times, and your hearts attuned spiritually to God. Choose joy in each day. We will get through this.
