In distance we come closer...
What a year 2020 has been so far! Not just for me, but for the whole world! Need I say more? I think you all know what I am talking about.
It seems like this pandemic happened so fast! A few weeks ago everything seemed normal and bam!! Suddenly it felt like I was in a sci-fi movie, with the social distancing, the curfews and empty roads.While our generation has never experienced a crisis of this magnitude before, we are also lucky to be in the digital/technology age, where we are still able to connect, work, watch movies and know what’s happening in the world, from the comfort of our homes! Nevertheless, sometimes I feel like ‘Ma’ from ‘ Little house on the prairie’, staying home and cooking every meal and snack from scratch!
In the US, we are moving into our 4th week of quarantine and slowly getting used to this new way of life.The first 2 weeks was quite a shock for many of us, along with the feelings of anxiety, fear, confusion and uncertainty, just to name a few.Yes, there are a lot of memes, jokes ,songs and videos that are floating around the social media, but that does not take away the reality of the situation! The lives that have been lost and the sadness that engulfs those affected is real.
What most of us are feeling right now is anxiety. Experts say that the antedote for anxiety is control and since we cannot control the track of the disease, we turn to what we can control and that’s why people are shopping! During snow days its eggs, milk and bread, but this pandemic has people running for toilet paper, even before food or hand sanitizers!.Oh the human psychology!! Although, I may be the only one who did not buy toilet paper after the pandemic.Well, don’t give me too much credit, because I had a 30 pack stashed away already:)
Note:If you still need hand sanitizers, many cosmetic companies like Orly have started manufacturing them, to meet the demands and they are readily available.Check out this link for more information :
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-buy-hand-sanitizer.html
Masks too are available for purchase in sites like Dailysale.com, Dailysteals.com and Etsy.com
To me, the mask, isolation, social distancing, fear of infection and anxiety about your health, is all a little familiar. So is the mantra ‘this too shall pass’.Definitely not comparing, but just saying that my C journey has helped me deal with all this in a much hopeful way and do all that I can to boost my immune system.
Leslie Nance (gotokitchens.com) lists a few ways you can boost your immune system
Tip #1 - Get Some Fresh Air!
Right now, most of us are living in quarantine, living in close quarters, and breathing in recirculated stagnant air. Fresh air allows your lungs to operate at high efficiency.
A study by Yale Griffin Prevention Research showed that a simple walk leads to an increase in natural killer T-cells and neutrophils which helps increase the immune function of the body.
So, go for a walk. Can’t go out? Open your windows or go for a drive with the windows down.
Tip # 2 Relaxation
Sitting in front of the TV watching the 24-hour news cycle is not relaxing. It’s stressful.
Relaxation should be stress-reducing, not inducing!
Stress puts a strain on your immune function! It’s shown to increase your susceptibility to catching a cold. Imagine what it could do for the flu!
So, slow your roll and chill out a bit. Your health depends on it.
Here are a few ways to relax:
Learn to meditate. Slow your mind down on a daily basis.Read something uplifting.Write a letter. When’s the last time you’ve handwritten a note to someone?Sing and Dance!Yoga
Tip #3 Sleep
Your body repairs when it is resting. You needs sleep, but not too much!
Lack of sleep lowers your immune system. Your body has a hard time creating enough energy to heal if you don’t have enough rest.
If you get less than 7 hours a night consistently, you triple your odds of getting the flu!
Can’t sleep? Journal before going to bed, don’t watch the news right before bed, and establish a routine.
Tip #4 Diet
There is no single food that will boost your immune system (even high vitamin C foods). It is what you’re doing long term that contributes to your overall immune health.
Eat food, mostly plants, not too much. Load up on fruits and veggies of all varieties. Ditch the processed foods. No soda. And not a lot of processed sugars or flour.
Tip #5 Ditch the Alcohol
What! We’re in quarantine here!
Why? Your body has no way to store alcohol. So, your liver actively works to process it and eliminate it. It’s a toxin in your body, so your nutrient absorption and immune system function decrease during its processing.
Having a drink every day destroys your gut bacteria and reduces the function of three important immune functions. Plus, studies show that it increases your susceptibility to a fatal illness like pneumonia.
Chris Wark ( Chrisbeatcancer.com)also adds that Laughter boosts your immune system.Watch comedies and stand-up.
For more tips on health, optimizing food security and using your time wisely go to :
https://foodrevolution.org/blog/coronavirus-tips-how-to-stay-healthy-and-safe-in-the-time-of-covid-19/
By now, I am sure many of you have already figured out, that there is quite a lot we can do at home.While you may be busy working from home or tutoring the kids, it still might leave a good amount of time for other activities, because lets face it, we are just home a LOT! If we have to stay positive, its best to focus on the things that you can do and accomplish. I think one of the first things I did after the shopping frenzy, was to make a list of things to do while I was home.I wasn’t sure how many I was actually going to accomplish, but the list just helped me focus on the positive and to know that I was going to be productive while being home:)
Here is a list I compiled for myself and I thought I will share it.You can find a lot of inspiration for these ideas on pinterest, youtube, instagram, snapfish, shutterfly, craft websites and blogs.
Clean the garage/basement
Organize the closet/pantry
Organize pictures in album/phone
Make a collage of pictures
Call a friend/family you haven’t spoken to in years
Clean out your phone/computer( delete/organize)
Start a hobby you always wanted to
DIY something(how about a mask)
Grow some indoor herbs
Read a new book
Take an online certification course
Watch a classic movie you always wanted to
Excercize/meditate
Give yourself a mani/pedi
Do a large puzzle
Play word/memory games to sharpen your mind
Cook an elaborate dish that needs soaking, grinding , prepping etc
Start Juicing
Learn a language
Repair/fix something that needs it
Paint a wall/room
Make jewelry
Polish your jewelry/silverware
Watch your wedding video/home video
If you always wanted to dye, grow facial hair or shave but hesitant ..here’s your chance!
Last but not least, you can volunteer (preparing meals,mask project,shopping for seniors)
They say, a crisis brings out the best and the worst in people, and all I can say is there are a lot of people putting out their best towards our community, right now. The volunteers, first responders, health care workers, grocery store workers, truck drivers, mail carriers, delvery personnel, construction workers, garbage collectors, electricians, landscapers, restaurant workers,gas companies, transit workers, IT workers,Media personnel and so many more who are behind the scenes, who continue to work amidst this pandemic, so our lives can run smoothly.So we not only can have basics like food on our tables but also enjoy netflix with uniterrupted wifi connection!
When we come out of this, hope we all learn :
To appreciate one another
To not be selfish( remember your masks protected others!)
To be a little more flexible in our ways
That our community is important to us
That all jobs are important
That together, we got through this
That no matter how many friends we have, we spend a lot of time with our family, so be nice to them:)
As for my family, we are making the most of our time together (as much as we can..haha) going for long drives, cooking our favorite foods, relaxing and being hopeful that ‘this too shall pass’.
On the flip side, sadly, domestic violence and child abuse are said to be on the rise, due to the COVID-19 lockdown.If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to: www.hotline.org and childwelfare.gov.
