The 2017-2018 flu season had registered high outbreaks from November to February, normal flu season.  According to the CDC, the proportion of deaths was at or above the epidemic threshold. Everyone should be aware of how the virus spreads so fast. Also, contagiousness varies from flu season to flu strains as well as the period of attracting to symptomology. We are becoming so COVID-19 savvy nowadays at staying home, sanitizing, wearing masks, and social distancing.

There are many reasons why someone may become ill with the flu, most of the time they already have a compromised immune system. Virus strains mutate season to season. The immune system is designed to adapt to the organism’s environment, the evolution of the species which is known as herd immunity. There are many ways to stay healthy. I have included the Action Steps I take. Here are the top eight items that can help and a special notation at the end.

1) Staying Healthy-Exposure to the COVID-19 Virus and Protection

You may encounter the virus by touching items or being around someone who has been sneezing and coughing. Viruses are more pronounced in high traffic areas such as airports, theatres, grocery stores, hospitals, and schools. Additionally, such places where people gather are kept cold to help control the spread of germs and viruses. If you are flying or visiting one of these locations, please take a jacket or sweater and a hand sanitizer with you. Diligence in washing hands with soap and water is the golden standard practice for protection. With COVID-19, it is suggested to wear a mask and keep 6 feet distance from others.

Action Step. I made my disinfecting wipes with essentials oil. Other items I use air is a deodorizer or a diffuser, anti-germ hand soap, and anti-germ hand lotion all made with essential oils.  Natural protection from natural products. We are living organisms. and need good germs to survive. 

2) Staying Healthy-Impaired Immune System and COVID-19.

Having an already strained immune system is a reason why one is more susceptible to a cold or flu/COVID-19. A physical/biological challenge requires energy and lowers the immune system, such as diabetes and other chronic illnesses. In the case of having an illness already, the immune system is already compromised.  Allostatic load (chronic stress) is the amount of imposed pressure the body systems can deal with and still function within homeostasis (balance). Once the allostatic load is exceeded illness is triggered. A part of the immune system, are small proteins called cytokines. Cytokines can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. Cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) is seen in inflammatory diseases. Neuroscience News has reported that IL-6 is targeted as a helping agent in COVID-19, see a full link to the article below. Find complementary therapies designed to improve the quality of life such as acupuncture, yoga, foot reflexology, or massage.

Action Step. I am a type 2 diabetic and I take care of myself. My daily routine consists of exercise, plant-based diet, meditation, Tai Chi, and socialization. I also include vitamins/supplements, and herbals like adaptogens. Get the best sleep and breathe.

 3) Staying Healthy-Supporting your Immune System with Food.

A poor diet hinders the body in fighting germs. Especially COVID-19. Neuroscience News reported a “link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of both more severe coronavirus infection and mortality as a result of contracting the virus.” See the link below. Smoking or drinking alcohol will affect your immune system response. The body is a hard-working machine that requires proper fuel. Taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement will ensure your body has what it needs. Therefore, Vitamin C and zinc are important during the cold/flu season. I always use the acronym ACES (Vit A, C, E, and selenium). The Bs, especially B 12, are the nutrients for the nervous system and helps with stress. D3 is needed for staying indoors. The sun naturally replenishes vitamin D reserves. Eat foods that are high in antioxidants and high vibration. Drink plenty of water. Most people are dehydrated before they get the flu.

Action Step. I eat a plant-based diet for the majority of the time. Low glycemic food is good for diabetic people. We lose water by urination, sweat, and breathing. What do I do to incorporate water into my routine? I will drink 1 cup of water with every 1 cup of other beverages. I have a big gulp container primed with freshwater with lemon (another keeping healthy aid). Drinking Ph balanced water is best. The right amount of water to drink is ½ to 1 ounce of water per one pound of body weight.  Weighing 150 pounds, you should drink 75 to 150 ounces.  There are 8 ounces per cup so realistically on the top end of the scale 20 cups per day of water. Some of us drink that much coffee per day. Water content in the body is 65% for a man and 55% for women.

4) Staying Healthy-Boosting the Immune System with Exercise.

Low physical activity is another reason why the immune system is not up to par. Exercise releases endorphins that are important for proper brain functioning and metabolism. These wonderful neurotransmitters communicate with the brain and immune function. Exercise is an anti-stress activity and coping tool that helps lower blood pressure. Aerobic exercises protect against psychosocial stress. Exercise helps circulate your white blood cells and you should do at least 30 minutes of cardio a day. Exercise boosts blood flow into two key regions of the brain associated with memory reported in Neuroscience News, see the article link below.

Action Step. In my daily routine, I include the treadmill, Bowflex, lightweights, and small trampoline. I also swim when the weather is nice or take a long walk. Stretching and breathing exercises in the morning and before bed. Breathing exercises are especially important to keep lungs functioning to full capacity. Try watching breathing videos, yoga, or Tai Chi.

5) Staying Healthy-Getting Good Restorative Sleep.

Not sleeping well impairs the immune system. We all push workload and/or parenthood to the max. Burning the candle at both ends. Sleep is when the body rejuvenates and regenerates. One of the many researchers that study sleep is Dr. Irwin who has investigated the immune system and sleep for many years. Irwin reports that the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis works with the sympathetic nervous system to modulate the adaptive immune system. Lack of sleep or sleep interruptions increase the risk of infectious disease and the progression of chronic illness. Seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

Action Step. I love sleeping my full 8 hours and wake up naturally, have energy all day without coffee, and have a very productive day. I prepare my room by blocking out any light, spray lavender and sage in the air, and listen to the chanting of Ohm (which happens to be the highest frequency).

6) Staying Healthy-Watch Stress Level!

A constant imposed pressure that affects all aspects of our being defines stress. Stressors can be sociocultural, psychosocial, or interpretative.  There is no doubt in my mind that stress is a combination of all three.  Psychoneuroimmunology researchers study allostatic load (the breaking point of stress to health and illness) examine how much somatic damage has been done by measuring biomarkers. Regulated by the central nervous system, our allostasis system is flexible to handle life’s demands within reason. However, chronic exposure to stress daily promotes multisystem wide physiological dysfunction. Stress depletes B vitamins (a major nutrient for your nervous system), vitamin C (the body doesn’t store and need to intake daily), magnesium, and zinc. Stress and anxiety promote unhealthy eating and drinking which in-turn fuels the depletion.

Action Step. I take a complex B supplement as well as herbal adaptogens for fighting the stress response. No one has immunity from stress, so I use essential oils to boost my immunity as well as fight the invisible invaders.

7) Staying Healthy by Minding the Mind: Mental Perception and Mindset.

You will be amazed at how much our mental/psychological outlook reflects our health. Mental stress creates an inflammatory response in the body causing a cytokine storm and may lead to myocardial ischemia. Psychosocial factors are known to activate the HPA and nervous system from the stress response creating alertness in the immune system, which leads to disease. Is the glass half empty or half full? Research shows that individuals with a positive outlook have a better quality of life. Perceptions of what a stressor is will vary from person to person. Positive perception or expecting good things can boost your immune system. Self-talk is very important to mind and body health. In other words, say those sweet things to yourself and bolster gratitude.

Action Step. For instance, as a single mom of 3 children, my mindset was that ‘I don’t have the time nor money to be sick’.  I get real busy thinking of a forward action that I give very little time to think otherwise. That mindset was what kept me well during those years of child-raising. Youtube has a great selection of gratitude affirmations that I listen to daily.

8) Staying Healthy-Protection against EMF.

The creation of some illnesses has been based on the electromagnetic field of microwave radiation (frequency) that is emitted from our electrical devices. The waves used to be only from any plugged-in appliances.  However, the wireless age has arrived. Anything above a 2.4 gigahertz is destructive and within 3 generations causes infertility (Dr. Klinghardt, 5G summit online). Wifi and cell phone frequencies introduced by 3G, pollution of all kinds, and vaccines are now seen to cause a variety of illnesses including cancer, autism, and Alzheimer’s.

Action Step. If you are very busy like me, I have a grounding pad for my keyboard, and one for my feet. If you travel, get one for your car seat. These ground pads are more and more necessary. For example, I put my phone on speaker when at home so as not to have it against my head. There are protection devices for your home and bed mats to protect against 5G too. Spend time in the yard without shoes. Let the earth reground you.  For instance, lay down a blanket and have a picnic in the back yard. Walk on the beach, let your toes sink into the sand while the waves wash away your worries. The earth’s ion balance keeps us healthy. People will go on vacation to the mountains or beaches. Why? People get rejuvenated by the earth’s negative ions which are more plentiful there. Dr. Klinghardt recommends the Swiss shield or silver corded netting cloth to protect at night-time around the bed and should be grounded to earth or the ground on the electric plug. Therefore, he suggests pulling the fuse on the room you sleep in and put a shield box over your router.  Dr. Mercola and Dr. Martin Pall have researched EMF.

Covid-19: Staying Healthy -Summary of action steps: wash hands, exercise, eat right, sleep adequately, have no apparent illness, have good coping skills for stress, take a multi-vitamin, have a positive outlook-be happy, and found holistic ways to boost immunity. As an added precaution, wear a mask in public areas and participate in social distancing. Don’t isolate yourself, this will bring on depression or sad mood. Socialize with your loved ones daily.

https://neurosciencenews.com/nets-blood-covid-19-16241/   This article talks about neutrophils and immune defender caught up in COVID-19. “Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular webs of chromatin, microbicidal proteins, and oxidant enzymes that are released by neutrophils to contain infections”.

https://neurosciencenews.com/coronavirus-cytokine-storm-mechanism-16434/  “Targeting these pathways, such as with the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody called tocilizumab, could disrupt this life-threatening inflammatory reaction in COVID-19 patients,” Hirano added.

https://neurosciencenews.com/exercise-memory-bloodflow-16440/  This article talks about the important research on exercise and blood flow to the brain for Alzheimer’s Disease and other problems.

https://neurosciencenews.com/vitamin-d-coronavirus-mortality-16349/   This article discusses the link between COVID-19 and the deficiency of Vitamin D.

https://natureswisdomuk.com/eshield-range/  This website has a variety of products for protection against EMFs from the UK.

The final note of staying healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic is to use essential oils. I have been a flight attendant for 18 years and have using Immune 8 for the last 10 years, I have not been sick. I have type 2 diabetes that compromises my immune system and I still am healthy to this day. Essential oils are an easy way to boost your immune system and help defend against viruses and other germs. Here is the link to check out the eight essential oils I blended https://immune8.com/immune-8-blend-and-beneficial-actions/

To Your Health & Happiness – Keep the Faith

Margie