With the current situation the entire world is in, there are things we can do to minimize stress and even use this situation to our advantage to become more resilient and adaptable.
Here are some of the things I’m doing to become more adaptable to change while staying healthy and resilient.
- Move Daily– I’m fortune to have a home gym but all you really need is one kettlebell to get a good cardio and resistance workout in. Now is the time to get back into that fitness routine you started in January! Even just going on a daily walk in nature can be beneficial. If you need help structuring out an at-home workout routine, sign up to my coaching program or just do my free daily challenges on instagram. But don’t hit the workouts hard every day. Your nervous system could already be stressed and in the “fight or flight” mode. Doing intense workouts everyday just adds to that stress. Consider some active recovery days (I can help you with that too).
- Sleep – With many people at home and/or working from home, this is a great opportunity to get some much-needed sleep. No need to get ready for work! Proper sleep will reduce stress, strengthen your immune system and make you more resilient.
- Start a breathing or mediation practice – This is a perfect time to start a breathing/meditation practice. Even two minutes a day of focused breathing can relieve stress and improve your health. I would suggest the 4-7-8. Breathing in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds — repeat for 2 minutes. SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE.
- Limit news to one hour a day – I have a few select influencers that I follow and limit that info to one hour a day. Constantly listening to all the bad news just adds to the stress I mentioned above.
- Garlic – I crush a garlic clove, let it sit for 10 minutes to activate the anti-viral enzyme allicin and swallow it. I’ve been using garlic to prevent colds for 10 years and it has been very effective. But I only did this when a family member or I started to feel something coming on. After I heard Dr. Andrew Weil talk about it on this podcast (8:50 into the podcast), I have the whole family taking it daily. Dr. Weil also recommends astragalus so I’ve added this supplement to my immune-boosting arsenal.
- Nature/vitamin D – Get out in nature. I have been going to the beach, biking or hiking every day since this whole thing started. Not only will nature reduce stress, getting some vitamin D from the sun can boost your immune system. If you can’t get out in the sun, consider supplementing vitamin D (I recommend this brand). This Medium article also suggests that flu patients during the 1918 influenza Pandemic recovered faster when treated outdoors vs indoors.
Stay healthy and resilient my friends!