Just like you, we have families we care about and want to keep safe. When something like the corona virus hits the news, it can make us worry about everyday decisions.
One of the most important things we can do is continue with our normal lives, doing the things we enjoy and need to stay healthy, while taking reasonable precautions. Living our lives keeps us healthy and happy, and teaches our kids good behaviors.
The person best equipped to take care of you is you, but we’ve got your back (pun intended).
Here are some tips to help you and your family feel safe and ready to face the world.
In General
Wash, wash, wash your hands. Did you know soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizer (and apparently easier to find right now)? To really get rid of any germs, wash for at least 20 seconds – which just happens to be how long it takes to hum Row-Row-Row Your Boat three times.
Be sneeze- and cough-courteous. Coughing or sneezing into the inner crook of your arm catches the droplets that would otherwise end up in the air or on the surfaces around you. The COVID-19 virus is transmitted through droplets, not through breathing, so this is important.
Save the mask for Halloween. The benefit of a mask is that it controls the outbound expression of germs when someone coughs or sneezes. If you’re healthy, a mask won’t be very effective in preventing the spread of germs. If you’re sick and need to be out in the world, a mask can help protect those around you from the germs you send out when you cough or sneeze.
Don’t touch your face! The easiest way to get sick (with any kind of virus) is to introduce germs from your hands to mucus membranes – like your eyes, nose and mouth.
Netflix and chill. If you’re not feeling well (whether it’s corona virus or an old-school cold) please stay home, cuddle with your dog and catch up on your favorite show.
Out in the World
Wipe it out. Many of us do this anyway, but grab one of those wet wipes at the grocery store entrance to clean the cart (buggy for you southerners) handle.
De-clutter! A clean desk or counter makes it easier to run a cleaning cloth across.
Personal space. Keep at least 3 feet between you and someone who is sneezing or coughing.
Sharing = caring? Not right now! We’re usually all about sharing, but for now the kindest thing you can do is avoid sharing food, drinks, even lotion or sanitizers – and the germs that ride with them.
Breathe in, breathe out. Ventilation is a good thing. Weather and location permitting, crack a window.
Taking Care of Yourself
Be on your best behavior. Keep yourself in good shape by getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking lots of water and eating nutritious foods. A stressed body is a weak body, so manage your stress through exercise, meditation or conversation with a trusted friend. We offer nutritional counseling to help you understand the best foods for your immune system.
Nutritional Support. Although there has not been specific research on this particular strain of corona virus, many natural antiviral support nutrients have been studied for years. We carry many options of vitamin C, Zinc, Elderberry, Mushroom extracts, Essential oils and herb combinations to help boost your immune system and protect you from effects of many varieties of viruses. We also offer adrenal/ stress support options. Medical anxiety is a real thing and with the information all over the news everyday our brains are bombarded with negative messages and nutritional support can be key to keep the brain from overloading.
Self-care matters. Caring for yourself is the best thing you can do for your overall health.
We're Here To Help Take Care of You
If you find you're unable to come into the office for appointments or supplements, we're happy to schedule nutritional consultations and follow ups over the phone. We can also ship supplements to you.
Websites
For additional trusted resources about the corona virus, we recommend these websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
Yours In Health and Wellness,
Dr Tobi and Staff