There are many ways to decrease the impact that various illnesses can have on our bodies and increase the strength of our immune system.
Incorporating movement and exercise into your routine is important to not only strengthen your body but also reduce stress. If you have concern about going to your local gym at this time try out the FitOn and Down Dog mobile applications for some customizable guided workouts. FitOn is always free and Down Dog is currently offering access to their workouts for free until April 1, 2020.
Decreasing stress and anxiety are important to keep in mind during this time. When your body is stuck in a fight-or-flight mode the sympathetic nervous system becomes overworked and your body is unable to allocate resources to other systems. This can make you more susceptible to illness because the immune system becomes weakened. Insight Timer is our favorite free mobile application for guided meditations. Taking 5 minutes during the day to focus on your breath and relax is a great way to create equilibrium in the body.
Essential oils have been thought to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Using an essential oil diffuser in your home with certain oils can be a potential prophylactic measure. We recommend the following blend of oils: tea tree, bergamot, and lemongrass.
Acupuncture is a wonderful medicine that has a strong focus on preventing illness before it arises. The exterior surface of our body is safeguarded by “wei qi” which can be translated as “protective qi”. When a pathogen comes in contact with our bodies it is the strength of our wei qi that determines if we will become sick and how sick we will become.
Wei qi is created by the refinement of the food and water we consume. The ability for our bodies to process what we ingest properly depends on the strength of our “constitution” and the strength of our digestive system. Our constitution is what we inherited from our parents and it cannot be altered. However, we can preserve what we have inherited by taking care of our bodies through eating a balanced and healthy diet, incorporating movement into our lifestyle and getting good sleep. Acupuncture can be used to improve the digestive system, bolster wei qi and normalize the body’s immune response.