The arrival in Seattle and the United States, of Covid-19 has been an eye-opening experience.  It landed on our shores and is altering our daily lives in ways we never really could have imagined. There have been those trying to educate us to become prepared, only apparently we were not listening.  It seems to be easier for us to respond in a crisis than prepare and prevent one.  Now is the time to begin developing a plan to improve your health and wellness foundation. Statistics are showing that those with underlying health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and respiratory issues are most vulnerable to this new and deadly virus. This is your motivation and opportunity to take steps to get healthier-small steps often make big changes!

(From Harvard Health Publishing-Harvard Medical School)

Healthy Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System

Your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward naturally keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as these:

·         Don’t smoke.

·         Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

·         Exercise regularly.

·         Maintain a healthy weight.

·         If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.

·         Get adequate sleep.

·         Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.

·         Try to minimize stress.

From WSJ 3/12/20

Facts and Myths

+Keep your stress levels down-do not panic , try to minimize stress

+Exercise-low and moderate intensity exercise helps your immune-system function-30 to 60 mInutes a day

+Get adequate sleep-7-8 hours a night for adults and children should get more

+Make sure your vaccines are up to date-especially the flu vaccine

+Eat plain yogurt every day-it will boost your probiotics which supports the good bacteria living in your body that helps to fight off bad bacteria or viruses-garlic, onion, ginger, sauerkraut and fermented foods support your microbiome

+Watch your diet-balanced with colorful fruits and vegetables to get the nutrients your body needs-dark green, leafy vegetables, berries, seeds and nuts and minimize foods with sugar and trans fats.  Your system needs fuel so avoid ultralow-carbohydrate diets-drink lots of water and reduce your alcohol intake

+Stop smoking or vaping-smokers and those with repiratory diseases have a higher rate of serious illness and complications from the coronavirus 

During the coming weeks we all need to GET OUTSIDE!