Immunity and Healthy Lungs: COVID-19
Self care is always called for, at this time even more so. The more we care for ourselves and our bodies the easier it will be for our bodies to protect us. The immune system is phenomenal at "killing" foreign invaders, i.e., viruses. A nourished, well cared for immune system will be able to perform its job more proficiently and effectively than a depleted, compromised immune system.
One theory of Chinese Medicine is called the Five Element Theory. The five elements are Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal. The idea is that everything follows a "creation cycle" which moves from one element to the next, similar in the way one season moves into the next season and around again. Life as a whole follows this path.
Self care practices following Chinese Five Element theory that benefit our immune systems and support peace of mind:
Water, sleep, staying hydrated, and washing hands: Water is the most yin of the five elements. It relates to times of rest and when the body replenishes.
The immune system and body work best when well hydrated. The lungs and mucous membranes prefer, and function better, when moist. If they are dry it is difficult for them to defend themselves.
Drink more warm fluids than you are used to drinking. Broths are nourishing.
Take warm/hot showers or baths, steam with essential oils. The steam moistens the respiratory system.
Use a humidifier, especially at night. Make sure to use one that is germ free.
Minimize alcohol intake. Alcohol dehydrates the body. In Chinese Medicine alcohol adds "damp heat" to the body. Chinese practitioners are referring to the coronavirus as "Toxic Damp." In other words now is not the ideal time to be adding "dampness" to our bodies.
Wash your hands.
Get enough sleep: Inadequate sleep is one of the primary ways we run our immune defenses down. Night is Yin, in comparison to day which is Yang. Yin is about rest, slowing down and regenerating. Sleep is when the body rejuvenates and detoxifies. Start winding down earlier than you normally would, dimming lights and turning off screens. Try getting more sleep during this time of uncertainty. You can use essential oils that clear the air of infections and stress. White noise or nature sounds can create a calm and restful ambiance for deeper sleep.
Wood, movement (exercise) and nature: Wood relates to now, Spring, when everything is coming alive. The plants move up out of the earth toward the light.
Exercise promotes blood flow, which allows our immune cells to rally and circulate. This improves our resilience. Over exercising depletes our reserves, thereby depleting our immune systems. Balance is key in all we do.
Spend time in nature. Connecting to the earth promotes natural rhythms and decreases stress. Give yourself some time everyday away from screens and the incessant fear being broadcast daily.
Fire, connection and laughter: Fire is coziness, joy and connection. We are all in this together.
Massage yourself and/or your loved ones. Massage, Gua Sha and Tui Na (Chinese medical massage) bring immune cells to the surface of your skin where they are needed to defend you. In Chinese Medicine this is called Wei Qi (Defensive Qi).
Playful humor and laughter have been shown to rally immune resilience, releasing the immobilization of fear. Consider watching comedies and telling jokes. This is a good way to gain perspective and shift the nervous system out of fight-or flight.
Earth, food and conversation: Earth provides us with our food, nourishment. It also relates to the nourishment we give and gain through conversation with each other.
Our digestive system is intimately connected to our immune system. Taking time to eat slowly and enjoy a meal gives our body time and energy to "nourish" us. If we are rushing and doing various tasks as we are eating, creating mindless eating, the body isn't given time and energy. This also may trigger fight-or-flight reactions, which ultimately deplete immune resilience. Prepare diverse, complex foods that comfort you. The Coronavirus is complex, so we must meet it with complexity. This type of diet trains our immune cells to be vigilant. Eating food that takes time to prepare, like soups and stews, gives your body and immune system the warmth they need to take care of you.
Conversing with others at this time of uncertainty is important. Conversations during mealtime add to the nourishment of the meal. If you are quarantined you can use various digital modes of communication to connect with others. Recent studies have shown how detrimental loneliness is to our physical well-being, which ultimately affects our immune system. Storytelling is a wonderful way to spend the passage of time and creates warmth and coziness. Stories become wonderfully cherished memories.
Metal, breath and excretion: Metal relates to autumn, the time when trees let go of their leaves, concentrate their resources inside and prepare for winter.
Breathing exercises are a way to strengthen our lungs and respiratory immune defenses. On inhalation we bring in clean, freshly oxygenated air and on exhalation we release what we no longer need, as well as toxins. Breathing exercises are calming and help us ground and getour nervous systems out of fight-or-flight.
Breathing fresh, clean, moist air is ideal to maximize lung and respiratory function. Remember the lungs and mucous membranes like moist.
It is important to have regular bowel movements. Constipation is a common problem in this country. This is due partly to our dietary habits, but also to the chronic stress we project onto our bodies by being in constant fight-or-flight. Bowel movements are how our body "lets go" of anything we no longer need -- toxins, stress, and waste. The digestive system ingests, assimilates and lets go of what we don't need. During this time of uncertainty we are receiving a lot of information that isn't clear and often changes from one day to the next. It is important we get rid of what we do not need and don't allow it to build up in our systems.
Disclaimer:
This and all information mentioned on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical practitioner. If you feel you are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19 be sure to contact your primary healthcare provider immediately and follow the advice of local, state, and national guidelines.