As the nation fears COVID-19, I encourage you to try your best to remain calm.

While it’s necessary to adhere to the social distancing recommendations, (Stay home!), you’ve been proactive with your health. You’ve laid the foundation to support a healthy immune system.

Here’s what we know and a few reminders that will help you and your family to stay healthy.

This is a new virus. This means, no one has any immunity to it. Does that mean every single person will get seriously ill? Absolutely not.

Two things have to happen for you to get sick:

1. You must be exposed.

2. You have to be susceptible.

A healthy immune system can react quickly. In fact, many won’t even know that they’ve been infected with the virus.

What can you start doing today to help prepare your immune system?

• Continue to make healthy food choices. If you’re having trouble finding fresh, organic produce, substituting with frozen is encouraged. Remember, frozen produce was allowed to ripen on the vine longer so may actually be more nutrient dense than fresh – unless it’s locally grown and in season. You can also buy your greens for smoothies in larger quantities than normal and freeze what you won’t use within 5 days. Fresh, nutrient rich foods like peppers can be sliced and frozen.

• If you’re having trouble controlling your food cravings and find yourself making poor choices, try writing in a food journal. Record how you felt before you ate, how you felt after and after a few days, assess. You may discover that you make poor choices in times of stress. Instead of turning to food, try meditating, drinking a glass of water or going for a walk.

• Remember to hydrate. Your immune system is better equipped to respond to outside threats if you’re hydrated.

• Maintain a healthy sleep schedule – 7 to 9 hours. Avoid electronic devices 1 hour prior to bed. Wear blue-light blocking glasses in the evening.

• Go outside! You’re practicing social distancing but going for a walk around your neighborhood is encouraged. You need vitamin D from sunshine, exercise and fresh air. Being outside will also help to decrease stress levels.

• Minimize stress. Don’t sit around and watch the news. It will only increase your stress. Your body is listening to you. If you’re stressed and anxious all of the time, your body will be more susceptible to the virus.

• Exercise. Many of you are experiencing interrupted routines. Don’t let this keep you from getting physical activity. Even if you’re working from home, get up, walk around and work out. Increasing your heart rate spikes your body temperature and increases blood flow, both of which help to strengthen your immune system. If you’ve been attending group exercise classes and/or going to a gym, try doing free online workouts. You can also do simple things like marching in place during conference calls or doing 25 squats once an hour. Even if you’re stuck in your house, try to get as much activity as possible.

• Continue taking supplements that help to bolster the immune system. If you’d like help adjusting your supplements or adding some additional immune support, please contact the office via email at [email protected], and we’ll take care of you. We have developed a super immune boosting care package just for our clients!

• If you are up for the challenge join us for our Plant Power Immunity Boosting 21-Day challenge. For any of you have been on one of our programs or Detox plans you know how helpful guidance and routines can be especially at a time like this.

This isn’t a time to panic or hoard toilet paper (the virus rarely causes gastrointestinal issues). However, it is the perfect time to invest in your health.

Together, we’ll get through this.