Want to know how you can protect yourself and your family from Coronavirus? As COVID-19 continues to develop, Mummy Mojo are sharing their practical tips about how you can stay calm and support your immune system to better fight off illness or reduce the length and severity of symptoms.
With 24-hour news updates and sensational reporting about Coronavirus (COVID-19), the world is seemingly in a tailspin. Our newsfeeds and televisions are filled with images from around the world of deserted cities, closed schools, empty shelves and hysterical people fighting over toilet roll.
It’s not surprising people are starting to feel helpless and anxious about how they can best protect themselves and their family from this virus. Here are my top tips for things you can do to support your immune system and stay healthy.
1. Stay calm
It is important to try to stay calm. Fear creates anxiety and stress, which can have an adverse effect on our health, particularly our immune system. Don’t feed this fear. Get on with your life, visualise you and your family as healthy and well, and take some simple prevention steps.
2. Keep the germs away
Don’t let the Coronavirus germs enter your body! A few ways you can do this…
- Wash your hands regularly
- Teach children to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds – approximately the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. You can also support hand washing by using a hand sanitiser, particularly when out of the house.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Don’t shake hands.
- Use your knuckle, elbow or gloved hand in public areas.
- Always wash your hands when you’ve been in a public place.
3. Maintain balance in your lives
To improve your overall health and to help build a strong immune system:
- Get 7-9 hours sleep a night
- Get daily fresh air
- Practice daily self-care
- Exercise regularly
- Reduce your family’s exposure to toxins
4. Use social media mindfully
You are in charge of what pages you follow and how much “news” you consume. Get your updates and advice from a trusted source such as the Department of Health. Avoid the temptation to constantly check social media looking for updates. This will just put you on edge and add to your stress levels. Scaremongering headlines sell, but they also create unnecessary panic.
5. Use mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety and keep calm
Focus on what you can control in the present moment, and away from worrying about things in the future that you cannot control. Practicing meditation and breathing exercises will help to keep stress hormones in check. There are many mindfulness practices that you can do with the kids to help with anxiety.
6. Look after your gut!
70% of your immune system resides in your gut. When your gut microbiome is out of balance your entire system can suffer. Support a healthy gut by taking a good quality probiotic, and eat organic, nutritious food containing lots of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Reduce alcohol, processed foods, sugar and other food allergens.
7. Drink lots of water
Keep the family hydrated with 8-10 cups a day of pure, filtered water.
8. Eat foods with more Vitamin C
A lack of Vitamin C has been known to increase susceptibility to viruses and add to an increased risk of influenza infections. So include plenty of food in your diet that is packed full of vitamin C – like oranges, kiwi fruit, capsicum and pineapple. These are perfect for smoothies, lunch boxes, and after school snacks.
9. Stay positive & connected
If you are required to self-isolate, try to keep your spirits up and stay positive. Look for opportunities to laugh, and stay connected to your loved ones via phone, text or video chat.
By following these basic preventative measures, calming techniques and immune-boosting activities you can feel confident that you are doing the very best you can for you and your family in these uncertain times.
Got any questions about your health? Get in touch with Amy via the Mummy Mojo website. Amy is a qualified health coach and has lots of experience in this area – she is happy to answer any questions from worried mums.
