Things are so tough right now. Never before have we gone through anything this big. Never in our wildest imaginations could we conjure up something this devastating (well, that’s not entirely true, but that is a discussion for a different time and forum).
There’s so much news out there and I find myself both drowning in it – and fighting to avoid much of it these days – even though I’m a health journalist and a naturally curious person.
Alas, although I search for good news, my eyes are drawn to the bad news, too. Maybe that’s human nature, sort of like rubbernecking, when you can’t just resist looking at the bad stuff. You know the way rubbernecking slows down traffic? Well, in my unscientific opinion, news rubbernecking slows down the part of the brain that is able to be rational and calm and take it, instead, to a very bad place. I’ll even admit to more than a few meltdowns (blowouts?) along the way.
And so, I’ve been pretty much steering clear of the news, save for some snippets here and there. Here are some I found to be helpful and sans the mental anguish.
Don’t wash your produce in detergent or soap. All we want to do is clean, clean, clean. And it’s tempting to clean produce with soap and water – and is even advised by some. But it’s really not a good idea. Soap is designed for cleaning things like hands and surfaces, not for things you eat. An online fact sheet from the FDA states that washing produce under cold running tap water will remove any lingering dirt and reduce any bacteria that may be present. Firmer produce, like apples or potatoes, can be scrubbed with a brush. (And remember that for general food safety you should always refrigerate any fresh-cut salad or fruit.)
We’re all feeling stress and anxiety. (If you’re not, I’d love to hear from you on ways you’re coping.) Staying healthy means more than just eating right and social distancing. It’s just as important to take care of your mind. Teletherapy is one way to connect with a mental health professional. It’s been around for a very long time – in fact, I wrote about it, as it relates to overworked millennials, back in September for CNBC. But now more than ever, it’s relevant and handy, and relates to all of us.
Other ways to keep your anxiety at bay:
- Practice mindfulness
- Stay connected with others
- Exercise – it releases valuable endorphins to combat stress
Here’s the way being a cancer survivor helped prepare me to deal with Covid-related fears.
A temporary (for many of us) new normal is working from home. And even though working from home is my same old normal-normal, writing this article gave me a refresher on how to do it better. Hope it will give you some ideas, too.
It’s more important now than ever to stay healthy. It’s crucial to keep your immune system in tip-top shape right now. Besides concentrating on nutritious foods, you need to move your body. This bears repetition. Just move. It’s still okay to walk, bike or run outside (keeping a safe distance from other people, of course, of about six feet). There’s evidence that being out in nature – called “forest bathing”- can boost immunity and mood.
If you can’t get out, walk inside, even if it’s just around your living room! Many gyms and fitness instructors are also offering virtual classes.
What about zinc? There’s been a lot going around the Internet about zinc as a treatment for coronavirus. While that’s not true – it won’t prevent you from getting it – what is true is that if you do get coronavirus and in turn, get a cold, zinc may help shorten the duration and severity of that cold.
Where did beauty go? I never thought this would happen – but there are some days I don’t get out of my PJs and don’t put on a stitch of makeup. But on the rare days that I do – and I swear I’m going to make it a habit – I feel infinitely better. The New York Times writes about how waxing, hair dye and facials have come home and online. (I’m still too chicken to attempt hair dye, but vanity might kick in soon…I’m not quite ready for the go-gray movement.)
And if all you want to do is escape to a spa (I know I do), the spa will come to you: Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health is offering virtual services like one-on-one tarot and psychic readings (please predict that this will be over soon!) plus Ayurvedic counseling and life coaching.
I love, love, love this story: Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City has instructed medical teams to call the operator and say “Code Sun” when a patient is taken off a ventilator or discharged. This is in direct contrast to saying “Code Blue” each time a patient is in distress, and uses the same public address system to do so. To make it even better, they add in a snippet of the song, “Here Comes the Sun.”
Stay healthy. Stay safe. We will gather, hug, kiss and celebrate again. And to all on the frontlines…a huge heartfelt dose of gratitude.
2. A temporary new normal is working from home. And even though working from home is my normal-normal, writing this article gave me a refresher on how to do it better. Hope it will give you some ideas, too!
3. While we’re at it, might as well make some healthy snacks. I finally got around to trying this recipe for banana chocolate chip energy bites (I added some probiotic powder to it, but you don’t need to if you don’t have any), and it’s a big hit in my house (even for certain people, whose names I won’t mention, ahem, who shiver at the thought of eating chia seeds and flaxseed). I fear I soon will have to start hiding away my secret stash so they don’t devour the whole thing!
4. It’s more important now than ever to stay healthy. It’s crucial to keep your immune system in tip-top shape right now, and besides concentrating on nutritious foods, you need to move your body. It’s still okay to walk, bike or run outside (keeping a safe distance from other people, of course, of about six feet). If you can’t get out, walk inside, even if it’s just around your living room! Many gyms and fitness instructors who are offering virtual classes, too.
Staying healthy means more than just eating right and social distancing. It’s just as important to take care of your mind.
And if all you want to do is escape to a spa (I know I do), the spa will come to you: Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health is offering virtual services like one-on-one tarot and psychic readings (please predict that this will be over soon!) plus ayurvedic counseling and life coaching.