Covid 19: Your Responsibility

Your strongest defense against all viral infections is a healthy immune system. Like all viruses, the Covid 19 virus is harder on people with compromised immune systems. Most people have compromised immune systems due to an over consumption of sugar, caffeine and alcohol, not getting enough exercise or sleep, and too much stressful thinking. All of these factors are within our personal control. Since it is our social responsibility to limit the spread of contagious diseases, it is our social responsibility to do whatever is within our power and capacity to strengthen our immune systems.

Chief among the risk factors within our control is sugar addiction. Consumption of more than 9 grams of refined sugar each day –and really all consumption of refined sugar – directly and immediately reduces your body’s immune response. Stop eating sugar now. Alcohol is also sugar, in this context.

Additionally, most of us do not engage in regular cardiovascular exercise, which directly and immediately increases our body’s immune response. If you do not exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week, at a level that makes you breathe heavily, start now. Ideally, exercise with an elevated heart rate for 45-60 minutes a day, 5 days a week. All you have to do is walk uphill. Of course, smoking also inhibits your immune function and is an obvious risk factor. Sometimes, we need a good excuse to quit. This new virus is an excellent excuse. Use it.

Lastly, most of us suffer from elevated levels of stress coupled with sleep deprivation – two factors that directly and immediately decrease your body’s immune response. Contrary to popular belief, most stress is not associated directly with external conditions beyond our control. Most stress originates in our minds, and is the result of thoughts and attitudes that we can change. One might say, “My job is stressful,” when in reality it is not the job, but the attitude about the job which is stressful. To change your attitudes, we encourage you to engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation every day. Additionally, we encourage you to limit the amount of time you allow yourself to think stressful thoughts. You are in charge of your own mind.

Additionally, the over-consumption of refined sugar and caffeine increase our stress response and decreases our quality of sleep. If you drink more than the equivalent of one cup of coffee each day, and if you drink coffee after lunch, stop now. Sleep is absolutely essential for a healthy immune system. Do not look at screens for at least one hour before you go to bed, and schedule your sleep so that you can get a full 7 or 8 hours. For most people, this usually means choosing to go to bed earlier.

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