CREEPY VIRUSES AND 7 WAYS I AVOID THEM!

This blog post is going to assume a few things. First, you have been made aware that practices like not hanging out with sick people, frequently washing your hands, covering your mouth when you sneeze, getting vaccines if you choose to, etc., are all good ideas for avoiding or mitigating viral infections.  I'd like to sprinkle in a few more ideas for maintaining good resilience.

But first, this message:

None of this is medical advice. I am not a doctor. These are strategies that I use and that I believe are based on concepts that make sense. In no way should these be a substitute for the medical advice your doctor would give you if they were me. Which they are not.  Also, this blog post may be unusually long because it's meant to be chocked full of ideas and tools you can explore independently.  Get a pillow and some tea.

Okay!  You've got that.

Good.

I have horrible allergies (Virginia is literally the 3rd worst state for this).  In the past I was pretty terrible with staying consistently on the medsfor that.  However, that changed when Covid-19 hit and I made a point to be compliant.

Allergy seasons often coincide with the times of year that viral infections can start getting passed around. Also, what begins as an allergy attack can be early invitations for bacterial infections later. Staying diligent with keeping sinus cavities, throats, and lungs clear made a huge difference for me. Regular nasal lavage has also been helpful. Here's the Neti Bottle that I use, and here are the packets I add to distilled water. 

**New Update!  A super-smart lady advised me that I can simply pour the saline solution into the palm of my hand and "snort" it!  This can be even more effective as the force of the inhale seems to do an even better job of getting into those sinus folds.  It's a winner.  Thanks Beverly!

One of my tricks for looking like a nubile 22-year-old is wearing lots of sunscreen, which is ironic since I work 8 hours a day in the dark as a massage therapist.  It's not a perfect plan, and this strategy has a slight problem.  My Vitamin D levels can easily fall through the floor if I don't take steps.

Vitamin D has been touted to play a substantial role in preventing and treating viruses like COVID-19. The key message here is not to be low in vitamin D levels if one can help it. In some instances taking higher than average levels of vitamin D (30k IU's per day) has shown possibilities for reducing the risk of acute viral infections and pneumonia.  Click here to see a good PubMed Study on that.

With the widespread use of sunscreens and people generally living like cave trolls lately, it turns out that rock-bottom D levels may not be that difficult to achieve. Talk to your doctor about taking a look at them. Getting vitamin D through sunlight and K2 through food is always the better way, but it's possible to get both with a combo supplement.  When I was sick, I took 30k Vitamin D, for the duration of my symptoms and then returned to 2,000k every few days when I was well again.  Some folks should not do this, and you should check with your doctor to see if you're one of them.   

Newsflash: your adrenals are those things that kick in to help you when you are fighting infection. Constantly frazzling them with too much coffee, soda, sugar, and other stimulants might leave you with less pizazz. Fresh water with mint or basil is delicious and keeps me on an even keel.
Other stimulants you may not have thought of include staring endlessly at your Ipad, iPhone, computer, and television, which trick your brain into thinking you are stuck in perpetual noon. Give your eyes, brain, and adrenal system a break.  Take naps.  I have found this to be critical to maintaining an energy level that fosters an excellent immune defense.  Don't believe me?  Read "Lights Out" by TS Wiley and Brent Formby, and prepare to be fully enlightened.

I cannot emphasize this one enough. Anecdotally, I recall feeling viruses begin to creep in.  On the occasions that I could immediately rest on the spot, I could feel my body kicking it to the curb.  Fatigue is often one of the first symptoms of any viral infection and is a hallmark of COVID-19.  Be mindful of this strategy next time, and if doable, take an immediate silence bath. Severe fatigue means the body is fighting. Pay close attention to that.

Being well-rested is critical for resilience, as most of your immune function is sharpened during sleep. If you don't sleep well now, figure out why and fix that first.

I'm a Licensed Massage therapist, and touch happens to be my #1 Love Language, not to mention a great Immuno-booster.  I still give my loved ones and friends a big hug even in a pandemic, as long as everyone is as well as can be discerned.  You can read my blog on why I believe touch is important for health and immunity.

But unless you plan to live in a Ziplock Bag, chances are you will encounter a viral infection at some point. Since Covid-19 has become a thing, you can bet I've stepped up my game.  However, there have been times that I got exposed, yet I was only really burdened to take days off work just once...and believe me, that's not my norm.  I'm usually out of work for 2-4 weeks every year thanks to some bug I've caught.  Since making these changes? I've missed 3 days in two years, mostly to quarantine myself in case I actually got symptoms worse than the mild ones I suspected.

Check this out:  Here's what I did the moment I suspected I was possibly hit with a virus!

I'd love to hear what non-vaccine/non-pharmacological practices you use to stay healthy as we emerge from the pandemic.  Share them in the comments below!

Yours in Wellness,

Anna R Bennett, MS, CMT
Owner, Therapeutic Massage of Williamsburg
hello@therapeuticmassageofwilliamsburg.com
By Appointment Only, 757-585-5981