Never has it been more important to look after your physical and emotional health than in this time of social distancing and isolation. For many, this is a time of stress and uncertainty. Below I have listed my top solutions for taking care of your physical health and emotional well-being.
Echinacea To Support Your Immune System
Echinacea is a native North American flowering plant called the Coneflower that closely resembles the common daisy and is classified as an herb.
This perennial plant can live for as many as five or six years and can grow to be as tall as four feet. The flowers are usually pink or purple with a larger multicolored center cone that holds the seeds. There are about nine different types of wild coneflower on several different continents.
Echinacea has long been used to improve health. (Source)
Immune Support
The most common way that echinacea is currently used is simply for immune support. It is widely used in Europe and North America for common colds. Based on what form in which the echinacea comes, the supplements all differ in their composition, due to what part of the plant material is used, the extraction methods used and the addition of other components.
It would be preferable to ingest the plant in a tea or chewed form to get the maximum benefits that come from echinacea.
It has been noted that those who regularly consume echinacea generally experience colds and cases of flu for about half of the length of most people. It also reduces the severity and chances of getting colds. (Source)
Infection Killer
Another way that echinacea is a great ally to your immune system is that it can directly fight off infections. When microorganisms get into the body, a weak immune system could expose you to the possibility of being overrun with illness.
Echinacea helps the body by killing these agents, and some have even noted that it can kill serious viral infections. It can’t eliminate these viruses, but it can keep them low enough to reduce the appearances of some of the more serious symptoms that are caused by these illnesses.
Getting Your Gut in Shape
I don’t mean crunches or planks. I’m talking about strengthening the most significant influence on your immune system. Your gut is the seat of your immune system so eating clean, avoiding sugar and drinking half your bodyweight in ounces of water per day, can go a long way to support your immune system.
Below are my top supplement recommendations for healing and supporting your gut health to prepare yourself for COVID-19. Most of these supplements can be found on my Fullscript Dispensary.
RepairVite GT
RepairVite GT from Apex Energetics helps to soothe an inflamed, leaky gut. If your gut is not filtering properly, you’re letting viruses and toxins directly into your bloodstream! Repairvite GT has an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut lining so your immune system can stay strong.
Glutathione
Glutathione is the most potent antioxidant which helps to reduce oxidative stress. This helps when your glutathione levels have been reduced because of poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and/or stress. I like to support my body and immune system by taking extra glutathione daily.
ReadiSorb and Researched Nurtitionals are a couple of my favorite glutathione products that I take orally. Apex Energetics also has an incredible transdermal glutathione cream called Super Oxicell that I like to use daily as well.
MegasporeBiotic Probiotic
This probiotic helps to provide a variety of bacteria for creating and maintaining a healthy gut barrier function. MegasporeBiotic reconditions your gut by promoting microbial diversity and maintaining key health-promoting gut bacteria. It also has some anti-microbial properties as well.
MegasporeBiotic is very potent and effective so be sure to add it into your regimen slowly. For example, you may want to take one every other day for a few days and then when things seem stable, start taking one every day. Work your way up to taking two capsules per day with your first meal that contains some protein.
Zinc
Zinc Assay from Premier Research Labs is an incredible product that you can add directly to your water bottle. This form of zinc helps with the restoration of your immune system and intestinal lining. And I love that it doesn’t make me feel nauseous!
D3/K2
Research has shown the taking D3/K2 can be as effective or more effective than a flu shot! D3 needs to be taken in conjunction with K2 in order to be able to absorb and utilize it. Look for a supplement that has both D3 and K2 in it. D3/k2 is fantastic for supporting the mucous membranes and immune system.
My very favorite is the D3/K2 product from Systemic Formulas because it also supports the Liver and Kidneys. This product is not available on Fullscript so if you’d like to try it, just give the office a call at 831-373-6204 and we can hook you up.
Our bodies make D3 when we are out in the sun, so be sure to get some sunshine daily. There is an app called DMinder to help you know when the beneficial rays from the sun are happening, too!
Lavender To Boost Your Mood, Help You Sleep, & Relieve Stress
Lavender is one of the more commonly referred to herbs when you hear about essential oils and sleep. In fact, there is a huge misconception that lavender is only good for sleep and calming. The truth is, there are several healing benefits of lavender that most people may not even know about.
When it comes to essential oils, lavender is one of the most popular and most common. This is because it has a very mild, but pleasant scent, is easy to find, and has so many uses.
Natural Mood Boost
A wonderful benefit to lavender essential oil is improving your mood. Not only can it relax you and help with anxiety, but you can really just have a better mood and demeanor overall. One randomized, double-blind study testing the efficacy of a lavender essential oil capsule showed a pronounced antidepressant effect and improved general mental health. (Source)
If you have time for a bath, add a few drops to the bath water, and you will feel refreshed and like a brand new person once you get out. You can also make your own creams or lotions that you apply to your skin, helping you to be in a better mood in the morning while getting ready and before you head out the door.
Stop Your Insomnia
Sleep is an integral part of everyone’s daily schedule, but far too many people suffer from insomnia. This could be from a host of issues ranging from lack of solid sleep hygiene, hormonal imbalances, or anxiety. Since lavender has stress-reducing and sedative properties, it is a no-brainer to add it to your bedtime routine if insomnia is plaguing you. (Source)
Add some lavender drops to your oil diffuser, turn it on before bed, and enjoy those scents during your bedtime routine.
Relieve Your Stress
Are you dealing with a lot of stress in your life right now with all the uncertainty around the pandemic? Then lavender essential oil might be the answer. Everyone has stress, but when you notice it is taking over your life, causing anxiety attacks, depression, or lack of sleep, it is time to do something about it.
Lavender has been shown to reduce the effects of generalized anxiety disorder, even being compared with taking lorazepam, but without dangerous side effects or withdrawals. (Source)
Try using lavender in your diffuser or diluting it and rubbing it on pressure points like behind your ears or on your wrists, and you should start experiencing far less stress.
One last note! When purchasing lavender, make sure you are buying pure lavender. In some cases, you may be purchasing a dried form of lavender that has been enhanced in some way to add to the scent. These extra perfumes and sprays can detract from the healing properties of lavender and may actually cause allergic reactions. To ensure you are getting a pure lavender, use trusted sources like Young Living, or even grow it yourself!
Stress Busters
Here are some of my favorite ways to alleviate stress:
- Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! You don’t have to cut out exercise just because you can’t go to the gym. Melt that stress away with a few laps around the block. Walk. Run. Jump rope. Skip. Lift weights – or canned goods! Find a yoga or pilates session on YouTube.
- Breathe. Take some slow, deep breaths. Big belly breaths. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Learn how to alternate nostril breathe. It works for me every time. Check it out here.
- Take a break and get outside for some fresh air. Even a five minute break on the balcony can reset your stress levels. Better yet, do some deep breathing or stretches outside.
- Take a bath. I love taking a nice hot bubble bath with Miracle II soap, Epsom salts/Magnesium Flakes and baking soda. Mix a few drops of Young Living lavender essential oil to your bath salts too for a super relaxing time. Light some candles and play some soft music to top it all off.
- Drink plenty of water and eat healthy snacks. Hunger and dehydration can sneak up on you quickly and can provoke feelings of anxiety and stress. Keep your water bottle nearby and a handful of almonds or some fruit to stabilize your blood sugar.
- Practice letting go. Be aware of the next instance when you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry at something unimportant or trivial. Then practice letting go and make a conscious effort not to become stressed or upset. I have this mantra that I say to myself whenever I am becoming annoyed with someone, I say “Bless you. Wake up.” It works for me.
Also, I would love for you join our Facebook group Trina’s Healthy Happenings for 2020 , I will have updated information there on ways to stay safe and healthy during your time inside.