I know you know, but here’s a little reminder…

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Monday, 16 March 2020

So often I forget. But now with the increased risk, I’ve tapped back into the innate knowing I have about how to take care of myself and boost my immune system. Friends have been asking so I’d like to share what I’m doing. If it feels good to you, great. If not, find something else that does. And while you’re looking, keep in mind the things you loved as a kid — playing outside, Smarties, hanging with a pet, that type of thing.

Food

What we put in our bodies has a huge impact on our immune system and our general wellbeing. I’ve been going heavy on the curry spices — cumin, coriander, chilli, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, black pepper — and eating lots of veggies and lentils. I’m also giving wheat a break and making the most of the home-made fermented veggies that have been lurking in my fridge since last year. That’s powerful stuff and clears a lot of stagnant stuff from my system.

Hydrate

Drinks lots of water and less of the other things. I’ve been making some amazing herbal teas with ginger and turmeric roots and fresh basil or with lemon and dried hibiscus flowers. Add in some brown rice syrup and this is super comforting.

Snacks

I need a snack now and then when I’m working. I keep a box of roasted, salted cashew nuts and Smarties in the cupboard next to my desk and now and then, I get in there. It helps me stay on track and not go wandering off to the kitchen every five minutes. I also have a kettle in my studio so once I come in to work, I’m only leaving to go to the bathroom.

Vitamins

I wouldn’t run out and buy them but take a look at what you have at home. I’m currently taking 1 gram of vitamin C with bioflavonoids with breakfast, milk thistle for the liver at lunchtime and magnesium for twitchy muscles and to help me sleep at bedtime. Whatever feels right for you can’t hurt right now.

Aromatherapy

I got into aromatherapy in my teens and I’ve always loved it. I have a selection of beautiful blends that I spray around my desk and in my bedroom. I also have individual oils that I drop onto a cloth next to my desk, on tiled floors, in the sink, in the shower. (Do your own research on this as aromatherapy can melt surfaces.)

Amazing image from @iconeo. Nature heals

Sleep

This is the one I find the hardest as come bedtime, I’m jacked up on ideas of how I can help serve the community and then it’s hard to sleep. But having a regular bedtime, a little heatpad and aromatherapy spray does help, as does staying away from my phone before bed. If I put my phone on airplane a couple of hours before bed, I sleep better. If I’m messaging right up to bedtime and in bed then once I’m lying there trying to sleep, I keep wanting to reach for the phone. Airplane mode is my friend, also increasingly in the day when I’m working.

Routine

I have struggled, nay raged, against the idea of routine for most of my life. But now, at the grand old age of 43, I am working on reframing it and experimenting (not forcing) with bringing some structure to my day. As someone who usually works from home, it’s easy to procrastinate and even easier to distract myself with ‘just’ preparing dinner or reading something or putting on the laundry. Now I have designated time slots for different activities, including meditation and walks. I’m still in the test phase but if it works over time, I will share more.

Community

We are self-isolating at home right now as I just came back from France and Spain and my partner was at the office. And just because it makes sense and is the responsible thing to do. So I’m keeping in touch with friends and family, checking in and seeing how people are doing. I’m going to be hosting some online community calls where we can come together and support each other. And I’m posting feel-good nature and food pictures on Instagram at @katydot76 and @awalkinthewoodsbe.

Gratitude 🙏

Gratitude really helps reduce stress. Stress damages our immune system and our mental ability. So I am thankful to be able to spend this time at home and take care of myself. I am enjoying not having to go out. I feel genuine joy at being able to sort things out at home and just drink my tea. I send love to my friends and family and to the whole world. Love and gratitude kick fear’s butt every time.

Nature 🌲

This last point is probably the most important. We can still go outside into nature or for a walk. We just need to keep our distance from people. We can open our windows and air the house. And we can take care of our houseplants and gardens if we have them. I’ve been spending time in the woods most days, gently walking and sitting on a fallen tree or the forest floor. Leaning against a tree, watching the wild things, seeing the plants, the trees, the birds is the most calming thing. The benefits of nature for healing and immune boosting are proven, even if it’s a small city park or the tree outside your window.

I wish you all the best. Stay safe, stay home ❤️