As promised here is how to Keep Healthy In Lockdown Part 2. I do hope you enjoyed my previous blog – I’ve had some fantastic feedback from many of you about it. Thank you for that.
Keep Healthy in Lockdown Part 2 – Ideas to keep the body healthy
In the first part of this blog series I talked about the importance of keeping the brain healthy during lockdown. I suggested ways in which we can keep our grey matter firing.
Keep Healthy in Lockdown Part 2 is all about the body. Although none of our systems are entirely independent – a good cardio workout will increase the blood supply to the brain. In addition it will aid cognitive function.
A yoga class will improve joint and muscle flexibility, but also has many benefits in calming and relaxing the mind.
How to Keep Healthy during Lockdown Part 2 – Drink Plenty of Water
This is so easy to do, so cheap and yet does amazing things for our bodies.
There isn’t a single function in our bodies that doesn’t need water including our immune systems.
There’s evidence that dehydration makes breathing more difficult. Our lungs are 85% water but if we’re dehydrated the mucus thickens. Thus making breathing more difficult.
We all need about 1-1.5 litres of water a day, depending on our size and activity levels. If that sounds alot, try increasing amounts slowly.
You can always add slices of lemon, lime or even cucumber to ring the changes.
Dance like no-one is watching
Like a lot of people I used to be a reluctant exerciser, but over the years, have found exercise makes me feel amazing. Now I know I’m as healthy as I am, because I make the time and effort to exercise.
So now it’s a regular part of my life.
But finding something to do, when access to facilities is limited, is a challenge. Furthermore, add in the apathy and it all gets a lot less likely to happen.
But from your messages, lots of you are taking the time and feeling better for it.
Here’s a list of some of the best apart from the obvious, getting out for a daily walk.
- Take an on-line class. There’s everything from yoga, pilates, Zumba, Spinning out there. A great way to support a local business as well.
- YouTube is full of instruction videos. Take a look at yogawithadriene.com I tried Beth’s 30 minute core workout from Trifecta Pilates and couldn’t laugh for the next day!! And of course, we can’t forget Joe Wicks.
- Many local personal trainers are offering 1-2-1 coaching via video link. This is a great idea if you lack motivation and/or you want to make sure you don’t hurt yourself.
- This is a great home workout, if you’re missing the gym. The trainer uses all sorts of things found around the house as gym kit such as a tin of paint, sauce bottle, bottle of wine!!! Exercise with these household objects for a full-body workout during quarantine
- Last but not least, put on your favourite dance music and dance like no-one is watching. My favourite at the moment is Amazon Prime 50 Songs That Make You Feel Happy. And let’s be honest, if anyone is watching, who cares!
Eat the Rainbow
The rainbow has become an important symbol during the Coronavirus pandemic. It represents hope and solidarity. Good things to come after the storm.
But for years, I have followed Patrick Holford’s advice that we should eat a rainbow every day. For instance a myriad of fruit and vegetables. The more varied they are in colour, the greater the range of vitamins and minerals we will be absorbing.
It makes sense doesn’t it? Technically, eating 5 bananas is eating 5 pieces of fruit, but so is eating 5 portions of:-
- red pepper
- an orange
- kurly kale
- blueberries and
- an avocado – but there’s so much more nutrition in the latter.
Support your Immune System and keep healthy in Lockdown
If you are eating more than 5 fruits and veg a day you’re well on your way to supporting and strengthening your immune system. But here are a few more ideas to reinforce that.
- Adding spices to your food is a great and tasty way to help – turmeric, garlic and ginger have been used for centuries as natural medicines.
- There’s really interesting evidence that Vitamin C supplements are essential to our immune health. Animals that make their own Vitamin C tend to not get colds and flu. Check out Patrick Holford’s podcast series about research into the effects of Vitamin C on fighting infections. There’s even interesting research in China on the effect of Vitamin C on COVID-19.
- Omega 3 and omega 6 are essential fatty acids, essential being the key word. Great sources include fish and other seafood such as:-
- salmon
- mackerel
- tuna
- herring, and
- sardines.
Nuts and seeds, such as :-
- flaxseed
- chia seeds, and
- walnuts.
Plant oils, such as:-
- flaxseed oil
- soybean oil, and
- canola oil.
Use Aromatherapy Oils
One of the nicest ways to look after your respiratory system is to use essential oils.
In order for them to benefit the respiratory system, they have to be inhaled. Therefore, using a diffuser, some drops in a bowl of warm water, or a few drops into some body lotion would be effective. Likewise rubbed into the chest. My favourites for benefitting respiration are:
- Eucalyptus – one sniff of this oil and you can really feel it clearing the chest and lifting the mucus.
- Frankincense – traditionally used for grief and anxiety (but who doesn’t need some of that at the moment). Frankincense also has expectorant properties, helping to clear the chest.
- Lemon – refreshing and uplifting. In addition supportive of the immune system and it has antiseptic properties.
- Peppermint -wonderful clearing properties. Furthermore this can help to relieve headaches. But be careful. It’s strong and can irritate the eyes and the skin if not diluted enough.
All of the above oils can be used on their own or better still blended together to enhance their effect.
I hope this gives you some food for thought and inspires you to take on a new challenge. Of course, it doesn’t go without saying that, I hope you are staying safe and looking after yourself and your loved ones.
If you need someone to talk to or advice – specific or general, please feel free to text or ring me on my mobile – we could even have a ‘virtual’ coffee via FaceTime, Skype or some such technology.