healthy eating

Beating Anxiety During COVID-19 

I’ve said this time and time again – these are tough times. The unpredictable days ahead are definitely getting the best of our emotions. With that being said, ANXIETY is at an all time high.  This pandemic of coronavirus leaves us feeling isolated, unsure, and to some extent feeling a sense of hopelessness. This is definitely a time where the only thing to do is rely on government officials and doctors. As we all know, social distancing is a MUST. As long as we are doing our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, then that in itself should be enough to give us some peace of mind.

What can we do to make these frustrating times less frustrating?

Tackling our NEW NORMAL is key. Although it can be crazy getting used to, it’s not impossible.   Simply acknowledging that your emotions can shift from morning to night is a normal feeling. It’s okay to not understand everything that you are feeling right now.  Embrace that and know that there are a number of things we still have control over.

How to manage your anxiety?

Self care is displayed in more than one way and it can be different for everyone.  One of the most important things on our mind should be how can I boost my immune system.  You already know that your immune system is your body’s best defence against flus, colds and viruses.

Staying active and remaining calm / unagitated is exactly what you need to do. This is so that when your immune system needs to fight off sickness, it is at its strongest. Anxiety can cause an overactive immune system. Though having an active immune system is good, if you over stimulate it, it can cause a weakened reaction when it’s really needed.

Restorative Sleep

Sleep always seems to be one of our number one defenses. Lack of sleep, sleep apnea, or insomnia are some sleep disorders that can cause internal inflammation by reducing your T-cell count and increasing inflammatory cytokines which makes us more susceptible to illness.

For that reason, try to maintain a regular sleep schedule and keep your bedroom dark and free from distractions. Doing these things enables your body to enter REM sleep.

Healthy Eating

You should be eating a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure that your body is getting enough antioxidants.  Adding in calming foods, such as flaxseeds, olive oil, fish and spices like, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, and basil, can help to quiet an overactive immune system.  

Avoid inflammatory foods, such as sugar, hydrogenated and trans fats found in processed foods, white bread, rice, cereal. You should also take care to limit the consumption of red meat, and egg yolks.  

Commit to Quit

Quitting all nicotine habits is a MUST.  I won’t get into all the reasons why smoking is bad, however, I will add that smokers have raised white blood cells which indicate elevated inflammation levels in the body.  Once a smoker quits, their immune activity improves within 30 days.

Relaxation Rituals

Deep relaxed breathing exercises and meditation can significantly boost our immune system and reduce inflammation by reducing the effects of stress.  Making time for such practices, like yoga, tai chi, and daily meditation can improve your overall quality of life.

The Bottom Line

I want you to know that Sleek Physique is always here to support you. By providing you with all this information, I hope to usher you into a world filled with limitless possibilities. That has been and will always be my commitment to you. I wish you well during these times and hope that you find ways to reduce your stress in the days to come.