Keeping Well During Covid 19
As COVID 19 becomes more present in our community, it’s a very good time to strengthen and take care of our immunity and our Lung qi. In Oriental Medicine immunity is closely related to the Metal Element and the Lungs and Large Intestine organ systems. While much of what is happening may feel out of our control, here are a number of simple tips you can use at home to boost your “wei qi”, or defensive qi:
EAT WELL Wholefood, organic, local foods are your best friends. In Oriental Dietary Therapy white coloured foods boost the Lungs – onion, potato, leek, radish. Cook some potato and leek soup or miso soup with spring onions. Add plenty of fresh herbs and fragrant spices to your cooking: garlic, ginger and shitake mushrooms in particular boost your immune system. Include probiotic fermented foods and drinks (sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, kombucha, kefir) to balance and strengthen your gut microbiome - which makes up a huge part of our immune system. Reduce or completely avoid processed foods, sweets, beer, and frozen foods. If juicing is part of your daily diet, add more vegetable juices and supplement with fresh ginger, turmeric, parsley, coriander and small amounts of garlic to offset the cooling and dampening nature of fruit juices.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP 8 hours average is ideal, sleep allows our body to repair and our immune system to work optimally.
STAY CALM In uncertain times, its common and normal to feel anxious, worried and fearful. Stress however triggers the fight-or- flight adrenal response, which suppresses the immune system. In the long term this makes us more vulnerable to infection. Make time to do things which relax and calm your spirit – garden, take a bath, go for a surf, read a novel.
GET OUTSIDE, BREATHE DEEPLY Take time outside, breathe, do moderate exercise. Lung qi is stimulated through deep breathing, yoga, qi gong, tai chi and meditation practice. Many breathing practices also directly calm the nervous system. Take advantage of the many online yoga and meditation courses available – a number of these are free or have free trials.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE WIND Keep your neck and upper back covered in the wind, cover your body up after exercise, keep your feet and lower back warm. In Oriental Medicine these parts of your body are vulnerable to catching chills and “wind” that leads to colds and flus.
STRETCHES AND SELF SHIATSU ACUPRESSURE To stimulate Lung qi, do chest and shoulder opening stretches and gentle tapping massage on your face around your cheeks, sides of nose, sides of neck, chest and along the inside of your arms down to your thumbs.
ADD CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE TO YOUR HEALTH REGIME See a herbalist for personalised support and/or antiviral herbs.
KEEP YOUR HOME AND WORK SPACES CLEAN Regularly wash hands with soap, and clean high use surfaces like doorknobs, handles, taps. Opening windows as much as possible and diffusing essential oils with antibacterial properties (eg Tea tree, Lavendar) can help cleanse the air in indoor spaces.
LET GO In Oriental Medicine the Lungs are closely connected to the emotions of grief, loss and sadness. Finding ways to process what you no longer need to hold onto will support your Lung qi – journal, draw, seek counselling therapy, whatever works for you.
I hope this gives you some helpful tools to keep safe and keep well x Olivia