Last Updated on 5 September 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
For some of us, the need to Self-Isolate may currently be or become necessary due to the rapidly evolving consequences of the COVID-19 virus. It makes sense to be prepared and accepting of this fact, understand the importance of why and ultimately look for the silver lining and utilise this time in a way that serves you best.
These are our Naturopathic suggestions when the need to Self-Isolate at home arises.
Home is the Remedy
Time at home can make all the difference in working on other aspects of your health alongside supporting and boosting Immune Health. It’s an opportunity to nourish your body with home-cooked meals and rest, both of which perhaps will work in your favour to improve digestion, Adrenal and Nervous System health alongside improving Immunity.
Here are some tips for incorporating Naturopathic care during Self-Isolation at home:
- Treat it as a Reset for your Health and Wellbeing
- Sleeping well, eating well, Exercising – these are the cornerstones of good health and a balance we are often trying to achieve in our daily lives.
Sleep
If you are sleep deprived, now is the time to play catch up, particularly because sleep and the Circadian system exert a strong regulatory influence on immune functions with strong evidence that sleep enhances immune defence. (1) If you are a night owl, try winding back when you go to bed by 15 minutes each night. Now may also be a chance to sleep a little more than usual – don’t feel guilty, go with it.
Good Nutrition
If your diet hasn’t been wonderful of late, it’s a great time to clean it up since adequate and appropriate nutrition is required for all cells to function optimally and this includes the cells in the immune system. (2) There’s more time to plan, prepare and cook meals from scratch – which means better control over what to eat. Please keep it simple and healthy. Try a new recipe. Do some batch cooking. Use what you have on hand and outsource what you can. Eat plenty of Fruit and Vegetables, when you can’t keep it fresh remember Frozen is just as good and Legumes can count as a serving of veg. Also, bump up the dried herbs and spices and use Ginger, Garlic, Onions or Leeks with several meals per day.
Also, practice Mindful Eating when you self-isolate- if you are working from home make sure to step away from your workspace and take time to enjoy your food without rushing by chewing each mouthful 20-30 times, this helps to ensure you are extracting all the nutrients from your food. Remember to stay Hydrated and if you must have Caffeine, switch it to Green tea.
Gentle movement
If exercise hasn’t been on your busy schedule for a while, here’s your chance to incorporate something light. The Immune System is very responsive to exercise – a single exercise session is an Immune System adjuvant that improves defence activity and metabolic health. (3) Keep it gentle and not prolonged just in case since illness risk increases in athletes during periods of intensified training and competition. Do something that makes you feel good to help keep stress levels down, play with the dog in the yard, do some gentle yoga, move organically!
Rest and Digest and Reduce Stress
Stress can impact immunity differently for individuals. The stress we may experience in response to the current affairs surrounding COVID-19 locally, nationally and globally is, of course, understandable. Processing the situation and supporting a healthy stress response is crucial as psychological stress suppresses immune function and increases susceptibility to infections. (4)
After periods of prolonged stress that persists for several hours per day for weeks or months (5), we may experience a knock-on effect known as Immunosuppression. It is all the more reason to be at home and gives us plenty of cause to nurture and nourish ourselves as best we can. We recommend Meditation which can be easily incorporated into home life. The stress-reduction and positive affect associated with Meditative practices can undo many of the Physiological reactions leading to Inflammation and reduced Immune Function brought on by negative emotions and stress. (6)` There are plenty of apps, YouTube channels and websites to provide you guidance to get started. Give it a try!
Get advice and extra support.
Lastly, consider an online Skype or phone consultation if you require further assistance. If you want to start an Immune Support Supplement routine, its always best to seek professional advice and check that there are no interactions with any Pharmaceutical and/or Prescription Medication you may be taking. On that note, remember to make sure you have stock of any Medications on hand before you start to Self-Isolate.
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