Community in Immunity.

Just a reminder to keep up your immunity up by exercising and eating right. I made myself a green juice with lots of ginger. Whether or not ginger actually boosts my immune system, it made me happy. And there’s plenty of scientific evidence that the happier you are, the more robust your immune system. So, do what makes you happy. Go outside. Get some exercise. You can take care of yourself in COVID-19 isolation.

Trying to preserve some sense of normalcy is really important for your wellbeing. Maintaining a routine like getting up and getting dressed, can positively affect mental health. *And good mental health promotes good physical health.*  For me, exercise is my catharsis in times of stress. Every little bit of movement counts, so even when confined to our homes, the key is to move. The American Heart Association recommends adults engage in at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 min/week of vigorous activity. So, next time you watch TV, do some squats during the commercials. Heel raises when you’re washing dishes. Lunges when you’re doing laundry. Knock out some push-ups when you’re waiting for water to boil. Dancing is also a great way to move your body. Turn on some music and boogie with your partner or kids.

A good rule to follow is to make sure you get your heart rate up, multiple times a day. Stairs can be your cardiovascular best friend and if you have access to stairs in your home or apartment, going up and down those stairs is a great way to get your blood pumping.

We are following shelter in place orders here in California, but you can still go for a walk or run if you stay close to home, as long as you’re able to maintain a reasonable amount of distance and you’re being good about hand hygiene. What counts is that you’re moving your body.

So get up. Go for that run. Do some squats. And stay strong for our community in immunity! I’ll be back tomorrow with some yoga stretches and exercises to keep that immune system strong!