My hubby always says there’s only one person you can control and that’s yourself. With all the crazy misinformation about the coronavirus and everyone guessing what’s going to happen and what are we going to do, a Type A person like me needs to feel some control. I’m not running out and buying toilet paper because I have bidets on every toilet (you can read about that HERE) and stocking up as if we’re having a zombie apocalypse, but I’m not going to leave it to fate either. There’s definitely steps I can take to reduce my chances of getting sick and here’s my top 10 ideas to reduce your risk and boost your immune system:
1…Wash Your Hands: Come on people! I never in a million years thought I’d have to add this to my list but here we are. I read one article that found 4 out of 5 people in the world don’t wash 
their hands after going to the bathroom. So PLEASE after you pee, after you poop, after you go out and lick subway poles, you need to wash your hands. With soap. For 20 seconds and lots of rubbing. Plenty of friction, like your hands are two high school kids dry humping each other. Sing Happy Birthday two times, the alphabet song, I Touch Myself by the Divinyls, whatever you like just wash your damn hands.
2…Self-Quarantine: If you’re sick stay home. This is another idea I never thought I’d have to add to my list but then I read about that guy who tested positive, felt sick and decided to take a plane to Florida, land of the old people, and I realized people really do need reminding. Don’t get on a plane, don’t go to work, don’t go to the movies. Relax, drink fluids and binge watch Breaking Bad or Schitt’s Creek. Skip any Nicolas Cage movies…we have enough problems already.
3…Social Distancing: Sounds like some cool new app right? It means stay the hell away from people. Hang out with your family, the dog or yourself. Give your liver a rest and no bar hopping. If the weather is nice go outside. Fresh air and the sun will do you some good and when you do meet your friends outdoors no touching. Make pretend you’re meeting the Queen, bow and curtsey. If that’s just too weird for you air high 5 each other, do the bump, wave or just stick your hand up in the universal hi position. In times like these, no one is gonna get offended.
4…Sleep: At some point in every parent’s life they’ve looked at their kids at night and thought, “Go the Fuck to Sleep”. If sleep deprivation suppresses your immune system, then getting a good night sleep helps keeps you healthy. I had sleepovers with my BFF growing up and we’d stay up late and she got sick. Every single time so go the fuck to sleep.
5…Drink Fluids: Sorry not alcohol. Yup, there are other fluids besides wine. I know…I had to look it up too.
6…Exercise: This strengthens your immune system and reduces the amount of times you get sick. Some believe the deep breathing flushes out your lungs, some say it helps to balance your stress hormones, some say it changes your cells, whatever the reasons it works BUT if you work out TOO intensely it does the opposite. Like everything else in life – moderation.
7…Eat Healthy: Lots of fruits and veggies. When you go food shopping stick to the outside aisles and don’t buy a lot from the middle of the supermarket. That’s all your processed food. Did you know that red bell peppers have twice as much Vitamin C as citrus? Here’s some great immune boosting foods besides red bell peppers: garlic, citrus, broccoli, ginger, spinach, kale, mushrooms and green tea.
8…You should be getting vitamins from foods but if you don’t then there are some supplements you can take. I may be a doctor but I’m not that kind of doctor, I’m not sure if these will actually help you but they won’t hurt you. Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc and Echinacea.
9…Meditation, yoga or deep breathing. FIFO has always helped me and you can read about it HERE.
10…Reduce Stress. When you’re stressed you release hormones that screw up your immune system. Find your de-stresser. Work out and you can combine this idea with number 6. My hubby likes to keep himself busy and do projects around the house, my way to stay calm is mediating, you gotta find your thing.
What To Stock Up On:
Prescriptions/Medications You Take
Medicine to take when you have the flu like acetaminophen, or if you’re like my mom…bourbon.
Bonus: There’s a ton of essential oils you can use to stay healthy. Not sure if it helps but again, it won’t hurt. Please if you do have pets and you’re diffusing essential oils please check that it’s safe for them too.
Another Bonus: Sex helps too, there has to be some benefit to all of us working from home now.
