COVID-19 (coronavirus) has created tremendous stress for people, from worries about contracting the virus to maintaining a job and managing kids at home. There is a large percentage of Americans that have an added layer of stress during the pandemic due to living with a compromised immune system. Those taking biologic drugs for autoimmune conditions may not necessarily be more susceptible to contracting coronavirus, but have a higher chance of experiencing serious complications if they do.
After overcoming Hodgkin’s Disease and Reactive Arthritis, I feel grateful to be in a position where I’m not taking biologic drugs or have a compromised immune system, but COVID-19 made me think twice. Particularly because my family and friends were expressing their concern and fear for me. At the outset of the pandemic, I reached out to my doctors – western and natural – and asked for clarification on my situation. It’s one thing to feel like you don’t have a compromised immune system versus what could happen due to an unknown virus. The doctors told me that having previously had lymphoma could be an issue and contracting coronavirus could be worse because of it. However, because I’m not taking biologics, I have less of a risk.
Boosting Immunity
Once I understood my situation, I focused on boosting my immunity. This is important to me in everyday life, but I took extra steps to ensure I could be as healthy as possible during the pandemic.
I’m blessed to live in Florida where I can take advantage of good weather to get sunlight and exercise. We know that sunlight has healing energies and kills germs, etc. Of course, there are downsides to this – ultraviolet (UV) light creates wrinkles and can cause skin cancer, but being in the sun has benefits, if you’re careful.
A stressor that was removed due to social distancing regulations was family and work drama. Since I’m not going to visit with family or walking into an office each day, that lessens the potential stress that tends to naturally pop up. That’s not to say I don’t love my family or people I work with, but interacting at a distance sometimes has its pluses. I tend to have sensory overload so the slowing down and calmness of being home, while it took time to adjust to, has been very healing. Stress has such a huge impact on your immune system.
Feeding Your Immune System
I have always enjoyed cooking and making nutritious food, but coronavirus made me reassess what’s in my pantry because I don’t want to stray from what I know is good for my body. Do I have all of my green powders, supplements and smoothie ingredients on hand?
I’ve been ordering delivery because it’s supposedly safer than going to the grocery; too, I get to support local restaurants. This has required me to make smart decisions. Typically, when I go out to dinner, I splurge a bit and don’t focus on calories or eating as healthy. I’m out with friends and going with the flow, unlike at home where I’m juicing and making food that truly supports nutrition. Now, I am ordering from restaurants that have healthier options like gluten free and farm fresh foods.
It’s also been a great opportunity to make dishes I don’t normally have time for in my daily routine. A few favorites have been fresh yogurt pops in the shape of pineapples and homemade key lime pie. Cooking is a creative outlet for me and relieves stress.
Adjusting to Disinfecting Everything
The hardest thing for me to adjust to during this time has been disinfecting everything. It’s not that I wasn’t familiar with what to do or regularly practice sanitary measures, it’s that I don’t like to use chemicals. Like most, I made an exception. I weighed the options of getting an unknown virus versus using bleach for a few months. Once the height of this is over, I know how to detox using an infrared sauna and other methods. I was happy to use disinfectants for the short-term.
However, this cleaning practice can bring its own level of stress. You could spend your entire day washing your hands and wiping down groceries and countertops. An analogy a doctor once shared with me popped in my head early on. Imagine everything outside is covered in glitter and you can’t bring a speck inside your home – how would you prevent that? This thinking can create anxiety, but I reminded myself that you can’t be perfect with everything!
Look Inside Your Immunity Toolbox
If you have a compromised immune system, it’s important to take precautionary steps without creating further stressors on your body. Physical and psychological stress is known to trigger autoimmune diseases, so look to your “immunity toolbox” – the things you know make you feel healthy, strong and calm – to get through this time.