Mental & Physical Wellness During the Coronavirus Pandemic
/
Before the Coronavirus hit the mainstream media in December 2019 / January 2020, my doctor diagnosed me with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a virus that lives dormant in your body usually after you’ve had mononucleosis as a child. I did, at age twelve, and I was in and out of the hospital for a couple of weeks before getting better and heeding the doctor’s advice that I wouldn’t get ‘mono’ again.
Flash-forward to the present where millions of people have EBV and have no idea. In some people, it never activates again. In others (like me), it becomes active again and begins to subtly wreak havoc on in the body, mainly through weakening and over-taxing the immune system.
Immune system imbalances lead to:
More frequent sickness, especially mini-colds that only result in minor, invisible symptoms (brain fog, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, inflammation, respiratory congestion).
Digestive upset and food sensitivity.
Difficulty metabolizing caffeine, sugar, alcohol.
Autoimmune flare-ups, whether or not you have a prior autoimmune condition.
Other immune reactions, and specifically in my case, ‘hystemic’ (allergic) reactions. Mine specifically showing as mild Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, where I may break out into hives, my face, lips, and eyes may swell, and other parts of my body will experience extreme allergic reactions to anything (food, environment, substance or chemical) at random.
These symptoms are with me every day and without fail, they impact my daily life. My ability to focus, to perform at my normal capacity, to stay awake / at my desk, to comprehend what I’m reading, to prioritize self-care (when showering is exhausting).
As Coronavirus spreads throughout the US and those around me aren’t taking it seriously, the whole situation has taken a major toll on my mental health.
Though I am not a “healthcare worker,” I work in healthcare. I’m the Manager of Strategy and Business for Wakefield Brunswick, a healthcare consulting firm that advises hospitals and major health systems on organizational risk and resiliency, emergency management, disaster response, and “business continuity” (keeping the hospital open for business while everything else is falling apart).
Since the third week of January, we’ve spent 70% of our time on the “operations” side (my side) working on Coronavirus related projects, resources, and informative posts, which you can read here:
I’ve been on calls, I’ve heard news and figures before they broke to the public, and I’ve seen from the inside just what a clusterfuck this really is. And as a sick person who is already experiencing respiratory pain and narrowly escaped getting the flu when my partner had it last month, I’m just not feeling okay about it all.
I’m grateful, though, because I have a long history of interest and experience in alternative and herbal medicine. I make fire cider 2 - 3 times each year. I almost always have a fresh batch of elderberry syrup (homemade) in my friend. And, I compulsively by dry herbs, bark, and seeds for teas and tinctures simply because I find the craft relaxing.
So, as my own anxiety levels began rising - not just for my own health, but for the millions of people in communities without access, financial security, or representation in decision making - I turned to the only thing that makes me feel somewhat in control.
I decided to make something.
A few somethings, including life and behavior changes.
In writing this blog, I thought it might be therapeutic to share my perspective, which is one of taking this very seriously. As well, one of someone who realized too late that people are hoarding hand sanitizer, and one who learned weeks ago that Coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause permanent respiratory damage in recovered, seemingly healthy people.
Not enough people are taking Coronavirus pandemic seriously, so here’s what I’m doing to bring myself a bit of peace of mind:
Keeping fire cider on hand and taking multiple servings, daily.
You can buy fire cider, which is antiviral - antibacterial - immunostimulating - among many other health benefits, at the Three Rivers Co-op in Knoxville, as well as from multiple herbalists online. To make your own, it’s best to let it steep for at least 4 weeks, but 6 - 8 is my sweet spot:
Optional additions, should you have them or want them:
a few thick pieces of eishi mushroom (dried), torn
5 - 6 dried astragalus root slices
a few tablespoons of chaga mushroom (dried)
about 4 inches of burdock root (fresh or 2 tbsp dried), chopped
one red onion, quartered
one bulb of garlic, crushed and quartered
about 4 inches turmeric root, chopped
about 4 inches ginger root, chopped
about 4 inches horseradish root, chopped
1 - 3 cayenne, jalapeno, or other hot peppers, chopped (w/ the seeds)
a few sprigs of rosemary, thyme, and oregano (some or all of these will do)
one orange, sliced
one lemon, sliced
I steep all of these in a 1/2 gallon mason jar covered by 32 - 40 oz of ACV for 4 - 8 weeks, then strain through cheesecloth or a nut milk bag and cut with honey (usually 12 - 16 oz of local honey that I buy in bulk in my own container, which is so cool) from the local co-op. It helps to blend the honey and fire cider to mix thoroughly.
I take one-ounce in the morning, noon, and night right now, but typically only once a day until I feel sick. Once I start to feel sick, I start slamming elderberry syrup day and night.
Sip elderberry syrup from a flask like you’re trying to hide your identity with Polyjuice potion
If you don’t love Harry Potter, I’m not sorry you don’t get the reference above. ; )
Regardless, elderberry syrup is terribly easy and quick to make at home, and a fraction of the cost when you DIY. I can make a liter with about $15 worth of supplies - whereas 8 oz typically costs $18 - $22 in stores.
Optional ingredients:
a few pieces of torn reishi mushroom, torn
a few tablespoons of chaga mushroom
a few tablespoons of rose petals or lavender flowers
lemon zest about ten minutes before you take off the heat
lemon juice once strained and cooled
Scale the quantities of this recipe up or down to make your preferred amount.
four cups water
one cup dried elderberries
two tablespoons grated fresh ginger
one teaspoon dried cloves
one cinnamon stick
Bring all ingredients to a boil, then lower heat and simmer to reduce the liquid by half.
Once cooled, strain ingredients through a cheesecloth and cut with one cup of raw local honey. It helps to blend this as well. Keep in the fridge for 1 - 3 months, but take it often as soon as you feel any bit sick.
Fortify your respiratory system with a lung tonic
I don’t make tonics often, but after listening to a highly-informative talk on caring for your immune system by Flora Wellness, I knew I needed to start. A tonic really is just filling a jar up halfway with your dry herbs, roots, and bark, and covering it with a high-proof alcohol (like vodka or Everclear) for six weeks. Then, strain.
Here’s what’s in my ‘lung tonic’ to cleanse, strengthen, reduce pain/inflammation, and tonify my lungs:
Mullein leaf, dried
Thyme, fresh
Hawthorne berries, dried
Usnea, dried
Elecampane root, dried
Wild Cherry bark, dried
Astragalus root, dried
Marshmallow leaf, dried
In addition to these as a lung tonic, I’m whipping up anti-inflammatory pain relief tonic of White Willow bark, chamomile, calendula, ashwagandha, and turmeric.
I’m stocked up on herbal tea blending supplies for relaxation, stress-reduction, eye and sinus health, and sleep.
As well, I’m making my own hand sanitizer using this recipe because we’re already sold out here in Knoxville.
five drops vitamin E oil
three tablespoons of witch hazel with aloe vera, vodka, or Everclear
15 drops thieves oil (I switched up the oil for my own personal preference)
5 drops tea tree oil
distilled or boiled purified water
spray bottles or other ‘squirt’ bottles you can carry with you
Mix this all together and use frequently. Don’t touch your damn face.
I’m taking Coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously, and so should you.
Your ‘sick kit’ needn’t be nearly as herbal-leaning as mine. My friend Caroline texted me while I was writing this blog to tell me about to share with me what’s in her sick kit, which includes:
Frozen chicken-lemon soup
Blueberry green tea for daytime
Lavender lemon tea for nighttime
Nuun Immunity drink tablets
Tylenol
Elderberry syrup
Thieves and Eucalyptus oil in her diffuser
Above all, making these products and preparing my own “sick kit” has given me peace of mind that I’m doing what I can for myself and my family in the wake of Coronavirus. I am focused on strengthening + stimulating our immune systems, reducing stress and inflammation, and modifying behavior to prevent the spread of disease.
Other measures I’m taking to feel secure during this time:
Mandatory bedtimes for at least eight hours of sleep at home.
Social distancing - one meter between people while talking/engaging out in public.
No face touching, and no hand interaction with fluids (sneezing, coughing, eye-rubbing, etc.)
Avoiding hanging out with folks over 60 + and immunocompromised persons.
Increasing hydration to 2 - 3 liters per day, minimum.
Drastically reducing inflammatory and mucus-producing foods like dairy, sugar, gluten, caffeine, starches, and fried foods (we’re already an alcohol-free/sober house).
Swapping medicinal smoking (marijuana) with medicinal edibles (gluten/dairy-free banana bread) or micro-dosing with (dairy-free) cannabutter on toast.
Reducing public outings in crowded places, including coffee shops, malls, crowded restaurants, and (unfortunately), the climbing gym.
Seeing my therapist weekly and talking through my stressors, working through trauma, and forging healthy trigger response habits.
Increasing my physical activity, fresh air, and sunshine at least once daily.
I would love to hear how you’re experiencing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in your daily life, family, and community. Are you creating a “sick kit?” Are you changing your daily habits? Share with me in the comments below.
And, for further reading on COVID-19, here are my favorite sources right now:
Dr Michelle Lin Twitter Thread
Be well, friends —
Talk soon, Amelia
