At the moment, it is important to try and stay positive whilst acknowledging where we are and what we are facing. It’s important to do both as both exist at the same time.
One of the things that I have learned is that we need to give a place to acknowledge the sad and upsetting things in our life as well as the happy and joyous. Neither state carries more weight, is ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than the other.
The majority of us we have never faced anything like this, and we may be struggling coming to terms with where we now find ourselves, both on an individual level and also as a society.
We are surrounded by uncertainty, with COVID-19 taking centre stage. And uncertainty is extremely unsettling.
So what do we know? What can we be certain of?
Here is where I am going to call it as it is.
We can be certain that we are going to die – and that we’ll be paying taxes! I believe that we have lost sight of this, especially as we watch the daily death count from COVID-19. This in turn is creating fear in us. Living in a state of fear is detrimental to our health and well being.
So what can we do to prolong our life, and more importantly, be healthy?
These tips can be applied generally, but evidence shows that, in relation to COVID, the following is important:
- Have good levels of Vitamins C and D in your daily diet.
- Be a good, healthy weight.
- Be physically active and have good muscle tone and function.
- Reduce the number of illnesses/conditions you have.
- Improve the health of your immune system.
I would add:
- Watch your lifestyle – food, exercise, media intake.
- Take care of your mental and emotional health.
- Have good nutrition from your diet.
- Make sure that you get regular social connection with friends and family – safely.
- Reconnect with nature and get outside each day. Sitting within four walls is unhealthy.
- Get a good amount of sleep each day.
- Rebalance your natural rhythms.
- Limit your time on technology.
- Find what your passion is in life, what you love doing, and do more of it.
- Educate yourself and question what you are being told.
Perhaps the most important question is – how are you going to LIVE YOUR LIFE?
Following safety guidelines means that many of us are moving less than usual at the moment, impacting upon mobility, flexibility, stamina and balance. You may notice this with everyday activities such as walking upstairs or standing up from the sofa.
A regular osteopathic treatment can help to maintain your range of movement. It’s also a chance to discuss any concerns about your overall health. We take time to understanding those concerns and what support you need. Our clinic is fully open and pre-screening assessments take place before your appointment. We’re here to help you keep moving and live life.
This article was written by Karen Robinson, formerly a Registered Osteopath.