With COVID-19 (Coronavirus) so prevalent in the media, there is rising concern and mild chaos.
While there are the obvious tips like washing your hands and avoiding international travel, there are other things you can be doing.
I recently received an email from a gym saying that during this time, we should remember to wipe down equipment and cough into our elbows. These practices should always be followed, regardless of Coronavirus. Beyond always wiping down equipment before and after you use them to prevent the spread of germs in a gym environment, you should avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands, and wash your weightlifting gloves often. If you use a reusable glass water bottle, consider boiling it to kill any bacteria that might be in or on it.
I cannot stress this point enough: hand sanitizer is not a substitute for washing your hands with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds. You should always wash your hands before you eat, even in your own home. Germs can live for long periods on household surfaces, sometimes for up to two weeks. Do not microwave sponges to kill bacteria--instead, buy cheaper sponges and replace them more often. Change your clothes when you get home and do not sit on your bed in your outdoor clothes. Consider not wearing shoes in the house, especially if you live in a city.
Viruses are treated with anti-viral medications. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics aren't effective against viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, most coughs, and sore throats. A person may have a virus or bacterial infection and be contagious without showing any symptoms. With any type of sickness, you are still generally considered contagious until you have been fever-free for 72 hours. During these times, it is important to listen to your body, but also not fall into mass hysteria and panic.
Natural immunity boosters include:
Vitamin C*
Zinc*
Turmeric*
Ginger*
Vitamin D
Elderberry
Propolis
*best absorbed with food, especially food with good fats in it.
It is also important to not simply go overboard with supplements as a response. Rather, try to eat as close to nature as possible. Think most of your plate covered in veggies, organic or not factory stressed meat (if you eat meat), occasional low glycemic fruits, and high-quality dairy. Do not stress your body by panicking over this epidemic, because that will weaken your immune system. Cut back on drinking alcohol, consider red-light therapy or IV vitamin drips if you come down with an illness, and make sure to get quality sleep.
While there are the obvious tips like washing your hands and avoiding international travel, there are other things you can be doing.
I recently received an email from a gym saying that during this time, we should remember to wipe down equipment and cough into our elbows. These practices should always be followed, regardless of Coronavirus. Beyond always wiping down equipment before and after you use them to prevent the spread of germs in a gym environment, you should avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands, and wash your weightlifting gloves often. If you use a reusable glass water bottle, consider boiling it to kill any bacteria that might be in or on it.
I cannot stress this point enough: hand sanitizer is not a substitute for washing your hands with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds. You should always wash your hands before you eat, even in your own home. Germs can live for long periods on household surfaces, sometimes for up to two weeks. Do not microwave sponges to kill bacteria--instead, buy cheaper sponges and replace them more often. Change your clothes when you get home and do not sit on your bed in your outdoor clothes. Consider not wearing shoes in the house, especially if you live in a city.
Viruses are treated with anti-viral medications. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics aren't effective against viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, most coughs, and sore throats. A person may have a virus or bacterial infection and be contagious without showing any symptoms. With any type of sickness, you are still generally considered contagious until you have been fever-free for 72 hours. During these times, it is important to listen to your body, but also not fall into mass hysteria and panic.
Natural immunity boosters include:
Vitamin C*
Zinc*
Turmeric*
Ginger*
Vitamin D
Elderberry
Propolis
*best absorbed with food, especially food with good fats in it.
It is also important to not simply go overboard with supplements as a response. Rather, try to eat as close to nature as possible. Think most of your plate covered in veggies, organic or not factory stressed meat (if you eat meat), occasional low glycemic fruits, and high-quality dairy. Do not stress your body by panicking over this epidemic, because that will weaken your immune system. Cut back on drinking alcohol, consider red-light therapy or IV vitamin drips if you come down with an illness, and make sure to get quality sleep.