Resilience: Beating the Swine Flu

Bad things happen all the time and bad viruses and toxins exist everywhere.

Your body is made up of trillions of cells.  There even exist some bad cells in there.

The reason these bad cells don’t take over is because your good cells are strong and capable.

The same goes for the ability of your immune cells to handle the attack of a virus.  If they are strong enough, they will handle it.

This swine flu pandemic is scary as the threat is very real.

However, if you panic, this will only threaten your immune system more. If you don’t sleep, exercise, eat nutritiously, follow good hygiene, meditate or follow self -care behaviors, and keep positive thoughts and emotions up rather than down, your immune system will suffer.  You will then be more susceptible to the negative effects of ANY flu.

Fear gets you running and motivated into action, but if it is not contained, it can burn you out so that you lose the reserves you need to handle life. 

Courage, on the other hand, involves fear that gets you motivated into action, but also the wisdom to believe you have the resources to handle the threat.  Courage keeps the Fear Response contained so that you do not over-tax your immune system and stay resilient.

So what can you do?

1.    Make sure you get 8 hours of sleep—this is when and how that part of your immune system that fights viruses works best.

2.    Meditate 15 to 20 minutes a day—listen to a CD, practice Tai Chi or yoga, focus on a word, phrase, image or prayer repeatedly allowing negative thinking to fade.  Here is a verbal command I have given my niece to repeat that has helped her time and time again: “I am loved. I am supported. I am brave and strong. I can handle it.”

3.    Eat nutritiously—avoid foods that tax your system like too much fats sugars, caffeine, processed food, alcohol, etc.

4.    Throughout your day, control the Fear Response by doing the SHIELD™: Visualize golden light from the sun above shining down upon you and creating a shield of protection, love and comfort around you. Use each letter to remind you of what to do next

Slow down—relax, no need to rush and panic

Honor—how you are feeling, as you would if your child was scared

Inhale and then don’t forget to

Exhale—this will automatically start reversing the fear response

Listen –what is it your body is telling you? What do you need? Maybe you can make a list

Decide—to take care of yourself and your needs.  You can repeat your verbal command now.

5.    If you are not feeling well or you believe you have been exposed to someone who is sick, consider taking vitamin C, Echinacea red root, Airborne or other antioxidants.  Don’t wait too long to let your doctor know. Make sure you have the support you need.

6.    Puffs of Appreciation—the more you feel you are a victim and act like a victim, the more your immune cells will believe the same.  This is what happens with the onslaught of negative thoughts and emotions.  It is okay to have them to motivate you into action, but try not staying in them. Instead of focusing what isn’t, focus on what is; rather than what you don’t have, what you do.

Inhale deeply the little things that you can appreciate—like how the sun feels shining on your face; the beauty of the blue, blue sky; or the infectious joy of a child laughing out loud.

7.    Stay clean inside and out—drink plenty of water, wash your hands regularly and/or use a hand sanitizer, do not touch your face before washing your hands, get out in the fresh air regularly, rather than being cooped inside for hours.

8.    Keep your system strong and your circulation moving with regularly exercise.  If you are starting to feel sick though, take it easy. Do not tax your immune system by exercising strenuously. In this case, it is okay to do some gentle stretching, walking or recuperative yoga.  If you are really feeling sick, rest.

You can be resilient.  You can be strong. You can be brave.  Believe the love and support is there and you will handle it.