Resistance and Well-being

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25/03/2020 Posted in Current Affairs

Jutta Koehler, teacher and writer on nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), wrote a blog about what you can do yourself during this time.
For your immunity and well-being. Of course, in addition to the known measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

"Dear reader,
Well, here we are. Schools closed. More and more shops closing. Some people in a panic.

Actually, I had the blog post for this month ready. And no, it wasn't about corona. I deliberately didn't want to do that. But I have too many thoughts in my head. That's why this blog for now.

When I look at the corona crisis, I notice: we have collectively lost our 'center.' We are becoming restless. We focus on what is no longer allowed or possible. We seek the solution outside ourselves: hoarding, hoping for the quick discovery of a cure or vaccination, hoping for the right political decisions.

Often, we act purely out of fear and not from a place of common sense. Did you know that in TCM our digestive system (Spleen and Stomach) is also responsible for common sense? When Spleen and Stomach are in balance, we are centered and grounded. We can make wise choices and not get swept away in panic. Always back to our center. Trust that it will be okay.

Many things we cannot actually influence. But, dear reader, maybe you will find the following tips helpful. All things you can influence:

1. Go Outside
With my family, we have agreed to take a long walk every day. Hopefully, nature will not be locked down. This morning, we walked through the forest for two and a half hours. Even my daughter - who initially didn't find my idea so brilliant - ended up having a lot of fun. We saw a fantastically beautiful piece of forest, two very special yellow butterflies, and a cute squirrel. Physical activity outdoors is beneficial for your immune system!

(Critical note to myself: too bad, I should have had this idea before the coronavirus crisis. Just really go to the forest daily.)

2. Strengthen Your Lungs
Sleep with an open window. Do simple breathing exercises. Tap with your right fist on the area below your left collarbone for a few minutes; then switch sides. Avoid artificial scents, hairspray, etc.
If you are a smoker: perhaps now is a good time to quit.

3. Pay Attention to Your Diet
Our defense depends on our intestines. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix. There is no one food that strengthens your defense in no time. Nutrition is always a long-term thing.
But it's never too late to start. These can be simple, initial steps: choose whole foods, cook more often yourself (now that you're at home anyway), eat at least two warm meals a day, avoid sugar.

4. Avoid (an excess of) bad news reports
Once I made the mistake of watching a long broadcast about the situation in Italian hospitals. The image of an elderly man in bed, connected to a ventilator, stuck in my mind. Afterwards, I got angry with myself. Why did I watch? Why did I have to digest this?

So, do not watch every report and especially do not follow the death tolls. Your body must also be able to digest this. And if your digestion already struggles with digesting food, the same goes for all images and impressions.
Shut yourself off, keep terrible images out.

5. Clean Up
According to Chinese medicine, the Lung belongs to the metal element. One of the aspects of the metal element is letting go. Exactly what we all need to do now. Letting go of consumption, of traveling, of cheap imported products, of certainties, of convenience, ...

Take it a step further: tidy up your house (even if you start with one drawer), clear cluttered corners... let go of old things and let the energy flow again.

6. Laugh
If you watch videos, choose funny movies. Because laughing and being cheerful support your immune system.

And finally: practice 'wu-wei'. Do something by 'doing nothing'. The situation is as it is. We cannot fight against it. By surrendering to what is happening now, you also set something positive in motion."

Jutta Koehler