Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been dominating news headlines as of late. Canned goods and hand sanitizer may be flying off the shelves faster than you can say zombie apocalypse, but the truth of the matter is that some of the best things you can do to avoid getting sick from Coronavirus are some of the same things recommended by chiropractors to help you stay healthy when faced with a variety of illnesses, including the common cold and flu.

Yes, Coronavirus is concerning and more than a little scary. You may not even know where to begin to keep you and your family healthy, but focusing on the basics is a good place to start.

Wash Your Hands

You’ve likely heard this a million times but get ready to make it 1,000,001 — you must wash your hands frequently. Simple hand washing with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds is your first line of defense from germs and is key to protecting yourself.

You should wash your hands before meals, after using the restroom, and after you’ve been in public where people are actively spreading germs, such as handling doorknobs and public touch screens. Also make sure not to touch your face when you’re out and about because touching a germy object, such as a door handle, then touching your face is a great way to expose yourself to germs.

Eat Right

A healthy immune system starts in your gut. A balanced diet full of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats will keep the good bacteria in your gut happy. This micro-biome is one of your body’s first lines of defense when it’s exposed to germs, so keep them healthy and you will keep yourself healthy too.

It’s a good idea to cut down on added sugars because they can throw off the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. Make sure you stay well hydrated, too.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to increase your intake of Vitamin C, either as a food source or supplement, or Vitamin D, which you can get from a few minutes in the sun, fortified foods, or as a supplement.

Sleep Well

It may be difficult to get a good night’s rest when you’re worried about pandemics, but if you’re not getting a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep each night, then you’re doing your body (and immune system) a serious disservice. When you sleep, your body uses the time to rest and rejuvenate. Sleep is integral to your overall health and wellness, so make sure you’re getting enough of it.

If you find that you have trouble sleeping, then check your sleep environment. The room should be cool, dark, and quiet. Also take a look at your nighttime routine, making sure that all electronics are turned off at least one hour before bed and you’re doing what you can to relax in that time to prepare your body for sleep. Scrolling through social media and reading about recent outbreaks probably isn’t going to help you get the sleep you need, so turn it off and tune it out.

See the Chiropractor

Chiropractic care focuses on the function of the central nervous system, which just so happens to regulate every single function in your body — including your immune system. Regular chiropractic adjustments focus on the removal of spinal joint dysfunctions that can impact how your central nervous system communicates with the rest of your body. When your body is able to communicate freely and efficiently, then every system can work optimally to help you stay healthy.

You cannot control the Coronavirus (or the flu or common cold either!) but what you can control are the things you do to support your own health. There’s no new way to outsmart a virus, all you can do is go back to the basics to help you stay healthy.

For updates regarding the latest developments with the Coronovirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website here.

Posted in Chiropractic Care

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