What is swine flu? There is so much hype in the media, that it is hard to sort fact from fiction. Is this a pandemic? How many people will be affected? While Sati cannot answer those questions, we can help you stay healthy and balanced. Here at Sati, we believe that it is not just washing your hands and wearing a mask that keeps you healthy, it is making sure your immune system is up to snuff and can appropriately fight off any invaders that may get near you. In that light, we offer some ways to help you stay healthy and hopefully fever free!
Wash your hands
Washing your hands is very helpful in preventing infection. However beware of over the counter anti-bacterial soap. These soaps kill the good bacteria as well as the bad bacteria, leaving your body open to having more bad bacteria take up residence. Instead, use non-antibacterial soap, warm water, and a lot of friction. Friction is believed to be even more effective than what type of soap you use. If you strongly believe in using something anti-bacterial, add some drops of Tea Tree oil to a bowl of water and wash your hands in the bowl.
Reduce Stress: When you system is stressed, or in “fight or flight” mode, your immune system is suppressed, leaving you vulnerable to picking up pathogens such as the flu. These are busy times, and we know you cannot just take days off, or stop your life. Here are some simple ways to reduce the stress in your life.
Take a couple of minutes each hour to close your eyes and take 5 deep, calming breaths, with long steady exhales. This helps the nervous system calm down and helps to break down stress patterns. Set a watch to go off every hour if you need to!
Reduce the amount of time you watch TV. TV shows and commercials are designed to keep you in adrenal overload. The ‘keep you on the edge of your seat phenomenon’ makes it difficult for your nervous system to relax at the end of the day.
If the news makes you worry….about your health, about the economy, about anything….well take a break from the news! The media creates hype. Remember in 2001 when we were advised to wrap our houses in plastic? Perhaps it is time to shut off the news and take time to read a book, play with your kids or take a walk.
Do you feel like you are getting the flu? Be pro-active!
Clean your air!
This version of the flu is known to be an airborne virus. Essential oils of eucalyptus, bergamot, peppermint, lavender and clove, are considered to be anti-viral. So use these in essential oils in a diffuser in your room, or add some drops to a spray bottle of water. Spray your room/environment to help kill any airborne viruses. Sati stocks an assortment of essential oils for this purpose.
You can also buy an air purifier. Filtering the air inside your house reduces the amount of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria…etc. from the air. When there is mold, dust, pollen and other particles present in your environment, your immune system has to use vital energy to fight off, and cleanse the body of these invaders, leaving you with a decreased ability to protect yourself from viruses. In addition, the body will create mucous in the nasal passages, which may keep the dust and pollen out of the body, but creates a breeding ground for virus’ to multiply inside the nasal cavity.
When shopping for an air purifier, look for a purifier that offers multiple layers of filtration. Remember, this is an industry in which you pay for what you get. If you are seriously considering changing the quality of your indoor air, you should commit to buying a high quality product. Look at not only the cost of the air purifier itself, but the cost of the replacement filters, which can sometimes cost a much as the original product!
At Sati, we have spent a lot of time researching and consulting health expert Jonathan Evatt to discover which air purifiers are the highest quality, are the quietest, have the best consumer satisfaction, both for service and effectiveness of the product, and do not charge you an arm and a leg to replace their filters. Rabbit Air came out on top as the most affordable air filter that fit our criteria. We contacted the company to see if we could get a deal for our customers, and for a limited time, you will receive an extra $30.00 off any air purifier if you use the following discount code: WCR2001 at www.rabbitair.com
Drink plenty of fluids, especially warm water.
Cold fluids have to be warmed up within your body, taking valuable energy from your system, energy which could be used to help fight off illness. Water is essential to keeping the circulatory and lymphatic systems healthy and able to fight off disease. So stay well hydrated, and drink plenty of clean water! Remember tea, coffee and soda’s are diuretics and will cause the body to loose water.
Do you prefer natural remedies?
Our herbal formulas of choice are Sarada’s Flu Buster: “A unique formula designed to fight flu by attacking the virus while simultaneously stimulating the immune system. Formulated using herbs known to eliminate bacteria, viruses, toxins and cleanse the lymphatic system.” And Ellagica, “Ellagic acid has been clinically shown to possess broad-spectrum anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitical, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic and cardio protective properties……Ellagic acid inhibits the viral enzyme integrase. Many viruses need this enzyme to enter our cells and complete their life cycle. By suppressing this key viral enzyme, viruses remain locked outside of our cells, unable to reproduce and cause harm. Since integrase is not a human enzyme, its inhibition does us no harm.”
Our staff and customers who have used both these formula’s at the onset of flu symptoms have noticed signs and symptoms of the flu disappear in a couple of days!
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is getting a lot of press these days and for good reason. It is now known to boost your immune system by releasing antimicrobial peptides, which help the body fight off viruses. In addition deficient levels of vitamin D have been linked to cancer, depression and diabetes!
There are several ways of getting vitamin D. The most important is exposure to UVB spectrum light, such as that from the sun, or a vitamin D light bed. This is often the safest way to get vitamin D because you are not susceptible to overdose. Your body can make 80% of its required vitamin D from UVB rays. If you do not want to expose your skin to the sun’s rays, you can receive vitamin D from a UVB light bed. You may also take vitamin D3 as a supplement. Studies are now showing that people should be taking 35 IU of vitamin D/ pound of body weight, which is far above the recommended dosage. If you get your blood tested, the optimal level of vitamin D in your system should be 50-65 ng/ml. For more information on vitamin D, go to http://www.grassrootshealth.net.
At Sati, we have vitamin D light beds, which provide a safe and effective way to boost the vitamin D levels in your body. If you choose to supplement your Vitamin D, look for a vitamin D3 spray. Using a spray form of vitamin D guarantees quick absorption into the blood stream, and does not depend on your ability to digest and absorb the vitamin D through your digestive tract. If you choose to take your vitamin D in pill form, make sure you choose a high quality supplement company. At Sati we carry Metagenics. A great resource to check out the effectiveness of your vitamin company is www.consumerlab.org.
Vitamin C
For years we have known that Vitamin C can help to keep the body’s immune system strong and healthy. It is the first thing that my father reaches for when he gets a cold. But vitamin C is much more powerful than most people know. Take a moment to read this article about a man from NZ who had contracted swine flu and received IV vitamin C on his death bed, and became healthy again: http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/Vitamins/iv_vitamin_c_used_to_recover_terminal_swine_flu_case_09082009102.html
Exercise!
Get plenty of exercise. Keeping the body active increases both blood and lymph circulation, which means the body is better able to fight off infection.
Bodywork and Energy work:
Get regular bodywork. This does not have to be expensive. Sati offers $1.00/minute chair massage. Even 10 minute massage once or twice a month will help your body improve circulation, eliminate toxins and increase relaxation. Energy work can be particularly effective when you feel you are getting sick. As the body fights off an illness, it quickly uses up energy stores, energy work such as Reiki can help restore your energy, and even provide more energy for you fight off illness. Other practices such as BodyTalk, Shamanism and Ayurveda can help you reduce the stressors in your life, and increase the communication within your body systems to keep you healthier all year long.
And, as always….eat nutritious and healthy food, get plenty of rest and take time to enjoy life!