How To Thrive Through A Pandemic

This is a weird time. We’re all feeling it. 

Sure, it’s challenging. But this time also offers a magical opportunity.

Without access to all our familiar distractions — like going out to restaurants or parties, or even visiting friends — we have to really be with ourselves. If we want to, we can pay closer attention now to our thoughts, and we can watch how our thoughts bubble up and create our moods.

We can use this time to regroup, look into our souls, refocus on what matters most in our lives and what we really want to live for. 

That said… we can also easily waste or suffer through this opportunity. 

We can grasp at whatever stimulation is available. We can binge-watch shows, or play hours of games on our phones, or just “scratch that itch” of restlessness however we can.

This is often where the addiction of choice comes in. As far as food is concerned, I know it can be easy to reach for immediate comforts right now. But as the saying goes, “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the…” immune system, energy levels, brain function and overall thriveability! (Yes, I just made that word up.)

I’m all for doing what feels good — feeling good is good for the spirit! — but not at the price of my health. 

So, today I want to share some personal do’s and don’ts in a time when health is of utmost importance.

Do – 

1. Find new ways to deepen your relationship with your partner, your family, and your close friends. Turbulent times have a way of bringing people closer together – don’t resist it!
2. Start a mindfulness practice – whether it’s yoga, meditation, gratitude rituals, prayer… now is the time to go deep and evolve from within!
3. Wear a mask in public and wash your hands after touching things that were handled by folks outside your inner sphere. 
4. Get out into nature. 
5. Turn your kitchen into a delicious lab of wholesome wellness. Learn some new recipes that tantalize your tastebuds while nourishing your soul.

Don’t –

• … compromise your sleep.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “People who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus.” Lack of sleep can also lengthen your sick time… 

You may not think it’s a big deal — just a couple of nights of binge-watching your favorite show. But the National Institute of General Medical Sciences states that your natural sleep patterns, or circadian rhythms, play a huge part in regulating your hormones, digestion, and immune system. 

When your internal clock is off for even a night, that can cause a chain reaction of fatigue, napping, and more late nights. This long-term imbalance can lead to serious health problems like mood disorders, digestive problems (even obesity), and getting sick more often. 

This all happens because your immune system is not releasing enough of the protein cytokine. Think of the protein cytokine as the clean-up crew that turns the lights off, cleans up signs of infection, and brings down inflammation that builds up throughout your day. When you haven’t slept, your body doesn’t produce this vital protein and you don’t have that trusty clean-up crew detoxing your body. 

• …day drink.

An evening glass of wine or a night cap is no problem. But we are seeing a steep increase in the number of folks who are drinking like it’s the roaring 20s. Between the alcohol delivery services and the shelter-in-place orders, it’s easy to start happy hour earlier and earlier.

But it’s not a good idea. In the long run, you’re compromising your health.

What happens when you pop that bottle of wine and take a sip is this: Everything else stops and your body hyper-focuses on metabolizing that alcohol content. Since your body has no use for alcohol like it does for vitamins, minerals, carbs, fats, and proteins, it works double-time to get it out of your body as soon as possible.

Alcohol wreaks havoc on your digestive system because your body reads it as poison. The liver’s whole job is to filter toxins from the blood. If your liver is overworked, it can cause lack of appetite, the inability to break down food properly, and eventually gut problems that compromise your immune system. 

• … eat convenience food.

Now’s not the time to let cheat days become cheat months.

Your body is depending on the foods you consume to help it stay strong enough to fight off illness. If you eat foods that are packed with preservatives, synthetic chemicals, and/or pesticides, your body won’t be able to focus on absorbing nutrients. It will be “preoccupied” with keeping you alive by flushing out all the toxins.

So instead of indulging in processed foods that are really bad for you, create healthy variations of your comfort foods. Try preparing meals like cauliflower-crusted pizza, homemade zucchini noodles, and different smoothie recipes in lieu of ice cream. There are lots of ways to get creative and make memories in the kitchen.

Stay curious,

Nick Polizzi
Host of Remedy: Ancient Medicine for Modern Illness
& Founder of The Sacred Science

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