Virus Worry Gone Viral - 6 Smart Things You Can Do!

In the past few weeks, we've received a flood of questions about COVID-19 and what audios we recommend to help deal with the nerves and anxiety produced by this outbreak. 

Dear Belleruth,

Can you recommend any guided imagery or affirmations that would help calm nerves about the Coronavirus?

Thanks, F.

Hey, F.

Yes, I do have a recommendation: the guided imagery for supporting a healthy immune system addresses the immune cell activity that goes after all manner of bugs, both viral and bacterial. And the accompanying track of affirmations has the same focus. That’s here. 

Another one that would make a good back-up – more general but solid and effective for imagining the disposal of viruses – would be General Wellness.

Make no mistake: there are studies going way back that show that imagining heightened immune cell activity actually produces heightened immune cell activity – certainly in the short term (as in up to an hour after a session) and in some studies, way beyond that.

For instance, a classic review by E.C. Trakhtenberg out of Stanford University, published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, 2008 Jun;118(6):839-55, concluded that guided imagery can reduce stress and elevate immune system activity; that cell-specific imagery affects corresponding WBCs, neutrophils, and lymphocytes.

And finally, our guided imagery for anxiety & panic should also be a help. Don’t forget – that panicky feeling is mostly just a lot of well-meaning, survival-based neurohormones, trying to help you tone up your muscles and shut off your overthinking brain, so you can flee the old saber toothed tiger! Guided imagery is a good way to settle the whole situation down.

I’d also suggest something that I know a brilliant physician friend is doing. Take supplementary drops of astragalus (Nature’s Way is good - 500-1,000 mg twice a day) and Zinc lozenges, with zand elderberry, and finally, something loosely referred to as “magic mushrooms” – there’s a lot of recent data showing that combos of certain mushrooms are very supportive of healthy immune function. I just ordered these for all my kids and grandkids: My Community Host Defense Capsules, Advanced Immune Support, Mushroom Supplement with Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Vegan, Organic, Gluten Free. (I have no financial stake in this company!!)

I also suggest you do the full measure of social distancing if you possibly can. I know it’s counterintuitive to proactively fight this virus by staying in and doing next to nothing (or at least a lot less than you’re used to) but this is our best chance for reducing the damage this bug can do, and keeping our health care system operational. If you need to get out, go to open space and walk, toss a ball or run there.

Stay in touch with friends or work by way of Zoom or Skype or FaceTime or the phone. But please keep away from actual, in-the-flesh people – not just for your sake but for all of our sakes. This is a time for critically important self-isolating. Weird I know. Showing love by shunning!!! How wrong does that feel? But it’s up to all of us to look out for ourselves and each other with this tactic..

And do the hard core handwashing thing – the 20 full seconds rigamarole, with soap – and carry antiseptic swabs if you can find them, and wipe down everything. Do try to refrain from touching your face, but that’s a tough one, I know.

And don’t forget to lean heavily on your sense of humor! Laughter will save us all. And wish yourself and your loved ones well, whenever a worry crosses your mind!! 

With the proactive things we can do (or work hard to not do) we fight the sense of helplessness and being out of control that feeds anxiety of all sorts. So, just to summarize:

  • Use guided imagery specifically designed to beef up your immune system
  • Take immune boosting supplements
  • Do as much social distancing as you can pull off.
  • Wash your hands a ton.
  • Hang on to your sense of humor.
  • When you start worrying and stressing, wish people well (by name or namelessly).

All the best to you,

Belleruth