In this month’s newsletter:
- Video: One Key Thing on the Coronavirus
- Is Eating Meat Bad for Earth?
- Humidifiers Lower Infection Rates In Hospitals
- Kids, Chiropractic and Ear Infections
- Recipe: Shrimp Zoodle Spring Roll Bowl
Video: One Key Thing on the Virus
We are awesome creatures and our immune systems have been working hard for us our whole lives and especially now. We can also improve the function of our immune systems by calming ourselves. Fear and worry impede immune function. Feelings of peace, of serving, of gratitude and of growth enhance our immune function.
Let’s be our best right now! For us and for others, it makes sense to be our best so our bodies have more power to deal with this virus. All the things we know to help improve health and immune function are vital now: sleep, nutrition, meditation, prayer, breathing, being outside, exercise, positive attitude, service, etc.
While one point of my video is to emphasize that for the vast majority of us, we will come through this virus challenge very well, we do need to heed advice to limit the speed of the spread of the virus – so that those who will need extra medical help will have the medical resources available.
We remain open at Thrive Chiropractic to serve you. Many of you know that chiropractic (and acupuncture and massage and other bodywork) improves immune system function so we are glad to help at this time.
As you would expect, necessary precautions to minimize exposure for everyone are being taken:
- Wiping and cleaning table surface after every adjustment.
- Cleaning and wiping down doors, handles, bathroom and counters throughout the day.
- I am using hand disinfectant before every patient adjustment.
- Of course we do not hold people to the 24 hour cancellation policy if you are sick. Please let us know ASAP that you will not be making your appointment.
- If you are concerned about symptoms that you have that might indicate the Coronavirus please contact your PCP and follow the precautions for isolation if warranted.
Let’s stay positive and help each other get through this challenge!
Is Eating Meat Bad for the Earth?
Some people choose not to eat meat due to a belief that eating meat is not good for the human body, or a personal choice to not kill animals for food, or a belief that raising animals for human consumption is bad for the environment.
If someone chooses not to eat meat for their own ethical beliefs about killing animals, that is fine and I certainly respect that choice; even though it is not what I choose.
In previous newsletters and workshops we have had at the office, you know that I feel strongly that animal foods provide essential, nutrient-dense calories and I personally have followed a paleo/primal type of diet for nearly two decades.
Lately there has been significant attention about meat-eating being bad for the environment, too. Modern feedlots and modern livestock practices surely do cause our earth harm, so I thought it was important to point out that there is another way! Not only is there another way, I am already participating in it and so can you. It is a way to take better care of our selves, our soil, our carbon balance and our animals.
Read this great newsletter from Drausin Wulsin, owner of Grassroots Farms to learn more about what this participation means. I buy my beef from Drausin in bulk and my pork and eggs from Jerry and Liz at Eaton Farm.
Humidifiers Lower Infection Rate in Hospitals
I selected this article for this newsletter prior to the COVID-19 situation really expanding. I simply thought it might help us avoid some colds and infections in the winter months by heeding the advice to help our bodies work better.
Adding a humidifier to your bedroom may be an easy way to help your immune system, especially in dry conditions. Some excerpts of note:
At low relative humidity, indoor air was strongly associated with higher infection rates. “When we dry the air out, droplets and skin flakes carrying viruses and bacteria are launched into the air, traveling far and over long periods of time. The microbes that survive this launching tend to be the ones that cause healthcare-associated infections,” said Taylor. “Even worse, in addition to this increased exposure to infectious particles, the dry air also harms our natural immune barriers which protect us from infections.”
“the ‘sweet spot’ for indoor air is between 40% and 60% relative humidity. An instrument called a hygrometer, available for about $10, will measure it. Every hospital, school, and home should have them, according to Taylor, along with a humidifier to adjust room hydration to the sweet spot.”
Ear Infections for Kids
One of the more common reasons we see toddlers in the office is because they have fluid or congestion in the ears. Correcting misalignments in the upper neck relaxes the soft tissues around the Eustachian tube and allows fluid to drain from the ears much more easily.
Stagnant fluid is a haven for infection so we work to let this fluid drain!
Recipe of the Month: Shrimp Zoodle Spring Roll Bowl
Celebrate spring time produce with this easy-to-make meal.