Stay Safe from Coronavirus!

Posted on by Jacquie

I’m finding it very interesting that all the things that are being recommended to keep us safe from the coronavirus (COVID-19) are very much in alignment with what we, as conscientious Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics, are already doing!

UPDATE 3/25/2020: In addition to all the basic/essential lifestyle practices below, please be diligent in observing all the mandates from your local and state governments regarding:

    • Shelter-in-place/lock downs, especially if you are over age 65 and/or have at-risk health conditions, which includes all of us who have diabetes/pre-diabetes!
    • Social distancing (6 ft.) if/when you do have to be outside of your house.
    • Wear an effective mask if you are sick—with anything.

DISCLAIMER: While we certainly recommend following The 8 Laws of Health for both diabetics and non-diabetics on a daily basis, please do not believe or spread any belief that this is all you need to do to prevent getting infected with coronavirus!

Nutrition

    • Eliminate all sugar, in all its forms, no matter what dietary lifestyle or diabetes dietary protocol you are following! Sugar promotes illness and makes you more susceptible for catching whatever is going around.
    • Eat real food. Eliminate as much processed food as possible. If/when you do buy canned or frozen foods, choose items with as few additives as possible. Hint: people do not seem to be hoarding lettuce and other salad vegetables because they don’t keep more than three days!
    • Practice Intermittent Fasting. This may be especially valuable if/when grocery items are in short supply.

Exercise

    • Exercise daily, a minimum of 30 minutes/day, 6 days/week, ideally outdoors with sunshine and fresh air. If it’s too cold, too hot, too rainy/snowy where you live, you can:
      • Exercise in your own home if you have exercise equipment. Or if you have space enough to view a computer or tablet and follow exercise “classes” online, such as Zumba, Yoga, Tai Chi, or other workouts. (But avoid going to a gym.)
      • Take the time/effort to drive to an indoor mall where you can mall walk, keeping a safe distance away from other people.

Water

    • Drink enough water to stay fully hydrated. If you have any caffeine drinks, add half that amount in water to your daily quota of water (as caffeine is a diuretic).
    • Wash your hands with warm, soapy water at least three (or more) times a day, every time just before you check your blood glucose with your meter. Continue to wash your hands at all the usual times: after using the bathroom, before handling food, and immediately after coming back into your house whenever you have been out—for any reason, even going to the mailbox!
    • Wash your feet every night. Dry them thoroughly, and inspect your feet, visually and manually, for any abnormalities. If they are okay, moisturize your feet (but don’t get cream or lotion in between the toes).
    • Brush and floss your teeth after eating, and gargle or swish with Listerine or warm salt water.

Sunlight

    • Sunlight destroys germs, including viruses! Ideally, you can get sunlight on your daily walks. If you are mobility-challenged and cannot walk or exercise outdoors, try to get outside to at least sit in sunlight for 15-20 minutes.
    • If you are under age 50, your body is probably still making some vitamin D from sunlight. If you are over 50 (or 60 or 70), you may want to consult with your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement.

Temperance

    • Portion control in eating! Do not overeat. If you are like many of us, we have enough body fat to provide fuel (energy) for weeks—months—if necessary!
    • Portion control in buying food and paper goods. Buy what you need for your family (if/when you can find it), but don’t be selfish and hoard stuff. Just don’t!
    • Eat/drink only foods/beverages that will not harm your body, that will not spike your blood sugar and insulin levels, and will not cause or increase inflammation. Abstain (absteminousness) from all foods, drinks, and other substances or practices that are harmful.

Air

    • Ideally, you should get fresh air (along with sunlight) on your daily walks. If you are mobility-challenged, try to get outside where you can breathe deeply of fresh air while you are bathing in sunlight! Or even on overcast days when the sun is not shining.
    • Practice deep breathing or “mindful breathing” that allows you to fill your lungs with air, breathing very slowly in and out and holding your breath for a few seconds in between inhaling and exhaling.
    • If you are not sick, it is not necessary to wear a mask when you are in a public place. If you are sick and cannot stay home, a mask might be helpful (to protect others around you). In either case, there is no need to buy and hoard masks that are very much needed for health care workers.

Rest

    • Get an optimum amount of sleep—for you. Determine what that amount is and practice regularity in your sleeping and wake-up times.
    • Practice one day of rest every week, a time when you “unplug” from all the stressors in your life. Stress is the Number One cause of high blood sugars (after poor dietary practices and dehydration).

Trust in Divine Power

    • Follow your spiritual practices, whether you trust in God, Jesus, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, Shiva, Great Spirit, Higher Power, Goddess, or Humanism (if you don’t believe in any gods). Trusting in whatever or whoever gives you comfort can greatly reduce your stress levels and lower your blood sugars.
    • Practice guided (or unguided) meditation, regardless of your spiritual beliefs or lack thereof. Guided meditation usually involves music (which is what we often do on Friday nights in our Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics Facebook group).
    • Music therapy can reduce stress and promote relaxation. Best of all, there are no negative side effects!
    • Keep a gratitude journal, one of the most effective strategies to counteract depression and stress. Handwriting (pen and paper) is best, but it’s okay to use a computer if that’s more comfortable for you. But do it every single day. Once a day or three times both morning and evening, whatever works best for you.

Do you or a loved one have diabetes, pre-diabetes, PCOS, or risk for diabetes? Are you interested in a dietary protocol that will help you prevent or reverse diabetes? Are you a dietary vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, or Adventist non-vegetarian? Would you like to be in a diabetes group that provides support for all Adventist dietary lifestyle preferences based on your goals and accomplishments? If so, we invite you to explore:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventistvegetariandiabetics/

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Us.