If you would like a session with Louise to discuss how to boost your immune system, please scroll to the bottom of this post for a special covid-19 discount.
My sister-in-law, Ann Mullen, has now sewn over 1,000 face masks for the hospitals, police stations, and healthcare workers, as well as family and friends. She made me a bunch so that I can be ready to go back to the office. I am still not used to “not” seeing people when I am at the store or even just driving down the road. It seems so surreal like we are watching a movie – but we’re not.
There are 2 big questions that are on a lot of people’s minds right now – when will things reopen and what will that look like? I struggle with these questions myself and wonder what life will be like at Wellspring when we finally get the OK to open.
When we were first learning about Covid-19, I had clients who were coming in very concerned. I was holding firm in those first few weeks that this was just another virus and that we should be treating it as such. When the number of cases started to rise, the supplies started to dwindle, and the hospitals became overwhelmed with cases, my attitude changed and I was fully on board with closing down and staying home to help mitigate the spread. I still feel like this was the correct action. I was not and still am not so concerned for myself, but I do not want to be responsible for spreading the virus to populations that may not have the immune system to handle it.
That seems like what it is all coming down to … the immune system. Why would one person test positive for the virus and have absolutely no noticeable symptoms, while another person tests positive, gets seriously ill, and maybe even dies? There is no other explanation at the moment than their immune systems. So what does that mean? What does your immune system have to do with catching the virus?
Our immune systems are our first line of attack against foreign invaders and it has three primary tasks: identifying threats and removing them; neutralizing pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi; and destroying dead or malfunctioning (including cancerous) cells within the body. Before our immune system can go on attack, it first needs to differentiate between “self” and “non-self” to identify a true threat.
What does that look like?
There are specific proteins located within or resting on the surface of harmful bacteria, fungi, microorganisms, and viruses called antigens which help to trigger the immune response. When these antigens come in contact with an immune receptor, the immune system respond by neutralizing, removing, or destroying the threat. As part of the immune response, the body make antibodies which not only help to destroy the invader but also stay around in your body so that if that foreign invader tries to come back, they will be ready to attack and defend the body. This is the hope with the Covid-19 virus – that those that catch the virus and create antibodies will become immune to the next round of infections. Our immune systems function in a complicated cascade of events that most of the time works beautifully to keep us safe and healthy.
So what does this have to do with reopening the center?
Our immune systems are our first line of defense and at the moment, the only line of defense that we have against this virus. As we start to reenter the world – going shopping, going to the doctors, socializing with our family, friends, and neighbors, maybe even going out to eat – we need to be prepared with something other than a face mask and gloves. It is important that we make sure our immune systems are functioning at their optimal level so that if we come in contact with the virus, our bodies will respond and ward off the attack.
How do we do make sure that our immune system is functioning at it’s optimal level?
Look for Part 2 of “Boosting Your Immune System” for more information on how inflammation can reduce your immune system and some of the strategies to help reduce it and optimize the immune system so that we can reenter the world with confidence and resilience.
If you would like to speak with Louise about how to boost your immune system, please call her at 570-421-3708 or contact her at wellspring@wellsprigholisticcenter.com. Sessions are 60 minutes ($65) or 90 minutes ($90).
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