[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/-i8g9dJf90Q”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column width=”1/2″][no_button size=”big_large_full_width” style=”” icon_pack=”” target=”_self” font_weight=”” text=”FREE Copy of Stressless Success” link=”http://www.stresslesssuccess.com”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][no_button size=”big_large_full_width” style=”” icon_pack=”” target=”_self” font_weight=”” text=”Access the 21 Day Delightful Detox” link=”https://janetmckee.mykajabi.com/store/YVr9YKie”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I usually say to avoid the news if you want to live a happier and healthier life because it exposes you to dramatized negativity. Even for me, avoiding the news right now is almost impossible and actually, even my limited exposure to it appears to be somewhat helpful. It continues to be wise, however, to self-regulate how much you allow yourself to be exposed to a constant source of fear and anxiety.

I’ve been teaching for years and especially in my latest #1 best-selling book, Stressless Success, that whatever you give out you get back, in terms of your energy. Your energy is a reflection of how you feel, emotionally and physically. When you stress and struggle, you build walls of resistance which create more reasons to stress and struggle. The secret to a life of greater success, both personally and professionally, is to live in a way that cultivates positive energy. From elevated energy and emotions, you get positive results because opportunities and solutions will then flow to you more easily.

The issue here is that the news these days is filled with reasons to feel fear and anxiety. Rightfully so, based on all that is happening. The key here is to take back your power and create a life that gives you the best opportunity to not only survive but to thrive.

First, hearts and prayers go out to anyone affected by the latest happenings whether it is with experiencing a health challenge or issues with your job or business. It is never fun to be facing a challenge in life and if you know my story, I am all too familiar with life’s challenges.  But if you know my story then you also know how every challenge I have ever faced taught me volumes. Because of these challenges, I am now not only wiser but happier than I’ve ever been and enjoying every day of my life more fully, even amidst worldwide chaos and fear.

Do you want to live every day in fear or would you rather live with calm awareness and peace of mind? It’s time to not only take your power back but create a vibrant life regardless of what is happening around you.

First of all, worry and fear increase stress which is harmful in the following ways you may not have ever realized:

• Stress puts your body into flight-or-fight mode. It responds by pulling blood flow from your brain and sending it to your extremities in preparation to fight or flight. This lack of blood flow to your brain makes it more difficult to think clearly about the very thing that is causing you concern.
• Stress suppresses your immune system. A strong immune system is critical, especially in times like these.
• Stress increases the release of cortisol in your body which increases inflammation and therefore, health challenges. The increased release of cortisol also causes weight gain, especially around your mid-section, which has been proven to be hard on your health.
• Stress messes with your melatonin, which is your sleep hormone, making it more difficult to sleep. Being exhausted does not help with your ability to handle stress making all of the above even worse.

 

Since fear is the leading source of stress, let’s look at the fear that is growing within all of us over what is happening around the world. Now I’m not diminishing the level of concern and severity of this but instead trying to balance the fear with facts. And FACT is a far better four-letter word that begins with the letter F (than fear, that is LOL) that I would like to consider.

Data from John Hopkins University shows that there have been roughly 130,000 cases of the virus worldwide and already 70,000 people have already recovered. The World Health Organization has stated the those who become ill that 80% generally experience mild illness and recover in less than 2 weeks, and those that have a more serious response recover within 6 weeks. The coronavirus brings only mild symptoms, such as cough and fever for most. This is not as scary as you have thought. The real concern is for those that have weakened immune systems, such as the sick or elderly.

Zhong Nanshanm, the Chinese government’s senior medical adviser who worked to help stop the SARS outbreak is 2003 said during a press conference last Thursday that if all countries take positive measures, this pandemic could be over by June. He also said that warmer weather could help slow the spread of the virus.

The peak of coronavirus cases has already passed in China within just a few months with new cases dropping to single digits for the first time. He said, “The key is to act fast to detect and contain the virus.” This is exactly what later countries are doing.

It’s also interesting, and I believe helpful to gain perspective, to look at statistics on the common flu.

The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide, annual influenza epidemics result in about 3-5 million cases of severe illness each year and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths.  And, it’s actually pneumonia that is a byproduct of having the flu that contribute to most of the deaths; not the flu virus per se.

Now I’m not saying any of this is good news, but compared to what we’ve experienced so far with the corona virus, the numbers pale in comparison to what we deal with every single year.

Yes, this is “novel” which means the human body has not yet had a chance to develop immunity to this new virus but as people are being exposed, it may actually benefit them in some way. And, I understand this one is highly contagious but clearly the common flu is as well.

Again, we are just looking at the facts to help balance the fear because this helps us to stay calm and to think more clearly to create better energy within us which affects our lives.

If each challenge offers some benefits, what then are some possible opportunities we may experience as a result of what is happening today?

• People are more aware of their personal hygiene and being more diligent in keeping their hands and surfaces clean and trying to avoid touching their faces in situations where they may have been exposed to germs.
• All of this awareness and self-care may prevent less spread of the flu in future months and years.
• We are more aware or caring for our elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Social compassion and care are beautiful things as we help the elderly with running errands and doing some basic chores.
• Finally, more people will hopefully start taking their health and wellbeing more seriously by learning ways to live healthier and learn how to boost their immune system. This will help them prevent the onset of illness and if they do catch something, they will be able to recover quickly.

 

What can you do to support a healthy immune system and good health overall?

• Focus on the positive in your life. I already discussed on stress can weaken your immune system. Focusing on all that is good in your life and all of your healthy cells, then you will feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• Get lots of high-quality rest. When you sleep your body not only rests and rejuvenates, but your body goes through a process of detoxifying and healing.
• When you awaken in the morning, choose thoughts of a beautiful day and experience what it feels like to have a beautiful day. This will help you to maintain better energy throughout the day.
• Drink plenty of fresh filtered water. Being hydrated is critical to support your detoxification organs.
• Take a probiotic, or eat healthy fermented foods, to gain beneficial bacteria in your gut. A large portion of your immune system relies on beneficial bacteria in your gut and this also has been proven to reduce rates of depression and anxiety. Beneficial bacteria support overall mind and body wellness.
• Eat a diet rich in colorful plant foods. Fruits and vegetables are rich with phytonutrients and antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
• Consume foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus, sweet peppers, strawberries, kiwi etc.
• Eat a variety of cooked mushrooms as these are powerful for supporting a strong immune system and mushrooms, as well as Brazil nuts, are rich in selenium which offers additional important support.
• Consider including some sea vegetables (or seaweed) in your diet to gain access to the perfect source of iodine, critical too for a healthy immune system.
• Eat plenty of green pumpkin seeds, sometimes called pepitas, to get a good source of zinc which is critical for fighting disease, including viruses.
• Always include lots of garlic and onions in your diet. These are from the allium family of vegetables and contain allicin, which is a proven disease fighter. Garlic is known for being a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic. If you’re concerned about the smell, know that this will help you with social distancing! Just kidding. Laughter is good medicine too.

• Include anti-viral plants in your diet such as:
  • Oregano
  • Sage
  • Basil
  • Fennel
  • Lemon Balm
  • Peppermint
  • Rosemary
  • Olive Leaf (can get an extract)
  • John’s Wort (an herb used in tea and supplements)
  • Elderberry
  • Ginger Root
  • Licorice Root
  • Ginseng
  • Astragalus (usually in supplement form)
  • Isatis (usually in supplement form)
  • Echinacea (immune system support)
  • Goldenseal (immune system support)
• Avoid mucus forming foods such as animal dairy. The virus is attracted to mucus membranes so the last thing you need right now are foods that increase mucus production.
• Avoid immune weakening foods such as simple sugar, white flour, and bad fats.
• Exercise daily as this will help your lymphatic system work more efficiently, which is key for detoxification.
• Consider taking a Vitamin D supplement or get in the sun as this is important to support a healthy immune system.
• Consider a few other anti-viral and immune boosting supplements such as ones that contain isatis, echinacea, and goldenseal.

 

For all of these reasons, we can actually pause and give thanks for this awareness to help us live a healthier and more stress-free life going forward.

As seen on Global News and the New York Times, the people of Italy are making the best of the situation. We should all learn from these people who are confined to their homes but they are singing and playing music from their balconies in a way that shares joy and positive energy with everyone around them.

Walk away from fear and instead pray with positivity energy and send blessings to everyone all over the world.

I’m certainly sending blessings to you.

Love, Janet[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space image_repeat=”no-repeat”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_column_text]About the Author

Janet McKee, Speaker, Best-Selling Author, Wellness Expert,  High Performance™ Success Coach, and CEO of SanaView, is on a mission to inspire and teach you proven and effective ways to Embrace a Better Life; a life that is richer, happier, healthier, and more fulfilling.

After experiencing tremendous success in the corporate environment and obtaining her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. McKee became passionate about helping others. She pursued a wellness degree with a school affiliated with Columbia University, was then selected to be one of only 200 in the world certified in High Performance™ with the High Performance Institute, and has been awarded membership into the National Association of Experts, Writers, and Speakers.

Ms. McKee is the creator of the innovative and acclaimed Accelerated High Performance Program and emPower3 retreats designed to help you Fuel Your Passion, Positivity, and Purpose.

Ms. McKee wrote a recipe book titled, “Fabulous Recipes for Vibrant Health,” co-authored a best-selling book with success legend, Brian Tracy and other experts titled, “Ready, Set, Go!”, and is best known for her #1 best-selling book titled, “Stressless Success: The Surprising Secrets to a Life of Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity.”

Whether you consult with Ms. McKee directly or hire her to speak to your organization, you will learn her proven methods to achieve greater levels of energy, joy, confidence, and success. To learn more visit janetmckee.com and sanaview.com. She can be reached at (724) 417-6695 or janet@sanaview.com.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]