Peak Health Wellness Insights Issue 27
The New Normal
A series to discuss new lifestyle changes brought about by a global pandemic
I am overwhelmed by how quickly a community can be derailed. We are stubborn creatures of habit, routine, and predictability. This is not to say we do not adapt and change as a society, we do. However, when these changes threaten our habits, routines and life's predictability, instability ensues quite quickly. Coronavirus is just one example of this.
What might the impact of this ultimately be? What is going to change and will it cause forever change? This situation currently calls to question how we eat, sleep, socialise, work, interact with others, exercise, and more....
Topic focus: Technology
The exact invention we were touting as 'socially isolating' and as a negative influence on our ability to have normal social connection has overnight achieved exactly the opposite. It is socially connecting us like never before. Facetime, Zoom, and Skype are allowing us to eat lunch in the company of others; Instagram and other streaming platforms are allowing us to work out together. However what are the implications of this? Is virtual connection as good as physical connection? Will this be what keeps us all mentally sane during the isolated weeks ahead, or will it plunge us deeper into a virtual web, leaving us with even less in-person communication proficiency? Will we become even more addicted and more reliant on our devices, or will this forced and overabundance of virtual connection get old and make us crave the real thing more? Will it take us full circle and finally force us to truly appreciate the value of physical connection once we return to normal life?
Mental Resilience
Stress compromises our immune systems
A remarkable series of studies shows that stress impacts our ability to regulate inflammation and by extension increases our susceptibility to getting sick. The study exposed volunteers to the cold virus and asked them to report how stressed their lives were. Results showed that those who were less stressed were less likely to develop cold symptoms as opposed to those who were living under chronic stress.
Sleep
A good nights sleep can help fight viruses
Studies show that sleeping well is vitally important for our immune system. This is due to the fact that during deep sleep we produce and release immune-boosting proteins called cytokines. This means that sleep quality directly influences our ability to fight off viral pathogens. Additionally, poor sleep impairs the actions of our killer T-cells, which are responsible for destroying cells in the body infected by viruses.
Nutrition
Nutrition
When thinking about how to boost immunity with food, think about your gut health
Our gut plays a crucial role in our immune system and defence. The microbes in our gut form a protective barrier and also programme our immune systems. This means the best diet to boost immunity is one that promotes a healthy gut. Researchers recommend eating a variety of high-fibre foods and fermented foods, such as fresh produce, yoghurt, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut. However, if finding fresh produce is difficult when self-isolating, we recommend stocking up on frozen fruits and vegetables.
Fitness
Exercising before breakfast can improve your body’s response to insulin
This study shows that the timing of breakfast has a profound and positive effect on overall health. Specifically, eating breakfast after exercising has a beneficial effect on fat burning and insulin sensitivity. However, the interesting finding was that meal timing did not significantly impact weight loss.
Productivity Tip
Intentionally designate and set up a work space within your home
Try to use this space for work and work only. This will force your brain to associate this space with being productive on work tasks and will help you more easily achieve and maintain focus each day.
Habit Hack of the week
Maintain your pre-exisiting work schedule as much as possible
Try to keep to the same morning routine that you would have otherwise taken when going into the office. If you had a 20 minute commute, take that time to go outside for a walk. Try to maintain meeting times and lunch breaks as you used to.