What I’m Doing to Stay Healthy (and Sane) During This Time of Coronavirus
Hello Henné fam!
While our blog posts are normally very light-hearted and mainly Henné-related, after your heartwarming messages/emails as well as your messages with questions about my personal experience during this time of uncertainty, I felt that it was only right to publish this blog post.
Today I’m sharing what I’ve been doing to take care of my mind, body and soul at home during this time of self-quarantine.
I’ve always considered myself a bit of a prepper. My husband often says that he’s amazed how whenever he thinks we’re almost out of something, a new one magically appears from the pantry or a cupboard. But after all these years of thinking I would definitely be prepared for a food or supply shortage, it’s been an entirely different thing to actually experience and be in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. While we were stocked up on nonperishable food and water (which I am so grateful for), I realized there were still some things I wasn’t stocked up on at all: most of our supplements, extra fruit and veggies that can be stored in the freezer.
I’ll start with the topic I’ve received the most questions about: the supplements I’m taking to keep my immune system strong. Please keep in my mind that I am not a medical professional, so I’m only sharing what I personally take on a daily basis. These decisions are solely based on the recommendations of my natural doctor and my own personal research. I’m fortunate enough to get bloodwork done regularly to check a variety of facets of my health as well, which has aided myself and my doctor in knowing what supplements work best for my body. You should consult with a health professional before you start taking any new supplements.
So without further ado...
Beyond Tangy Tangerine (I call it Tangy for short): This is a multivitamin mineral complex that I normally take 3-4 times per week, but lately I’ve been taking it daily. It’s very high in Vitamin C (immune booster) and contains great levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, thiamin, riboflavin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Folate, etc. etc. It’s basically my main ‘multivitamin’.
Magnesium: There are a plethora of benefits to magnesium (bone health, nervous system, lung function, etc), but I mainly take magnesium because it helps with bowel movements (sorry to be TMI). I usually take two pills a day (200 mg total). I like the Magnesium CitraMate from Thorne.
Turmeric: Curcumin in turmeric is an antioxidant and has great anti-inflammatory benefits. I take 2 pills per day (approx 1600 mg), but my doctor says I can take up to 4 or 5 a day if I’d like, as the body doesn’t absorb that much of it. Brand I like: Naturewise Curcumin.
Iron: I take iron 2-3 times per week (during dinner). I used to be quite iron deficient so I took iron daily, but now that my levels are in the normal range, I don't need to take it everyday. Keep in mind that too much iron can be dangerous, so you should definitely get blood tests before you start taking iron like crazy.
Fish Oil: So many benefits to omega-3 fatty acids, from heart to eye to liver to joint health. My favorite ones are the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega SoftGels. I’ve been purchasing them for almost a decade, and I love how easy they are to take. I take 2 per day (1280 mg total).
Ubiquinol: Excellent form of Co-Q10 for heart health. I take one pill every other day, mainly because I started taking it recently so I’m trying to see how my body handles it. I’m not going to personally recommend a brand quite yet. I’ll update this part of the article once I’ve taken it for at least a month.
Spirulina and Chlorella: Both of these help with detoxification and help boost the immune system. Chlorella binds to bad heavy metals, so it can help the body detox from toxic metals. I have them in powder form. They taste awful mixed with just water, so I suggest mixing them with a juice or smoothie. I mix them in with my celery juice. I get both of mine from Micro Ingredients (both are organic).
Zinc + Copper: I recently started taking zinc + copper after reading my natural doctor’s article about what to take during the COVID-19 outbreak. Same as the ubiquinol. Only recently started taking it, so I’ll hold off on listing a brand favorite for now.
Colloidal Silver: Colloidal silver has antiviral properties and helps kill germs. I’ve been using colloidal silver for over ten years. I use it in spray form and via the nebulizer. I don’t use it everyday, but whenever I feel like I’m starting to come down with something, I’ll either use the spray or nebulizer. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly. If I spray it, I’ll spray it in my mouth a 6-7 times. If I use a nebulizer, I will use about a teaspoon worth of colloidal silver. My favorite brand is Sovereign Silver.
Probiotics: Gut health is so important. I take probiotics a few times a week. If I’m taking colloidal silver that day though, I will make sure not to take a probiotic (as colloidal silver can decrease the efficacy of the probiotic).
Whew! We’re done with the list of supplements…for now. I know that’s a lot to read about. If I had to narrow it down and could only choose 2 things to have during this time of coronavirus, I’d probably pick the Tangy and colloidal silver.
Now moving onto the next topic, which is what I’m actually doing at home during all this time. While I am continuing to work at home, things are almost at a standstill right now because most retail stores are closed, so I’ve been working a few hours on some days and hardly anything on other days. As someone who prides myself on my work ethic and likes a busy schedule, it’s certainly an adjustment, but I’m learning to make the best of it by filling my schedule with fun non-work related things.
Staying germ-free: Whenever we receive a package, I wipe down the items with a disinfecting wipe and then wash my hands (slightly obsessively). To make the time pass, I usually start humming whatever song is stuck in my head at that time, which is actually a terrible idea because it’s usually only the super annoying ones that get stuck in my head. Also, I’ve never been more grateful that we have our own hand creams so I can use them constantly, because if we didn’t, my hands would be a mess by now.
Reading: I currently don’t have an unread books at home, so I’m planning to re-read some favorites. Current book I’m re-reading is The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. Next on my list to re-read is The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. I'm also looking for a good fiction book (preferably a thriller). Any suggestions? If so, DM me on IG at @henneorganics please!
Cuddling while watching Netflix: I haven’t been watching Netflix much since I started staying home, but I think that will change in the next day or so as my workload dwindles more and more. I’ve got a super long list now; a lot of them are suggestions from all of you (thank you!).
Music: When I was growing up, I used to spend hours every week getting lost in music. From singing to playing instruments to discovering new artists, it was a huge part of my life. I’ve done very little of that in the past years, so I’m planning to dedicate sometime to losing myself in musical revelry.
FaceTiming/Skyping family and friends: Thank goodness for technology. The hubby and I don’t have any family that lives near us (his live in Sweden and mine live out-of-state and in China), so we’ve been keeping in touch with family with lots of video chats. A nice upside of video calls with family and friends is that I can do it in my PJ’s and fuzzy socks and don’t need to be self-conscious about that large red pimple that decided to make itself at home on the center of my forehead.
Discussions with the hubby: I’m so grateful to have the hubby home with me, and we both love having deep discussions. It’s not that we don’t want to discuss during normal times, but since we’re business partners, our conversations often end up revolving around Henné. Now that we have more downtime, I have a feeling there will be a lot of discussions and going down rabbit holes.
All right, I think I need to wrap this one up before it becomes a novel. If you’ve been reading up until this point, thank you! If you started skimming after awhile, don’t worry, I’m not judging (it’s a long one).
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to how to handle these difficult times, but after reading this, I hope I’ve answered a lot of the questions that you sent over.
I also remain hopeful that we will come out of these dark times stronger and closer as a community than before.
Sending an abundance of love and virtual hugs.
xoxo
Laura Xiao
While our blog posts are normally very light-hearted and mainly Henné-related, after your heartwarming messages/emails as well as your messages with questions about my personal experience during this time of uncertainty, I felt that it was only right to publish this blog post.
Today I’m sharing what I’ve been doing to take care of my mind, body and soul at home during this time of self-quarantine.
Throwback to me relaxing in Sweden during calmer times
I’ve always considered myself a bit of a prepper. My husband often says that he’s amazed how whenever he thinks we’re almost out of something, a new one magically appears from the pantry or a cupboard. But after all these years of thinking I would definitely be prepared for a food or supply shortage, it’s been an entirely different thing to actually experience and be in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. While we were stocked up on nonperishable food and water (which I am so grateful for), I realized there were still some things I wasn’t stocked up on at all: most of our supplements, extra fruit and veggies that can be stored in the freezer.
I’ll start with the topic I’ve received the most questions about: the supplements I’m taking to keep my immune system strong. Please keep in my mind that I am not a medical professional, so I’m only sharing what I personally take on a daily basis. These decisions are solely based on the recommendations of my natural doctor and my own personal research. I’m fortunate enough to get bloodwork done regularly to check a variety of facets of my health as well, which has aided myself and my doctor in knowing what supplements work best for my body. You should consult with a health professional before you start taking any new supplements.
So without further ado...
Supplements I'm Taking
Vitamin D3 + K2: Due to most jobs being indoors these days, a lot of us are Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is crucial for boosting the immune system, improving the mood, and is also great for the skin. l take it in liquid form and take about 2000-3000 IU per day.Beyond Tangy Tangerine (I call it Tangy for short): This is a multivitamin mineral complex that I normally take 3-4 times per week, but lately I’ve been taking it daily. It’s very high in Vitamin C (immune booster) and contains great levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, thiamin, riboflavin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Folate, etc. etc. It’s basically my main ‘multivitamin’.
Magnesium: There are a plethora of benefits to magnesium (bone health, nervous system, lung function, etc), but I mainly take magnesium because it helps with bowel movements (sorry to be TMI). I usually take two pills a day (200 mg total). I like the Magnesium CitraMate from Thorne.
Turmeric: Curcumin in turmeric is an antioxidant and has great anti-inflammatory benefits. I take 2 pills per day (approx 1600 mg), but my doctor says I can take up to 4 or 5 a day if I’d like, as the body doesn’t absorb that much of it. Brand I like: Naturewise Curcumin.
Iron: I take iron 2-3 times per week (during dinner). I used to be quite iron deficient so I took iron daily, but now that my levels are in the normal range, I don't need to take it everyday. Keep in mind that too much iron can be dangerous, so you should definitely get blood tests before you start taking iron like crazy.
Fish Oil: So many benefits to omega-3 fatty acids, from heart to eye to liver to joint health. My favorite ones are the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega SoftGels. I’ve been purchasing them for almost a decade, and I love how easy they are to take. I take 2 per day (1280 mg total).
Ubiquinol: Excellent form of Co-Q10 for heart health. I take one pill every other day, mainly because I started taking it recently so I’m trying to see how my body handles it. I’m not going to personally recommend a brand quite yet. I’ll update this part of the article once I’ve taken it for at least a month.
Spirulina and Chlorella: Both of these help with detoxification and help boost the immune system. Chlorella binds to bad heavy metals, so it can help the body detox from toxic metals. I have them in powder form. They taste awful mixed with just water, so I suggest mixing them with a juice or smoothie. I mix them in with my celery juice. I get both of mine from Micro Ingredients (both are organic).
Zinc + Copper: I recently started taking zinc + copper after reading my natural doctor’s article about what to take during the COVID-19 outbreak. Same as the ubiquinol. Only recently started taking it, so I’ll hold off on listing a brand favorite for now.
Colloidal Silver: Colloidal silver has antiviral properties and helps kill germs. I’ve been using colloidal silver for over ten years. I use it in spray form and via the nebulizer. I don’t use it everyday, but whenever I feel like I’m starting to come down with something, I’ll either use the spray or nebulizer. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly. If I spray it, I’ll spray it in my mouth a 6-7 times. If I use a nebulizer, I will use about a teaspoon worth of colloidal silver. My favorite brand is Sovereign Silver.
Probiotics: Gut health is so important. I take probiotics a few times a week. If I’m taking colloidal silver that day though, I will make sure not to take a probiotic (as colloidal silver can decrease the efficacy of the probiotic).
Whew! We’re done with the list of supplements…for now. I know that’s a lot to read about. If I had to narrow it down and could only choose 2 things to have during this time of coronavirus, I’d probably pick the Tangy and colloidal silver.
Now moving onto the next topic, which is what I’m actually doing at home during all this time. While I am continuing to work at home, things are almost at a standstill right now because most retail stores are closed, so I’ve been working a few hours on some days and hardly anything on other days. As someone who prides myself on my work ethic and likes a busy schedule, it’s certainly an adjustment, but I’m learning to make the best of it by filling my schedule with fun non-work related things.
My At-home Activities
Exercise: So important for a healthy body and mine, especially right now! I normally work out around 5-6 times per week; usually at least 2 of the workouts are outdoor ones. With the self-quarantine, I’ve been doing pilates, HIIT videos, kickboxing videos, and using the elliptical at home. It’s one of the main activities keeping me sane and upbeat during all this time indoors. Obviously, you should only work out when you’re feeling healthy, so if you feel even a tad sick (especially at this time), then it’s better to veer on the side of caution and take the day(s) off.Staying germ-free: Whenever we receive a package, I wipe down the items with a disinfecting wipe and then wash my hands (slightly obsessively). To make the time pass, I usually start humming whatever song is stuck in my head at that time, which is actually a terrible idea because it’s usually only the super annoying ones that get stuck in my head. Also, I’ve never been more grateful that we have our own hand creams so I can use them constantly, because if we didn’t, my hands would be a mess by now.
Reading: I currently don’t have an unread books at home, so I’m planning to re-read some favorites. Current book I’m re-reading is The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. Next on my list to re-read is The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. I'm also looking for a good fiction book (preferably a thriller). Any suggestions? If so, DM me on IG at @henneorganics please!
Cuddling while watching Netflix: I haven’t been watching Netflix much since I started staying home, but I think that will change in the next day or so as my workload dwindles more and more. I’ve got a super long list now; a lot of them are suggestions from all of you (thank you!).
Music: When I was growing up, I used to spend hours every week getting lost in music. From singing to playing instruments to discovering new artists, it was a huge part of my life. I’ve done very little of that in the past years, so I’m planning to dedicate sometime to losing myself in musical revelry.
FaceTiming/Skyping family and friends: Thank goodness for technology. The hubby and I don’t have any family that lives near us (his live in Sweden and mine live out-of-state and in China), so we’ve been keeping in touch with family with lots of video chats. A nice upside of video calls with family and friends is that I can do it in my PJ’s and fuzzy socks and don’t need to be self-conscious about that large red pimple that decided to make itself at home on the center of my forehead.
Discussions with the hubby: I’m so grateful to have the hubby home with me, and we both love having deep discussions. It’s not that we don’t want to discuss during normal times, but since we’re business partners, our conversations often end up revolving around Henné. Now that we have more downtime, I have a feeling there will be a lot of discussions and going down rabbit holes.
All right, I think I need to wrap this one up before it becomes a novel. If you’ve been reading up until this point, thank you! If you started skimming after awhile, don’t worry, I’m not judging (it’s a long one).
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to how to handle these difficult times, but after reading this, I hope I’ve answered a lot of the questions that you sent over.
I also remain hopeful that we will come out of these dark times stronger and closer as a community than before.
Sending an abundance of love and virtual hugs.
xoxo
Laura Xiao
