5 DIY ways to stay healthy during social distancing

This post provides five ways to stay healthy during social distancing.

With social distancing in place, and many businesses closed, what can you do when you are in physical pain? How do you detox when you can’t go to your gym or exercise club? How can you stay relaxed and strengthen your immune system? It can be easy to panic and feel lost. But on the flip side, there are many things you can do to strengthen and heal yourself at home. Employ a little resourcefulness, listen for what feels good in your body, and see how empowered you can feel to facilitate your innate healing potential at home. Here are some home tips and practices that I’ve been finding helpful.

Who is Betsy Leighton?

I’m a writer, blogger, and healer dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their innate peace and wholeness by healing nervous system dysregulation. My personal experience with chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) shapes my work, and my content offers tools to empower those with chronic illness to improve their well-being and take charge of their health.

I created the Sacred Self-Healing Method and am a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an author, blogger, and A Course in Miracles Teacher. I hold a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and am a trained spiritual mentor, with certificates in sound healing, aromatherapy, nutrition, and Sacred Deathcare. I offer a self-study certificate program in the Sacred Self-Healing Method, provide spiritual counseling and coaching, courses, and supported subscriptions for the Safe and Sound Protocol.

What is MCAS?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis. MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, as well as avoiding triggers. Check out this post on managing MCAS.

Intention

The Sacred Self-Healing Method relies on the power of intention. Intentions are more than goals; they are your co-creative participation in your life path and healing. By setting an intention, you add your desire to be a partner in your destiny, in combination with the seen and unseen forces at work in the Universe. Whether you are setting an intention for a successful root canal, a great new job, or a business meeting to go well, the act of putting forethought into the outcome of the process can be a powerful tool.

Intention is the driving force behind any energy healing modality, from Reiki to sound healing to prayer.

The universal equation for healing is:

Intention + Frequency = Healing

The “frequency” part of the equation is whatever healing modality is being used.

Intention can be used for health and healing, job searches, fitness, relationships, and pretty much everything.

This post has more information on the power of intention.

So, here are five ways to stay healthy during social distancing

1. Strengthen your immune system. There is much being made of protecting yourself against infection from the outside—washing your hands, social distancing, wearing masks, etc. But equally important is strengthening your immune system from the inside to meet illness with an effective immune response. Physician Cynthia Li has posted this downloadable guide to help you do just that.
2. Address pain. For nerve pain, it can really suck when you can’t see your chiropractor or acupuncturist. A few days ago, I threw out my back and was really wishing I could see my chiropractor. But that was not possible because the office will be closed for some time. I have a Frequency Specific Micro-current machine (FSM), which is similar to a TENS unit. I applied electrodes to that area of my back and ran an inflammation-reducing program. It really helped! Inexpensive TENS units are available for purchase online. If you aren’t sure if this is okay for you to use, consult with your doctor first.
3. Detox. For detoxing and relaxation, my go-to self-care practice has been an infrared sauna. It’s closed now, so I moped around for a few days before I figured out some home solutions. One option is hot 20-minute baths in Epsom salts. It feels excellent and pulls toxins out of your tissues. Another is dry brushing your skin. The skin is our largest organ of detoxification, and dry brushing helps keep it “open” and releases toxins. Dry brush your skin before your hot Epsom salt bath for even greater detoxing. Both techniques are highly beneficial if you are coming down with a specific, ahem, virus. Keep your skin open and breathing, and you will fare better.
4. Keep pooping. Yes, everybody poops. If you are prone to constipation, now is the time to address it. Increase your fiber. Walk or move your body regularly. Don’t strain. Use an enema or a gentle laxative if you are coming down with an illness, and you will get through it more easily. Again, consult with your health practitioner if you have questions.
5. Healthful movement. For massage or acupuncture, nope, they are still closed. But for general toning, stretching, flexibility, and strength, I’ve found some excellent free and pay-what-you-can Zoom Soma yoga and Viniyoga classes that are extremely mindful, gentle, and relaxing. Soma yoga is a method that uses the breath to detox joints, stretch, and mindfully release tension. I’ve had excellent results using Soma yoga to release tension in my intercostal muscles, breathe more deeply, and release the stuck places that keep me from breathing and moving with ease. Here are some fabulous Soma yoga centers offering free and pay-what-you-can Zoom Soma yoga classes: Yoga North, Wendy Brom’s Soma Yoga classes, and Kevin Kortan’s online yoga classes (you will need to email him). Gentle movement helps you feel better and strengthens your coping skills. And you will be helping these small businesses stay alive during the pandemic!
6. Okay, this is a bonus! #6 – Relax and sleep. For guided meditations, check out the Chakra Balancing Rituals on my blog below. Miranda McPhearson has some lovely guided meditations on her website here. Robbins Hopkins offers a virtual meditation circle, and so do I! And you can always search YouTube for relaxing guided meditations. For ease in falling asleep, check out the Beatfulness app, BrainTap, Hemi-Sync, and just plain white-noise apps.

Be creative!

It can be challenging when we can’t rely on the healers and practitioners we might typically see in person. But with a bit of creativity, you can strengthen your immune system, live with less pain, and get through illness with the best possible outcomes.

The bucket theory

The bucket theory simplifies understanding symptom reactions with MCAS. Imagine your body as an empty bucket you don’t want to overflow. Reactions to various stimuli fill the histamine bucket at different rates, forming the total histamine level (how full your bucket is). More histamine means more symptoms. By managing triggers, reducing exposures, and taking medications and supplements, you can control your bucket’s level.

Know your typical symptom progression

Understanding your symptom progression during a flare is key to developing your rescue plan. This post discusses how to recognize symptom progression so you can be prepared to address them.

Get my free ebook, symptom log, and meal plan!

Want a tool to easily track your symptoms?

Check out these circadian health tools!

I’m an affiliate with Bon Charge, a company that makes tools for circadian health, and you can receive 15% off your order with my coupon code BETSYL.

Bon Charge offers tools such as yellow– and red-tone blue-blocking glasses, red light therapy devices, PEMF mats, infrared saunas, and EMF-blocking products.

Sign up for the SSP!

I’ve found the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to be the most helpful bottom-up healing strategy if your nervous system has been overloaded with toxic exposures, including mold or non-native EMFs, chronic infections, concussions, stress, or trauma. The SSP is a passive listening therapy based on Polyvagal Theory that helps heal nervous system dysregulation. Many people with MCAS and other chronic conditions have nervous system dysregulation stemming from infections, toxic exposures, concussions, and trauma. The SSP is an easy-to-use app that lets you listen to specially filtered music for 30 minutes each day as part of a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions. Here’s a short podcast describing the Safe and Sound Protocol.

You can sign up for the SSP here!

Heal your mind!

While the SSP is a bottom-up, somatic therapy for healing the nervous system, the Sacred Self-Healing Method I offer is a top-down nervous system-healing modality that focuses on cognition, attention, perception, and emotion, using the mind’s higher functions. The SSP and the Sacred Self-Healing Method complement each other and together produce lasting results. Here’s a short podcast on my self-healing practice.

I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching, as well as Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven, novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.

Order my books!

Here’s a short podcast highlighting my five books.

My latest book, Living In The Light: Healing with Forgiveness, Sound, and Light, is all about the tools that have been most helpful for me to heal: forgiveness, sound, through nervous system retraining using the Safe and Sound Protocol, and light, through entraining my circadian rhythm with the energy of the sun. Living In The Light is available here!

Rocks and Roots chronicles my solo backpacking journey on the Superior Hiking Trail and my efforts to overcome nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to complete the 328-mile hike successfully.

The Sacred Self-Healing Method ebook is available here and in most ebook retailers!

The Sacred Self-Healing Workbook is available for purchase here!

Betsy’s first book, Sacred Self-Healing: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness, is available here

Companion Recordings

The companion audio recordings of chants, guided meditations, and sound healing demonstrations that accompany the Sacred Self-Healing Method are available for free on my YouTube channel here

What do you think?

I’d love to have your reply below!

Disclaimer

The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment.