By: Adrianne Szabo-Payne

It’s no question that pretty much every single person in the world is feeling the effects of COVID-19.
Whether you’re at home in self-isolation, or still required to go to work to provide essential products
and services for the rest of us, we have to take this time to pay extra attention to our health.
So beyond washing your hands every five-minutes and wiping every surface you touch with a disinfectant, how can you keep your immune system strong?
Firstly, we have to look at our immune system from all sides; physical, mental and spiritual. When we
look at ourselves as a whole, we’ll have a much better chance at keeping ourselves healthy.
Here’s a holistic approach to helping boost your immune system as we navigate through these times.
Feed your physical body with good food and exercise. It is easy to give up on the healthy regime during
times like this, but don’t fall prey to apathy and fast food.
Since getting to the grocery might not be as easy as you’re used to, when do you go, make good choices
by picking fresh leafy greens, colourful fruits and vegetables and lots of protein rich foods. If you’re
trying to eat less meat, remember to soak your beans and legumes and wash them through often to get
rid of most of the lectins which can cause digestive upset.
You can soak your beans and legumes for several days, so long as you wash them through every few hours. Use the internet to find recipes and how-to videos. Among my favourite is Tasty, showing step-by-step recipes.
Set an intention to exercise for at least 20-minutes daily. Go for a walk or bike ride through your
neighbourhood. These are all social distancing approved activities, and fresh air is vital for good health.
If walking or biking isn’t your thing, the internet is loaded with free exercise videos to choose from.
Try something new every week. It’s good for the body and the brain. And don’t forget to stretch!
Supplementing can help those who need a little extra help. Probiotics, Vitamin C, D and good fats will
help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system’s ability to fight off viruses and bacteria.
For your mental and spiritual health, set daily goals to keep you feeling productive. Include things like
calling a friend who might live alone and talk about COVID-free news; learn a new skill, the internet is a
wealthy resource; take 5-10 minutes to laugh out loud daily, funny animal videos are great. If you find
something great that helps you, remember to share it with a friend.
These might be unsettling times, but the silver lining is we are in control of how we react to it all. Be a
champion of positive energy. We will get through this together.

Adrianne Szabo-Payne is owner of Monkey Tree Fitness & Wellness, 800 Islington Ave. Phone 416-233-3400 or visit monkeytreewellness.com