You’ve probably heard our motto here at Gutbliss – Live Dirty, Eat Clean – which we think is the best recipe for promoting a balanced gut microbiome – one that optimizes immunity for overall health and disease prevention. But in the midst of the coronavirus, a viral microbe that causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, the last thing people want to do is “Live Dirty”! And we completely get it. How can we continue to promote gut health and immunity amidst a pandemic, while still being smart about protecting ourselves from the coronavirus? Here are some tips that might help you navigate these uncharted waters.
Live Dirty Do’s
- Spend at least 1 hour outside daily.
- Enjoy time with your dog.
- Open the windows in your home; fresh air is a natural disinfectant.
- Get sweaty daily; exercise is a great way to boost your immune system.
- Wash your hands often with warm water and a natural soap. If you are unable to wash your hands but fear exposure to coronavirus, use hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 80% alcohol.
- Plant a spring garden.
- Wear gloves when at the grocery store, dispose after use, then wash your hands thoroughly. While the coronavirus can live on surfaces for quite some time, to date, there have been no documented cases of transmission from infected surfaces to a person. This doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, but the primary mode of infection is through respiratory droplets in the air.
- Keep a safe distance (between 6 and 10 feet) from others.
- Order your groceries online and pick them up or have them delivered.
- Continue cleaning your home as you currently do. If a person in your home becomes ill with COVID-19, the CDC recommends using a strong disinfectant for high touch areas such as tables, door knobs, light switches, faucets, etc.
- Wash clothing often in the warmest water possible. If someone in your home becomes ill with COVID-19, know that their clothes can be washed with other people’s clothing.
- Stay home as much as possible. But remember, this doesn’t mean staying indoors. Outdoor time in uncrowded, open spaces is encouraged.
Live Dirty Don’t’s
- Don’t break social distancing recommendations.
- Don’t spend time in crowded parks, trails or other well-populated outdoor (or indoor) areas.
- Avoid crowded grocery stores
- Avoid touching your face.
- And most importantly, don’t panic! Instead, be smart. Practice good handwashing practices, social distancing, and “stay home”.
