I want to talk about navigating a pandemic when you have an autoimmune disease. Living with an autoimmune disease on a normal day is challenging. Once you’ve been doing it for a while it just becomes part of your daily routine and you barely notice it anymore, but other people definitely do, lol 😂I wash my hands profusely. I can’t share food with pretty much anyone, ever. I can’t spend too much time in the sun, lay on the beach, take a hot yoga class, or camp when it’s too cold or too hot. I have to keep my stress levels low. Running makes my knees swell up like balloons, and I’m always afraid of flaring, ending up in the hospital, and facing a mountain of medical debt. Fast forward to pandemic… multiple all of this by 10,000 and then add a triple dose of stress & fear!

If you are struggling with an autoimmune disease the best advice I can give you is to find a way to keep your stress levels WAY down! I know this is scary, I’m feeling it too, but stress will greatly impact your immune system, and you need that sucker to keep you strong and healthy right now! 

Ways to reduce stress 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
Meditation, breathwork, move your body at least once per day, get plenty of sleep, journal, keep in touch with friends & family often, take a bath or hot shower, go for a secluded walk with a mask and gloves (stay away from other people), listen to music, draw or paint. What makes you happy? What helps you reduce stress? Don’t forget to do these things now more than ever.

Obviously you should also be very strict about social distancing & wash your hands! You should only go out when you absolutely must, otherwise have someone else run errands for you if at all possible. I have not entered a public facility since the quarantine. My boyfriend is running all errands, and he’s wearing a mask and gloves so he doesn’t come home and get me sick. If you’re on the Nextdoor app I’m sure you’ll find plenty of posts about people who are willing to do your shopping for you, I’ve seen it many times over the last few weeks. Find someone to help you and stay inside. Delivery services can be very helpful and I know a lot of pharmacies are offering free deliveries right now as well.

If you need someone to talk to send me a DM. I’m a good listener and I understand what you might be going through, you don’t have to do this alone ❤️

For the entire month of April I am offering new clients the opportunity to pay what you can for virtual coaching sessions in meditation, mindfulness, breathwork & yoga. Now more than ever we need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves both physically & mentally. I’d love to help you through this incredibly hard time. Be well & take care of each other!

Photo by: @jessicaczarneckiphoto

To book a private coaching session with Jenna you may fill out our contact form, call us at 323-849-0039 or shoot us an email at jenna@yoginest.com