Ananda

Reyn B.

Abbygail N.

As we all know, COVID 19, or simply the coronavirus, has spread throughout the globe. Scientists and top research experts are doing all they can to find a vaccine or a cure, but those solutions will take months. In the meantime, many people are paranoid about catching the virus. What people can do is try to stay healthy. Here are three secret Ayurvedic tips, from the heart and soul of India, that will help boost your immune system so it is ready to protect you from COVID. 

1. Spices: One of the most important ingredients in Ayurveda practices are the spices. Spices like cardamom, star anise, turmeric, tulsi (basil), ginger, and cinnamon are said to have healing qualities, and the reason for this is because they are “warming spices.”  Once consumed, they produce heat within the bowels that clears out any dirt or bacteria that may cause stomach upsets, and makes room for good bacteria to reproduce and coat your stomach lining. This boosts your immune system tremendously because it makes your gut healthy and it results in you being less prone to illnesses that begin within the stomach. Below are instructions on how to prepare “spice-infused water” if you are interested in this tip and technique.

Ingredients: cumin, ginger, turmeric, and star anise.

Instructions : Fill a pot halfway with water, then bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add a handful of cumin, about a cup of finely chopped ginger, 2 tablespoons of turmeric, and about 5-10 pieces of star anise. Let it boil on medium high heat for about 10-15 minutes. Let the spice liquid cool in the pot and then transfer to a jug or container. Once cooled down, pour into a cup or mug and drink. Can be kept in the fridge for at most two days, and can be consumed throughout the day.

#2. Foods to avoid: Your food intake affects your entire system, and that’s why Ayurvedic experts recommend avoiding certain foods. Fried foods like corn dogs, and sweet foods like cake should be avoided if you’re trying to boost your immune system. This is because these types of foods are hard to digest, and it takes a longer time for your stomach to break them down. Dietary experts say that consuming foods like Greek yogurt and vegetables will help boost your immune system because of their healthy contents and their gentle effect on your stomach.

#3. Sleep and Exercise: As you already know, sleep is one of the most important things in life. Getting enough sleep is rejuvenating, and provides you with mental and physical fuel. Lacking sleep and oversleeping are both equally bad, as they will both end up making you feel fatigued and less alert. Believe it or not, Ayurveda states that sleep is another immune system defense. A person should get no more or less than 8 hours of sleep every night, and if you follow this sleep routine, you will naturally have a stronger immune system because good sleep renews your cells. Exercise, and burning the calories you consume, is equally important in Ayurveda. Accumulated fat in the body will lower your metabolism and immune system, so exercises you can do at home like push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, wall sits, etc. are a must. Getting the proper amount of sleep and exercise will definitely boost your immune system.

And there you go! Three secret, yet somewhat obvious, Indian Ayurvedic tips that will help boost your immune system and make you less prone to getting sick from viruses.  I hope you will take advantage of these tips to stay safe and strong during this crisis, because like all others, we will get through it!

How to Not Procrastinate during Distance Learning: 

Coco

Distance Learning can be rough. Being in quarantine, not being able to see any of your friends, and still doing school work can be hard on most. But on the other hand, since classes are only 30 minutes and the day starts at 9 and ends at 2, it’s hard not to take advantage of a lighter class schedule by procrastinating. With a shorter schedule, it’s very easy to get distracted and lose focus on your tasks. So here are a couple of tips and tricks to make sure that you don't procrastinate while distance learning. 

Put your gadgets away!

Most distractions are mainly caused by gadgets. Putting all gadgets away can be the most efficient way to stay focused. It’s very common for teens to just pick up their phone and start scrolling through social media. Once they start scrolling , they can fall into a hole of posts and lose sense of time. Going through your phone gives you an excuse not to do work, so its best not to have your phone or gadget in reach at all. Some may say that they need their computer for school, and that’s fine, but they shouldn't use it during class if they don't need to. If you get really distracted you might want to consider asking your parents to keep your unnecessary and unwanted gadgets while you are doing school. Even though some students won’t want to do that because they feel attached to their gadgets, it’s for the better. 

Get organized. 

Another helpful way to stay focused is to get organized. Follow the time of the classes, be prepared for class, and as soon as you get an assignment, do it. Procrastination can also be caused when there is only a small amount of work. Students may think, “Oh I’ll just do that later,” which causes them to procrastinate and ends up causing more work later. Instead of putting small tasks off for later, you could think, “Oh, since it's not a lot of work, I’ll just do it now to get it out of the way." 

You could also make deadlines and check-ins for yourself or your teacher for when to get work finished. You could also set reminders for yourself of when to stop doing a particular task and start doing something else so you don't spend more time than necessary on less important work. Being more organized and put together helps you stay on task and keeps you busy so there’s no time for distractions. 

Take breaks.

Most people may think that not procrastinating is just work, work, and work, but procrastinating is just the action of postponing or delaying something. Taking breaks for yourself halfway through projects or working stops you from going on your phone during that time because you know there will be a time to relax. Knowing that there will be a time to get on your phone or gadgets is very important so that you don't procrastinate. Having a break also lets you clear your mind and calm down if you're stressed, even if its only 5 or 10 minutes. 

Change your environment.

Changing your environment and workspace can be a huge help to your productivity, especially if your environment is messy, uncomfortable, or distracting. Create a new workspace for yourself without distractions and where you can really focus. When working, sit at a desk with a calm environment around you instead of doing your work in or on your bed. When you work in your bed, you’re more likely to procrastinate by going back to sleep or picking up your phone, which  do nothing to help you do your classwork.