Covid 19: D- Stress the Distress

Samina Tariq Khan. M.D.N. Holistic Nutrition

We are experiencing a lot of distress and anxiety due to Covid times. “Worry is a neurological process, rather than simply a “feeling,” we can take steps to relieve it. [1] Here are seven things you can do to ease your mind and body.

1. Deep Breathing: To help manage an acute anxiety attack, use breathing techniques. Inhale slowly through the nose for a count of five. Hold your breath for a count of five. Then exhale. Do it few times.

2. Soothing Stomach: Your stomach acts as a “second brain” when it comes to worrying. Like our brains, our stomachs have their own nervous systems, called the enteric nervous system. When we worry, millions of receptors embedded in the gastrointestinal tract react to fear by speeding up or slowing down our digestion. [2]

3. Fennel Tea relieves anxiety related gastrointestinal upsets, reduces flatulence and abdominal tension, and relaxers the large intestine. [3]

4. Anti – Anxiety Foods: Include in the diet apricots, asparagus, avocados, bananas, dried fruits, figs, fish especially salmon, garlic, green leafy vegetables legumes, raw and seeds, whole grains, and yogurt These foods supply valuable minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, which are depleted by stress. Berries are naturally rich in vitamin C, which helps fight increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. [4]

5. Learn New Skill: Research in neuroscience has found that one of the best ways to exercise our brains as adult is to learn a new language. We don’t need to speak it fluently; we only need to use our brains to learn it. Research has shown that doing so can actually reduce the risk of Alzheimer ‘s disease. What else would be best in learning than learning the Language of Quran.

6. Strengthen immune System: We are better able to deal with hard situations with strong immune system. Quince is an immune booster, rich in potassium, copper, iron, and dietary, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, and fiber. Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah narrated that Rasullullah said: the burden of the heart is removed by eating the Quince. [Ibn- Maja 3339.]

7. Talbina : Aisha(ra) used to recommend Talbina for the sick and for those sad over the death of loved ones. She used to say, “I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, ‘Talbina gives rest to the heart of the patient and makes it active and relieves some of his sorrow and grief.’ [ Sahih Al- Bukhari 5689. Book 76, hadith 12].

8. Trusting Allah on Hard Times: Narrated `Aisha(ra) (the wife of the Prophet) I asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about the plague. He told me that it was a Punishment sent by Allah on whom he wished, and Allah made it a source of mercy for the believers, for if one in the time of an epidemic plague stays in his country patiently hoping for Allah’s Reward and believing that nothing will befall him except what Allah has written for him, he will get the reward of a martyr.” [Sahih Al- Bukhari 3474 Book 60. Hadith-141]

References:

2. http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-All-Natural-Cures-for-Anxiety/2#ixzz2wB81DqWk

3. http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-on-Stress-Reduction#ixzz2wB8Rk4zO

4. Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC Fifth Edition. http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-health-benefits-of-quince-fruit/

5. Ahadith from Sunnah.com