Valley doctor says stay-at-home order is opportunity to improve one’s health
Apr 13, 2020, 4:35 AM | Updated: 7:52 am
(Getty Images/Naomi Baker)
PHOENIX — Tuesday marks two weeks since Gov. Doug Ducey issued his statewide stay-at-home order, and one Valley doctor believes residents can use it as an opportunity to improve their health.
“This virus hit the proverbial pause button on our hectic overly scheduled, overwhelmed lives,” Dr Susan Wilder, Founder and CEO of LifeScape, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
“It forced us to stop, take a breath and focus on that is truly important: Our health. Too often our health takes a backseat to so many other priorities in our life until we don’t have it.”
Wilder says staying at home provides the opportunity for Arizonans to focus on their mental health, which in turn boosts the immune system — rendering individuals more resilient to COVID-19.
Maintaining a healthy diet could also go a long way in warding off coronavirus, according to Wilder.
“Eat your fruits and vegetables and stay away from sugars, artificial sweeteners and chemically-laden foods,” Wilder said.
“Eat real food. It supports your brain chemistry, hormone balance and production, your ability to clear toxins and it increases your ability to fight off viruses.”
Wilder went on to say that it’s vital to get at least 30 minutes a day of exercise along with 7-8 hours of sleep.
“We have carved way too much sleep out of our lives,” Wilder warns.
Ensuring plenty of sleep also helps to correct hormonal balance and combat depression and anxiety, according to Wilder.
“A healthy person has a thousand wishes but a sick person has only one,” she said.