Message to Students

Education Students:

As we work together to deal with this global pandemic, a group of my counselor/psychologist colleagues have been trying to devise an evidence-based list of supports students can utilized and engage in. We started this list because there is a developing evidence base in psychoneuroimmunology that can guide our recommendations to help all of us boost our immunity beyond the recommendations for handwashing and social distancing.

I hope you find the following useful as you are taking care of both your physical and mental health.

  1. Listen to the news in manageable portions. It is important to be informed, but not overwhelmed. Recommend to limit over-consumption of the news.
  2. Exercise daily with social distance. Exercise improves mental and physical health and is suspected to boost immunity.
  3. Get ample sleep. Sleep is the period when our body’s immune system is most active. When you stay up all night, you limit your body’s ability to stave off disease.
  4. Reach out to others to prevent loneliness and isolation – call three friends or relatives. Isolation is the number one cause of stress and depression, which weaken the immune system. If possible, utilize Zoom, Skype or other such systems to stay in contact.
  5. Practice mindfulness meditation, relaxation, Yoga, listen to relaxing music, MindSpace, etc. All of these ancient practices improve immune function by reducing stress.
  6. Reduce stress in one’s life by being extra kind to others. Love is the greatest strengthener of the immune system for both the giver and recipient. Dr. Dean Ornish’s best seller, Love and Survival, made this compelling case.
  7. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and reduce overconsumption of sugar. Whole foods with many nutrients are important in optimal immune system function while too much sugar may dampen it.
  8. Laugh – watch a funny movie or crack more jokes. Laughter improves immunity.
  9. Keep a gratitude journal – it is hard to be depressed and low when you are focusing on thankfulness. Newer research is linking improved immunity with lower levels of depression.
  10. Get outside – if at all possible, with social distancing, sunlight, even just a few minutes, helps the body with vitamin D and helps the immune system.

Finally, the American Psychological Association’s reference on “Psychoneuroimmunology” is a helpful resource to those who want a better understanding of the connection between the mind and immunity – thirty years of research shows that our psychological state improves our immunity to disease.

Hope everyone is safe and well,

Dr. Maglio