Santelli Healing Center
  • HOME
  • LOCAL EVENTS
  • SERVICES
  • MY METHODS
  • Articles
  • ABOUT DR. SANTELLI
  • CONTACT ME

The Second Pandemic

3/1/2021

 
It’s been a year now that we’ve had to live with Covid. The virus has changed our lives. Every day we are inundated with information about the increasing number of cases of the virus and deaths. We’ve been watching, reading and listening to news stories and social media reporting the latest news.

We are learning to understand that although it only looks like one contagion, in reality, it is two. One of them is the novel coronavirus itself. The second contagion is ancient, more intractable, and even more contagious: human fear, which can spread faster person to person than the coronavirus.

It’s not just a metaphor. Fear changes human behavior, for better and worse. As scientists and doctors fight the virus, the next challenge is managing the main driver of this second pandemic —the spread of fear.

But while we are receiving guidance to protect our physical health, like washing our hands, social distancing, etc., we are being given very little guidance to address our mental and emotional health.  The fear pandemic surrounding the coronavirus is global, and while I am not minimizing the seriousness of the virus, fear is making us more susceptible to its potential spread.  We need emotional tools to keep our immune systems strong to combat the disease.

A published model of how disease spreads in a population is called the “coupled contagion” model. It includes two contagions: the disease itself, and the other, fear of the disease.
​
One hundred years ago most humans experienced two distinct waves of the "Spanish flu," separated by just over four months. The second wave of the disease has long been a mystery. It is considered unlikely that the second wave was a new viral strain, produced by mutation. Instead, it’s more likely that the wave was triggered by human behavior, and, in particular, by contagious fear.
 
Fear is the normal survival instinctive reaction to danger. It allows us to guide our choices and our actions to avoid taking excessive risks for our health and our lives. However, we all don’t have the same sensitivity to danger. Some of us tend to underestimate it and go ahead no matter the risk, while others are much more reserved - some, even paralyzed - by fear.
 
When we are faced with a life-threatening crisis that has an uncertain outcome, it is natural to feel worried, vigilant, and even panicky. If the crisis cannot be resolved in a reasonable amount of time, we may begin having trouble sleeping, experience headaches, feel tense and nervous, and become subject to other health problems. 

The behavioral immune system

Infectious outbreaks have shaped the psyche of humanity for millenia. Epidemics and pandemics propagate fear and erratic behavior and, long after they are over, remain entrenched within the global psyche. It is referred to as ‘behavioral immune system’.
 
Since humans are a social species that evolved to live in large groups, the behavioral immune system modified our interactions with people to minimize the spread of disease, leading to a kind of instinctive social distancing.
 
It has been found that fear of disease can influence people’s attitudes to immigration. When we fear contagion, we tend to be harsher and less accepting of strangers. 

Fear of the unknown

Anxiety about the unknown (such as the risk of Covid) can hyperactivate the fear center in the brain called the amygdala. It acts like a trigger-happy alarm that interfaces with the stress system that keeps our body and mind on high alert for as long as we are feeling anxious. Research shows that the mere suggestion of danger, even if it never occurs, is enough to trigger the amygdala and activate the stress response. This is what keeps people awake at night.
 
Although psychological stress is not pathogenic per se, the damage it causes to the body’s cells triggers an immune response that makes us more susceptible to a foreign pathogen. Chronic activation of the stress systems can damage our cells and upset many of the body’s immune functions.
Over-worrying about Covid can increase our vulnerability to viruses by creating an imbalance in immune function. This is because the immune system reacts to multiple breaches on immunity, the way that airport security reacts to multiple breaches in safety, by escalating the response. Although it is important to be prepared during this pandemic, we need to avoid panic.
 
Excessive anxiety about Covid can trigger an immune response that increases inflammation and readies the immune system’s equivalent of special forces. But too much inflammation does more harm than good; it deregulates immune function, increasing our risk of a viral infection.

What can we learn from this situation?

Remember our immune system depends on what we eat, how we exercise and detox, but also our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and emotions. We need the balance of mind, body, and spirit to maintain a healthy immune system.
 
Every challenge has within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. But before we can experience these benefits, we need to find that seed, nourish it, and let it bloom in our minds. Ask yourself, “What possible gift could there be for me because of this challenge?”

Sometimes, it’s easy to feel that circumstances are greater than we can handle, and that they have the power to control our lives. However, the secret to maintaining unshakeable peace is to realize that we have the power within us to choose presence and happiness. No matter what’s happening around us, we can create harmony with our circumstances, so that we no longer feel like the universe is working against us.

“Every time your fear is invited up, every time you recognize it and smile at it, your fear will lose some of its strength.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Fear is essential to our survival in times of danger and should be followed as a means of taking appropriate action. However, when fear becomes intense and persistent—interfering with daily life—it needs to be addressed. So, what can be done to help mitigate our fears? 

Back to the breath!

​It has been proven that nasal breathing leads to better overall health. It makes sense, given that the primary defense to airborne viruses is in the nose and not the mouth. Breathing through the nose can support the body’s natural resistance to viral infection.
 
Usually, anxiety begins with short breaths which cause negative reactions in our body and can become an anxiety attack. Controlling our breathing overcomes these outbreaks. I cannot emphasize enough the power of the breath.
 
When we’re dealing with fear or anxiety, the first thing to do is take time out for physical activity requiring deep breathing which can help protect the immune system from the effects of stress.
 
“Deep breathing can help intense situations feel less threatening. Deep breathing brings awareness which will help us breathe mindfully,” said Juli Fraga, a clinical psychologist.
The following protocols demonstrate the power of the breath and how utilizing deep breathing can calm us.

QiGong, TaiChi, Yoga and/or Meditation activate deep breathing and take our minds away from negative thoughts, thus strengthening the immune system. The purpose of Qi is to establish and maintain health.
 
These practices activate the life force ‘energy’ (Chi or Qi). When Qi flows it brings ‘healthy’ energy to every cell. Qi is like water moving in the body; when water does not flow, it becomes stagnant. Stagnation of Qi is the cause of all disease, circulation of Qi is the cure of all disease. The purpose of Qi is to establish and maintain health. When the Qi is right, the body/mind is right.
 
The physical activities of walking, jogging, biking, etc., outdoors require not only deep breathing, but also uses our brains differently. These exercises cause our brains to release more of the happy chemicals — the endorphins! This helps switch our fearful thoughts to clearer thinking, overcoming our fear. We can achieve naturally, what many prescription drugs do artificially.

Other suggestions

Press pause: read a book; listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook, make a cup of chamomile tea; take a bath with calming bath salts. Or…just unplug! (The TV, phone, tablet, and computer.)
 
Eleanor Roosevelt said: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
 
And, then we have John Lennon who sums it up: “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance…Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
 
How are we going to allow the ‘fear pandemic’ to affect our lives? That decision is for each one of us to make! Our quality of life depends on it.

 
Disclaimer:
(If you have tested positive for the coronavirus or think you may have contracted it, please consult your physician before considering the options above.)
 
I am not advocating any particular Alternative technique. I ask that you keep in mind that all the information given is just my web research. It is only meant to give you the basic history and knowledge to hopefully whet your desire to learn more by doing your own research. One must do ‘due diligence’, researching more information than I am able to provide here in order to make a knowledgeable, individual and personal decision as to which route to follow.

 
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/healing-stress-the-inside-out/202003/your-panic-is-increasing-your-risk
https://theconversation.com/anxiety-about-coronavirus-can-increase-the-risk-of-infection-but-exercise-can-help-133427
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/act.2019.29223.jha
https://reallifecounseling.us/overcome-fear-and-anxiety/
https://www.verywellfit.com/exercise-and-stress-relief-1231199

    DR. FELICIA'S WRITINGS

    Picture
    Dr. Felicia Santelli
    Transformational Energy Healing

    Published Magazine Articles:

    2021:
    Jan 2021: 2020 and Ubuntu
    ​Feb 2021 Love Me-but-Don't Touch Me
    Mar 2021 The Second Pandemic
    Apr 2021 It's Time!
    2020:
    Updating soon
    ​ 2019:
    Jan 2019 Resolutions, Thoughts for 2019
    Feb 2019 J'Dore L'Amour
    Mar 2019 Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall
    Apr 2019 It's Your Attitude, Stupid
    May 2019 What's In  Your Garden?
    Jun 2019 Is Your Mind A Train Wreck?
    Jul 2019 Are You Listening?
    Aug 2019 You Are Your Own Medicine
    Sep 2019 Sticks and Stones
    Oct 2019 Take Off Your Mask
    Nov 2019 Thank Me!
    Dec 2019 The Only Gift
    2018:
    Jan. 2018 Wisdom From the Masters  Down Through the Ages
    Feb. 2018 Qi Gong: Managing The Flow of Qi or Life Energy
    Mar. 2018 Like Your Car, Your Body Needs Periodic Tune-Ups
    Apr. 2018 ​Which Organ of the Body is the MVP?
    May. 2018 Aging Begins In The Colon
    Jun. 2018 The Wave
    Jul. 2018 The King is Dead
    Aug. 2018 The Battle to Control the Immune System
    ​Sep. 2018 Two Brains? Really!
    Oct. 2018 You Are Not Sick! You're Thirsty!!
    Nov. 2018 Is Mozart Good For Your Health?
    Dec. 2018 The Only Gift That Really Matters

    2017:
    ​
    Jan. 2017 Stress, Part 1 
    Feb. 2017 Stress, Part 2 
    Mar. 2017 Stress, Part 3: Real or Self-Inflicted 
    Apr. 2017 Stress, Part 4: How Are You Stressed 
    May 2017 Stress, Part 5: Stress On Steroids (Trauma) 
    June 2017 Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) 
    July 2017 Your Mind is the Source of Your Illness
    Aug. 2017 National Relaxation Day - Aug 15!!
    ​Sep. 2017 The Stress Buster You Haven't Tried
    Oct. 2017 Mindfulness
    Nov. 2017 How Should We Experience Thanksgiving?
    Dec. 2017  The 12 Gifts of Christmas

    2016:
    May 2016 How Emotions Affect The Immune System 
    Jun. 2016 Chemistry of Emotions 
    Sep.  2016 The Emotion-Disease Connection - 
    Oct. 2016  Your Inner Voice 
    Nov. 2016 Being Thankful Is Good For You
    Dec. 2016 12 Gifts of Christmas 

    Categories:

    All
    Adrenals
    Allergies
    Breathing
    Cause Of Allergies
    Chi
    Disease
    Emotional Stress
    Emotions
    Fight Or Flight
    Fight-or-flight
    Gratitude
    Illness
    Immune System
    Kinesiology
    Mind
    Muscle Response Testing
    NAET
    Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique
    Nervous System
    NET Neuro Emotional Technique
    Physical Stress
    PTSD
    Relaxation
    Spiritual Stress
    Stress
    Symptoms Of Allergies
    Thoughts
    Trauma
    Water

    All Articles:

    Allergies: Emotions Affect Allergies

    Allergies: Symptoms of Allergies

    Allergies: The Hidden Cause for Many Illnesses

    Allergies: What Is An Allergy

    Being Thankful Is Good For You

    Chemistry of Emotions
    ​
    Emotional Reality Can Affect Your Health
    ​

    Emotions and Physical Health

    How Emotions Affect the Immune System

    Kinesiology - Muscle Response Testing

    Muscle Response Testing (MRT) - Kinesiology

    NAET: What Is It?

    NAET: How It Works

    Stress and the Holidays

    The Surprising Relationship Between Water, Your Thoughts, and Your Health

    The 12 Gifts of Christmas

    Water: Vital Fuel for Body's Engine

    What Is Alternative Medicine?

    What Is Stress?

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    July 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    RSS Feed

SANTELLI  HEALING CENTER  
Cottonwood Square
7960 Niwot Road, #C10
Niwot, CO 80503
HOME 
LOCAL EVENTS 
ABOUT DR. SANTELLI   
MY METHODS
SERVICES 
CONTACT ME
BLOG
All content ©2016 Dr. Felicia Santelli unless otherwise noted.