Every day we receive emails with tips on how to strengthening the immune system. This is good and important, because our immune system is our most powerful protection against illness. This is very fortunate, because at the moment we have nothing else that can effectively stand up to the virus. We need vitamins, minerals and plant nutrients from real food for our immune system. But what the immune system also needs is our mental strength.

We are experiencing something the world has never seen before. Even those of us with an otherwise stable soul are experiencing moments of fear - of infection and illness, of loneliness, of loss, of financial ruin. To make matters worse, we are sitting at home all day, and not everyone can pass the time working. Others not only have to work, but also have to replace their children's schooling, teach them and provide variety. The stress level is high. Stress is poison for the body and soul. It has never been more important than now to minimize stress and bring it under control.

For mental health, we need social contact, closeness and cohesion, joy, fun and laughter and cognitive stimulation. Just sitting alone in front of the TV is counterproductive - but unfortunately many of us have no other choice. Or do they?

Mental stress caused by corona

Social life has come to a complete standstill. But we can still go outside - as long as we stick to the rules. After the long winter, both our minds and our bodies need sun on our skin to raise our vitamin D levels again. We need light and fresh air, and finally, finally it's spring! Exercise - especially in the fresh air - is one of the most powerful stress-relieving measures. We can still go for walks, jog and walk the dog. Who would have thought that these little freedoms would one day be a precious commodity? It is therefore extremely important for all of us - all of us! - that everyone follows the rules and stays away from others, otherwise the government will end up having no choice but to ban us from going out altogether.

We know it's easier said than done, but don't worry! (1) Research has shown that worry stimulates the body's stress response in the same way it would if what we are worrying about actually happened. We are not saying that there is currently no reason to worry. It's just that worrying doesn't improve the situation and contributes absolutely nothing. Except more stress. Take your mind off it. Read a book. Watch a comedy movie. Dust off the board games. Write that novel you've been meaning to get down on paper for so long.

Stress reduction through gratitude

Although there is a lot to complain about in these times, and justifiably so, we must not forget to be grateful. Gratitude is always - not only in bad times - an indispensable tool for stress reduction (2), mental health and contentment. Gratitude for what?

Most of us have a roof over our heads, heating and lighting. This is not necessarily the case for everyone. We have enough to eat - or would have if people would finally stop hoarding and leave some left over for those who don't have enough money or don't have a car to bring large quantities home or don't have time to shop because they are at the hospital from morning to night helping their patients.

Our blessing: The internet

We have the internet - what a blessing it is! Even though social media often contributes to increased anxiety, the internet still makes our lives a lot easier in these times. Thanks to the Internet, many people can still work and earn a living. Thanks to the internet, we can still keep in touch with friends and family. Thanks to the Internet, we can rent movies without having to go to the video store and books without having to go to the lending library. We can order groceries and meals online. We can take courses, teachers can teach children and professors can teach their students. Without the internet, we would be much, much worse off.

Reflection through corona

Despite all the misery, the corona crisis has also given us a new perspective on what really matters. It shows who the real heroes are when it comes down to it: the medical staff, researchers, harvest workers, sales clerks, cashiers, cleaners and truck drivers, without whom we would be at a loss. It's not influencers, YouTubers, Hollywood actors and reality TV stars. The crisis is clearly showing us who we should (and shouldn't) be grateful to.


Sharing also makes us happy. (3) It may seem like what you need for peace of mind and mental stability right now is a five-year supply of toilet paper and canned ravioli. Even the hoarders just want to keep themselves and their family safe and not have to worry. However, it has been proven that it is indeed better to give than to receive. Leaving something for others, sharing and giving are not really selfless, but we ourselves receive the gift of happiness and contentment in return.

Not everything is black and miserable. Everything - even this terrible pandemic - has its good sides. When the pandemic is over, the world will never be the same again. Air and water quality have already improved considerably. There is hope that climate change can perhaps be averted after all. Of course, we won't stay at home forever, but the hope remains that companies and individuals will learn a few lessons from this experience. Perhaps not every business meeting needs to take place in person. Perhaps working from home can be an option, at least for those who want and need it. be. Perhaps we can imagine going on vacation on our doorstep more often, because while we were still upset a week ago that we weren't allowed to go to the Maldives, we would now be happy if we could just go to Lake Constance.

Take a piece of paper and a pen and make a list of all the positive things that the current situation has brought you. We guarantee you'll come up with something. You'll finally get around to weeding or finishing that sweater you started months ago. You now have time to finish your online training. You spend more time with your children (and less time with your mother-in-law). There's more peace and quiet outside. You can sleep longer and work in your pyjamas if you want. Feeling sorry for ourselves does not serve us in any way. But finding the benefits - no matter how small - is valuable.

In this week's newsletter, you can find out which nutrients you can use to boost your mental health. It's not too late to subscribe. You can sign up right here on our homepage.

(1) Brosschota JF, Gerin W, Thayer JF (2006): The perseverative cognition hypothesis: A review of worry, prolonged stress-related physiological activation, and health. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Feb 2006, 60:2:113-124.
(2) Tsang JA (2006): Gratitude and prosocial behavior: An experimental test of gratitude. Cognition and Emotion. 2006, 20 (1), 138-148.
(3) Post SG (2005): Altruism, Happiness, and Health: It's Good to Be Good. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 2005, 12:2:66-77.