Have you heard about the Shirleys in Wuhan, China? Probably not. They are a family of four sharing strategies that are helping them thrive during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here are their tips:

1. They limit their travel, staying home all day everyday. When they do go out they practice social distancing and wear a surgical mask.

2. They beefed up their immune system. Remembering a recipe from Jamaica they make a brew with nutrient-dense ingredients including: ginger, honey, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and sour oranges. Sounds familiar right? Yes, Fire Cider!

3. They practice good hygiene. They each wash their hands frequently throughout the day, and they avoid touching their faces as much as possible.

4. They play tons of games! Dominos is their favorite and it brings them a lot of joy during this time of uncertainty.

5. They laugh together all day long! The Shirleys are laughing a lot because laughter is free, fun, easy to use, strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is an abundant resource for surmounting problems.

   In the end, the Shirley family wants to remind everyone that now is a time to be spreading love and not germs. One thing that is hard to get from the news we watch, but we can get from the Shirleys, is hope. Lost in the reporting of new cases and deaths is the fact that every day, thousands of people recover from this disease every day in China and worldwide. We can limit the spread by taking personal responsibility for our safety and following the instructions of health professionals and civil authorities. It’s not about having a fear but instead about how we react. Covid-19 creates a good time for personal reflection. As a family the Shirleys share that they have grown closer to each other and to God.

   Overall, they are healing and so can you!

   One Love.