Advocacy Statement – covid-19

The PedANP is committed to supporting families and the naturopathic doctors that care for them during this very challenging time. Not only do families want to stay free from infection with COVID-19, but are also concerned about keeping each other optimally healthy, mentally, spiritually and physically. If you are looking for specific naturopathic support, many clinics are offering telemedicine and/or in-person appointments for urgent situations.

  • Obtain accurate information about the current state of this virus; please check your local public health department for regional information and guidance.

  • Follow good personal hygiene

    • Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds often throughout the day, before eating, when coming inside, etc.

    • Sneeze or cough into an elbow

    • Clean high-touch surfaces regularly

  • The PedANP advocates for physical distancing, not social distancing. Please follow your local public health guidelines for physical distancing.

    • ~ CDC guidelines

    • ~ PHAC guidelines for health professionals

  • Mental health can be challenged during scary times; children respond to world events in different ways, depending on age, developmental stage, and temperament. It is important to recognize and navigate stress, sadness, and worry in a proactive way, both for children and by the adults who care for them.

    • CDC guidelines

    • CMHO recommendations

    • CAMH recommendations

    • Practice meditation; there are an abundance of online tools that can help guide someone new to meditation; children can do this too!

    • Exercise, sleep, time outside and a healthy diet all help to mitigate stress and mental health impacts

  • Use creative methods and technology to foster and maintain a social connection. Write letters, video chat with loved ones (especially those who may be isolated and distanced), play online games with others, etc. Do not connect physically with friends.

  • While there is no clear treatment - pharmaceutical, natural or otherwise - for this virus, standard recommendations for keeping the body healthy are particularly important. These strategies also support mental health.

    • Get sufficient sleep.

    • Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, plant-based protein, and fibre-rich complex carbohydrates. Limit processed foods and free sugars.

      • Healthy eating plate for adults and kids

    • Get sufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity, including cardiovascular movement, muscle, and bone-building activities, and flexibility.

      • While this can be tricky when in isolation, the internet is overflowing with excellent exercise videos that are fun for people of all ages.

      • Spring cleaning is active, dancing is active, gardening is active. Jump rope, create obstacle courses … anything that you and your kids enjoy!

    • If you are not in mandated quarantine, getting outside (keeping physically away from others) is incredibly helpful for physical and mental health.

      • Keep occupied and purposeful.

      • This doesn’t necessarily mean “productive”, or even “homeschooling”

      • If possible, use this time to help children discover and explore what excites them. Think simple crafts, art, reading, cooking, story writing, singing, dancing, rhythm-making, puzzles, etc.

      • There are many fascinating online resources that could be fun for families to explore together.

      • Help them think about how they can help others, now and going forward.

    • Maintain your baseline medication and natural health product protocols; most kids need supplemental vitamin D, which can help keep the immune system appropriately responsive. During this time when children are outside less, this becomes more important.