Danielle Lupo, Playboy Bunny & Healthcare Pro, Is Schooling Us On Coronavirus

After panic-reading just about everything I could about coronavirus, I never would have guessed that some of the most solid advice about this whole thing would come from a professional Playboy Bunny, but I'm not one to be shocked when beauty meets brains. 

When Playmate and international model Danielle Lupo isn't rocking her bunny ears, you'll find her in a white coat as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT). As a Pre-Medical, Health Science grad, Lupo has been working in the Healthcare field for almost 10 years, so she knows her stuff. From what to do if you think you have COVID-19, to how you can deal with the anxiety of it all, she's schooling us on everything we need to know.

What are some ways to boost and protect my immune system today?

The most important thing you can do for yourself and others in this pandemic is to stay home. For many of us, it is super tough and frustrating to do this. It is also SO important to try and keep your anxiety and stress levels low, as that can weaken the immune system and actually allow you to still get sick even from your house. (There are pesky germs that can get us sick EVERYWHERE!) This is, of course, easier said than done I’m sure, but try these different exercises to cope such as:

-Continue a healthy and balanced diet.
-Keep up the normal fluid intake.
-Now, more than ever is so important to nourish your body right.
-Spend quality time with your family and or pet that you’re quarantined with. (Playing with or petting an animal can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease the production of the stress hormone cortisol which ultimately can relieve anxiety and lower heart rate!)
-Stay active, doctors RECOMMEND going out for a walk, get some sunlight and fresh air, and of course all while staying away from others with a safe 6-foot minimum, a CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommended distance... Getting outside is extremely helpful for your mental state during this challenging time.
-Also, feel free to practice some extra TLC and spoil yourself with some good ol’ self-care! Practicing healthy skincare routines and taking relaxing bubble baths are just what the doctor ordered. ;) 

SOS! What do I do if I think I have Coronavirus?! 

First and most of all, isolate yourself. Keep calm and review your symptoms. The symptoms of COVID-19 are: dry cough (must be associated with rising fever, otherwise irrelevant), fever, tiredness, sore muscles, chest pain, sore throat, difficulty breathing (severe cases - this can be associated with pneumonia).

 And many other symptoms can resemble the flu, including headaches, digestive issues, body aches and fatigue, which can be severe. Still, other symptoms can resemble a cold or allergies, such as a runny nose, sore throat and sneezing. 

Take your temperature regularly and CALL your doctor BEFORE you go ANYWHERE. You may not even have it and most likely will catch it at the Hospital or test center where you are exposing yourself to a ton of already infected people without having the correct PPE (personal protective equipment). Your doctor will be able to determine by phone if you should call the ambulance or not. 

I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! When will this all end and go back to normal already?!

Unfortunately, no one can predict that. But keep yourself updated and educated on all the facts. Sometimes things that we don’t know anything about can scare us. And that’s okay. Just know that at this point, the top researchers and doctors are on top of this. We are all doing our best here. We are hoping we are almost at the height of things and when these peaks, hoping to be sooner than later, because of all the precautions we are now taking, the spread of this infection will progressively die down and warmer weather will help the virus die off. 

And here are some fun, maybe not so fun facts: Heat kills viruses! And sunlight helps our bodies naturally produce Vitamin D which these days spent inside can cause and or exacerbate Seasonal Depression. (SPF always recommended of course...) Focus on this information and keep reminding yourself that things WILL get better. 

But with all this extra free time at home, what do I even do with myself? 

No one was anticipating this. It totally blows. BUT know that successful people can take disadvantages and make them into opportunities. When I was struck by a distracted driver (do NOT text and drive) I was so injured that I had to drop out of college and quit my job as a Dental Assistant. At first, it sucked. But, I wasn’t going to let myself quit. When I was recovered enough, I was able to model again and seek out a new school and ended up finishing there with perfect grades and an awesome internship. With all that said, take this setback and re-focus. This new perspective might even lead you to learn a new language, play a new instrument, take an online course (they’re not as bad as you think!) or even reconnect with old friends and distant family. If you’re like me and hate sitting around while the world is in a crisis, pitch in with your community, look up local postings where help is needed. There are less fortunate people out there that don’t have their health or the resources that we do. Of course all while being safe by taking the proper precautions... 

I don’t know how much longer I can hold up without seeing my friends or families, I miss them, what can I do? 

As it is recommended to always keep a 6-foot distance between yourself and others, doctors suggest you may meet up, maybe somewhere like a park, where the area is open and thoroughly ventilated. We are also so lucky to be in an age where technology has us so (safely) connected. Remember, laughter is contagious and most famously known to “be the best medicine.” Laughing decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals. So maybe instead of sitting on social media all day, which already triggers our anxiety, talk to a friend or watch things that make you laugh. Needless to say, we can do this! We are gonna get through this. Together.

 *Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.*