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CHAMBER NEWS

Beating Stress. Building Immunity: It’s Time to Play Offense

MUCH OF OUR REACTION TO THE COVID-19 has been in Johnson stressed the importance of nutrition in building up the immune
the form of playing defense – wearing masks and gloves, system. He urged diets with more PH balance – less acidic foods (processed
social distancing, and sheltering in place. According to foods, coffee, alcohol, soda, etc.) and more alkaline or foods with strong
health and fitness expert Chris Johnson, it is time to play mineral content (fruits, vegetables, etc.). He also underlined the importance
offense. Johnson shared his thoughts on beating stress and of drinking lots of water daily – the number of ounces equaling half your body
building immunity during a webinar on May 8, hosted by weight. Johnson advocated a diet that includes Omega-3 fats and superfoods
the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC). such as flaxseed, cod liver oil, frozen wheatgrass and spirulina chlorella.
Johnson also advocates prebiotics (oatmeal, bananas, onions) and probiotics
“Playing offense is all about how we rest, how we eat, and (sauerkraut, yogurt, etc.).
how we move,” said Johnson. “We need to develop a new Johnson
rhythm.” When it comes to exercise, Johnson said the most important thing is to move
the body 15-20 minutes a day — that has become especially important since
Johnson, founder and CEO of Bath Township-based On Target Living, said the COVID-19 pandemic has more people spending more time in front of
stress is mostly physical and shows up in a higher heartbeat, rise in blood pressure, computer screens.
muscular tension, digestive troubles, and immune suppression. He offered three
tips on resiliency to stress; practicing deep breathing two to three minutes per day, “The greatest benefit to moving your body is what it does for your mind,” said
improving sleep habits, and generating white space or personal time free of other Johnson. “It calms you, creates energy, and changes your attitude.”
commitments.
For more information, contact Chris Johnson at chrisjohnson@
“There has never been a better time to expand white space,” said Johnson. “After ontargetliving.com or visit www.ontargetliving.com. n
the pandemic, don’t let your white space slip away.”

Federal Reserve Executive Tells

Business Leaders Economy Will Pick

Up Slowly in Second Half of 2020

A REBOUND IN THE ECONOMY following the reopening of the economy will, in
large part, be determined by how safe consumers feel as we begin to emerge
from the COVID-19 crisis of the past couple of months, according to the
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Charlie Evans shared his
thoughts on the economy with business leaders during a webinar sponsored
by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on May 11. Evans said it is
reasonable to assume slow growth in the second half of 2020 and into 2021,
but much depends on how the nation and future outbreaks of the virus.

“Uncertainty is high,” said Evans. “A second outbreak of the disease and a wave
of bankruptcies are reasons for concern.” Evans

Evans said he is particularly encouraged by many recent conversations he has had with manufacturers,
including the auto industry, who share how they have successfully created safe work environments
that should keep productivity high.

“The fundamentals are good,” said Evans. “There is no reason we can’t navigate this well. Keeping
COVID-19 at bay is a concern for everyone.”

Evans said he is confident that the President and Congress will do more to support small businesses
coming out of the crisis. He also noted that the federal government might need to step up and help
state and local municipalities that have been hurt by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Tax revenues are greatly reduced,” said Evans. “It is important for employment to return to pre-
pandemic levels. It will also be important for the federal government to consider support.” n

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