Are you frustrated having to be quarantined at home? Are you missing your former social life? Do you want to go out to eat and not sit 6 feet apart? Are you so done with wearing a face mask that you just rip it off and don’t care what happens?
Well, welcome to life with Covid-19. After Memorial Day celebrations and massive crowds, there is now a resurgence of the virus in many cities. The United States has the most cases and now, more deaths due to this virus than anywhere else in the world. Latest reports state we could have 200,000 deaths by October 2020. This is not a number to be ignored. With July 4 celebrations upon us and people swarming the beaches now that summer is here, the death toll could be even higher.
I know that neither you nor I have any desire to get sick. We are assuming because we are strong that it can’t happen to us and if it does, it will just be a mild case. You know, there is some evidence of that…if you are young, have a strong immune system and don’t hang with people who have been ill, this may be the case. But, guess what? Most people in the U.S. have poor immune systems, eat very unhealthy and get little exercise.
Those who got the sickest from Corona Virus had underlying medical conditions. Diabetes, obesity, heart disease, lung disease, and autoimmune disorders are all contributors to poor outcomes in getting through this or any other virus, regardless of age. And, according to the National Research Council, and Institutes of Medicine, Americans have one of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in the world. In other words, we are not a healthy nation at all. These studies were for those age 20 and over. Clearly, just because you are young does not mean you are immune.
So, while you are shuttered at home (which most of us are not), you might consider taking this time to get healthy. Instead of adding the Corona 15 to your waist line, find ways to eat a leaner, cleaner diet. Get off the processed foods. It is NOT more expensive to eat healthy. In fact, in the long run, it is a lot cheaper. By eliminating junk foods and sugar laden carbs and putting those same dollars toward organic veggies, fruits and grass fed meats, you will come out pretty even. And, your medical bills will be lower.
Your future health depends on this. What you put in your mouth today, will show up in your brain and body over the next 20 years. And, the years go by very fast. The next thing you know you will be looking in the mirror and asking yourself how you go this way. You will also be asking yourself why you feel so sluggish.
Wouldn’t it be great to come out of this pandemic healthier, better looking, feeling more energized and even protecting your brain against memory loss. You can do it. So, besides being smart enough to keep your distance from others and wearing your masks if you can’t keep away, start researching ways to get healthy.
With a plethora of websites, there is no excuse to be ignorant of what a healthy diet is. Check out one of the 100s (yes 100s) of diets from keto to intermittent fasting (easy to do) to vegetarian and more. You can experiment with what is best for you. Make it fun. Take your family along on the ride. Do you want to be the one to care for a sickly parent or child later on when all of it might be avoidable just through changing your diet and lifestyle?
I wish you all luck. Let me know how you do. If you want any guidance, feel free to email me. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.