Maintaining Good Health in the Midst of COVID19:

The PANDEMIC IN 1918: The Spanish Flu had caused 50 Million Deaths, with more than 500 Million persons infected. There was no vaccine at that time. We are now racing against time to rectify this catastrophe. So far, we have 

• WORLDWIDE: over 150 million cases, 3.2 million deaths, 88 million recovered. 
• U.S.A. 32 million cases, with nearly 575,000 deaths.
• JAMAICA: we have 45,000 cases, 770 deaths, 21,000 recovered, with 23,699 active cases still.
• INDIA: 19 million cases, 208,000 deaths.   

** COVID 19 Statistics are reported as of April 30,2021

With the help of the vaccine and serious cooperation, we hope we can overcome this. 

WHY ARE SOME MORE AFFECTED: PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, and SPIRITUALLY – THAN OTHERS:  SEVERITY DEPENDS ON NOT OBEYING: social distancing, not touching your face before washing hands, masking, and even staying at home. 

A. YOUR INITIAL EXPOSURE: to droplets, mucus on surfaces, and overcrowding.

B. YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: affected by dry air, lack of enough water or hydration, lack of air and sunshine, lack of Vitamin D, and Zinc, lack of sleep and exercise. Too much sugar and starches with less protein, little or no vegetables 

C. YOUR HEALTH CARE: Immune system improved when you heat the body, e.g., hot baths, sauna. If you prefer cold soaks or shower, you have to rev up the circulation by exercising e.g., bicycle riding, walking, running. 

In the view of one teacher who broke down in the midst of this PANDEMIC, we are all more concerned and conscious of the seriousness of this strange VIRAL ILLNESS and simultaneously aware that SUSTAINED OR CHRONIC STRESS CAN LEAD TO DEPRESSION, PSYCHOSIS, and SUICIDE! 

CHRONIC STRESS can be devastating. COVID19 has put the world into a spin, affecting all aspects of society. Normal stresses could have been dealt with, if we did not have the burden of trying to teach a regular syllabus VIRTUALLY. This means “NO TIME TO EAT, SLEEP, or EXERCISE.” 

FOUR MAIN AREAS OF CONCERN TO CORRECT DANGERS TO OUR BODIES AND INSANITY IN OUR MINDS:

1.    Planning a WORK SCHEDULE and HOME SCHEDULE, while at home

• WORK TIME: Morning meeting, Research, work with students online, BREAK, Team meeting, Presentation. 
• HOME SCHEDULE: Breakfast, Workout (Physical Fitness at least 15 minutes) Cooking, Cleaning.

2.    Time Management: Write out a schedule. Don’t forget to include “me” time to nurture hobbies and interests.

3.    Make sure you have proper Physical Activities: inside and outside the house: adequate distancing and masking in contact with visitors (never mind how close). Does not have to be strenuous, but interval aerobic exercises, and strengthening with weights or resistance types will protect heart and lungs. 

4.    Pleasurable simple indoor and outdoor games with family members, no matter how small: where 2 or 3 are gathered, there the Lord will be. We can now play games online with family and friends if we cannot be together. 

THE ABOVE 4 will give enough balance: PHYSICAL, MENTAL, INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, FINANCIAL and SPIRITUAL. The above simple plan can help to reduce tension, stress, worry, depression, anxiety, and panic. BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF COVID19 many people have Anxiety and Depression. A healthy routine is a way forward. 

FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY CAN LEAD TO BETTER HEALTH!