Free COVID Armor
Are You Waiting for the Axe to Fall? Or Taking Preventative Measures?
CAUSA SUI? Are you your own cause? In life we make choices, and often these choices make us. Whether you contract, get ill, or even die from COVID may be to a large degree up to you. Yes, YOU! If you are expecting the government to be your protector and savior, I suggest you abandon this idea. It is unmistakably a mistake. The government can’t be your mother. Hope is everyone’s mirage. Health is an inside job. The responsibility is yours alone. The more you do to protect yourself, the less there is to fear. The time to act is now!
Your body is a miracle of creation and a living fortress that will do everything in its power to ward off invaders. It is genetically programmed to preserve an impenetrable structure around you. YOU, however, must maintain the structural integrity of that fortress and provide it with the needed weapons. The world endangers you just by existing within it. Life is not waterproof. There are forces at work totally beyond your control. The actions that I am encouraging address that which you CAN control. Focus your energies here. Choice is the antidote to fate.
This article has nothing to do with vaccination status or politics. I firmly support your personal choice in these matters. My suggestions apply to all. Your well-being has a great deal to do with your own willingness to take actions that will assist you in staying strong, healthy, and COVID-resistant. I am not offering advice, only perspective.
It is well established that exercise has a profound effect on strengthening your immune system. While medical professionals may disagree on the ideal diet, all agree that exercise is beneficial. Are you sitting on the sofa today? Or? Going for a bicycle ride? A brisk walk? To the gym? Perhaps it is time to make a commitment to, and investment in, YOU. A light workout, bicycle ride, or brisk walk costs only your time and some effort. Personally, I find it all enjoyable. Set goals for yourself in this area and put together a plan to achieve them. Remember, a goal without a plan is really a wish.
How is your weight? Don’t dodge the question. Obesity is a MAJOR COVID co-morbidity. Excess weight weakens your body’s defenses. With each pound you carry beyond your ideal weight, every organ and system in your body must work harder to maintain homeostasis. That additional effort has to come from somewhere. It is a zero-sum game. Again, no debate here amongst medical professionals. I am not pointing a finger at you, reader. I struggle in this area myself but have made a commitment to eat a bit less at each meal. Changes of degree will ultimately lead to changes of kind.
Do you smoke or drink excessively? Be honest. If so, you are playing with matches! Smoking and drinking are each known to compromise the equilibrium of the immune system. Again, no debate from the medical community on this. The combination together can unfortunately add up to more than the sum of the parts. If you desire to stay healthy and “immune strong”, now is the time to stop, or at least cut back. Not easy — I understand. If you need professional help in these areas, get it. Don’t procrastinate.
Another MAJOR factor is diet. Think of food as preventative medicine. There is an endless list of foods that strengthen immunity. They are mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins rich in essential vitamins and nutrients. An internet search is all that is required for you to get the information needed to build your ideal diet blueprint. There are enough options to satisfy everyone’s tastes and personal choices. Buy only the freshest food, as food loses nutrition over time. Avoid foods with preservatives, chemicals, dyes, food coloring, or additives. These are NOT FOOD, provide no nutritional value, and many have been linked to a lengthy variety of illnesses. Your body is not a chemistry experiment. Treat it with respect. You only get one. This is not about being a health food fanatic. It is about putting the highest-octane fuel available in your body. Be cautious about restaurant food. I enjoy restaurant dining as much as anyone. Beware however, as much of those sumptuous tastes and aromas come from the aggressive use of salt, sugar, and fats. The medical community is in consensus on these ingredients. Not good. Moderation is the suggested approach.
Are you stressed out? Think about it. How much of your leisure time is spent watching junk TV? Time is an infinite substance loaned to us in shockingly finite amounts. Your time is too valuable to waste on this. The veracity of the subject matter is questionable at best, and the content is depressing and emotionally draining. It is stultifying — like swimming through glue. It instills fear and uncertainty, agitates your emotions, and subsequently weakens your body’s immune defenses. It could make medicine sick! Money, power, and politics have become driving forces here, so be careful. Fear and corruption work in tandem. The same people that sell the panic often sell the cure. Less TV and more mental relaxation is a powerful health tool. Take the vice-grips off your mental health. May I suggest reading a good book? How about a good documentary film? A playing card or board game with friends (chess, backgammon, mahjong, etc.) can be relaxing, and will sharpen your mental acuity. Crossword puzzles? Sudoku? Absolutely! Use your imagination.
Did you get your annual physical exam? Doing this is more than a quotidian exercise. It is crucial to good health, especially as we age. Problems discovered early are often curable or treatable. Problems discovered later are often not. Not complicated, really. Blood panel results are your body’s health dashboard. Out-of-range findings can alert you and your physician to areas where adjustments can potentially be made before problems arise. Your General Practitioner is your body’s mechanic. Don’t skip your physical.
In nature, predators seek out the weakest and most vulnerable. COVID is a predator. Its behavior is not unlike other predators. Don’t let yourself become a victim. A fortress without weapons is an easy target for invaders. Equip your body’s fortress with effective immune system strengthening protections through good personal habits, diet, exercise, an annual physical, and good mental health. There are so many tools at your disposal. Put them to use. A man who dives for fish gets fish. A man who reaches for stars gets stars. That is how it works. Not rocket science really.
That’s my little sermon for today, reader. As the Brits say, “Done and dusted.” I’ll get off my soapbox now and ask for one minute of your time to ponder what I have said. Sixty seconds of reflection on your behalf is all I request. After you indulge me for that single minute you can say or think anything you want about me.
Please don’t stop by my home unannounced, however. This COVID business has the Rottweiler on edge and his behavior has become unpredictable. Perhaps better to call first.
Howard Axelrod is a travel photographer, writer, and former high technology executive. He has photographed in 85 countries on six continents. He is a resident of Ashland, Massachusetts and Delray Beach, FL. Howard can be reached at highwind@verizon.net.
Disclaimer: The aforementioned content reflects the opinion of the author and is accurate to the best of his knowledge. It is in no manner intended to be, nor should be considered, in any form as medical advice.
