Why it Pays to Keep you in the Dark about your Health

I'm here to tell you that we hear about ONE solution to the coronavirus problem and it is: Don't get exposed. That would be the equivalent of having ONE solution to not getting pregnant: Don't have sex.

Ok, that would work but it is UNREALISTIC. If people use birth control, they reduce their risk of getting pregnant. What if your health was like birth control? You could reduce your risk of getting the virus if you improved your immune system.

Yes, we can reduce the risk of getting the corona by limiting our contact with other people, unexposed, indoors. But what about the risk factors that determine how likely you are to get INFECTED with the virus IF you get exposed?

We don't hear stats about that. I know, because I went looking for it. All I found was how many people are testing positive and dying from the virus. The CDC says that people with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk. And the solution for EVERYONE is....Don't get exposed. 

Over and over what I read was this:

• Work from home if you can.
• Avoid travel when possible. This is especially important if you or someone you live with is older or has a health condition that raises the chances of serious COVID-19 illness.
• Visit with family and friends by phone and computer instead of in person.
• If you must go out, stand at least 6 feet away from people.
• Wear a face mask when you go out.
• Wash your hands often.
• If you’re sick, stay in a separate bedroom away from others in your home.
• Do your shopping, especially for groceries or drugstore items, online if possible.
• Keep your pets away from people and animals outside your home. Cats should stay indoors as much as possible.
• Clean up pet waste properly. Wash your hands afterward and after you touch them, their food, or their toys.
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms, limit contact with your pet. If you can’t have someone else take care of your animals, wear a face mask when you’re around them, and wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

So what about that health piece?

We give it a quick mention that people with underlying health conditions have a higher risk for getting sick or dying from the virus so what about the HEALTHY people???

We make it sound like we are victims of underlying medical conditions and we have no personal control over those conditions. Did you know that most underlying medical conditions are largely caused by our LIFESTYLE CHOICES?

And did you know that when we spend most of our time feeling stressed, afraid, and anxious we WEAKEN our IMMUNE SYSTEM?? Why is no one talking about this??

Should we just stay afraid of getting the virus and not taking control over our health and keeping our immune system operating deficiently??

Does your HEALTH ever factor into the equation? Nowhere I've seen. We don't talk about how eating fast food, not exercising, smoking, not getting good sleep, and being stressed affect your health. And we don't talk about how your health affects your risk of getting infected and getting sick and potentially dying. 

Our lifestyle affects our health. Deny it all you like but here are the facts. Exercise contributes to better functioning white blood cells, the ones that fight infection. It also releases endorphins, which allow us to feel better, to get better sleep, and to reduce stress. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline affect the white blood cells which weaken the immune system. We heal when we sleep, which reduces oxidative stress. Our nutrition affects inflammation in the body, which is present in disease.

The truth is, there's no money in focusing on health and informing people that they have so much control over the risk factors than they realize. Because there's no profit in eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting a good night's sleep, drinking enough water, and managing stress.

Where would that leave our health care and pharmaceutical systems? Could it be that the media values money over health and quality of life? I'm here to tell you yes, unfortunately.

Those of us who have chosen to take control of our health and our quality of life and to share the truth are in the silent minority. It is TIME to speak up. You'll find the message if you look for it, but not in the easily accessible mainstream.

The truth is that all across the board, we focus on the rates going up and people dying and people are scared into doing what the CDC recommends. Fine, wear a mask. Be smart. Reduce the risk factors. But look a bit further and realize that there's much much more you can do than just staying alive. And what if we could motivate people not just by fear of death but by excitement about life?

Is the goal to just stay alive? Or to THRIVE??

Anyway, all I can say is that we need to CHOOSE HEALTH because it matters the most. Every single day, we are tasked with finding a balance between external stimuli and our internal world. Simply, we need to move our bodies and we need to have a way to manage our thoughts and feelings.

I invite you to JOIN my WELLNESS COMMUNITY and be among the few who know what matters most and walk the walk. Exercise and talk to someone. Simple. 

With love,
Heidi