In light of the current events regarding coronavirus, it brings about thoughts on how we can best care for ourselves not just now, but in our everyday life. The decisions we make about how we treat our bodies can impact the health of those around us as well. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus gives the great commandment, ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’ May we all learn how to best love our neighbors and ourselves! Now is a good time to care for ourselves throughout the year.
Below are suggestions on how we can achieve the goal of preventing disease from day-to-day as recommended by the National Institute of Health:
– Protect yourself against germs
For nearly a century, bacteria-fighting drugs known antibiotics have helped to control and destroy many of the harmful bacteria that can make us sick. But these drugs don’t work at all against viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, or Coronovirus. To block harmful germs:
a) Wash your hands often, b) If you’re sick, make sure your doctor has a clear understanding of your symptoms, c) If antibiotics are needed, take the full course exactly as directed, and
d) Maintain a healthy lifestyle- including proper diet, exercise, and good hygiene (NIH, 2018).
For nearly a century, bacteria-fighting drugs known antibiotics have helped to control and destroy many of the harmful bacteria that can make us sick. But these drugs don’t work at all against viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, or Coronovirus. To block harmful germs:
a) Wash your hands often, b) If you’re sick, make sure your doctor has a clear understanding of your symptoms, c) If antibiotics are needed, take the full course exactly as directed, and
d) Maintain a healthy lifestyle- including proper diet, exercise, and good hygiene (NIH, 2018).
– Protect your body’s bacteria
Microscopic creatures- including bacteria, fungi, and viruses- can make you ill. But what you may not realize is that trillions of microbes are living in and on your body right now. Most don’t harm you at all. We tend to focus on destroying bad microbes. But taking care of good ones may be even more important.
To protect good bacteria: a) Don’t pressure your doctor to give you antibiotics- they may cause more harm than good, b) Don’t use antibacterial products that you don’t need. Antibacterial soaps have little or no health benefits. And antibacterial versions of household products have not been shown to reduce your risk of infection, c) Do use basic soap and water or most household cleaners, d) Don’t go overboard with hand sanitizers. They’re useful in health care settings, but hand washing is a better option in most situations. (NIH, 2018).
Microscopic creatures- including bacteria, fungi, and viruses- can make you ill. But what you may not realize is that trillions of microbes are living in and on your body right now. Most don’t harm you at all. We tend to focus on destroying bad microbes. But taking care of good ones may be even more important.
To protect good bacteria: a) Don’t pressure your doctor to give you antibiotics- they may cause more harm than good, b) Don’t use antibacterial products that you don’t need. Antibacterial soaps have little or no health benefits. And antibacterial versions of household products have not been shown to reduce your risk of infection, c) Do use basic soap and water or most household cleaners, d) Don’t go overboard with hand sanitizers. They’re useful in health care settings, but hand washing is a better option in most situations. (NIH, 2018).
– Protect yourself and everyone else from disease
We share more than food and culture within our homes and communities. We can also spread disease. Luckily, we live in a time when vaccines can protect us from many of the most serious illnesses. Staying current on your shots helps you- and your neighbors- avoid getting and spreading disease (NIH, 2018).
We share more than food and culture within our homes and communities. We can also spread disease. Luckily, we live in a time when vaccines can protect us from many of the most serious illnesses. Staying current on your shots helps you- and your neighbors- avoid getting and spreading disease (NIH, 2018).
Reference
National Institute of Health. (2018). Your healthiest self: disease prevention toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/health-information/disease-prevention-toolkit
National Institute of Health. (2018). Your healthiest self: disease prevention toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/health-information/disease-prevention-toolkit