MESSAGE FROM MIRANDA ESMONDE-WHITE
I began my first book with a statement, “Every day, no matter what our current health status, we have a very clear choice: we can grow older or we can grow younger.” Some people might not see aging as a choice; I know it is!
With the reality of COVID-19 hitting the world, our health takes on a whole new meaning. Both health and youth are identified as being full of energy and vitality. As we age, we often lose those qualities, yet we do not need to. I am 70 and know that the virus takes a harder toll on those of us who are over 50 and 60, and greater still on those over 70. This confirms what we already know–that we must keep our bodies strong and healthy as we age to be capable of having the strength both to fight and to recover from any illness
I am currently recovering from a presumptive case of COVID-19 (my doctors confirmed all the signs, but testing was not available). I had a fever, aches of a flu and trouble breathing. Although the fever has been gone for over two weeks, I have remained chronically exhausted, with an unrelenting dry cough. My doctor explained that about 80% of people will experience a relatively mild case like mine, that doesn’t need hospitalization. I also believe this is a testament to my general fitness level.
The second health factor of the current situation that is affecting us all, is the fact that we are all homebound as we practice social distancing. Most of us are spending a great deal of time sitting at our computers or watching TV. It has been scientifically proven in many studies that nothing is worse for our health than being sedentary. It has never been more important for us to maintain our full body strength and mobility as it is now. Yet as we sit for weeks at a time–our muscles, joints and connective tissue start to atrophy and age. To add insult to injury, any stress or anxiety we feel will exacerbate the damage to our health. So now is the time to move, to not permit any muscle of our body to atrophy or age.
