As the end of the year approaches, what are your thoughts?
After all, 2020 has been a tough and unique year for us. For many, many families and friends, it has been very difficult this time around. We end the year with heavy hearts. In an article published on JAMA December, 12 this year, Dr. Woolf and colleagues eloquently capture the sad picture “COVID-19 has become the leading cause of death in the United States (daily mortality rates for heart disease and cancer, which for decades have been the 2 leading causes of death, are approximately 1700 and 1600 deaths per day, respectively). With COVID-19 mortality rates now exceeding these thresholds, this infectious disease has become deadlier than heart disease and cancer, and its lethality may increase further as transmission increases with holiday travel and gatherings and with the intensified indoor exposure that winter brings.”
This should make us all pause and think through how to plan protective and preventive measures for a safe festive season.
Despite all the suffering and pain this year, I hope this blog message helps to wake some folks from any sense of helplessness or hopelessness. It’s crucial to have an empowered mindset in the Year 2021.
I’d like you to consider these few key points of action along with your reflection.
- For your physical wellness, practice Wellness Plus. The “Plus” is to emphasize strengthening your immune system. Start with any small step and build on your current healthy habits on a daily or weekly basis. Doing so can be as small as adding one immune-boosting food to your breakfast, exercising 10 minutes more each day, or getting an extra hour of sleep. Then stay on it. The secret is to integrate “at-home-fitness & wellness” into your daily routine.
- For mental and emotional health, find ways to reduce stress. Stress is a silent killer, with several leading causes of death being stress related. Specifically, chronic stress can accelerate cancer growth and lower body resistance to bacterial or viral infections. Who among us doesn’t have stress? Even if never before, I’m sure you had it this year. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological wellbeing of virtually everybody is considerable, though it may vary in scope or form. The key is to manage stress. Take advantages of natural resources and ask for help. Among great stress-relief techniques are having gratitude for what is good in your life and looking around to see where you can sow seeds of kindness, joy and love.
- For overall wellbeing, keep and preserve hope, let your dream and joy be rekindled. I understand deeply how you feel if you lost loved ones, lost a job or the house, or maybe have had to endure a serious illness… In the midst of all difficulties, HOPE is not only important, but also imperative. At the end of the day, your physical, emotional, family, career and finance wellbeing are interconnected. Remember—dark days will pass, and a bright path is ahead. Long drought seasons will be replenished with blessed showers or rains. Having a purpose and positive outlooks can help. It may sound easy to say, but this is a life truth.
From CancerPreventionDaily, stay safe and enjoy peaceful, relaxed Holidays!
Best wishes for a spectacular 2021.
Image credit: Pixabay; CancerPreventionDaily