Heartfelt Words For February February is full of history, romance, and heart-shaped everything. Oh yes, love is in the air! But so is COVID-19. A couple of years into the pandemic, the evidence is clear. The virus is transmitted predominantly through the air.
Celebrated every February since 1976, Black History Month’s theme for 2022 conveniently focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. Health and Wellness include not only one’s physical body but also emotional and mental health.
Focusing on our health has never been more critical. And being that February is a month dedicated to affairs of the heart, let me get straight to the point. Heart disease is still the No.1 killer of Americans. And people with poor cardiovascular health are at increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 and its variants.
I have learned in my 36 years of life, with several of them battling a couple of autoimmune diseases, that as long as you have good health and the love and support of your family, everything else that life throws you, you can endure.
Through my editorials, I like to encourage positive thinking and promote healthier ways of living, not just during the pandemic, but as a consistent part of our lives. The good news is that heart disease is preventable in most cases with smarter lifestyle choices. Some of them include: • Not smoking. • Maintaining a healthy weight. • Controlling blood sugar and cholesterol. • Treating high blood pressure. • Getting at least 20 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day. • Getting regular health checkups.
For or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com For Advertising Advertising Info Info 727-943-0551 727-943-0551 II info@nnlflorida.com info@nnl-
Please drink more water — This is a self-reminder and a reminder to all of my readers. Are you experiencing headaches or muscle cramping? You could be dehydrated. Most of us do not drink enough fluids—which is extremely important if we consider that the human body is made up of 60% water! So let’s stay hydrated in Tampa Bay! In the still overhanging shadows of this confusing pandemic, we should all do our part to share helpful resources and valuable information that can positively impact the overall health of our local community. Let’s continue to make wise and healthy choices for ourselves and our loved ones. Until next time,
Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi. FEBRUARY 2022 5
