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Why Improving Your Health Is More Important Than Ever
Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, staying six feet or more apart, and wearing masks all help reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, very few people are talking about another way to reduce their risk of battling with or dying from this virus: Improve one’s underlying health conditions with healthier lifestyle choices.
For many, this virus can feel daunting and it is a real danger. But you can take control, and MAC’s Wellness team can help.
According to a U.S. study, reported by Reuters, “People with underlying health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are six times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and have a risk of coronavirus-related death 12 times higher than otherwise healthy individuals.”
Increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels are all conditions that contribute to something called metabolic syndrome. This cluster of conditions, increases one’s risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. The good news is that many such underlying health conditions, which contribute to high risks, can be positively influenced by diet and lifestyle choices.
Looking for more reasons to take care of your whole body? Early on, the coronavirus was thought to primarily be a respiratory disorder. However, as more people have become infected it’s been shown that “The impact of COVID-19 goes well beyond the lungs to impact the cardiovascular system and cause complications in the kidneys, brain and other organs” (The Cardiovascular Impact of COVID-19, published by Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology).
Don’t let this virus be something that drives fear. Instead, let it be a positive motivator. While there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection, one can reduce their susceptibility by focusing on overall wellness. Now is the perfect time to take preventative measures: learn how to better handle stressors, stop smoking, and, for those who are pre-diabetic, change eating habits.
If you are struggling with stress, motivation or creating new health habits, MAC’s Wellness team (wellness@themac.com) can offer personalized actionable steps. Talk with registered dietitian Tysen Christensen (specializes in nutrition); Health & Wellness Coach Katarina Simko (specializes in motivation, stress and mindfulness); or naturopath Lindsey Nelson (specializes in blood work analysis, IV therapy and intramuscular injections, and hormone balancing). You have the power to feel and be safer.
