Members get a daily Covid-19 topic focused on Covid in Tennessee.
Supporters are part of a self-improvement sub-group where value is dispensed daily on personal growth in all aspects of life, informed by many sources. New members welcome!
And just like that, we've zoomed up to be within 4 of the highest number of Covid hospitalizations we've seen at one time in Ballad Health in Northeast Tennessee. I think our peak last time was 410 patients, and we are at 406 according to their daily update.
Omicron may be less deadly for most of us, but it is still killing people.
I can't quite believe it, but the mask debate is still going. The shouting over "They WORK/ They DON'T WORK" is so tedious at this point.
If you wear a mask, you'll be less likely to project your plume of virus-laden air into the breathing space of another person, and there will be fewer virus particles inhaled by that person from you. That is how the cloth masks work. They diffuse the air that you're breathing out. They are not perfect. They do not absolutely prevent infection. But they can reduce risk to others.
Only an N95 or equivalent respirator will provide individual protection for the wearer. That's not anything new.
Arguments about particle size ignore a lot of the variables.
I'm not pushing for mask-wearing anymore. If you're high risk and not immune, you should wear an N95 for your own protection when in close proximity to other people, but I won't force you to.
Here's what a lot of people have forgotten: Don't be an a-hole.
Stay healthy!
I'm on a weekend night call schedule this weekend, which always leaves me feeling under-rested and generally icky.
But I wanted to remind you that outdoor exercise without screens is really good for your mental health.
Go outdoors, preferably into the woods.
Get in tune with those surroundings, the sights, the sounds, the smells, even the movement of air and the varying temperatures as you walk.
We were made to be outdoors.
We were definitely not made to work in cubicles.
One Degree!
What you want from your body will dictate what you need to set as goals, and the goals will determine what you'll end up having to change to attain them.
I've spoken many times about systems being better than goals, and my position has not changed.
But goals are easier to discuss and to understand, so for this week, we'll be very specific about goals.
Do you want more muscle mass?
Do you want to be stronger?
Do you want to run faster?
Do you want to gain weight?
Do you want to lose weight?
Do you want to improve general fitness?
Do you want longevity?
Do you want strong bones?
Do you want to earn a Black Belt?
Understanding the benefits and costs of each particular goal may help you decide what you want.
For example, if you want to compete in body-building competitions, you'll not be doing the same thing as if you were focused on longevity. Same with strength competitions.
But general fitness and longevity go fairly well together.
Running is great but will increase the likelihood of needing knee or hip ...
I'll make this one short and to the point.
Spring time change is hard on all of us. Having to get up an hour early doesn't make going to bed an hour earlier much easier.
Yes, it's nice to have more productive time in the evening.
But it's at the cost of forcing us out of be an hour earlier, as we all know.
Our challenge is to adjust our circadian rhythm to match the world's expectations around us.
My main strategy is supplementing with a dose of melatonin about a half hour before I need to be asleep. It helps most people fall asleep more readily.
If you need a nap during your day, take it between mid-morning and early afternoon. Limit it to 20 minutes.
Taking a longer or later nap may make it even harder to get off to sleep in time.
All of the other normal advice applies even moreso:
- Take a 20-minute walk after supper.
- No screen time for the last hour before bed.
- Listen to calm music after supper.
- Don't eat for 2 hours before bed.
- Don't have conflict-laden conversations ...
