What did we learn from Covid? Let’s Take Stock.

As we have recently passed the 4-year mark of the start of Covid-19 shutting much of the world down, I think it is essential that we reflect on what we can do going forward in the event that there is another such happening. In fact, the powers that be claim that it is not a matter of IF, but of WHEN and, as stirrings in the media suggest, we might already be headed for another such event.

I feel that so many people, understandably, want to put the whole thing in the rearview mirror and just go on with life. As easy as that might be, I believe it is essential that we reflect upon what has transpired over the last few years so that we do not make the same mistakes again – and many mistakes were indeed made.

As humans, when something happens in our lives that elicits fear, our prefrontal cortexes are all but shut down and our brains cannot make clear and reasonable decisions. This is certainly not an excuse for bad behavior, but a reason why in scary times we are often unable to make lucid and intelligent decisions – we operate out of fear, not reason.
When you go a step further and add the psychology of Mass Formation into the mix, you can see how easy it is for people to follow limited sources of information without consideration of other more diverse possibilities. It is our human nature, a survival instinct.

The last pandemic happened so fast, many of us did not have a chance to step back and think logically to see the big picture. People became polarized, fearful and angry. It was a really sad state to see this happen within families and in communities. Like many of you, I was demonized for my stand, and I hope that kind of treatment does not happen to any of us again. I truly hope that in the future we can come together in a more supportive and loving way.

In that vein, I am putting forth some thoughts I have for all of us, myself included, to consider in the case that we find ourselves in another pandemic situation. The most important thing to remember is that we have to take ownership of our health on all levels. No one can do these things for us, we can only do it for ourselves. So, here goes…

Take ownership of our minds
1) Find your way to get out of fight or flight. Remember, when we are in this fear mode, we cannot make logical decisions. One of the easiest ways out for me is 4-7-8 Breathing. It puts us into
parasympathetic mode and can help shut down those pesky stress hormones. The more you practice, the easier it gets – it only takes a couple of minutes a day.
2) Listen to the other side with an open mind. Confirmation Bias is very real and when we only look at sources of information that reiterate our beliefs, we can never grow and see all sides of an issue. Unfortunately, the algorithms on social media perpetuate this by feeding us more of the same things we are looking at. A curious mind is a wonderful thing to have.
3) Consider who is funding your source of information – does someone benefit from what they are telling you?
a. If the news anchor or program has 60-70% funding from a pharmaceutical company, it might not be a stretch to think that they are biased when reporting on something that might benefit their shareholders.b. When researching published studies and papers (and we should), look at who funded or performed the study. If they have something to gain from a specific outcome, their bias might shift the reported outcomes.
c. Do your own research. As we learned, censorship is real. Do not depend on your social media feed or certain search engines to give you the most credible information or show you all sides of an issue.

Take ownership of our physical bodies
1) There are definitely lifestyle changes that can help us be healthier. The sooner we start, the better off we will be.
Again, no one can do this for us.
a. Get sunshine daily (There was a direct correlation between higher Vitamin D levels and positive Covid outcomes). The sun has other benefits, as well.
b. Exercise! This is essential for immune system health, brain health, emotional health and more. Walking is a great place to start. Spread it out during the day – a sedentary lifestyle is so detrimental to our health.
c. Work on getting a healthy night’s sleep.
d. Lose weight if needed.
2) Address other health issues – the majority of deaths from Covid had 2 or more comorbidities (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease, immune system problems, kidney or liver disease). Over 92% of deaths were associated with at least one comorbid condition, many of which we have control over.
3) Do a cleanse – detoxify your body and reduce your exposures to toxins. Have your Heights of Health practitioner guide you through a personalized detoxification program. The more we reduce the toxic loads in our bodies, the better our bodies will operate. Remember, healthy kidneys and liver were correlated with survivability from Covid.
4) Some people benefit from a Covid spike protein detox. We provide some spike protein detox supplements here at our clinic. Check with your Practitioner to learn if a spike protein detox would be helpful to you and she can let you know which spike detox supplement might be appropriate for you. Learn more here: https://www.heightsofhealth.com/blog/do-you-
need-to-de-tox-the-spike-protein

Take ownership of our spirits
1) Cultivate a spiritual connection. Realizing that there is a power and a purpose greater than we all are puts life into perspective and allows us to grow in ways that we cannot otherwise.
Miracles abound and the positive outlook created when we notice them can change everything – not to mention improve our immune systems!
2) Develop a meditation practice. Meditation is amazing for the immune system and does wonders for the mind. Studies about the benefits of meditation abound. Our Holistic Therapists can help you create a personalized meditation practice.
3) Build a healthy and supportive community. This is one of the hallmarks of a long and fulfilling life. There are ample opportunities to do this with the advent of meet-ups, but also volunteer organizations, churches, temples and other community organizations offer many options. Watch for our amazing Mindfulness Community groups lead by our holistic therapist Peyton English, LMSW. A six-week Mindfulness Community group meeting (via Zoom) starts September 25th .

Cost is $50/session for 6 sessions ($300 total). Early bird (by 9/6/24) is $40/session ($240 total) Call our office at 713 861 677 to set up your free intake appointment.

With our busy worlds, we have been accustomed to outsourcing our health and wellbeing. I am honored to be a practitioner and guide to so many who are taking ownership of their health in all areas - no one else can do this for us. This is a great paradigm shift for our culture, but the
rewards are amazing. I am excited to see more and more people slow down and focus on one of our greatest gifts, health. Let’s keep the tide turning!