November 19, 2021
Hello FPC Wellness Warriors,
The 2021 holiday season is upon us and it is time to enjoy this beautiful advent season with family and friends. With the blessing of readily available vaccines and boosters we are much safer to gather than we were in 2020.
We are still mindful of the need to be cautious and use all we have learned over the past 18 months to make well thought-out choices for our gatherings and activities. One thing to be aware of now, is that the symptoms of Covid can be very minor and mimic a cold or stomach virus. The CDC reports infected people have had a wide range of symptoms – from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
People have been shown to have a combination of these symptoms or only one or two mild ones. If you have any of these symptoms or have been exposed to someone with covid, it is highly recommended to get a covid test. There are currently 2 tests available- a PCR test and an Antigen (rapid) test. Both tests are reliable if done properly and at the right time. If you need more information on these tests, please reach out to me.
Are you looking for an easy, efficient place to get a booster shot or a vaccine? Refer to the Montgomery County Health Dept. website for information. Their sites have been well run and easy to make an appt. Bethel Church in Pottstown is one of their sites and has been a great experience for many people.
https://www.montcopa.org/3660/COVID-19-Vaccine
This time of year, we typically see sickness on the rise. Hopefully correct mask wearing and handwashing will help keep our illnesses low. Remember to wear a properly fitted mask and to avoid touching the front of your mask where germs accumulate, wash fabric masks daily and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon removing your mask.
As we head into the holidays let’s also be mindful that this is a particularly difficult time for many people, especially after the stress and isolation felt throughout Covid. Chronic crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to wear and tear on our bodies and minds. According to Dr. Steve Siegle at the Mayo Clinic, one of the biggest boosts we can do for ourselves is to give to others. Practicing kindness, gratitude and compassion can improve our health by lowering our blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol, while increasing chemicals in our brain that improve our mood. Maybe remember a front-line worker or a struggling neighbor with a note of gratitude or a kind gesture? What a perfect way to care for ourselves as we care for others.
I love coffee, but I also find a warm cup of tea during these colder days (and while I am writing these newsletter intros) brings me feelings of comfort and peace. Today my tea bag said “your peaceful presence will lift up others”. Let us all bring our peaceful presence and the peace of Christ to Earth this holiday season.
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me” Amen
Dawn