October 5, 2021
Can a few simple guidelines keep us sane right now?
ÖOur whole world has been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic since the first few months of 2020. The way we work, worship, communicate, fellowship, and shop has changed dramatically. We hope the end is in sight, but nothing is certain yet.
Long-term population research, such as Loma Linda University’s Adventist Health Studies, suggests that individuals who live by the principles of the Church’s health message (including regular physical activity) [especially outdoors], eating healthy, getting enough rest, avoiding toxins, maintaining healthy relationships, and trusting God) experience fewer of the diseases known as comorbidities. Healthy living also confers some resistance to infections. While each principle has tangible health benefits associated with it, the combination of healthy lifestyle practices offers the greatest overall health and wellbeing benefits.
So can we say that an Adventist lifestyle built on our health message will help in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic? Let’s examine the current evidence.
SLEEP: Good quality sleep is critical to physical and mental health.1 Over the past few decades, researchers have found that adequate sleep is necessary for the immune system to adequately fight infection. Insufficient sleep in otherwise healthy people is linked to an increased chance of developing a cold, a viral infection. Subjects who slept an average of less than five hours a night had an infection rate of 50 percent compared to 18 percent in those who slept an average of more than seven hours in the week prior to the evaluation, it can be assumed that adequate rest will make a difference as studies show consistent associations between short sleep lengths and an increased risk of mortality, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, coronary artery disease, overweight and obesity, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, getting enough sleep helps reduce COVID-19 comorbidities.
A PRACTICE: The role of physical activity in fighting off infection continues to grow. Regular, moderate physical activity (such as walking, cycling, hiking, and swimming) acts as an adjuvant to stimulate immune defenses and metabolic health. Consistent, moderate exercise reduces the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and decreases deaths from flu and pneumonia.3 Sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity, a significant comorbidity in COVID-19 infections. In addition, a study conducted in the British Journal of Sports Medicine of 48,440 adult patients suggests that routine activity can help protect people infected with COVID-19 from developing serious illness
DIET: Research on frontline health workers from six countries with high COVID-19 exposure is encouraging.5 Participants were interviewed from July to September 2020. 19 results (568 cases). After taking confounding factors into account, those who followed a “plant-based diet” were 73 percent less likely to have moderate to severe COVID-19; those who followed a “vegetable or pescatarian” one [includes fish] Diet “was 59 percent less likely to have moderate to severe symptoms than those who ate regularly. When participants reported that they followed “low-carb, high-protein diets,” they were significantly more likely to have more severe symptoms. This study found no association between the reported dietary pattern and the rate or duration of infection of COVID-19. These encouraging results suggest that a diet high in nutrient-rich foods can provide important protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms without reducing the rates of infection or the potential for virus spread to others.
SUNLIGHT: Recent studies suggest that sun exposure limits the spread of the COVID-19 disruptive virus particles in aerosols (sneezing and coughing) and can inactivate the virus outdoors.6 Additionally, sun exposure and vitamin D status are linked to COVID-19 incidence , Mortality and recovery rates by acting on the immune system. Adequate sun exposure (i.e. no overexposure) is an advantage. Vitamin D supplementation is recommended and is beneficial when blood levels are inadequate, especially in those with darker skin color.
SOCIAL CARE: Social support has been identified as a protective factor against COVID-19-related mental health problems.7 Examples of social support are donations of consolation or an open ear in the face of challenges or pressures in life. Healthy personal relationships are most useful, but an enriching church fellowship is even practical in providing social support and spiritual encouragement. The benefits also go both ways. Ellen White wrote, “Doing good is work that benefits both giver and recipient.” 8 The community of believers during a pandemic plays an important role in healing, comfort and spiritual care – a real boost for mental health. In addition, studies show that diet, exercise, and sleep make great contributions to mental health and well-being. 9
The Bible talks about how Christians should behave, and personal prayer and trust in God are essential. Paul urges all believers to “watch each one of you not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2: 4). This, of course, includes physical distancing, the wearing of masks, and basic hygiene measures. Christians should do everything possible to contain the spread of the virus, if only for the benefit of others!
The main goal of the Adventist health message is health promotion and disease prevention. However, there is an overlap between preventive and therapeutic measures because it is wise to use measures that are appropriate to the circumstances. The context informs about the decision. In a pandemic, a healthy, holistic lifestyle can save lives, but other appropriate, acute and life-saving measures may be required. Nevertheless, consistent adherence to healthy behavior does not guarantee freedom from disease.
It is imperative that we practice and promote the principles of health that God has given us through inspiration and inspired scientific discovery to protect ourselves and others. Holistic health moves us to thank God for the knowledge and creativity that He gives people to develop technologies that empower us so that we can honor Him even in difficult times. For all of these blessings, we thank God and praise Him with our mouths, attitudes, and deeds.
Fred Hardinge is a nutrition and lifestyle specialist at Seventh-day Adventist General Conference.
