This year’s flu outbreak is making news daily. Everyone I talk to either had the flu or is feeling tired but hopeful to avoid catching the bug. If you are one of those who already contracted the flu it’s important to know that although most of the flu symptoms improve over two to five days, the virus stays in the body for several weeks, making it difficult for you to regain your energy. Flu can be treated with prescription medications, but most must be taken within the first 12 to 48 hours of the onset. But prevention is always the first line of defense so wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes and nose.
Drink plenty of liquids, get proper rest.
Notice how water is always mentioned when it comes to the good health. Water is an essential component of nearly everything we eat and drink. Water intake is crucial to our survival and an important part of general good health. Also, water can be an antidote to some problems, such as obesity. Water has the potential to be one of the most useful and cost-effective medicines available.
So whether you are looking to avoid the flu virus or trying to live a healthier life, in general, it’s important to drink enough water. Drinking enough water a day will flush out your system and keep the bad stuff out of the blood stream. Water is also an excellent conductor of electrical energy. All of the electrical chemical actions of the brain and central nervous system are dependent on the conductivity of electricity between the brain and sensory organs.
Stress depletes the body of water, leaving cells dehydrated, but water releases stress—so we all should be drinking a lot of water. Interestingly enough, all other liquids are processed in the body as food and do not serve the body’s water needs.
Processed foods and caffeinated drinks are also dehydrating.
It is believed that many illnesses are caused by chronic dehydration. Lack of water can lead to depression, anxiety and a host of physical problems such as high blood pressure, migraines, pain in the joints, allergies and asthma. So even if you don’t hit the tread mill you can improve your health just be drinking water, and improve your concentration, mental co-ordination and communication skills. If we consider the fact that our bodies are made up of two thirds water we should immediately see the importance of drinking water, but how much? A rule of thumb has been eight glasses a day (64 ounces) but a mathematically your daily water requirement in pints is your body weight in pounds divided by 40. (FYI: 16 ounces make a pint.) Here’s drinking to your health and mine.
Congratulations to Versailles Middle School Spelling Bee winners; James McClure (1st), Megan Marchal (2nd) and Brittney Hiestand (3rd). And congratulations to the Fourth Grade Spelling Bee winners; Cameron Didier (1st), Luke Billenstein (2nd), Gabriella Beasley (3rd), Kiearra Pearson (4th)
Make plans to support the Fire Department by attending their benefit dance, which will be held at the Versailles K of C Hall next Jan. 19 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.
Remember the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner Banquet will be held Jan. 21. Those wishing to attend the banquet should RSVP by contact Fred or Stacy Poeppelman at 526-9869 no later than Jan. 15. Debra Pohl will be honored as Citizen of the Year and the Versailles Garden Club will receive the People-Pride-Progress award. The event is open to the public and will be held at the Riviera Banquet Room, Stillwater Valley Golf Course. A cash bar will be open at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:45 p.m. Hope to see you there!
Congratulations to my neighbor, Sharon Henry who is retiring from the Versailles School system at the end of the first semester. Also Congratulations to the Versailles Christian Church on their 195th anniversary.
Healing prayers and get well wishes to Cindy Fleenor, Deb Bruns, Donna Petitjean, Sharon Monnin, Samantha Smith, Marlene McClurg, as well as those in need but not mentioned by name.
Happy Birthday wishes to Carly Litten, Blake Monnin, Bev Brown, Deb Karn, Paula Bergman, Nihla Davis, Jill Gilmore, Todd Magoto, Nikki Nealeigh, Bonnie Bey, David Plessinger, Cindy Lewis, Larry Henry, Michael Miller, Megan Barton, Deanna York, Michael Bayman, Tom Billenstein, Joy Roseberry, Susan Clack, Kara Subler-Cebulko, and Monica Francis. Happy anniversary wishes to Magdalena & Greg Richard who celebrated five years and Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Bayman who are celebrating their 52nd anniversary.
Hello to Ryan Lundvall, Pat Kramer, Heather Luebke, Kate Bruns, Ruth Peters, Pam Beisner, Ann (George) Wehrley Ann Yerick, Shelly Sander, Bonnie Phlipot, Tracy Butler, Lindsay Mayer, and Orville Bohman.
My heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of Earl Fox, Jim Cohee, Mary Catherine Loxley, and Rita Evers, also remembering the lives of Mark Pax, Johanna Brown, Jean Ward, Carolyn Gaines, Charles Morris, Leo Schieltz and Eunice Platt.
“Water is the only drink for a wise man.” ~Henry David Thoreau
“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” ~Thomas Fuller
“Water is the driving force of all nature.” ~Leonardo da Vinci
Kathy Magoto is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves Daily Advocate readers weekly with her weekly Versailles community column. She can be reached at magmon1@embarqmail.com or at 526-3798. Feel free to contact her with Versailles news and tidbits. Viewpoints expressed in these opinion pieces are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.