Life with a Twist by Mare_Petras

One of the major shake-ups here in the U.S. this week was the East Coast Earthquake that registered 5.9 on the Richter scale. Distress from the quake was felt by folks in VA, DC, PA, NY, NC, OH, and all the way up to Toronto. 

Earthquakes on the U.S. East Coast are entirely unanticipated, so few were prepared to deal with the midday rumbles. When the shocks happened, people felt out -of-control, vulnerable, and unprepared – apparent in the actions that ensued. Instead of staying put in solid structures, people panicked, running out of buildings which actually put them in danger of falling power lines and debris.

People can plan for hurricanes, escape from volcanoes, and run from wildfires. Earthquakes, however, are one of those natural disasters that give no warning. Combine zero notice with the fact that the East Coast has little experience having and therefore dealing with earthquakes and you have the recipe for a mass freak-out!

Indeed, the East Coast earthquake novices’ reactions provided fodder for West Coast earthquake veterans.  A mocking tweet from Twitter included:  “5.9 that’s what us Californians stir our coffee with . . . “. Topping off the sarcasm, the following picture went viral on the internet:

Unlike residents of the West Coast, many East Coast residents were unaware of the East Coast’s geographical predispositions to earthquakes. But after this week, I am willing to gamble a few more East Coasters have added “earthquake preparedness” to their emergency game plans.

What can we, as healthy living devotees, learn from this week’s natural disaster scare?

Underneath a stable surface may lurk a shaky foundation.

In 1984, noted exercise/longevity evangelist, running pioneer, and best-selling author of The Complete Book of Running, Jim Fixx died from a heart attack after his daily run. He was only 52. His unexpected death brought out his detractors ready to use Fixx’s sudden and shocking demise as proof that running was harmful.

A couple years later, famed exercise physiologist Dr. Kenneth Cooper, who had been granted access to Fixx’s autopsy and medical records, issued a report that included hidden risk factors that may have contributed to Fixx’s death.

Fixx had a congenitally enlarged heart and was genetically predisposed to early heart disease (his father had died at age 43 of a heart attack). He had a history of major lifestyle issues that apparently came back to haunt his health. Prior to his lifestyle conversion at age 36, he had weighed 220 lbs. and smoked heavily. Moreover, he had experienced stress in his professional (high-stress occupation) and personal (two divorce experiences) life. 

I’m not a doomsday kind of gal, realbuzz friends, but I am a former Girl Scout. One of the major mottos the Girl Scouts (and twelve years of parochial school) ingrained into my psyche is: Be prepared.

I lost both of my parents to heart disease. And yep, you better believe moderate aerobic activity and stress management are included in my “disaster preparedness kit.”

Indeed, here I am this week barefoot training on the beach amid dark, looming clouds. Not to worry, I walked very fast!

Are you prepared for the “natural disasters” of your life?

Ask yourself: What lifestyle behaviors do I engage in today that may affect my good health tomorrow? Do my healthy living workouts enhance or hinder long-term health? Am I aware of any genetic predispositions?

Be ready not only for the expected, but the unexpected.

Until next time . . . Mare