by Mary Jane O. Velasquez
“Give me a fish and I eat for a day, Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime.” – Chinese Proverb
Before we had the “New Normal” system, October was the month we were waited for the semester to end. It gives both the students and the teachers two weeks of rest and time to recharge themselves. But with the consequences of this pandemic, this month of October has brought much anxiety to the students and great fatigue to the teachers.
Since May, the teachers have been tasked to prepare for synchronous and asynchronous classes for their students. They work every day to make modules and lesson plans adjusted to the level of the students’ capability to cope. Even when the Department of Education reset the school opening to October 5 last August 14, there was not a single day when they gave themselves a break from making modules, attending webinars and going to school to receive more duties. Aside from that, some teachers especially the older ones, had to learn how to use the electronic gadgets required for online teaching such as laptop or computer to become more effective in conducting the unexpected tasks. Moreover, they had to allocate most of their savings to pay for the consumption of mobile data or internet service. All these are too exhausting for them but they never gave up because of their intense love and dedication to their profession that uniquely connects them with their students very closely; a bond so inexplicably beautiful and worth sacrificing. With the present pandemic, performing their work is the only source of income to provide for their family’s basic needs to survive. These are the reasons why October is so much awaited by the students: it is the month that we honor the teachers around the world.
Thus, this article is for you, our beloved teachers. You are passionate in your work, sacrifice so much to give the best outputs to impart the right knowledge to students. You are full of understanding and patience in performing your best to mold the student’s character and also guide each of them fulfill his dream. We see your hard-work every time you teach. We appreciate teachers who now work from home. We admire teachers who were inspired to continue the teaching profession as legacy of their grandparents, parents and elder siblings. We salute you for your never-ending sacrifice to educate the younger generation.
With putting so much focus and efforts on your chosen profession, you should not neglect your health. With the pandemic still around, you should also find ways to boost your immune system. It is a common practice that people wake themselves up every morning with a cup of coffee. Teachers are not exception to this. Working from home gives them more access to coffee because of the belief that coffee provides them better focus and attention when working. If the day is not enough, night work calls for them to drink more cups of coffee taking as much as three to six cups per day. Yes, we value your dedication and sacrifice, but we value your health more, and there is one action stated above that will gravely take a toll on your body if not stopped.
It is drinking coffee. Coffee has caffeine. According to Dr. Renato U. Paragas, the “WATERDOK” of the Philippines and medical director of VER1REV Enterprise, “caffeine tolerance varies between individuals, but for most people, a dose of over 400 mg per day may produce some initial symptoms: restlessness, increased heartbeat, and insomnia. Higher dosages can lead to increased blood pressure; heart palpitation; anxiety and panic attacks; gastrointestinal disturbance; increased urination; dizziness, irritability, nausea, nervousness and jitters; allergic reaction can include rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulty, tightness of the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue, diarrhea, shakiness, sleeping disturbance, vomiting; headaches and severe fatigue.” Caffeine is also a diuretic. It forces the kidneys to eliminate more urine than normal. One loses three cups of water for every cup of coffee one drinks. So, to compensate for the water loss, one has to drink nine cups of water for every three cups of coffee he takes during the day’s work. Failure to compensate for this water loss will cause the shrinkage of various organs leading to various diseases such as migraine headache, asthma, hypertension, diabetes, goiter, arthritis, kidney failure, myoma, cataract, various cancers and many more. Even mild dehydration affects brain function causing poor focus, short attention span, poor memory and comprehension and many more.
Instead of coffee, drink purified water instead. Water is the only prescribed beverage for a healthy body. Proper hydration improves both physical and mental health. Because of the prevalent water pollution, purified drinking water is the best choice. However, purification eliminates the healthful minerals that play vital role in rehydration of dehydrated body cells. Thus, it is recommended to supplement the purified drinking water with 10 to 20 drops of IONIQUE® Mineral Drops four times a day. The volume of water required to hydrate the body is 50 ml per kilogram body weight per day.
Water and minerals are two essential nutrients that needs to be taken regularly because the body utilizes them at all times. They also play vital roles in cleansing the body of excessive toxins and giving the cells the energy they need to function at their optimum throughout the day. Drinking adequate volume of “mineralized” water will instantly energize your exhausted mind and body. The brain’s functions greatly rely on the presence of minerals or electrolytes that produce and maintain the electrical nerve impulses, and thereby provide you enough energy and knowledge to finish the pending tasks.
To all the teachers that gave a part of themselves to us and imparted the knowledge and values to reach our goals, we also want to give back to your undying love for us by boosting the greatest wealth we cannot simply live without – health. We thank you for all the stepping stones, sacrifices and support that you still give to us wherever we go. All of your efforts will not be in vain. As you witness how we achieve our dreams, we also want you to be there beside us.
Let IONIQUE® Mineral Drops and water boost your immune system and maintain your health in every circumstance, for in every teaching you spoke, it echoes through a million millennia.
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20'
THE GREAT EDUCATORS
Assists with our hardships
Reconnects with us from apart
Envisions the dream we want to achieve
Treats us like their own children
Encourages us to step out of our comfort zone
Applauds in our triumphs
Cares for us in our downfall
Hears our heartfelt suggestions
Enthusiastic in teaching their field of expertise
Reminds us that they were once a student
Speaks with us to thank and welcome the Lord before and after class; and today, we brought that character in our journey.
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