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Make 2014 a healthier, happier year! Ahram Online presents the experts' resolutions that Egyptians can adopt for better health, mood and well-being in the new year
The year 2013 was characterised by bouts of anxiety and uncertainty that struck almost everybody. While political turmoil continues to take its toll on people, pollution, high percentages of certain diseases, mounting tensions and unhealthy lifestyles all combine to make healthier choices and resolutions for the upcoming year an absolute must. Ahram online asks experts for a short list of urgent resolutions for a lifestyle change. A happier year Hala Khattar, psychiatrist and life coach, suggests the following advice: • Ditch the gadgets and don't be a prisoner of technology: Deactivate your Facebook account for a week every now and then, leave your cell phone out of the bedroom before you retire and switch it off whenever you have company during meal times, family events, or in social gatherings. • Make chilling out a hobby: Schedule a fixed time for relaxation, and find what really does the trick for you, whether it is meditation, engaging in a hobby or simply chilling out. • Engage in charity or public service: Not only does the country need it, but also the person himself as helping others fosters a general sense of well-being and empowerment. According to Egypt's National Blood Transfusion Centre, a blood transfusion for an Egyptian citizen is needed every five seconds. If you are healthy, give that a try or you can search for other organisations that help the underprivileged. • Exercise more: 10 to 20 minutes of moderate exercise three times weekly is the minimum. Take the decision of turning exercise into a habit this year. Join a group like Cairo Runners, Global Biking Initiative in Egypt, or any other for motivation. • Life is not politics! Life does not revolve around politics or any aspect people might disagree upon, so make sure to increase conversations in social gatherings where people are generally in consensus, and take a decision this year to be more accepting and less judgmental. Remember that positive energy is contagious. • Sleep early: the curfew days taught Egyptians to end their days earlier for a while, so why not start a habit of sleeping a little earlier of your own accord? It will mean less stress and anxiety, and a healthy glow on you face! Your health resolutions Dr Ahmed El-Said, obesity and underweight treatment consultant, says Egyptians should focus on the following: • Hepatitis C is everywhere: Spread the word that almost 10% of Egyptians suffer from Hepatitis C, and that this calls for increased awareness regarding blood transfusions and tools that come in contact with blood, especially in beauty parlours and dentist clinics. • The sugar problem: According to the statistics issued by the Ministry of Health, more than 7.3 million Egyptians are diabetic. Gradually decrease your sugar intake to dodge the diabetes bullet and maintain a healthy weight. • The smoking ordeal: Although the decision to conquer this habit proves increasingly difficult to some people, it is never too late to give it another try -- whether by sheer will and stamina or with the help of special gums and nicotine patches, specific drugs, or even with the new electric cigarettes that mimic the psychological feel of the cigarette, smoke and all, but without the tar or tobacco. • Take care of your bones! Osteoporosis can creep into your bones from a very early age. Take a decision that you won't regret in later years and help your bones by cutting down on fizzy drinks – which often contain phosphates that reduce calcium absorption – exercising, and decreasing your intake of caffeine and smoking as they reduce calcium levels. Of course, never ignore calcium in food; 1000 mg daily is recommended. • Salt is your enemy, decrease it gradually. High intake urges the body to excrete calcium. • Be cancer aware: 37 percent of cancer cases are breast cancer, but over 90 percent are curable if detected early. At a certain stage of a woman's life, maintaining a regular health check-up could make the difference between life and death. Do it and spread the word to others. • A slimmer 2014! Stick to your five meals a day, move more and cut down on the snacks and fatty foods to help your dieting. A slimmer body also means better health in the future, and eventually less of burden on your wallet. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/90403.aspx
