Eshyer.com

Tag: Healthcare

  • 2 Most Impactful Lifestyles That Affect Our Health

    Image from unsplash

    Understand How Lifestyle Affects Our Health

    In this world of high mass consumption, globalization, and the high use of technology, our health status has significantly changed. Due to the existence of different innovations like machines, games, new products and services, and new means of transport that allow a person to move from one place to another easily, processed food from industrial agriculture has affected our physical condition and well-being. These changes play a great role in a person’s culture and lifestyle in all aspects of life, including health status.

    This article explains how lifestyle affects a person’s health and well-being. It is important to understand your health status while you are enjoying your life in order to have good physical, mental, and psychological wellness, as well as hope in life. That is why an Arabian proverb says, “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything in this world.” Additionally, an Islamic quote states, “The one who wakes up in the morning with peace and good health is blessed more than everything by his God.”

    What do we mean when we say “health,” and how does lifestyle affect our health?

    Health is defined and explained by different scholars and professors. But simply put, the meaning of health is a state of a person being physically, mentally, and emotionally well, free from diseases, as well as having social well-being and fitness, which we call healthiness or being in good condition. On the other hand, let us understand lifestyle, which means a way of life; in other words, lifestyle encompasses the things that an individual does in their day-to-day activities.

    Have you heard anything about an unhealthy lifestyle or a healthy lifestyle before? Being healthy or unhealthy depends on how you organize your life from morning to evening. This article explains how you should live a healthy lifestyle in simple ways.

    As we have already understood the concept of health and lifestyle, you now need to understand how to live a healthy life. There are important things that you should consider in order to live a healthy life. Among them are food intake and physical exercise.

    1. Food intake is crucial to your health; that’s why there is a saying, “You are what you eat.” Do you agree with it? It is true because the nutrients in the food we consume can be beneficial for good health or harmful for bad health. Physicians and doctors always emphasize the importance of a balanced diet since it helps you live longer without non-communicable diseases or chronic diseases. See Five Simple Ways to Avoid Non-Communicable Diseases

    These diseases are caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or behavior of a person and are not spread through infection. They include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cancer, respiratory diseases, and stroke, to mention a few. As advised by doctors, a balanced diet is a key factor for physical and mental health because it provides all the required nutrients for your body and allows you to enjoy your food.

    Let us understand that a balanced diet is one that consists of a variety of types of food that provide all the required nutrients for good health. It protects a person from non-communicable diseases. Additionally, a balanced diet maintains and protects the overall health of a person. So, in your meals, make sure you have all the essential components of a balanced diet, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Below are simple explanations of these components:

    • Carbohydrates, also known as carbs, are foods that provide energy to an individual and are rich in sugars. Sugars exist in different forms, such as glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, and cellulose. Carbohydrate-rich foods include whole grains like corn, wheat, and rice, as well as bread, potatoes, milk, chapati, spaghetti, and popcorn, to mention a few. In this context, you are advised to choose the type of food because there are various types of food. Mostly, people are advised to avoid unhealthy sources of food, especially processed or refined foods like white bread or soda. Sometimes, people prefer energy drinks, which are also unhealthy sources of carbohydrates.
    • Proteins are very important for growth, as well as for the maintenance of the body. You are advised to consume protein in every meal due to its benefits for your body. The main reason why you should consume protein is that it is essential for cell growth, muscle repair, and it boosts your immune system to improve your health. It is easy for anyone to consume protein since it is available in the environment. Protein-rich foods include seafood like prawns, crabs, shrimp, oysters, and lobster, as well as lean meats, eggs, chicken, peanut butter, turkey, duck, goose, and bush birds, not forgetting dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
    • Micronutrients, or in other words, minerals and vitamins, are essential for our health. There are various types of vitamins, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium, iodine, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. In this context, micronutrients are very important since they play a vital role in a variety of metabolic processes in our bodies. They are needed in small amounts, but they are crucial for healing wounds, strengthening our bones and teeth, and regulating hormones. These minerals are found in fruits, vegetables, as well as whole grains and cereals.
    • Lipids and fats are good for health when consumed properly, but they are bad for health when consumed improperly. There are various lipids in our body, named according to their function, including fatty acids, which create energy; steroid hormones, which send messages within the cell; bile salts, which help in digesting fat; and phospholipids, which allow molecules to move within the cells.
    • The essential component of life is water. We all know that about 75% of our body is water, which is essential for all body functions, regulation, and temperature control. Therefore, it is important to consume water every day in the required volume. Adult women and men are advised to consume 2.7 and 3.7 liters per day, while children should drink 5 to 8 cups per day. Note that water intake can vary due to a person’s body weight and daily activities.

    2. Physical exercise is another way to achieve good health for a person. It is usually planned, structured, and repetitive on a daily basis; this is done for the purpose of improving and maintaining physical wellness or good physical condition. In the biological aspect, physical exercise is categorized into two groups: aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

    • Aerobic exercise, also known as cardiovascular exercise, involves a mechanism of breathing and heart rate; this includes walking, swimming, cycling, and running. This type of exercise helps to facilitate good health for your heart and lungs. It can also be done at home, such as through yoga, jogging, and jumping rope. Physicians advise doing these exercises for at least 15 to 30 minutes three times a week.
    • Anaerobic exercise involves quick bursts of energy. It uses the stored energy of the body and focuses on strength rather than flexibility. Examples of anaerobic exercise include biking, sprinting, and weightlifting, which are mostly done in the gym and require equipment to perform. The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is that anaerobic exercise uses a lot of energy, while aerobic exercise uses oxygen as a primary source of energy.

    Both exercises have many advantages, including weight management, being good for your muscles and bones, improving your mood by reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, increasing your energy levels, promoting brain health, reducing pain, benefiting skin health, enhancing sexual enjoyment, and lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Physicians and doctors advise that a person should check their heart health before starting any kind of exercise mentioned.

    In conclusion, you should live a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and engaging in daily physical exercise. Our health is a primary asset in development; without health, there is no development. It is easy for anyone to live a healthier life since the world provides us with a variety of natural foods, but we have to eat carefully.

  • Meaning of Stress, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention.

    What causes stress and how can we prevent it to stay stress-free for good health?

    What do you know about stress?
    No one can escape from stress; it is a matter of managing it. Stress is everywhere in our society because of the uncertainty that arises every day at our workplaces, at home, and on our streets where we live. Stress can be due to the loss of jobs, family disputes, discrimination in society, breakups in relationships, financial hardship, disability due to injury, chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as internal sources like feeling unloved, feeling disconnected, lack of self-esteem, and having responsibilities that you cannot control.

    Biologically, stress is a normal reaction to a person’s health, but it becomes harmful when it is mistreated and leads to alterations in chemical reactions that stimulate blood pressure to rise, tighten the muscles, and quicken breathing. This can cause the body to fail to perform its duties well, resulting in abnormalities such as low energy, pain in the chest area, loss of appetite, loss of sexual desire, lack of sleep or sleeping too much, anger, mood swings, trauma, headaches, and sometimes an upset stomach, which can eventually lead to a stroke and death. For example, a person who faces a car accident and becomes lame in the legs is likely to experience stress due to their situation.

    Types of Stress

    Stress appears in different ways and varies from one person to another. Everyone has their own stress, although sometimes it can be the same due to the situations they are experiencing. Situations like pandemics, when they arise, tend to affect a large number of people and bring stress to the entire community.

    1. Acute stress, It occurs and lasts for a short period. For example, a new employee may struggle to understand the duties, which helps him or her adapt to the new environment. This type of stress helps you achieve what you want and meet deadlines.
    2. Chronic stress, This kind of stress is termed “chronic” because it lasts for a long period and is harmful to your health. For example, a person who has a serious illness for an extended period may be a victim of this kind of stress.

    What are the differences between trauma, stressors, and anxiety?

    Many people are confused about trauma, stressors, and anxiety in the context of stress. The following are their views and differences:

    What is Trauma?

    Trauma is a disturbing experience or event that a person encounters in their lifetime and that affects their entire life. These events can include accidents that lead to the loss of loved ones, disappointment, severe business loss, divorce, relationship breakups, chronic diseases, and family disputes, to name a few. Most people who suffer from trauma are those affected by negative events that occurred in the past, and they have no resilience to cope with them. Military officers are victims of trauma due to the nature of their jobs on the battlefield, but many other people also face these traumatic situations.

    Example of Trauma

    Let us see the story of Jesca. It was midnight when her mother and father fell asleep in their room. At that time, Jesca was studying and making preparations for an exam. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a door breaking and a crying voice coming from her parents’ room. Without hesitation or fear, Jesca rushed to her parents’ room, where she found her father’s head severed by a giant man with a thick beard. The man was attempting to assault her mother. Jesca was shocked and ran away from the scene. This event became a traumatic experience for her. From that time on, Jesca harbored anger and hatred toward people with beards.

    What is Stressors?

    A stressor is a causative factor for stress to occur. It could be a psychological or physical situation that leads to stress. A negative mindset is a good example of a stressor. Sometimes, unexpected circumstances that an individual faces in daily life can cause stress to occur. There are different types of stressors categorized into time-based stressors, traumatic event stressors, socialization stressors, ensemble stressors, and behavioral stressors. A brief discussion of the types of stressors is provided below.

    • Time-based stressors involve time limitations. Individuals may have many things to accomplish within a specific timeframe, which can lead to stress.
    • Traumatic event stressors occur when individuals face uncertain situations that are hard to forget and affect psychological, physical, and behavioral well-being.
    • Socialization or Ensemble Stressors: Relationships and daily social interactions may cause stress to rise. Individuals may struggle to manage peer pressure, family issues, or workplace problems, leading them to experience discomfort, anxiety, and depression.
    • Behavioral Stressors: Individual actions or habits that are not controlled may lead to anxiety and depression. Poor time management, sleeping late at night, and delaying the completion of tasks may cause depression, anxiety, headaches, and a lack of focus. Additionally, the behavior of masturbation may cause guilt and, hence, mental illnesses.

    After understanding the above terminologies, I hope you discover their differences and how they affect our lifestyles. Mental health is very important for well-being; however, some risk factors can arise and cause prolonged stress. Let us see what the main causes of stress are.

    Understand the 3 main categories of causes of stress.

    In this article, we have tried to explain the causes of stress in three categories: events, health issues, and external factors.

    1. Events related to stress. As human beings, we undergo different stages and positions in life, and we also face various changes, which can make us more stressed. This is why we see suicides occurring in schools, the army, families, and workplaces due to prolonged trauma. Examples of this type of stress include divorce, retirement, starting college, starting a business, unemployment, financial hardship, pregnancy, and being dismissed from a job, to mention a few. All of these life events may cause stress.
    2. Health issues related to stress can lead to serious health problems, especially chronic diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, which are likely to affect mental health. Additionally, injuries can lead to prolonged stress. Most victims of this kind of stress feel loneliness, disconnectedness, depression, isolation, and emotional drain. Sometimes, they may even go so far as to harm themselves.
    3. Interpersonal and external factors related to stress include low self-esteem, under- or overconfidence, a negative mindset, internal conflict due to a lack of life fulfillment, stressful traits, and a lack of self-care and respect. All of these may disturb mental health and contribute to a stressful lifestyle. Additionally, social interactions with negative people may influence you to feel as they do.

    What are the symptoms of stress?

    Most people don’t know if they have stress; this is why it becomes more chronic and difficult to manage. Below are the signs of stress, and if you notice any of the following, you should take the initiative. These signs can be noticed physically and emotionally.

    • Physically, once your body feels uncertainty or discomfort, it leads to changes in bodily reactions; hence, you may experience poor sleep, pain in the chest area, digestive problems, loss of sexual desire, several headaches, hypertension due to increased heart rate, and fatigue.
    • Emotionally, the body also undergoes changes such as sadness, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, regret, and a lack of self-confidence.

    Those symptoms are not fixed; they can vary between individuals and are not limited. Be honest with your body if you notice any changes before the situation becomes worse.

    What are the preventive measures for stress?

    However, stress is unpredictable. Stress occurs due to various factors, including events, health issues, and interpersonal and external factors. These may contribute to the occurrence of stress, and individuals may not have control over their progression, which can lead to serious mental health issues. The following are preventive strategies to reduce the risk of chronic stress.

    • Firstly, you should prioritize your health over anything else by taking a well-balanced diet, exercising, and focusing on your goals.
    • Set clear goals that are achievable, and avoid goals that are difficult for you to achieve.
    • Stay connected with your family in any harmful circumstances you face, and find someone with whom you can share everything, even if it hurts you.
    • Prioritize your sleep schedule and make time to rest each day in order to allow for relaxation, body repair, and growth. Additionally, you can practice meditation or yoga exercises for more relaxation.
    • Try to be stronger in difficult times by telling yourself you are a hero and that you can make it while others cannot.
    • Do things that make you happy and ignore things that do not benefit you; thus, you have to learn to say NO if things are against you.
    • The difference between things that must be done and optional ones is important so that you can prioritize essential tasks within a given time.

    Conclusively, mental health is very crucial for overall well-being. Do not allow stress to ruin your life by prioritizing what you believe in and focusing on your personal development. Because once mental health is disrupted, the whole body becomes weak and fails to perform daily activities. It is true that there is no direct treatment for stress, so try to avoid unnecessary things that may risk your mental health.

  • Things to Consider After Realizing You’re Pregnant

    What you can do if you are pregnant – Preparing for motherhood

    After the wonderful moment of realizing you are pregnant, you may be pleasantly surprised by emotions such as happiness, anxiety, fear, and sometimes even confusion. This encourages women to reflect on their journey of motherhood, from pregnancy to birth. Whether it is a first pregnancy or an ongoing pregnancy, preparation should not be taken for granted. This guide explains in detail the things you need to keep in mind if you are pregnant to be healthier, stronger physically and mentally.

    First of all, confirmation of pregnancy by a healthcare professional is important because it allows you to be sure that you are pregnant. Usually, pregnancy is tested through blood or ultrasound and sometimes urine with appropriate equipment. It is recommended to take a pregnancy test at a healthcare facility once, as this provides an opportunity to learn about the early signs of any disease and discuss prenatal care. It is also important at this time to receive guidance about the future course of the pregnancy and you should know what you should and cannot do depending on your situation.

    Make sure you choose a healthcare provider where you can go for medical check-ups. It is advisable to choose nearby health centers. At this point, you need to choose a smart assistant who will take care of all emergency issues. And someone who will be available if needed and who should understand natural childbirth and possible complications.

    Second, understand the trimesters and stages of pregnancy, these are the main stages of pregnancy development. These stages are divided into three trimesters, the first trimester begins between weeks 1 and 12, at this time vital organs such as the heart, brain and lungs develop, at this stage the mother may suffer from morning sickness, vomiting and fatigue. The second trimester begins between weeks 13 and 26, at this stage the baby can be identified and the mother feels its movements, the third trimester begins between weeks 27 and 40, the pregnancy progresses rapidly in this stage, the organs mature and the mother’s body prepares for childbirth.

    Tips to consider during the trimesters. For the first trimesters, make sure to stay hydrated, eat nutrient-rich foods, avoid harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco, due to nausea during this phase, eat small meals as much as possible to avoid morning sickness, try to rest as much as possible to reduce fatigue, and go to the doctor first where you will get direct information. During the second trimester, get more calcium, iron and protein in your diet as your body needs at that time, do some exercise, get ultrasound scans during that time and also make sure to have comfortable clothes as your body size should change.

    In the third trimester, at this stage, you should prepare a birth plan, you can discuss it with your partner and healthcare provider. It is recommended to do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor and monitor your baby’s movements every day. At this point, your body needs more rest, so rest more if necessary. You can prepare essential supplies for the baby: prepare a comfortable sleeping bed, baby clothes, blankets, diapers for newborns, baby bath supplies such as a very soft sponge, mild soap and a baby bath. Prepare breast pumps, but also, if they are not breastfeeding, prepare bottles and formula.

    Things to prepare for mother during delivery : a portable bag which contains clothes, slippers, toothbrush, soap, nursing bras and maternity pads, nursing pillows, nipple cream, peri bottles, and others which may be necessary due to the nature of the enveronment. All this should be prepared during week of 36.

    Lastly, remember to stay active during pregnancy by engaging in physical activities, especially daily home tasks like washing clothes, cleaning dishes, and tidying the entire house. Establish a routine of daily Kegel exercises, particularly in the last trimester. Friendly pregnancy exercises should be incorporated. And do not forget to have frequent meals when you need them.

    Contact your health care provider for any health issues for assistance, and feel free to talk to your personal assistant about things you like and things you don’t like. It is important to remember that pregnancy is not a disease; take into consideration the important things that help during pregnancy.

    Things to Prepare for Parenthood

    Moral and financially, children are blessings, but you should prepare yourself for the necessary costs. Prepare health insurance for your children, make sure you send them to school, and buy them comfortable clothes. In short, you need to provide them with the basic needs for proper growth and their future.

    Tips to understand: open savings accounts for your children specifically for unexpected costs and long-term needs.

    After delivery, health may not be normal, so it is important to think about health status by doing regular checkups and visiting the doctor when necessary. Also, consideration of mental health is very important. After delivery, you may not be the same as you were before, so keep in mind that you may need to overcome any challenges that will come with parenthood.

    Tips to understand: Prioritize your physical and mental well-being by exercising, maintaining a proper diet with all required nutrients, and seeking technical support from a healthcare provider.

    Strengthen your relationship with your partner and your family; this will help you overcome unexpected stress. You could also adopt parental behaviors. Being close to your family will help you feel more loved and receive special care.

    Generally, the pregnancy journey is very amazing, with its ups and downs. Giving birth is something special, and women should be proud. Pregnancy comes with its challenges, which should be overcome by practicing what has been discussed in the trimesters. This should be taken seriously by focusing on diet, exercise, and guidelines from experts to ensure an easier childbirth. Many women want to give birth naturally, but they may fail due to contractions that occur. However, this is not something to worry about because everyone has different biological traits, and we cannot all be the same. So, take this page as an informative outlook for your pregnancy journey to motherhood.