Did You Know…May 12 – 18 is National Women’s Health Week

Image courtesy of Women’s Health

As a woman approaching 30 this year (I’m actually quite excited, I might add), I find myself taking a more active role in my health. Making changes in my diet and exercising regularly are a couple of things I’ve done, and anyone can do, to promote good health. But as women, we must become more aware of how we live, the things we consume and what we are doing to our bodies. Being healthy is a lifestyle, a lifestyle that we can afford to live.

With National Women’s Health Week quickly approaching, let’s briefly examine some risk factors we face. WebMD lists five major health areas among women that deserve our attention.

1. Heart Disease.  More men die from heart disease than women. But heart disease more adversely affects women; from premature death, to prolonged illness. Twenty-nine percent of women die from heart disease, and women are reportedly underdiagnosed with this disease – which may contribute to other health issues including shortness of breath, vomiting and nausea, and shoulder ache among others.
2. Breast Cancer. A major health threat to women, breast cancer is one of the leading killers of women, particularly African American women.
3. Osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation alerts us that 44 million Americans will suffer with osteoporosis. Sixty-eight percent of that 44 million are women.
4. Depression. Many times referred to as a “silent killer”; mental health is finally being recognized as a serious health factor. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 12 million women are affected by a depressive disorder annually, compared to around 6 million men.
5. Autoimmune Diseases. Defined as any large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own tissue. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association reports that 75 percent of autoimmune diseases occur in women.

The above list highlights some of the major health concerns for women; however, it is only a snapshot to a world of factors and deterrents that affect our overall wellbeing. Learning your family history is essential, as there are so many diseases linked through genetics and passed down generations. Early detection can be the difference in your health, and many times lifesaving.

Though heredity is absolutely a risk factor that cannot be avoided, it should not deter women from establishing a healthier lifestyle. Managing all aspects of your daily routine can lead to a healthier life. Sure, eating well and working out are key components, regulating your stress level is huge in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Don’t let the daily grind, grind you into the ground. I like my coffee ground, not my health (and actually, coffee should be drank in moderation).

Pure Joy, LLC is an excellent site that offers daily tips to build and enhance your health. Of course, you are encouraged to consult your physician on plans that work best for your body. Celebrate this year’s National Women’s Health Week by incorporating something new into your health routine, and live your way to good health one day at a time.

Information from WebMD, Women’s Health and American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. was used in this article.

Tackling Orphan Healthcare in Burundi

courtesy of Burundi Friends International

For those of us who have grown up in loving family homes, or just a stable home for that matter, imagining the life of an orphan can be somewhat of an aberration. Certainly, orphans experience great adversity, no matter their global locale. However, the orphan travesty in Burundi is compounded, being that the country is one of the poorest in Africa, let alone in the world. With more than 800,000 orphans living in the country, they represent ten percent of the total population.

The reasons and circumstances surrounding the orphan crisis in Burundi vary. Just a few short years ago in 2005, the country ended a twelve-year civil war which ripped the country apart. The seemingly unending violence left families decimated and thousands of children without parents. Ultimately, these children took to the streets, having no choice but to fend for themselves. Additionally, the country faces a devastating crisis with regards to women and child imprisonment. Women who are imprisoned are often times raped, resulting in pregnancies and fatherless children. These children become orphans. As Burundi struggles to establish a stable economy, poverty serves as the other major factor weighing heavily on the orphan population.

These three main factors also attribute directly to the sorely needed healthcare among orphans, as well as the country as a whole. Though Burundi equates in size to the state of Maryland, it is primarily geographically composed of countryside and rural landscape. With a severe lack of proper resources, the country’s healthcare system struggles.

However, as recently as November 2011, the country seems to be on the upswing with regards to providing proper healthcare. According to Radio Television Nationale du Burundi, a new program with a focus on the amelioration of the economy will simultaneously boost the quality of the country’s healthcare. Since its inception, this program has slowly improved the quantity and quality of healthcare of Burundians.

In terms of healthcare, many organizations focusing on orphan issues emphasize that healthcare, education and the economy are all interrelated in solving the crisis. L’AMADE Mondiale deals with orphans in three major components: education, healthcare and shelter (lodging). Begun in 2008, this program is broken into separate phases. In the first phase, which ran from 2008 – 2011, the three major components were addressed. The second phase, begun in 2011, will focus more intensely on the education and healthcare of orphans and will run until 2014.

Another active organization, La Maison Shalom, employs a community approach when addressing the orphan crisis. They highlight the fact that a major portion of the orphan population stems from the poverty that inflicts the country. Using a holistic approach, they address health, education, culture, justice and particularly agriculture as it comprises 90 percent of the country’s exports.

Each piece weaves together a complete blanket that will cover the issue of healthcare among Burundian orphans. An issue that is best approached from all angles, the massive orphan population is slowly being cared for, but major strides must still be made.

The Psychology of Young Girls

What goes through a young girl’s mind when she sees a swimsuit model in a magazine? Or women scantily clothed in a commercial for beer? Or even a commercial for potato chips? Society is inundated with images of what a woman should look like, and how a woman should act. But what is the impact of the degradation of women? What is an 11 year-old really processing as they are constantly bombarded with negative portrayals?

They say that the mind of a human is not fully developed until one reaches their twenties. Popular culture of the 21^st century does little to encourage women in reaching their full potential. It seems with each passing year, the pressure mounts exponentially to be the “perfect” woman.

Several months ago, a scientific study (I feel I’m being generous with this intro) released what they “scientifically” found to be the most beautiful woman. She is a young British woman, Florence Colgate. With blond hair, blue eyes and pale skin, Colgate was scientifically declared the most beautiful woman in the world. Beauty personified. But what are the lasting effects of this “study”?

Young girls already struggle with identity issues, and adding insult to injury, now science releases a “study” purporting the definition of beauty. High school-aged, and now even middle school-aged girls deal with the complexities of looking “beautiful.” What girls are actually being told, subliminally and subconsciously, is that they will never achieve success if they do not look a certain way.

It’s interesting to examine the level of retouching and altering that is done to photos of women in commercials and in magazines. These images are often times a shadow of the former person at best. But the finalized product is what is being pushed out for girls everywhere to emulate and idolize.

According to Casa Palmera, an in-patient treatment facility in Del Mar, California, 95 percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. Those critical ages of middle and high school students disproportionately suffer from the after effects of a society that marginalizes women and pigeonholes them into believing they only have certain options in life.

Society is psychologically shifting how young girls think about themselves and their place in the world. Truthfully, parents do play a major role in the development of the child. But when that child leaves the home, they are attacked with visualizations of highly sexualized women. We can’t possibly block out every single negative image thrown at our young girls.

Further, when those depictions begin to leak into what is supposed to be educational, children’s television – the assignment becomes even more difficult. Stations including Nickelodeon and Disney, known for traditionally producing “wholesome” shows, now teeter on the verge of being highly inappropriate for young children. Honestly, I would not let my children watch half of the shows broadcast on these networks.

The old adage says, “it takes a village to raise a child.” Well, if the village is dysfunctional, how then will we begin to raise a generation of strong, independent women? The damage is done, but restoration must begin now.

Yoga: Breathe Deeply…and Pose

Yoga: Breathe Deeply…and Pose

There are so many ways to relax our bodies and minds. So many unique types of fitness, many can be likened to various forms of art. In this month’s issue we’ll examine the practice of yoga, and how it challenges mental, physical and emotional health – with a touch of art.

First, yoga is anything but one-dimensional. I dabble in yoga as a relaxation tool, to regulate the breathing, stretch out key muscle groups and so forth. I’ve even tried fit yoga, which actually invigorates the body and encourages physical exertion, generating a true workout. But there are so many other types of yoga. I have a friend who swears by Bikram yoga. In Bikram yoga, you normally practice the art of yoga in heated rooms and the workout involves a total of 26 postures. The reasoning for the heat is to “loosen” the muscles, making it easier to achieve certain stretches. It sounds pretty intense, but I’d love to try it.

Because the art of yoga is so expansive, it’s really quite difficult to narrow a piece down to one succinct dialogue, but what we aim to do is introduce a different way in self-stimulation. We liken yoga to art as many of the postures and positions have a certain grace to them. For instance, one of my favorite postures is the “tree pose”, or vrksasana. This position is designed to improve balance – which can never be a bad thing. I’m not super clumsy, but balance is definitely an area in which I can improve. Another posture I enjoy is “warrior pose”, or virabhadrasana. Both poses are extremely visually artistic, as are most yoga exercises.

More than that, yoga can be extremely therapeutic. Therapy is an essential part of life. I mean, let’s face it; no one said life would be easy. In fact, I’d argue that it’s quite the opposite. And with all of the challenges and obstacles we endure, whether big or small – we need some sort of release, a therapy. This is why I feel yoga and art share similarities in providing therapy.

Fifty percent of yoga is mastering the breathing. Your breath is crucial to your level of relaxation, and in some cases, your therapy. Through steady, rhythmic breathing you can achieve an alternative state of calmness. Sometimes, after a long day, I like to use PM yoga to relax. That’s my therapy. Some use yoga as a form of physical therapy. But others use it as an emotional therapy. I’ve actually used it in that aspect and I must say it is rather effective.

In the same way, art is used to provide a release, a comfort, an emotional and mental therapy. In some instances I could see art being used as a form of physical therapy. Whatever your choice, yoga is as expressive and expansive as art itself. It is an aspect of art, a way of life, as is art itself.

Soda, our Health and our World

Soda, our Health and our World

According to the National Soft Drink Association, consumption of soda has been on a slow decline over the past five years. Frankly, if soda was eliminated it would contribute greatly to better health among Americans. But I’m sure that will never become a reality and I shouldn’t inject my personal feelings into reasons why we shouldn’t drink soda. But I venture to say that consuming it does more harm than good. For many, soda is more than just a drink to quench one’s thirst, but it teeters on a scale towards an addiction. Let’s look at an example. Real names have been left out to protect the innocent.

A young man in his early 20s consumes about three Pepsis a day. Now this is a young man who’s physically fit, works out frequently, is of sound body and mind, and seems to be in good health. But with closer observation, I’m sure, matter of fact, positive that his sugar levels are out of control. Now I’m no health expert, but I do think that it’s important that we take a look at ourselves and always find ways to improve.

It is fact that soda contains high levels of sugars and all sorts of mystery ingredients that can be harmful to any diet. So here’s a little breakdown of what you’re consuming if you’re a Pepsi lover…like our friend mentioned above:

• 250 calories
• 0 grams of total fat
• 55 mg of sodium
• 69 g of total carbohydrates
• 69 g of sugar
• No protein

These numbers are based on a 20 oz bottle and include the following ingredients: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine, citric acid and “natural flavor.”

First of all, what is natural about soda? Maybe I’m a bit biased because I’m not a huge soda drinker, though I do “treat” myself on occasion. But the reality is, while soda may not be extremely harmful to your body it doesn’t do any good.

There have been multiple studies that show soda playing a role in health disadvantages. Type 2 diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and I’m sure there are others I’m leaving out. Recently there have been federal measures to remove soft drinks from public schools citing health risks.

It’s important, though, to remember that moderation is key. And for those whose body has built up a certain tolerance and unconscious need for caffeine, slowly decreasing your intake probably works best. But I’m no doctor, so it’s best to consult professional health advice if you plan to make any significant changes to your diet.

And let’s not forget how reducing soda consumption can save our environment. Recycling has become a part of many folks’ every day routines, but if we’re drinking less, that means fewer cans and fewer bottles. Let’s face it, there are still some who choose to litter our streets and rivers and so forth. I witnessed someone tossing a bottle out of their sunroof on the freeway. All it takes is just a little TLC. We can clean our bodies and our earth in one fell swoop.