BENGALURU: Nowadays, women are engaged in a busy stressful life, inculcating bad habits without even knowing that it can compromise their own health. But, it’s never too late to reverse the ill effects of such behaviour.
■ Smoking/Drug addiction is considered cool among certain circles, especially among teenage girls. But are they aware that smoking can damage their heart, lungs and even hair and skin? There are other alternatives available such as’ Nicotine Patches’ and ‘Electronic Cigarettes’ which are less harmful.
■ Binge Drinking is also on the rise among Indian women. Consumption of 3-4 beverages daily can be detrimental to their health, leading to liver damage, increase in blood pressure, memory loss, fatigue and depression. Reversal of this habit will make the person feel more energetic and lively. Having a glass of red/white wine in a week is considered safe.
■ Most of the women tend to skip their breakfast in the morning, and then they much on ‘junk food’ to keep away the hunger cravings. This only leads to over-eating. This predisposes women to medical ailments like PCOS, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Focus on having regular meals based on a high protein diet and low carbohydrate diet. Drink plenty of fluids.
■ Women tend to ‘sleep for fewer hours’, due to stress, or more working hours. Lack of sleep does have an impact on health in terms of decreased concentration, fatigue and heart problems. For a healthy lifestyle, ensure that you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
■ ‘Stress/Worrying too much’ is known to be a common feature in all the women. This ultimately leads to anxiety, fatigue and depression. Therefore, regular exercise, yoga and meditation is recommended which act as stress buster.
■ Walking in a ‘high heels’ on a daily basis is a trendy fashion among women. This can cause put pressure on the joints leading to back pain, tendon injuries and heel related accidents. Safe option is to wear heels of up to 1.5 inches can be put on with the extra soles of the feet.
■ Spending long hours of ‘watching TV, browsing net/or on phone’ can affect the health enormously. This will not only affect the eyes but increases the risk of heart attack and sugar levels in the blood. Restriction may be difficult but gradual reduction with this addiction is the only solution.
■ Some women sleep with their make up on at night. Now, this can damage the skin and may cause irritation including the eyes. So, always make sure that the make up is removed before going to sleep.
■ Though carrying a ‘big heavy handbag’ seems to be a style icon for every woman, but this can cause aches and pains o of the shoulders, neck and back due to pressure effect. Safest means is to only carry the essentials that are needed.
■ Some women have a habit of ‘checking their weight daily’ and expect their weight to reduce on a daily basis. This wrong concept leads to unnecessary stress and affect their health. Weight should be checked once /twice a month.
■ Painkillers/sedatives are taken routinely to relieve stress. These medications cause more harm than good. Many suffer with ulcers, high blood pressure, and heart problems after prolonged use. Try other alternatives such as exercises and stress relief busters instead. There has to be a constant drive to inculcate the good habits rather than bad ones, which can affect mind, body and health.
The author is a senior consultant of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Aster CMI hospital