Carmen Bowen-Wright
IN THIS Yuletide season, I wish readers peace, love, joy and continued wellness. To this end, some tips are given to ensure that you enter 2006 in a state of wellness.
FOOD AND DRINK
Every celebration in Jamaica is accompanied by food, and Christmas tops the list.
Eat in moderation and avoid too many rich foods. They can fatten you. You can also get food poisoning from rich foods such as rice and peas and rich salads with mayonnaise, left standing hours before being served. Already I have seen two cases of food poisoning from rice and peas rich with coconut milk, and from a milk drink being promoted by a prominent company.
For those who have chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, allergies, and other food-related illnesses such as stomach ulcer and gastritis, the word is, caution please! Stick steadfastly to your diet, comply conscientiously with your medication. Diabetics, you can eat a very small helping of Xmas cake. However, you must give up something from the meal. For example, water instead of sorrel, half helping of the rice and peas or some other staple (starchy food) or sweets at each meal.
Many persons think if they do not eat much, but drink a lot then it is okay. However, many drinks include alcohol, like beer and stout, and then there are sweet drinks like 'box juices', syrups and sweetened vegetables and fruit juices. The blood sugar levels will rise and sweet drinks alone will fatten you, moreso than your balanced meals. So, the message here is, drink in moderation.
For those who like alcohol, stay away from the bars. Limit drinking to a modest amount, preferably in the home. For chronic disease patients, especially the elderly, I allow three ounces (three tablespoons) of red wine with the last meal of the day (this is forbidden for alcoholics). Red wine gives a feeling of well-being and, for some, it is calming and promotes restful sleep.
TRANSPORTATION
If you plan out-of-town trips, ensure that your vehicle is mechanically safe.
For those taking public transportation, where possible, send your luggage ahead; your minibus driver may say 'hand bag passengers only'. Avoid overloaded vehicles and reckless drivers.
Do not drink alcohol if you are the driver.
STRESS AVOIDANCE
Plan your spending carefully; don't buy impulsively. Save and/or invest part of your bonus or gifts of money. The American Psychiatric Association in a study conducted some years ago discovered that financial problems were the reason for which 70 per cent of patients attended the psychiatrist's office. Their disorders such as depression, anxiety, or both, were due to stress, related to their financial trouble. So please preserve mind and spirit by not overspending.
Get adequate rest and exercise. Dance, yes, but if you must go to every party, then cut the hours you spend at each. Dancing and walking are excellent exercises for weight loss and maintenance.
Be loving and caring; 'throw down the guns' and instead remember the less fortunate, the lonely elderly and your children or parents whom you have neglected all year. Acts of kindness and sharing lift the spirit of both giver and recipient. It relieves stress and distress.
Happy holidays! Wellness for 2006.
Dr. Carmen Bowen-Wright is a preventive medicine specialist and wellness physician; phone: 927-4301; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
