December Month

 December 1 World AIDS Day

It is celebrated every year on December 1 to raise awareness about AIDS pandemic caused by HIV infection, and remembering those who lost their battle against this disease. The day was first celebrated in 1988. World AIDS Day was initially conceived by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter in August 1987. They took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS), who approved the concept and finalized the decision on December 1, 1998.

December 2 National Pollution Prevention Day

The day is observed on December 2 every year in remembrance of thousands of people, who lost their lives due to the infamous Bhopal Gas leak. The day is observed to raise awareness on controlling and management of industrial disasters, check pollution emitted due to industrial processes or human negligence.

December 3World Disability Day

Observed on December 3 every year to spread awareness about disability-related issues and to mobilize support to help provide a life of dignity to the disabled people all across the world. The day has been observed by the United Nations since 1992.

December 5 International Volunteers Day

On December 5 global efforts zero on efforts to encourage volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers in promoting volunteerism, and to gain government’s attention towards recognizing volunteer efforts in achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels. The day was proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly in 1985.

December 5 World Soil Day

This day is widely celebrated every year on December 5 to mark the importance of soil for basic survival purposes, such as food and energy. The day is promoted by many soil scientists and organizations around the world, like the International Union of Soil Sciences, with the help of social media.

December 23 Kisan Divas (Farmer's Day)

The day is celebrated on December 23 every year in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of the fifth Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was also a farmers leader. The day focuses of improving the economic conditions of farmers in the country.

December 25 Good Governance Day

Celebrated in India on December 25 since 2014 to coincide with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The event seeks to foster awareness among the people of the need for accountability in government.

National Diabetes Month

National Diabetes Month 2020

 

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking care of youth who have diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in school-age youth in the United States, affecting about 193,000 youth under 20 years old. Regardless of their age, sometimes youth who have diabetes need support with their diabetes care. That’s why it’s important to help your child or teen develop a plan to manage diabetes, and work with their health care team to adjust the diabetes self-care plan as needed.

Here are some tips to consider for your youth’s diabetes self-care plan.

Manage blood glucose levels. Make sure your child or teen takes their medicines as prescribed, at the right time, and the right dose—even when they feel good or have reached their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals.

Encourage healthy habits. Follow a healthy eating plan (especially if your youth is taking insulin), get enough sleep, and aim for regular physical activity. Youth with type 1 diabetes should also check their blood glucose levels before, during, or after physical activity.

Monitor for diabetes complications. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce risk for heart disease, vision loss, nerve damage, and other related health problems.

Seek mental health support. Encourage them to connect with other youth who have diabetes. Youth may not be used to talking about feeling anxious or alone about their diabetes. Speak with your health care team for help.

 

Healthy Aging Month

September is Healthy Aging Month, which was designated in order to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. The “Healthy Aging Campaign” was established 15 years ago, and since then, individuals help others become aware of their physical and mental health, diet, social skills and even financial situations; all factors that contribute to successful aging.

Healthy Aging Month encourages to act how you feel — instead of acting your age!  This month also encourages our seniors to take charge of their well-being, by aging with a healthy body  (physical health) and a healthiest mind (mental health).

There are many ways to use Healthy Aging Month as inspiration to being celebrating life, and the month is dedicated to helping individuals gain a more positive outlook about growing older.  And while genetics play a role when it comes to aging, seniors still can take steps to encourage better health.

Tips To Make The Most Of “Healthy Aging Month”

Get Moving

If you are not accustomed to exercise, consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine and be sure to start slowly to allow plenty of time to get used to each level of activity.

Exercise can be as simple as walking just ten or fifteen minutes, three to four times a week and increasing as you go. For those who are more active, try taking up tennis or joining a club where you can swim or use the exercise equipment.  Even just taking a dance class or senior yoga, gardening or mowing the lawn.  There are countless ways to stay active that will keep your body moving.

Maintain A Healthy Diet 

Many Americans aren’t aware of proper portion sizes and inevitably eat larger portions than recommended, and we all know overeating leads to obesity — which could lead to even bigger health concerns such as diabetes or heart disease. Plus as we age, our metabolism slows down and we need fewer calories.

Healthy eating is a big part of staying healthy, and the USDA emphasizes the need for more vegetables and fruits in the American diet – recommending five a day.Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and try to avoid excessive processed foods. Boosting the amount of fresh vegetables in our diet is an easy way to feel full without a lot of calories. The USDA suggests an easy way to balance nutrition: your plate should have slightly less than one quarter proteins (lean meat, fish, poultry or legumes) and fruits, slightly more than one quarter grains and vegetables. Additionally, stay hydrated by drink a lot of water, at least 6-8 glasses per day.

Stay Social 

Don’t be afraid to make new friends, and make an effort to see your old friends, too. A sedentary lifestyle devoid of interaction with friends and family lead to health issues and isolation can lead to depression. Instead of feeling lonely and bored reach out and invite friends and family over!  Or you can socialize with others by volunteering, joining a class or bringing a caregiver — which may in to help you look forward to activities such as cooking with their help, playing cards/games, or simply talking.

If you can no longer drive, look for transportation services that can help you get out and attend social events. If you’re computer literate, schedule Facetime conversations with children and grandchildren. Just by interact with and talk to someone daily, you will do your mind and mental health a world of good.

Balance Both Your Body & Mind

Keep your mind active by reading the newspaper (or read on your tablet) while you eat breakfast. Keeping your mind active and engaged may ward off brain chemistry changes that could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Working on puzzles, reading books are also great for the mind and will help reduce stress that comes with aging problems. You can even take up a new creative hobby! For your body, perhaps practice yoga to improve your flexibility and balance. It is also great for the mind and will help reduce stress that comes with aging problems.

How Quality Of Life Is Important To Healthy Aging

A positive outlook and proactive approach is one of the best ways to encourage healthy aging!  Here’s how to get the most out of life as you age.

• Positive Attitude
• Don’t “Act Your Age”
• Be proactive
• Try something new
• Embrace your creativity
• Sorround your self with posotivty.

Breastfeeding Week

  ​

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Benefits

Most health professionals are familiar with the benefits of breastfeeding. The AAP continues to support the unequivocal evidence that breastfeeding protects against a variety of diseases and conditions in the infant such as:

• bacteremia
• diarrhea
• respiratory tract infection
• necrotizing enterocolitis
• otitis media
• urinary tract infection
• late-onset sepsis in preterm infants
• type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• lymphoma, leukemia, and Hodgkins disease
• childhood overweight and obesity

There are also maternal health benefits to breastfeeding such as:

• decreased postpartum bleeding and more rapid uterine involution
• decreased menstrual blood loss and increased child spacing (lactational amenorrhea)
• earlier return to prepregnancy weight
• decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers

​Breastfeeding is also a great benefit to the environment and society. Breastfeeding families are sick less often and the parents miss less work. It does not require the use of energy for manufacturing or create waste or air pollution. There is no risk of contamination and it is always at the right temperature and ready to feed.

Social Wellness Month

 Social Wellness Month

July is Social Wellness Month, a time to focus on nurturing oneself and one’s relationships. Social wellness focuses on the giving and receiving of social support, identifying the network of friends and family an individual can turn to in times of crisis as well as times of celebration, and ways to keep relationships healthy. Since social support acts as a buffer against adverse life events, it is especially vital for seniors to have a strong social network in place and to have ways to grow and nurture that social network. Volunteering, pursuing a hobby, or joining a local senior center are all ways for seniors to gain valuable social interaction and grow relationships. 

At Senior Lifestyle, we understand that social wellness may be more difficult to attain and maintain for seniors, especially those who are homebound or who don’t live near family and friends. Since studies have shown that social interaction provides a multitude of health benefits for seniors, one of our main goals at Senior Lifestyle is to expand the social options available to our residents and families. We know that by providing increased opportunities to socialize, we can enhance and enrich the lives of those we serve.  

Seniors reap the benefits of positive social interaction in a number of ways, from increased social and emotional well-being to improvements in physical and cognitive functions. Research shows that: 

who have a strong social network tend to live longer. 

The heart and blood pressure of people with healthy relationships respond better to stress. 

Strong social networks are associated with a healthier endocrine system and healthier cardiovascular functioning. 

Healthy social networks enhance the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases.

International Webinar on HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Department of Nutrition, FSM & Dietetics has organised the "International Webinar on HEALTHY LIFESTYLE" on 3.06.2020

Resources Person : * Ms SHANTHI KAAVERY
                                  Consultant Dietetian
                                  Founder & MD
                                  Elite Diet Studio
                                  Chennai, India
                               

                               * Ms.Premalatha.P

                                  Hygiene Officer

                                  Al Adil Trading Co.L.L.C

                                  Dubai, UAE

Venue              : Zoom app

Timing.           : 2:00 Pm onwards

    

 
 

1. Eat a variety of foods
2. Base your diet on plenty of foods rich in carbohydrates
3. Replace saturated with unsaturated fat
4. Enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables
5. Reduce salt and sugar intake
6. Eat regularly, control the portion size
7. Drink plenty of fluids
8. Maintain a healthy body weight
9. Get on the move, make it a habit!
10. Start now! And keep changing gradually.

                                              Thank you!

National Stress Awareness Month

 April is National Stress Awareness Month: 7 Tips for Preventing and Managing Stress

April is National National Stress Awareness Month, and while stress is unavoidable for the vast majority of Americans, there are many ways to help prevent and manage it. Take a look at these seven tips for preventing and managing stress in your life.

Practice the Big Three

There is a reason that eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep always appear on prevention lists. These three habits are the cornerstone to a happy, healthy life and their impact on stress is no different.

Eating a diet full of fresh, whole foods helps the body combat stress naturally. It is also wise to avoid stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine that can amplify stress, interfere with sleep and worsen the effects stress has on the body.

Getting the recommended amount of exercise lowers blood pressure and provides a healthy outlet to relieve stress. Rhythmic exercise such as walking, jogging and swimming has proven to be especially effective. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity, five days a week.

There is a reason sleep deprivation is a form of torture. Not getting a proper amount of sleep makes it difficult to deal with stressful situations and can increase anxiety and depression. To establish a healthy sleeping routine, make sure to turn off all electronics at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed and try to establish a calming nighttime ritual, such as reading or meditating. This ritual will signal your mind to relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

Learn how to relax

Relaxing while stressed is no easy task. It is important to find what works best for you and what fits into your lifestyle. The easier it is to do, the more likely you are to stick with it. Meditation and deep breathing are great ways to feel more relaxed and are also easy to do just about anywhere. If you are looking for a good way to get started, try the 4-7-8 deep breathing technique. Inhale for four seconds, hold the breath for seven seconds, exhale for eight seconds. Continue for as long as you need to feel relaxed.

Put your feelings on paper

Have thoughts running through your head on repeat? Try writing them out. Getting the thoughts out of your mind and onto paper will signal your brain that the thought is safe and it no longer needs to hold onto it.

Be proactive

You are your own best advocate. If you are feeling overloaded and worn down, take a look at everything that is going on in your life and see if some things can take a backseat until you feel up to tackling them. Make a list of situations that could cause potential stress and then figure out which situations you can avoid or improve to manage the outcome.

Talk about your problems

Sometimes talking through a problem is all you need to work through a stressful situation. Confiding in a trusted friend or family member can go a long way in combating stress. A licensed professional can also provide helpful tools to help you positively process through stressful scenarios.

Smile

It might feel silly, but simply smiling can help improve your mood. Laughing is also a great way to beat stress and is clinically proven to be good for your health. Take some time for a laugh break – watch a funny show/movie or find a funny video online and enjoy the instant mood lift!

Faculty Empowerment

Faculty Empowerment

               

                R.Mahalakshmi  Head Department of Nutrition, FSM & dietetics  acted as a resource person and delivere a lecture on the topic “Adolescent health and nutrition” on 19.02.2020 at  Sacred heart college, Tirupattur.

Photos