Stronger Together and Power through Collaborative Action
Staying healthy during these stressful times is a good way to stave off the novel coronavirus. Eating well and exercising are two important factors to keep you mentally and physically fit. A symposium today stressed the need for a healthy lifestyle by keeping both your mind and body in good form. Here is News Five’s Duane Moody with a report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
A virtual wellness symposium was held today by the Ministry of Health to focus on keeping mentally, physically and spiritually healthy, especially during these COVID-times when anxiety about the new normal is overwhelming. “Stronger Together and Power through Collaborative Action” is the theme for this year’s symposium that had presentations from health professionals from public and private sectors. Among the panellist was popular internist, Doctor Fernando Cuellar who broke down non-communicable diseases and the higher risk as it relates to COVID-19.
Fernando Cuellar
Dr. Fernando Cuellar, Internist
“The more classic conditions are high blood pressure, also known as hypertension; diabetes, in Belize known as sugar and obesity—well we have the own words for that. But when we have these conditions, you are more vulnerable to catch COVID-19 and when you do, unfortunately, it is easier to get it more severely. What the COVID-19 has done is expose the whole discussion of NCDs, these conditions. So people are a little bit more aware of themselves or people that they know and they are also becoming more aware if you do catch it and you have these out of control, you are much more vulnerable to have a severe form of the COVID.”
With increasing concerns and mental health issues associated with COVID-19, a number of persons have become inclined to substance abuse.
Errol Longsworth
Errol Longsworth, Acting Unit Supervisor, NDACC
“When people try to find a way or a breather, or a way to relax, they are looking for a quick fix right now because we can’t really go out and do stuff. So the quick stuff is to resort to some kind of substance use. But because we have the aspect of the stress and the substance use with it, it puts you in a spot where you’d want to binge on it and use it in excess. Eventually, this would cause problems in your life because then what next.”
Mental health was another main topic. It’s for persons of all ages, including students who have been out of school for months and are not able to socialise with friends and even parents, who have lost their jobs and are now trying to make ends meet – it can take a toll on your mental health. Sometimes basic breathing techniques, meditation and self-reflection can help you to start your day right. This is where yoga comes in.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams, Yoga Instructor
“If you look at it in a way where it can certainly be a time for us as human beings and as Belizeans—individually and as a collective—to evolve and to be something much more extraordinary than we were before. Getting healthier, like setting a real commitment to ourselves to concentrate on our health, to eat healthier, to be kinder to each other, to learn to pray, to develop a communication with God without masks and opinions and ideas. This time to kind of sit and to decide whether or not we want to change in a regressive, destructive manner or if we want to change in a productive, positive progressive manner. When we find that we have a resistance to change is when we suffer.”
You must also fuel up with food to keep the body healthy. Nutritionist, lecturer and fitness coach Karen Rosito came prepared with quick healthy and affordable snacks that can be readily made for the entire family.
Karen Rosito
Karen Rosito, Nutritionist
“Literally, we are what we eat. We eat to prevent disease, we eat to promote wellness, especially mental health, we eat to feel full; we eat sugars and candy for satisfaction, but it is literally the most important thing, the best thing you can possibly do to fuel yo body. You need to eat well. It’s the snack attack; I am going to be showing like a rice bowl, a tortilla wrap and things like that. But most of us, around the world, we love to snack so we are going to be using some cost-effective snacks.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
