Things to do at home and healthy foods during COVID-19

"The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.


Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.  How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

In times of coronavirus and physical distancing, many of us are staying at home. While staying at home, various activities are helpful to cope with stress and anxiety such as: 


• Aerobic Exercise

• Regular and Sound Sleep

• Interact with kids

• Reading & Writing

• Healthy diet particularly enrich with Vitamin C

• Cooking and try something new

• Movie

• Gardening and feel the nature

• Yoga and Meditation

• Spend time with kids

• Talk to your friends and beloved ones


Remember, it’s not social distancing, its physical distancing in actual…

          Stay Home

               Stay Safe

                Stay Healthy


Moreover

Making Health and Nutrition a Priority during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic will boost immunity and help to get rid of this menace 

Eating vegetables and fruits and combination of these provides multiple health benefits – people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.

 Combination of these provides nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. These foods are also helpful to boost the immune system and make your body healthy enough to cope with deadly coronavirus.

#Multipurpose15 #Haiderali15

Social Distancing, Avoid Close Contact & Break the Chain

Deadly coronavirus has witnessed thousands of causalities across the world. Now it’s a global issue but simultaneously, it’s our foremost duty to play our vital roles to grapple this menace. Therefore, in the light of WHO guidelines, social distancing is the need of the hour to protect the health of masses.

Remember, it’s not only about you, you might survive the virus disease but someone who receives it by you might not recuperate. Hence, self-quarantine and social distancing is mandatory.

Let’s Break this Chain and help others

Aurat March – Derogatory Slogan and the Media Houses

Earlier civilizations such as Babylonian, Egyptian, European, Arab and Indian depict a heart-wrenching status of women. They were treated worse than slaves, buried or burnt alive and considered as a cause of the evil. No one talked about their rights even when slavery was abolished. Magna Carta followed by French and Russian revolutions made women an active player in male dominated societies. Now in the 21st century, their role is acknowledged in building nations. They are found in political and administrative arena in the form of Angela Merkel as German Chancellor, Hasina Wajid as Bangladeshi premier, Colinda Graber as Croatian President and Kristalina Georgieva as the IMF’s managing director. Their participation has been rising in almost every sector whether its health, sports, media, politics, army, navy, air force, traditional business or agricultural activities. Their literacy has been increasing rapidly in some places; gender gap in education has been shrinking worldwide and their number in elected office is increasing – a good omen for the development of any country.

However, despite these notable advances, gender disparities still persist in some regions because it’s a gradual process to get plausible results as overnight change is not possible. In Pakistan, women has enjoyed respectful positions in the form of Fatimah Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto, Bano Qudsia, Parveen Shakir,Sharmeen Obaid, Begam Rana Liaqat Ali, Muniba Mazari, Major General Shahida Malik etc. During last 3 decades, lives of Pakistan women have witnessed drastic change. They are breaking many societal stereotypes and representing Pakistan in almost every field and inspire the whole world because they have faith in their abilities.  No doubt, some remote areas including Sindh and Baluchistan manifest abysmal status of women in many sectors which condemnable but women in urban areas are enjoying better status comparatively. 

When one talks about human rights, it doesn’t only reflect the rights of single gender (women) instead it covers both. Humiliating one and promoting other is not a judicious approach at all. In Pakistan, March plays pivotal role among 12 months and nation usually witnesses surprises mostly in political arena. This time it’s not political, it’s feministic in the form Aurat (Women) March but the slogan ‘Mera jisam Mere marzi’ and exchange of derogatory remarks between famous drama serial writer Khalil-ur-rehman and Marvi Sarmad, the so called women activist overshadowed death of Danish of mere pas tum ho and discussion over corona virus. This kindled many to share their views on mainstream and social media. 

Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar has been well respected figure in media industry and is a writer of iconic drama serials and movies such as Landa Bazaar, Punjab nahi jaungee, kaaf kangana, Laal Ishq, pyare Afzal and sadqay tumhare. The most recent, the top rated mere pas tum ho broke all the previous records and made him to interact with his fans which he used to avoid previously. Despite this fame and prestige, his views against women generally and heated and abusive exchange of words with Marvi specifically brought him in the limelight of huge criticism; not perceived well by masses of media industry. The debate of pro-Khalil and pro-Marvi is on everywhere without focusing on the main issue. Even most of the anchors of media houses are in full swing to exaggerate this trivial issue and justifying this below the belt slogan. Having said that, there are some intellectuals who not only condemned the abusive language of Khalil but strongly disapproved the slogan as well. Similarly, respect for both genders should be there whether it’s male or female. Every person has a right to have a view or opinion. He might have some strange and different experiences that shape his perception. Difference of opinion is obvious in debate but imposing something on others, call their names followed by ignominious remarks have become norm in our damaged society should be discouraged at all levels. One must analyze the whole scenario cautiously before jumping on a hateful bandwagon just because someone says something you disagree with. At the other end of the spectrum, Marvi Sarmad is aggressive, impolite, ill-mannered and provoking. Media channels mostly invite her just for rating. Her conduct with others is questionable. Because she is woman so it’s ignorable unlike men. This case is different without an iota of doubt.

When it comes to that particular slogan, those who are in favor interpret it as protection against rape, harassment, child marriage and physical abuse, violence, trafficking and slavery.  According to them, those with divergent views are perpetuating a culture that produces all these inhumanities. It’s not the case actually. Can a woman raise this slogan in front of her father or brother for her rights? Not really because it’s disgraceful, shameful, insane, abusive and sexual; doesn’t depict our culture values, it hurts religious and sexual sentiments. One should read Banu Qudsia’s ‘ Mard hawas ka pujari’ before violating the dignity of men.

However, they can come up with different slogans like “mere zindagee mere merzi” or ‘mere zindage mere faisale’. These two sounds pretty decent to convey the exact message. In order to get desired results, there is a dire need to educate both men and women. It’s the only tool to bring the change and reforms – well narrated by senior analyst Hassan Nisar. Taking all in consideration, we must understand that human beings do not have control over their bodies. They can go everywhere across the world even they have reached the moon and far-off planets but still they don’t decide that when, how and where they are born. They may have best medical facilities but they can’t stop themselves to be suffered from diseases. The recent tiny complex microorganisms such as corona virus have wreaked havoc of multiple causalities all across the world and arrogant and proud human beings are helpless and hapless. Simultaneously, the vulnerability of the human race becomes more visible when one recalls that a human being may pass away at any time or place, without being given any time to windup his worldly affairs. How can one claim to say that my body, my choice? Point to ponder…  

Haider Ali is young professional works as a Health Safety & Environment Officer in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH & RC), holds a degree in MPhil Environmental Science from Government College University, Lahore. He writes on burning issues and has been involved in various projects.

Depression – a strange conundrum

Rejection, competition, fear of failure, family expectations, humiliation, feeling worthless, insomnia and surroundings are some of the many reasons to put oneself in depression.  Now the question emanates here that ‘What is Depression’? Is it sadness or grief due to some unfortunate situation? Not at all, it’s more than sadness; society perceives it wrongly. Anybody can experience it irrespective of economic conditions, relationship and networking. Sometimes, there is nothing wrong and everything feels perfect but a person falls into depression. Its normal, its natural, it’s not a matter of ‘lack’ of faith always. It’s a phase that keeps striking at regular intervals but persistency is not good at all as it leads to clinical depression, a dangerous condition for which treatment must be sought.

Some experts contemplate it mood disorder owing to a persistent feeling of sadness, loss of interest, which may lead to a variety of physical and emotional problems such as inferiority complex, hopelessness associated with other disorders. One must understand that it’s a combination of both psychological and physical factors. Psychological factors include sleeplessness, loneliness, negative thoughts, failures, which give rise to physical factors such as chemical imbalances in the brain associated with serotonin (happy chemical), dopamine (feel-good chemical) and cortisol (stress hormone) abnormality. It’s not as simple as it is made out to be. It really needs psychological and pharmacological treatments and medical aid, same as for fever or any other disease as per National Institute of Mental Health.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to depression as a mental disorder as over 260 million people of all ages undergo from this menace and almost 0.8 million suicides are reported globally. WHO further termed it a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.

In today’s scenario, youngest generation is suffering from this dilemma, which may lead to deep disappointment because they are overemotional, excited and reactive. The USA alone identified 10% of adults struggling with depression. No doubt, adolescence is always troubling because of surroundings. Teens are often troubled and taunted by conflicting messages from parents, relatives, friends and society, hence making them feel that their lives are surrounded by darkness. They are confused, uncertain, shy, stressed and hopeless. Even small kids are taking pills. This may increase the use of narcotics. Teens and Adults guidance is the need of the hour more than ever. To get fruitful results, courses to cope with these stresses must be there at all levels in school and colleges. Moreover, in our society, ‘psychiatrist’ is scary and terrifying word. Many of us do not like to be referred to psychiatrist. No it’s not that simple, it can even kill you or make your life miserable. Factors are numerous, it’s not only economical or financial otherwise UK would not have launched Ministry of loneliness.

At some point, we all have been through depression due to feeling empty, sleeplessness, and darkness with no sign of dawn, failures, infinite pain, no relief, losing interest, excitement, loss of appetite, restlessness and feeling worthlessness. It happens due to our surroundings, relatives, friends, family members and expectations. The impact of these feelings can alleviate over time so it cannot be termed as depression.  But overthinking and persistency of these negative thoughts along with surroundings makes it Pandora box of darkness that surrounds you badly and this may lead to physical changes in the body. It could have some impact on bodily cells and organs particularly stomach. For this, medical attention is mandatory.

However, to cope with the evil of depression, stress management is essential. Remember, we are our own hero to manage it in a best possible way through connection with nature like feeling the cool breeze of the morning, the rising of sun and walking barefooted on wet grass.  One may cope with depression challenge by preparing breakfast, socializing, meeting beloved ones and sharing what bothers or hurts, changing dietary habits and monotonous routine, increasing water intake to dilute stress hormones, company of kids, melodious voices of birds, innovation, book reading, movies, songs, shopping, exercise  treating others with love and by managing  sleeping pattern.

These are some of the many ways to get rid of stress and depression. We shouldn’t forget that our one and only brain is not a dumping site to dump useless things. That is not a judicious approach at all. Be positive, be creative and be proactive.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/569240/depression-a-strange-conundrum/

Haider Ali is young professional works as a Health Safety & Environment Officer in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH & RC), holds a degree in MPhil Environmental Science from Government College University, Lahore. He writes on burning issues and has been involved in various projects.