Making Sense Of Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave. It also helps regulate how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Mental disorders are common, but often go ignored, or purposely hidden due to shame. These illnesses are serious disorders which can affect your thinking, mood, and actions. There are many causes of mental disorders. Your genes and family history may play a major role. Your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, may also matter. Biological factors can also be part of the cause.

Maintaining Your Mental Health

Even people who have good emotional health can sometimes have emotional problems or mental illness. However, here are 4 simple ways to keep your head happy.

Express your feelings appropriately:

It’s important to let people close to you know when something is bothering you. Keeping feelings of sadness or anger inside takes extra energy. It can also cause problems in your relationships and at work or school.

Think before you act

Emotions can be powerful. But before you get carried away by your emotions and say or do something you might regret, give yourself time to think.

Strive for balance in your life

Make time for things you enjoy. Focus on positive things in your life. Make the most of the little things you can be grateful for.

Take care of your physical health

Your physical health can affect your emotional health. Take care of your body by exercising regularly, eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep. Don’t abuse drugs or alcohol.

Signs of Caution

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Pulling away from people and usual activities
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• Yelling or fighting with family and friends
• Experiencing severe mood swings
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Inability to perform daily tasks

Treatment

Therapy and counseling are types of treatment to improve your mental well-being. These treatments can help people who are experiencing emotional or behavior problems, or people who have a mental health disorder. To visit a psychotherapist, or for any mental health related problems, visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_physicalmedicinerehabilitation/psychology.html

Group therapy is a method often used by therapists. Support groups are guided by a qualified leader. This professional facilitates a small group of people who have similar issues or problems. A group situation can improve honest interaction with others. Group members can also support each other during times of crisis and/or achievement. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital also provides a variety of support groups to ensure that patients are well-supported throughout their illness. For more information, check: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/support_group.html

Eat Healthy? Check. Start exercising? Check. Control Anger? Check.

Making a New Year’s Resolution list is a considerably easy task. You can curate an endless one, including all your deepest desires and ever-changing goals. The difficult part is actually sticking to it. Come February, and almost everyone gives up on their resolution. However, you must keep in mind that resolutions help you to reflect on the past year’s mistakes and setbacks. It should provoke you to make a promise to improve and bring about positive change in 2017. Hence, make sticking to your new year resolution, a resolution. Challenge yourself and watch it work wonders. By making your resolutions realistic, there is a greater chance that you will keep them throughout the year. Here are some tips when thinking about a News Year’s resolution:

Put Pen to Paper

By putting your goals on paper, you are more likely to achieve them. Merely make mental vows never helps in building enough willpower to keep going.

Practise Positivity

Use positive language rather than negative demands when thinking about doing your resolution. For example, rather than thinking “I don’t feel like going to the gym”, think “I always feel so much better for going to the gym and I love that feeling.” Highlighting the benefit to you is far more motivating than focusing on the negatives.

Make A Slow Start

Make resolutions that are worthwhile. If your aim is to exercise more frequently, book three to four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you want to eat healthier, try replacing sugary sweets an apt substitute like fruit or yogurt, rather than seeing your diet as a form of punishment.

Take Baby Steps

It takes time to replace unhealthy behaviour. Don’t get anxious and think that you have to make a large change in your life. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time. Take advice from others and understand what’s good for you.

Be Open

It helps to share your goals and feelings with family and friends. Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as a boot camp group at your gym or a group of colleagues quitting smoking. Having people to share your struggles and successes with makes the journey much easier and less frightful.

Go Easy on Yourself

Fulfilling every resolution is difficult. Don’t give up completely because you ate a cookie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy. Everyone has ups and downs; ensure that you recover from your mistakes and get back to business.

Hold a Helping Hand

Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen, strengthens your ability to cope with stress caused by your resolution. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Psychologists can offer strategies as to how to adjust your goals so that they are attainable, as well as help you change unhealthy behaviours and address emotional issues. For booking a session, visit:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html

Review Your Progress

Look back after a couple of months and see how you’ve been doing. Try to fix anything in which you’re lacking. For instance, if your resolution was to go to the gym three evenings a week, perhaps you haven’t been sticking to it because you always work late. Try going in the mornings instead. Making a minor adjustment could be the key to success.

Celebrate

Remember to celebrate your successes, but make sure the way you celebrate doesn’t go against your resolution. Enjoy happiness in another form. You deserve it!

Sports Medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. It includes the understanding of sports performance along with recommendations for training, nutritionand sporting performance enhancement.

Sports injuries are often ignored. It is however, essential to visit a sports medicine specialist and undergo physical therapy to regain full fitness after any sports injury. Irrespective of which sport you play, here are some common sports injuries you may be vulnerable to, and which you ought to get checked:

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain includes damage to a muscle or its tendons (tissue attaching a muscle to a bone). The damage may even be a tear of the muscle fibers and the tendons. It can also damage small blood vessels, causing local bleeding, bruising and pain. When you see symptoms like swelling, bruising and redness, or experience pain during movement, consult asports medicine physician right away. Meanwhile, use ice to reduce the swelling, elevate the injured area and avoid putting any kind of strain on it.

Ligament Tear

Ligaments are strained when the joint is stressed beyond its normal range, causing it to tear away from the bone. Common causes of a ligament injury include twisting or landing awkwardly. The most common torn ligaments are knee ligaments and ankle ligaments. The symptoms include a sudden jab of pain, swelling, joint instability and impaired function. At home, you must rest and elevate the joint, apply ice, and use gentle compression with an elastic bandage.

Shoulder Dislocation

The shoulder joint is inherently unstable and is the most often dislocated joint in the body. Dislocations often occur during falls on an outstretched hand, where the shoulder unnaturally rotates away from the body. The muscles that surround the shoulder joint tend to go into spasm, making any movements very painful. In such a case, you must rush to an Emergency Room immediately. It is best to hold the arm slightly away from the body, and support its weight with the other hand.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a condition caused by the overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles. It is caused by an abrupt or subtle injury of the muscle area around the outside of the elbow. The symptoms can be easily felt, in the form of increasing pain while shaking hands, squeezing objects or moving the wrist with force. It is of utmost importance to consult a doctor and get started on pain killers. Meanwhile, ice works wonders to reduce inflammation.

Hamstring Pull

Hamstring strainsattackall kinds of athletes – be it runners, footballers, or basketball players. In a hamstring strain, the muscles behind the thigh get overloaded. The muscles might even start to tear. Hamstring strainsare more likely during activities that involve a lot of running and jumping or sudden stopping and starting. A hamstring pull can be felt by a sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping feeling. It may also include a pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking, straightening the leg, or bending over. These injuries heal slowly on their own, but it a must to visit a physical therapist and get started with stretching and strengthening exercises.

We are proud to announce the opening of our holistic Sports Medicine Centre’s Outreach Clinic in South Mumbai. Our team of experts specializes in athletic injuries of the bones, joints, muscles, cartilage and ligaments, with a special focus on shoulder, knee, hip, foot, wrist and ankle conditions. We work with patients through their consultation and treatment, keeping their current state, desired outcomes and performance needs in mind, and ensuring post-treatment rehabilitation. Our aim is to help patients remain active and to get them back to the level of athletic performance they desire.
Comprising of experienced physiotherapists, bio-mechanists, nutritionists and sports scientists, our Sports Medicine team has treated the most reputed Indian sports persons, ranging from national team cricketers to badminton players. Book an appointment now and enhance your sporting abilities!

With the end of the year coming near, you’re back with the pen and paper, curating an endless list of new year’s resolutions. This time, why not make health and fitness your priority? Work towards making 2017 your healthiest year yet! Explore ways to boost your health and well-being, and be an inspiration to others around you. Here’s a how you can get started:

Take A Look Inward

The first step to making honest resolutions is to acknowledge your current health and fitness levels. Find out where you lack, be it terms of exercising too little or not being able to control sugar intake. Be true to yourself about what you’d like to improve or get rid of.

Devise a Plan

Just making vague resolutions like ‘lose weight’ or ‘eat healthy’ isn’t going to be of any use. You can work with a nutritionist or your doctor to pinpoint the exact ways you have to get going to achieve your goal.

Commit

Once you’ve made a promise to yourself, don’t let it go. Stay true to your word and work towards achieving a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Here are some holistic fitness resolutions you can make:

Touch Your Toes

Setting an exact performance goal may help you stay more motivated compared to a weight-loss goal. For example, an aim to do 10 pull-ups, or touching your toes, can create a good shift from focusing only on weight-loss to performance improvement. Think of a goal that would really motivate you, and a goal that you can enjoy the process as you strive for it.

Find An Exercise Buddy

Working out with a friend allows for a little friendly competition and increased accountability. Choose goals together and get to work. It’s always a little easier when you know someone is rooting for and waiting for you at the gym or exercise class.

Oral Care

Go beyond the regular resolution of brushing twice a day, to including floss into your daily oral care regime. Take an additional effort to speak to your dentist about the importance of genetics in dental health. Like cancer and diabetes, oral health is also influenced by genetics. Hence, it will be beneficial to know where you stand and what possible risks you may face in the future.

Contact our Dental Department for more information:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/dentalsurgery/generalservices.html

Be Strict About Sleep

If there’s one thing that can improve all branches of your health, it’s sleep. Make a vow to let your body have sound sleep for at least 6 hours every single night. The best way to achieve this goal is by exercising every day, avoiding long naps, and steering clear of alcohol, tobacco and heavy dinners.

Go Easy on your Mind

Year after year we burden our head with unnecessary thoughts and stress. From January 1, 2017, spare one entire minute each day to evaluate the present. Think about things you are grateful for at that very moment, and don’t let your thoughts jog back to the past or run towards the future. Include mindful thinking into your resolution list without fail!

Protection and Prevention

Protect yourself from general injuries or diseases by always being one step ahead. For example, reduce your chances of head injuries while riding by wearing a helmet, or protect your skin from UV ray damage by applying sunscreen every day etc. There is an abundance of little precautionary measures you can take to prevent diseases and dangers to your health.

Keep A Check

You’re the master of your own body, and it is your responsibility to ensure that everything is working just fine. This year, make sure to sign up for health check-ups, take necessary vaccinations or screenings to keep yourself up-to-date about your health.

To book a health check-up, visit our website:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/manage/shop/executive-health-checkup?id=executive_health_checkups

Do a kitchen cleanse

Throw away unhealthy products (chips, granola bars, sodas) from your kitchen and fridge. Then restock with healthier options, like carrots and dry fruits. Make it a habit to keep your kitchen filled with nutritious food that will encourage everyone to stop and take a bite.

Sustainable resolutions do exist, and even better, they can help you build the foundation for a long, healthy, happy life. So, go on, make yourself a fruitful new year’s resolution list!

Winter has finally dawned upon us. The lower temperatures and calmer weather helps reduce stress and irritability. Along with its joyful festivals, this season is welcomed whole-heartedly by everyone. However, little does everyone realise that, this in fact, is the season when wellness is the most important. Treat your body as a place of worship. Here is a quick guide on small ways to keep yourself as fit as a fiddle this season.

Diet

Diseases take their rounds during winter. Hence, it’s of utmost importance to keep yourself healthy and strong. Your immune system should be well-geared to ward off any threats to the body. Changing everyday food habits can greatly help. Here are a few measures you can take:

• Honey is a good alternative to sugar as a sweetener. It keeps the body warm and helps fight viruses that might cause cough and cold.
• Green leafy vegetables like spinach are an ideal inclusion in your winter diet. Its anti-oxidant properties and high vitamin count make it good for the hair and skin.
• A lot of citrus fruits, especially oranges, are in season during winter. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C and are good for the skin and metabolism.
• Garlic helps keep the body warm and has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help fight different winter diseases.
• Avoid white carbohydrate foods like bread, cakes, pasta and rice. They promote weight gain as they are digested quickly and cause your blood-sugar and insulin levels to spike. Switch to whole-grain varieties instead.

For comprehensive consultation on maintaining a healthy diet, contact our Nutrition Department:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutrition.html

Body Care

The cooler weather strips off moisture from the skin. A regular day time lotion may not be enough to keep your body moisturized for 24 hours. Try to replace your lotion with an oil or an extra-nourishing lotion. Aromatherapy can also work wonders. Use some lavender oil while in the shower or add a few drops of olive oil in the bucket. Avoid taking very hot showers or exfoliating too much, as it’ll just make your skin more fragile. Winter is actually as damaging as summer sun so apply a generous amount of sunscreen to any exposed areas before you step out. In the night, treat your skin to a rich cream massage. To support extremely dry, cracking heels or rough elbows, massage those spots with organic castor oil. Daily application during winter can help heal cracks and smooth out stubborn roughness.

For skin care treatments, contact the experts at The Aesthetic Clinic:
https://www.aestheticlinic.co.in/

Face Care

Your face is especially sensitive to harsh, cool winds. Following a strict face-care routine is advisable. This includes cleansing off all the dirt with a light face wash, followed by toning and moisturizing. You can indulge in natural moisturising by using warm almond or extra virgin olive oil and use it as a night massage routine. Home-made face packs are highly effective. Use ingredients like avocado, yogurt, honey, bananas, olive oil and aloe vera to make nourishing masks. Treat chapped lips by using petroleum jelly or an over-the-counter lip balm.

Hair Care

The cold weather can create a havoc on your hair. Keep your tresses silky and healthy with the following tips.

• Purchase a good quality shampoo and conditioner but avoid using too much of shampoo, as the chemicals may be harsh. Wash your hair not more than twice a week and use lukewarm water to avoid frizziness.
• Apply a nourishing hair mask once a week to keep your scalp healthy.
• Avoid using a hairdryer. It is always good to let your hair dry naturally.
• Moisturise your hair once a week with a hot oil treatment to promote a healthy scalp and nourished hair. Some natural oils that work effectively are coconut oil, avocado oil and almond oil.
•  Make sure to wear a scarf or a hat to lock in the moisture of your locks and to save it from breakage.
• Also, to avoid static-prone hair that flies all over the place, keep your hair tied up as much as possible, especially when outdoors, or while exercising.

Here a few additional tips to keep going strong during the winter:

• Varying temperatures often irritate the nose and throat. The beauty of ayurveda comes into play here. Nasya oil is usually a sesame or sunflower oil base, infused with stimulating herbs to energize and refresh the mind, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, or lemon. It helps to soothe the nasal passage.
• Consult a doctor about taking a flu jab. If you’re a diabetes, kidney disease or asthma patient, your likeliness of caching a flu is greater.
• Some of the ways arthritis patients can get pain relief is by dressing warmly, working out inside, and getting enough vitamin D.  Massages are also extremely comforting. If the pain is consistent, don’t hesitate to contact our Pain Clinic:
  https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/painclinic.html

Winter can be rough for those who aren’t prepared to face it. Therefore, going that extra step to pamper your body is imperative.