HEALTH TIPS

There's a general belief that if you don't experience serious breakdown in your health, you're good to go. But that is very far from the truth. There are certain signs that show you that you're on your way to some serious health conditions if they're not properly managed or corrected. Here are the warning signs:

1) You get tired easily and run out of breath on little physical exertion. This happens mostly to people who sit at their desk all day and then go home. Such people need to take a few minutes in the course of the day to walk around. Some people get dizzy on climbing a single flight of stairs. You need to register in a gym and resume aerobics classes. If the symptoms persist, you might need to visit the doctor who 'll take your blood pressure and might recommend you do an ECG test to check the condition of your heart.

2) You don't empty your bowels daily, and when you do, it's every other day, twice a week and with much difficulty. This shows you need to take fruits and vegetables at least every other day to enable your bowels move more easily. This definitely makes you feel lighter and healthier. Also, practice water therapy! For more information on this, check out my article on water therapy. Let me share a friend's experience on water therapy. There's an expected amount of water that should be taken first thing in the morning. This friend of mine took over and above the required quantity and drove to work in her brand new ride. Unfortunately, she was stuck in traffic and this lasted a while. You guessed right, she became really pressed and had to pack her ride and find a nearest house to obey the call of nature. O gosh! sure she has stopped it for a while now. Do, don't overdo!

3) You worry a lot. You seemed to be overwhelmed by your workload in the office, your project in your masters’ programme, your difficult spouse or child, etc. You need to take a deep breath and note that it’s grossly unwise to worry over something you don’t have control over. Prioritize. Listen to music, sing to yourself (don’t worry; nobody is listening, in case your voice is awful).

4) You can't remember the last time you had a good, hearty laugh. Most times, you even catch yourself frowning, a dose of good laugh is sure needed to relax your facial and body muscles and live longer. You can read my article titled, ‘on a light note’. On days that I’m stressed out, i look out for jokes that can ease the tension.

5) It’s been ages since you ate breakfast. Many people in the working class are guilty of this. Eating breakfast helps to keep off hunger pangs that are usually present by lunch time for non-breakfast people, this makes the body hold on to every calorie of food taken during lunch.

6) You don't usually have a good sleep or feel rested by the time you wake up in the morning. Try a cold bath before you sleep at night and ensure your sleep clothes are as free on you as possible. If the weather is really hot, do you have to sleep with clothes on?

7) You're hardly ever alert these days, especially mentally. Take a vacation. There's a saying, 'Rest or be laid to rest'. Some people call it the law of Sabbath. You're of better use to yourself and others when you're refreshed. Opportunities are on the increase on several top vacation spots/resort centers in the world and how you can access them at almost no cost. I'm ready to go for mine anytime i choose in the course of the year. You can make money and have a luxury vacation as well. Check out the article at deoluakinyemi.com if you want to know how!

I'll be back later with more tips. Do have a great day!

SLOWLY BUT SURELY

Last weekend was a very interesting one, saturday was particularly interesting for me because it was the first time in my life i was voting! I made up my mind that i was going to, come what may. As i entered the school compound which served as the polling centre and made my way to the queue, a middle aged man approached me and asked to see the code on my voters' card so he could help me locate the exact queue i was to join. I told him not to bother and that i could read and find my way around. I then realized he and many of his guys had offered to help others and of course, had the illiterates and oldies as their target, they even told them exactly what spot on the ballot paper to thumbprint! I looked around and saw that majority of the people at that polling centre were unread (maybe it also has to do with the area where i live o!), the INEC officials didn't look happy doing the work and looked far from being comfortable, they were definitely broke and would jump at any opportunity to make some money. Some people beside me started arguing at a point and the supervising INEC official told everyone to pack up and go home, meanwhile, there were policemen around who were gisting at a distance. You could see indifference in everyone. No one cared if things went well. I saw how much poverty and deprivation had eaten into their thinking, it's a mindset that doesn't think long term and it will take years to change. I sometimes catch myself thinking some thoughts which i know are not products of a liberated mind. Nigeria has a long way to go and slowly but surely, we'll get there. When our minds are liberated, then we can make accurate decisions.

I went to visit a friend yesterday who told me that at her own polling centre, someone's ballot paper was snatched from him by an INEC official and dropped into the ballot box because he was making to thumbprint a party which was against what he favoured. I was enraged! I thought INEC was meant to take a neutral stand in this process. The results of the Governorship election for my state is yet to be out because of attempts to rig it, they decided to make it a do or die affair. Several people have been killed. But generally, i'm encouraged. We're gradually migrating from having touts as leaders, i'm sure more intelligent leaders with proven experience in managing people and resources will step out to contest in the next election. Some people said the elections were rigged. Is it possible to have a leader in power when God has not put him there? even if He gets there, he'll be out before you know it, all God needs to do is snap a finger!

Have a great week!

A PERSONAL LESSON FROM EASTER

Easter season is about the most powerful season within the calendar year. It’s a season in which the events that made it to be depict the highest expression of love; it gives hope and confidence in the sacrifice of the only begotten son of God – in our place! I believe the season gives meaning to the essence of life.

An incident occurred yesterday that drove home more to me, the importance of Easter. I sent my daughter my only begotten (for now) to my parents-in-law to spend a week; they live a couple of hours away from us. Parting with her was a lot harder than I thought; a family member took her down. I waved to her till the car was out of sight, called several times during the journey and questioned if it was a good idea after all. I could not help but laugh at how fretful I became, I had to caution myself not to call too often because I didn’t want to create the impression that I didn’t trust my daughter with them.

I got home to miss her usual warm, hearty welcome and her incessant disturbances about everything. I assured myself it was only for a week. I actually could not help but laugh at how I had suddenly become.

I wondered and tried to imagine how much it must have cost God to give up his son to die for a people who he had not guarantee were going to accept this huge sacrifice. He watched his son die when He had the power to reverse things, this was because he knew better, that Jesus had to die for their to be redemption from eternal damnation. He gave us hope and he gave us life for death. This is the highest show of love.

Happy Easter!