Healthy Living news: #WalkWithMe, listening to music reduces pain and World Heart Day
September 17, 2015, Updated: September 16, 2015 05:55 PM, Source
Let’s get walking
With the weather starting to cool down, the UAE’s Imperial College London Diabetes Centre is encouraging residents to get outside and get active through a series of community walks. Launched this week, the #WalkWithMe community initiative leads up to the annual diabetes awareness walkathon – Walk 2015 – which will be held at Yas Marina Circuit on November 13.
#WalkWithMe events will be held over eight weeks at various locations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Suhail Mahmood Al Ansari, executive director at Mubadala Healthcare and chairman of ICLDC, says the centre aims to tackle the prevalence of diabetes across Abu Dhabi by educating the public and raising awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, exercise and a good diet. “Our annual Walk event is an important piece of this vital work and has succeeded in pushing these issues up the agenda, thus becoming a key part of the Abu Dhabi calendar that brings the community together to get active,” he says. “I encourage everyone, from individuals to families to companies, to engage with #WalkWithMe to increase their activity and fitness levels in a fun and interactive way.” Almost 20 per cent of the Abu Dhabi population has diabetes or pre-diabetes; however, a brisk 30-minute walk each day can help reduce body weight and prevent or manage diabetes. Walkers are encouraged to take pictures of their activities and post them on social media with the #WalkWithMe hashtag. They will also receive free #WalkWithMe T-shirts. Community walks will be held on Mondays from 6.30pm in Al Ain Oasis, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (women only) from 6.30pm at Yas Marina Circuit, Fridays at Mushrif Park from 5pm and Saturdays at Abu Dhabi Mall at 8am.
Registration is now open for Walk 2015 and tickets can be purchased online at www.walk2015.com
Music to your ears
Listening to music can significantly reduce pain and anxiety before, during or after a surgical procedure, according to a review published in The Lancet medical journal. The systematic review and meta-analysis, involving almost 7,000 patients, examined the effect of music compared with standard care or other non-drug interventions, such as massage and relaxation, on post-operative recovery.
Researchers from Brunel University London and Queen Mary University of London found that the reduction in pain was slightly greater when patients selected their own music and their levels of pain were reduced when listening to music under general anaesthetic.
The review’s lead author, Dr Catherine Meads, from Brunel University, said: “Music is a non-invasive, safe, cheap intervention that should be available to everyone undergoing surgery. Patients should be allowed to choose the type of music they would like to hear, however care needs to be taken that the music does not interfere with the medical team’s communication.”
Heart health
World Heart Day, on September 29, is an opportunity to reassess our lifestyles and ensure we’re doing our best to protect ourselves from cardiovascular disease. Here are five things we can all be doing:
This is one of the most important things you can do for your health and the benefits start as soon as you quit.
A brisk walk for at least 30 minutes a day will not only help your heart, but also reduce your risk of many other diseases, including diabetes.
High-sodium foods increase blood pressure, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease. Choose a diet low in salt, but high in vegetables, fruit and wholegrains, which will help balance your cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Excess weight raises your cholesterol and blood pressure and increases the likelihood of developing diabetes.
Having diabetes puts you at greater risk of heart disease, but it can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle that involves a balanced diet and regular exercise.
