Taking care of our bodies and health is a necessity. This lifelong process of maintenance has to be aided by research and awareness of how our bodies work. Intentional and continuous effort is needed so we can age gracefully and healthy with lots of energy and soundness to spare. In this article we will delve into five important health and hygiene tips you might want to know about when coming to Ghana.
Vaccinations
It’s important to boost our immune system with vaccines in order to make ourselves more resistant to deadly diseases such as chickenpox, yellow fever, typhoid & tuberculosis until we develop immunity.
Although we never know if or when we might fall ill due to these specific diseases, the vaccines provide a fail-safe, should we ever be found wanting.
Many reported incidents of mortality in Ghana’s healthcare sector indicate deaths by diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination, especially pneumonia and diarrhea.
Prevention, as they say, is always better than cure.
Health Checks and Reviews
Contrary to popular belief, our health and well-being are a vital necessity – not a luxury.
Oftentimes we ignore slight aches and fevers and colds. We tell ourselves we will tough it out or that we can’t afford to let the little things bring us down.
Although resilience and toughness are things we can aspire to, neglecting our health isn’t a virtue.
This culture of self-neglect could also be exacerbated by poverty and a bureaucratic healthcare system that creates difficulty and delay in accessing healthcare.
However, for those who have the means, it is important to put your health first and schedule a general health review at least twice a year to ensure optimal health and screen for any treatable conditions before they worsen over time.
Exercise
This word can be scary when you have gotten used to the notion that some people are meant to exercise but you aren’t. And that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Staying inactive and sedentary for too long isn’t how our bodies were designed. We are supposed to incorporate movement and activity into our day to day practices so our bodies work properly and regulate themselves.
It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Taking a walk or doing simple stretches for 5 minutes a day is good enough to strengthen our immune system, sharpen our reflexes and boost our mood.
Natural Remedies and Supplements
Ghana’s biodiversity offers a wide array of natural plants and herbs that have helped in curing ailments for centuries.
Kontomire, Nyamedua, Moringa, Sunflowers, Aloe Vera and Cola are a few popular ones that are widely used to cure colds, fevers, joint pains and even Malaria.
Natural remedies are a wonderful choice for experiencing the healing power of herbal medicines when synthetic treatments lack efficacy. They can even be taken by themselves when you are experiencing mild ailments.
Additionally, health supplements can be taken when your diet does not meet your bodily needs for nutrients and minerals.
It’s always important to nourish and tend to your body so it stays strong and healthy.
Baths
Although there is some debate concerning how often we should be bathing our bodies to maintain naturally occurring bacteria, the reality in a tropical country like Ghana quickly dispels any unnecessary arguments.
People living in cooler and temperate climates may feel inclined to bathe less often, especially given that their homes and offices are air-conditioned and temperature regulated.
Coming to Ghana, the reality of blazing heat and concrete buildings is a wake-up call to the African context. Bathing, hygiene, and grooming are a necessary part of our survival and self-preservation, to avoid fungal and bacterial infections, odor, and skin diseases.
Bathing twice a day should be the bare minimum, especially after a long day in the sun.
Conclusion
Ultimately, taking care of our health and hygiene is paramount.
We ought to be eating a healthy, balanced diet, bathing and grooming ourselves, taking vaccines to strengthen our immune system, eating balanced diet and exercising regularly.
These small habits lead to us aging well and rejuvenating our health long term.
We hope you’ll be following these tips. And feel free to share some of your own with us in the comments.
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