| Influenza A (H1N1) |
Check out the update on Global Influenza A (H1N1) at Ministry Of Health Singapore website @ http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/default.aspx.
General Advice |
| Stress Management |
| Stress affects everyone, every day in different ways. The trick is to learn to cope with the different stresses and live a healthy, happy life! |
| Do you experience intense sadness, feel worthless and notice changes in sleep patterns for the past 2 weeks? You may be suffering from depression; depression is not a sign of personal weakness but a medical condition that can be treated, call HealthLine at 1800-223 1313 for more information. |
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You will feel happy when you're smiling or singing so keep smiling and stay in good spirits. |
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Stressed out by your homework? Why not break it up into smaller sections and schedule breaks in between. You'll finish your work and feel more relaxed at the same time. |
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Building good relationships with your family and friends will help you stay happy and healthy. |
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Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs, walk your dog, chase your kids, toss balls with friends. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. |
| Healthy Eating |
| You are what you eat. What we put into our mouths directly affects our health. |
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If you are thinking of taking dietary supplements -- think again. All we need to do is to follow the Healthy Diet Pyramid and have a balanced diet. And we will have the nutrients our body needs without taking the pills. |
Build strong bones! Eat calcium-rich foods such as low-fat yoghurt and milk, cheese and green leafy vegetables.
How much calcium is enough? Find out more in this article from the Health Promotion Board. |
| 2+2: Make sure you eat two servings of fruit, and two servings of vegetables daily! |
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Did you know that all adults between 19-50 years of age should take about 800 mg of calcium daily? Women 51 years and above require 1000 mg of calcium to prevent osteoporosis. So ensure that you take enough calcium daily. |
| Healthy Living |
| Keep your eyes and face clean by washing them regularly with plenty of water and for good personal hygiene use your own towel. |
| To prevent common infections such as food poisoning and Hepatitis A, wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. |
| For the sake of your children, quit smoking. Passive smoking affects your children's emotional and intellectual development and increases their risk developing health problems like asthma. |
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Always say NO to smoking. It will save you money and your life! Visit this site to find out the benefits when one quits smoking. |
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Stay smoke-free; eat a well-balanced diet with sufficient vitamin C to help boost your immune system. |
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Even if you are a non-smoker, you are still at risk of lung cancer and heart attacks if you breathe in other people's smoke. So stay smoke-free, avoid places that allow smoking. |
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Women! If you smoke, it is best to stop smoking as smoking causes bone loss and early menopause. If you need help to quit smoking, call QuitLine at 1800 438 2000. |
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Reduce your risk of stroke by exercising regularly and eating a low-fat diet. |
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Reduce your risk of hypertension by reducing your sodium intake. Choose fresh foods instead of processed foods, salted or preserved foods and avoid adding extra salt or light soya sauce to your food. |
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All of us can lower our overall cancer risk by being active and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. |
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Cancers are the main cause of death in Singapore. Not all cancers are preventable but you can detect them early by knowing and recognising the symptoms, and going for regular check-ups. |
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Diabetes can cause severe eye problems when the small blood vessels in the eyes become damaged. This can lead to blindness. So if you are diabetic, it is important to have regular check-ups including eye check-ups at least once a year. |
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The key to enjoying your travel is preparation. Check with your family doctor or a Travellers' Clinic at least 6 weeks in advance to seek advice on vaccinations. |
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The type of shoes you wear will affect your posture and cause back pain and other spinal problems. So, select your shoes that fit you well. |
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Did you know that there is no 100% protection against AIDS? The only way to be safe is to remain faithful to one sexual partner. So avoid casual sex. |
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You can't tell just by looking if a person has AIDS or is infected with HIV. The best protection against AIDS is to avoid casual sex and be faithful to your partner. |
| Weight Management |
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Are you in the 'Healthy Weight Range'? Check your Body Mass Index [DOC | 29KB] today. |
| If all the recent festive eating has made you put on weight and you need to lose some, remember to set a realistic and practical target of about half to 1 kilogram per week. |
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Regular exercise combined with a balanced diet, is the most effective way to reduce excess body fat and maintain a healthy weight. |
| The risk of breast cancer increases as you get older. Go for regular mammography screenings for early detection of breast cancer. |
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To add strength to leg muscles and for a cardiovascular workout, try climbing the stairs. Climbing two steps at a time helps to build the quadriceps (thigh muscles) and the gluteus (butt) while going down steps builds strength in the quadriceps and the hamstrings. |
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Carrying excess weight is the strongest risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knees. Take proactive steps to reduce your weight by not overeating and exercising regularly. |
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Being physically active does not mean doing a rigorous sport like running. Involving in enjoyable and fun activities like tennis or swimming are good forms of physical activity, and help to improve your health and stamina. |
| If you cannot avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF. This will help prevent skin cancer. |