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PharmEasy Blog

Why The Message Of International No Diet Day Is Important

The purpose of International No Diet Day

On May 6, International No Diet Day is celebrated to promote body acceptance and body shape diversity. Around the globe, unattainable and unrealistic body standards have resulted in people suffering from mental and physical health issues related to it. They constantly feel the pressure and are pushed towards eating disorders, low self-esteem and unhealthy diets. This global initiative is to help individuals form a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.

This day is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle, the objective is to establish the fact that there is no one particular “right” body type or shape, people must be educated on how to eat a balanced diet, how eating disorders and weight-loss surgery can be life-threatening, this day is important to discuss and spread awareness about weight discrimination and remind people that taking a break from dieting is not a bad thing after all.

Health concerns due to dieting

Crash Dieting or under-eating can mean your body doesn’t have enough nutrients to stay fit and healthy. This can impair our overall well-being and reduce our ability to lead an enjoyable and active life. A poor and inadequate diet can cause weakness, fatigue, it can also result in long-term health problems such as:

• Low blood pressure
• Heart disease and stroke
• Type-2 diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Types of cancers
• Depression 

How to celebrate International No Diet Day?

• Recognizing that your body is completely fine and you are beautiful is the first step towards acceptance and understanding that you need to be healthy instead of trying to look a certain way is the key.
• Avoid getting unnecessarily stressed as it can be bad for your health. Stay active and focus on eating a conscious diet daily.
• Think about everything you like in yourself. You need more positivity in your life and stay away from all the negativity.
• Celebrate this day by cooking or eating your favourite foods. Do not count the calories and just indulge in your favourite dessert, because you deserve it!
• Appreciate your body even if you couldn’t lose those 15 pounds as promised. Confidence is a good practice and this is a great day to start. 
• Remember that self-love is important for both mental and physical health. 
• Educate yourself on various eating disorders and encourage people to self-love.
• Most importantly, be kind to yourself, your body and the people around you.

Did you know, there exists a diet called Blood Type Diet? Doctors have started prescribing diets to people as per their blood type. Here, each blood group has different dietary instructions to follow and can be best instructed by a professional.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Busting the myths about dieting

• Crash diets are very low-calorie diets, consisting of less than 800 calories per day. These diets, if unmonitored, can be fatal. They deprive the body of nutrients and may lead to cardiac arrest.
• Contrary to what some diets preach, eggs don’t confer unhealthy cholesterol. They are safe, nutritious and healthy to eat.
• The gluten-free diet trend may be pointless. These are only recommended to individuals with celiac disease or other illnesses and may not be ideal for others.
• Skipping breakfast will do more harm to you than good. Breakfast is the first meal of the day and it should not be skipped for any reason. Studies show that breakfast skippers are more likely to be overweight than those who don’t skip the first meal. 
• No, supplements are not diet alternatives. Supplements are helpful but they cannot be the only thing you eat. Though many people who are on a diet turn to supplements to shed a few pounds, they may actually not work, which can be frustrating enough. 
• Speak to a doctor and a registered nutritionist before you plan to switch to any particular diet regimen.

On International No Diet Day you can eat anything and everything you want. It allows us to focus on other things instead of constantly thinking about limiting food and suppressing food cravings. Biologically, unsupervised dieting can lead to unhealthy changes in body composition, hormonal changes, reduced bone density, menstrual disturbances and more. It is important to normalize that being healthy is enough and you don’t have to push yourself to look a certain way. This day teaches us self-love even if it is hard to look at the mirror somedays and completely love the person you see in it. Young people and especially women must say no to societal pressures which take a huge mental toll. Let’s take this day to realize that there is beauty in every size and shape.

There are more than 100 different types of diets around the world. However, most of these diets offer short-term weight loss that may not be sustainable. In addition, aggressive dieting can decrease the metabolic rate. Therefore, it is always recommended that you talk to your doctor before trying out anything on your own.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Note: People suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease must refrain from celebrating this day. Diet modifications suggested by doctors and nutritionists to manage certain diseases must be followed sincerely. This day is mainly about creating awareness related to the unhealthy diet restrictions followed by people to improve their appearances. 

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

World Suicide Prevention Day – Providing Support To Those Who Need It

Introduction

According to ‘The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2016′, suicide is the most common cause of death among Indians between the age groups of 15 and 39 years. To prevent such an alarming number of suicides, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on 10th September every year since 2003. This day has been dedicated to creating awareness of suicide, understanding the causes and signs of suicidal tendencies, as well as methods of prevention and providing support to people exhibiting these symptoms.

The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us; that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.

Primary causes of suicide

Just like each year, World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 is significant because it helps spread awareness about the primary causes that can lead up to suicide. According to Dr. Alex Lickerman, the former Director of Primary Care at the University of Chicago, USA, there are five primary causes of suicide.

1. Depression is usually considered the leading cause of suicide and World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 also focuses on making support available to people suffering from depression.
2. Psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia which trigger fearful delusions and hallucinations are also one of the primary causes of suicide.
3. Impulsiveness that may result from substance abuse (drugs or alcohol) has also been deemed to be one of the primary causes as most people who have failed to take their own lives have regretted it when sober.
4. People suffering from incurable terminal illnesses often seek death as a final escape from their suffering and World Suicide Prevention Day also aims to spread awareness regarding the demerits of this.
5. Financial troubles including unemployment and business loss have also led to some people committing suicide out of utter hopelessness and despair.

Signs of suicidal behaviour 

There are many early warning signs displayed by people with suicidal tendencies. World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 seeks to educate people so that they can identify these indicators at the earliest-

• Verbally expressing a desire to end one’s life.
• Expressing feelings of deep despair and hopelessness.
• Talking about being a burden on friends and family.
• Displaying extreme anxiousness, agitation and recklessness.
• Unusually extreme isolation and social withdrawal.
• Uncharacteristic mood swings and acute moments of rage.
• A sudden increase in consumption of alcohol or drugs.

Suicide prevention 

Despite the high prevalence of suicide, they can be prevented with the right level of intervention done at the right time. Understanding the several warning signs and not ignoring them can potentially help save a life.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), having regular contact with a primary healthcare provider can help prevent suicide.

However, if thoughts of suicide have crossed your mind, then-

• Call the emergency helpline number immediately, help will soon be on the way
• Reach out to a family member or friend
• Enrol yourself for therapy/counselling and consult a psychiatrist
• If you have been diagnosed with mood disorders or any psychological illnesses, then you will need psychiatric treatment and medication. Remember to take your medicines on time and attend your therapy sessions.
• It is better for suicidal people to not live alone.

Conclusion

Therefore, the significance of World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 lies in continued support as well as recognition of suicide as a potent public health problem. Suicide can only be prevented by increased awareness about mental health as well as by the cooperation of friends and family members. It is important to understand that any person exhibiting the warning signs of suicide, talking or thinking of self-harm should not be taken lightly, consult a psychiatrist and let him/her understand and evaluate the condition. Act at the earliest to prevent a mishap. Every life is precious, let’s be the source of hope, happiness and support to someone in need.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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Want To Be Happy? Meditation Is Your Best Bet!

Here’s how meditation can make you happy and healthy –

It helps you sleep peacefully

Reduces anxiety

It takes you a step further towards success

It makes you a better human being

Meditation boosts health to make you happy