The Reverend Dr. Joseph Kofi Aidoo, a Specialist Psychiatrist at the Madina Polyclinic, has advised women to minimise their stress levels as they age to avoid contracting some diseases.
Rev. Dr. Aidoo, who is also the Minister-in-Charge of the Love Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Oko Taifa, said stress is one thing that causes premature ageing in people and other illnesses such as hypertension and stroke
He gave the advice when sensitising members of the ‘evolve. You’, a non-denominational Christian women’s group in Tema, on the topic: “My Health, My Wealth.”
He said that when stressed, the stress hormone cortisol is released in the body, leading to the triggering of many diseases; therefore, there was a need to manage the stress level and take a break from something when needed.
He said when one becomes stressed, anxiety sets in, which could lead to higher blood pressure and then stroke and its related diseases.
He said stress could also affect the mental health of people, adding that, “your mental health is your wealth; once your mental health is affected, you can’t be productive, and you will lose everything.”
Rev. Dr. Aidoo said some of the stress had to do with work, finances, schooling, family, and children, as well as trying to meet the expectations of others rather than what the body could take.
He said another important thing that women around 40 and above should take seriously is their diet, which must contain more fruits and vegetables than protein as the metabolism of humans goes down as they age.
He advised that women should vary their food as each fruit and vegetable contains antioxidants that help absorb free radicals from attacking the cells, adding that, some research had proven that replacing about five percent of protein in diets increases about 20 percent of their lifespan.
He also encouraged the intake of good fats, which could be found in nuts such as tiger nuts, which have a lot of fibre and antioxidants.
The specialist psychiatrist cautioned against self-medication as doing so could lead to some complications, and the taking of excess sugar must also be avoided as one ages in that the sugars would get to the cells and lead to higher insulin levels, blood vessel diseases, and diabetes.
He said that sleep, exercise, and drinking plenty of water were other essential things that must be done religiously when ageing to ensure that the body still functions.
Rev. Dr. Aidoo said exercise was not necessarily meant for getting a flat stomach in women but rather helps the heart pump blood for good circulation to all parts of the body; therefore, it was very essential to be available to exercise every day for at least 10 minutes.
“Have good sleep; you are having headaches and all that; take a nap; you too should sleep some; it is your health; it will help with your wealth,” he said.
GNA
LS/LKA/ENA
22 April 2024
Caption: TM074 Stress Ageing pic 1
