Category Archives: Wellness

Fitness, Men's Health

Doctors develop new, accessible healthcare and wellness brand for men

Via AFTNN/PRNewsGIG
Hisential’s reception area at Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Hisential, a men’s healthcare and wellness brand, has opened its first clinic at the prestigious Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Accessible to men of all ages, the warm and luxe-inspired clinic offers a variety of health optimisation services and treatments, including chronic disease management, regular health screenings, hair transplants, screenings and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as well as skincare solutions.

The idea for Hisential originated when founders Dr Anthony Stanislaus, Dr Ramesh Rajentheran, and Dr Vishaal Thadani noticed a gap in the market for men’s healthcare. The doctor-developed brand aims to empower men to take charge of their health and remove the stigma they face when speaking about healthcare issues.

“As men ourselves, we realised that while there are clinics out there that offer healthcare services to men, there’s no physical space that addresses our healthcare needs and concerns in a discreet, personalised way and with holistic treatments that suit our needs,” said Dr Anthony Stanislaus.

To ensure that patients receive the best and most effective treatments, Hisential’s doctors are all professionally certified in Malaysia and professionally trained to assist men with their various concerns. Hisential also uses best-in-class medical technology to provide the most effective non-invasive treatments and ensure that medical personnel undergo specialist training prior to operating any machinery.

“We’ve built a safe and luxurious space where men can come in, immediately feel at home and be assured that all their healthcare concerns will be addressed. We also encourage men of all ages to go for regular health and hormonal check-ups and to not be embarrassed to seek help. At Hisential, we are here to help you and give you the opportunity to live healthy and fulfilling lives,” he added.

The launch of Hisential’s clinic is the company’s first step into men’s healthcare. As part of its goal to destigmatise men’s healthcare, the company intends to roll out a membership plan as well as rolling out technology that enables a true-online experience to optimise both the patient experience and treatment outcomes. Additionally, the brand will introduce innovative skin care products that sit at the intersection of luxury and clinical science over the coming year.

For more information on Hisential’s treatments and services, visit www.hisential.com.

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AFTNews, Features Thailand, Travel & Wellness, Women's Health

Zulal Wellness Resort Launches ‘Mother-To-Be’ Retreat

AFTNN/PRNewsGIG

Prenatal programme to nurture and empower women at any stage of their pregnancy

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, the Middle East’s largest wellness destination and the world’s first family wellness offering, unveils its new Mother-to-Be retreat. The two- to eight-night prenatal programme combines tailored nutrition, holistic therapies, pampering spa treatments and gentle movement to enhance wellbeing and ready mothers for the most important chapter of their lives. Zulal Wellness Resort’s peaceful setting, surrounded by the tranquility of Qatar’s northern desert and the Arabian Gulf, is ideal for mothers to be looking to relax and prepare themselves for the birth of their child. Their journey will be guided by a team of licensed maternal care experts, nutritionists, chefs, therapists and personal trainers.

The ‘Mother-To-Be’ programme is open to women at any stage of their pregnancy and can be tailored to include partners. Beginning with a holistic consultation, a personalised selection of activities will enable mothers to handle the physical changes that occur during pregnancy, ease aches and pains, improve sleep and strengthen the body in preparation for childbirth.  In addition, they will have time to bond with their partners and their babies.

A wide range of activities and treatments are available, including postural corrective therapy and Gyrotonic movement to relieve pain and swelling and improve posture; acupuncture to alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, nausea and heartburn; meditation and breathing exercises to support mothers during labour; and prenatal yoga, massage and aromatherapy to relax the body and mind.

A core part of the retreat is quality prenatal nutrition. A nutritional consultant will provide tailored advice about making healthy food choices and maintaining a balanced diet, and three bio-individualised wellness meals are included per night of stay.

The Mother-To-Be retreat is inclusive of accommodation, wellness meals, consultations and treatments, with a minimum stay of two nights.

Visit www.zulal.com or follow @zulalwellnessresort on Facebook or Instagram for more information.

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Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Kid's Health

Coles sports grants help local clubs stay on track

Via PRNewsGIG

More than $2.2 million in sports equipment grants distributed by Coles in four years

Coles is helping Little Athletics centres to stay on track with more than $250,000 in sports equipment grants to be distributed to 73 local centres across Australia for this summer’s season.

The latest round of grants from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund takes Coles’ donation to grassroots Little Athletics centres to more than $2.2 million in four years and will help centres buy new sports and safety equipment such as javelins, discuses, hurdles and defibrillators to support aspiring athletes and community volunteers.

This year’s grants have been made possible with money raised by Coles, its banana growers and customers during the inaugural Coles Little Athletics Banana A-Peel held earlier this year, when 10 cents of every kilogram of Cavendish bananas sold in Coles supermarkets was donated to the cause.

Coles Little Athletics Australia CEO Myles Foreman said the grants will help centres immensely, particularly those severely impacted by the NSW/QLD floods in February.

“The past two seasons have been extremely testing for our clubs and centres who have battled numerous challenges such as COVID-19, floods and bushfires,” he said.

“These natural disasters and the pandemic have not only impacted on Little Athletics centres’ ability to fundraise at a local level but it’s also had a huge impact on the morale of the centres. The grants from this round of the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund will not only help centres buy new equipment but it will lift the spirits of their volunteers, athletes and families for the new season.”

Coles General Manager Corporate & Indigenous Affairs Sally Fielke said Coles was delighted to continue to support grassroots Little Athletics through initiatives like the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund and banana donations.

“Coles has been a proud supporter of Little Athletics for over five years, and we’re delighted to provide more than $250,000 in sports equipment grants to help local centres kickstart their new season,” she said.

“We’re very aware of the challenges local Little Athletics centres have faced over the past two years and we’re proud to do our bit to help them to recover and grow so that kids and families can continue to enjoy Little Athletics each week.”

Among the centres to receive a grant is Maryborough Amateur Athletics Club in Queensland whose clubrooms were under water seven months ago.   Club President Gavin Grantz said the grant will help the centre to rebuild and recover from the devastating floods.

“The floods last season destroyed some of our equipment and it also damaged our buildings, grounds and canteen equipment, which means that our ability to fundraise this season will be severely impacted,” he said.

“The grant from Coles will allow volunteers to concentrate on training the athletes rather than constant fundraising as the club is still needing to pay for other repairs to the grounds.  It will help us to buy a new trolley for our volunteers to move equipment safely and efficiently and the new hurdles and javelins will provide a more enjoyable experience for our athletes.”

In addition to providing more than $2.2 million in equipment grants, Coles has donated more than 3.7 million bananas to Little Athletics centres since 2017.

For details of successful recipients visit www.coles.com.au/littleathleticsfund.

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AFTNews, Events, Our Environment, What's On ?

Health must be front and centre in the COP27 climate change negotiations

View of main stage at COP27’s Health Pavilion, hosted by the World Health Organization. Featuring in the image: central sculpture Bodies Joined by a Molecule of Air (2022) by Invisible Flock and Jon Bausor, 2022. ©Image courtesy of Invisible Flock

AFTNN Report | PRNewsGIG

Climate talks begin at COP27 in Cairo, Egypt with a World Health Organization grim reminder that the climate crisis continues to make people sick and jeopardises lives and states that health must be at the core of these critical negotiations.

WHO believes the conference must conclude with progress on the four key goals of mitigation, adaptation, financing and collaboration to tackle the climate crisis.

WHO states that COP27 will be a crucial opportunity for the world to come together and re-commit to keeping the 1.5 °C Paris Agreement goal alive with a focus on health threats from the climate crisis.

Link to WHO website: COP27 Health Pavilion (who.int)

Climate change is making millions of people sick or more vulnerable to disease all over the world and the increasing destructiveness of extreme weather events disproportionately affects poor and marginalized communities. It is crucial that leaders and decision makers come together at COP27 to put health at the heart of the negotiations.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Our health depends on the health of the ecosystems that surround us, and these ecosystems are now under threat from deforestation, agriculture and other changes in land use and rapid urban development. The encroachment ever further into animal habitats is increasing opportunities for viruses harmful to humans to make the transition from their animal host. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress.

The direct damage costs to health (i.e., excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation), is estimated to be between US$ 2–4 billion per year by 2030.

The rise in global temperature that has already occurred is leading to extreme weather events that bring intense heatwaves and droughts, devastating floods and increasingly powerful hurricanes and tropical storms. The combination of these factors means the impact on human health is increasing and is likely to accelerate.

But there is room for hope, particularly if governments take action now to honour the pledges made at Glasgow in November 2021 and to go further in resolving the climate crisis.

WHO is calling on governments to lead a just, equitable and fast phase out of fossil fuels and transition to a clean energy future. There has also been encouraging progress on commitments to decarbonization and WHO is calling for the creation of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty that would see coal and other fossil fuels harmful to the atmosphere phased out in a just and equitable way. This would represent one of the most significant contributions to climate change mitigation.

Improvement in human health is something that all citizens can contribute to, whether through the promotion of more urban green spaces, which facilitate climate mitigation and adaptation while decreasing the exposure to air pollution, or campaigning for local traffic restrictions and the enhancement of local transport systems. Community engagement and participation on climate change is essential to building resilience and strengthening food and health systems, and this is particularly important for vulnerable communities and small island developing states (SIDS), who are bearing the brunt of extreme weather events.

Thirty-one million people in the greater Horn of Africa are facing acute hunger and 11 million children are facing acute malnutrition as the region faces one of the worst droughts in recent decades. Climate change already has an impact on food security and if current trends persist, it will only get worse. The floods in Pakistan are a result of climate change and have devasted vast swathes of the country. The impact will be felt for years to come. Over 33 million people have been affected and almost 1,500 health centres damaged. 

But even communities and regions less familiar with extreme weather must increase their resilience, as we have seen with flooding and heatwaves recently in central Europe. WHO encourages everyone to work with their local leaders on these issues and take action in their communities.

­Climate policy must now put health at the centre and promote climate change mitigation policies that bring health benefits simultaneously. Health-focused climate policy would help bring about a planet that has cleaner air, more abundant and safer freshwater and food, more effective and fairer health and social protection systems and, as a result, healthier people.

Investment in clean energy will yield health gains that repay those investments twice over. There are proven interventions able to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, for instance applying higher standards for vehicle emissions, which have been calculated to save approximately 2.4 million lives per year, through improved air quality and reduce global warming by about 0.5 °C by 2050. The cost of renewable sources of energy has decreased significantly in the last few years, and solar energy is now cheaper than coal or gas in most major economies.

Date: 6-18 November 2022
Location: Sharm el-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
WHO at the COP27 Health Pavilion: COP27 Health Pavilion (who.int)
UN Climate Change Website: https://unfccc.int/calendar/events-list

Interesting Links:

  • Cop26 Global Methane Pledge wants to reduce 30% of methane emissions by 2030: The Global Methane Pledge – Global Methane Tracker 2022 – Analysis – IEA
  • Send a postcard to Australia’s legislators attending COP27: POSTCARD TO EGYPT: Join the call for urgent action at COP27 | Climate Council
  • WHO is custodian to 32 Sustainable Development Goal indicators, 17 of which are impacted by climate change or its drivers, and 16 of which specifically impact the health of children.
  • The COP27 Health Pavilion will convene the global health community and its partners to ensure health and equity are placed at the centre of the climate negotiations. It will offer a 2-week programme of events showcasing evidence, initiatives and solutions to maximize the health benefits of tackling climate change across regions, sectors and communities.

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AFTNews, Features Phlippines, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Health leaders from Asian and Pacific nations gather in Manila to address key health issues

MANILA, Philippines l 24 October 2022 – Health ministers and senior officials from 37 countries and areas across Asia and the Pacific are meeting this week to address key health issues and priorities for the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region.

The 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific from 24 to 28 October is a hybrid meeting, with many delegates joining in person in Manila, Philippines, and others connecting online.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus travelled to Manila and addressed the Regional Committee on day one: “Excellencies. Your agenda this week reflects the wide range of challenges you face as a region. I give you my commitment that your WHO will continue to support you, through our country and regional offices, and at headquarters, to promote, provide, protect, power and perform for health.”

In her remarks to the Committee, Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO’s Deputy Director General and Officer-in-Charge of the Western Pacific Regional Office, said “The Region has made impressive achievements in the past year, rapidly rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, redesigning healthcare pathways to prepare for future pandemics, and driving forward the shared vision For the Future.”

In a presentation by the Region’s Directors on key achievements Dr Corinne Capuano, WHO Director of Programme Management for the Western Pacific, said “WHO in the Region has been responding to COVID-19 while continuing to drive forward our shared vision For the Future. The world and the Western Pacific look quite different compared to this time last year. More borders are open, more people are vaccinated, and, thankfully, far fewer are dying from COVID-19. In this Region, we have fared relatively well. Our collective investments and efforts – by leaders across the Region, by communities, and by individuals – have paid off. We have also built on our culture of learning and improving, and we have undertaken significant work to improve our workplace culture since we last met last year.”

During the seventy-third session of the Regional Committee this week, delegates will consider for endorsement resolutions on issues including:

• mental health

• cervical cancer

• noncommunicable disease prevention and control

• primary health care

• reaching the unreached.

In addition, this year’s session will feature a panel discussion on Communication for Health (C4H), and delegates will discuss progress in several programmes such as: health security, including COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance; climate change, the environment and health; and advancing implementation of For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region, the vision for WHO’s work with Member States and partners in the Western Pacific.

The Honourable Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, was elected Chair for this year’s session of the Regional Committee. Accepting the role, Dr Phoummalaysith said, “I am humbled by your trust and confidence in me to chair this seventy-third session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. I thank you all, and it is my pleasure to welcome you – physically and virtually – to Manila. I also wish to thank the outgoing Chairperson – the honourable Minister of Health of Tuvalu – and other officers of the last session. I will do my best to follow in your footsteps this week.”

The Honourable Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, Minister of Health, Tonga, was elected Vice-Chair.

WHO

Working with 194 Member States across six regions, WHO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for public health. Each WHO region has its own regional committee – a governing body composed of ministers of health and senior officials from the region’s Member States. Each regional committee meets annually to agree on health actions and chart priorities for WHO’s work.

WHOWPRO

The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than 1.9 billion people across 37 countries and areas in Asia and the Pacific: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, France (which has responsibility for French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna), Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Kiribati, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Macao SAR (China), Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (which has responsibility for Pitcairn Islands), the United States of America (which has responsibility for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam), Vanuatu and Viet Nam.

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AFTNews, Mental Health

Mental health recognised as a critical concern by people in Asia, yet are unlikely to seek external support

FWD Group survey finds people in Asia view mental health as a critical concern, yet are unlikely to seek external support – positive reframing of the issue may hold the key to bridging the gap.

·       65% of people in Asia believe mental health will be one of the most critical issues in the coming year, yet only one-third are open to seeking external support

·       31% of respondents in Asia believe renaming “mental health” can help people to open up

·       40% of respondents in Asia say the cost of treatment is the biggest impediment to seeking outside help for mental health care

Hong Kong, 10 October 2022 (AFTNN/PRNews) – FWD Group Holdings Limited (“FWD Group”) today released the findings from its international mental health survey, one of the largest completed in Asia, to identify insights and ideas to help promote better overall emotional well-being.

In collaboration with Blackbox, an independent research company, the survey interviewed more than 10,000 people across 16 international markets between June and July 2022, including nine markets where FWD operates: Cambodia; Hong Kong; Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; the Philippines; Singapore; Thailand and Vietnam.

Sim Preston, Managing Director and Group Chief Operating Officer, FWD Group, said, “While it’s great that mental health is gaining more and more awareness, especially in Asia, the stigma and cost of treatment remain barriers for people to seek the help they need. Published on World Mental Health Day, we hope this survey contributes insights and ideas that can help further raise awareness for this critical issue. As an insurer, we also look forward to making mental health protection more inclusive and focused on building mind strength, to enable people to celebrate living.”

While the survey found that 65% of people in Asia believe that mental health will become a critical issue in the coming year, only one-third of them prefer discussing their concerns externally. Given the cultural and societal stigmas associated with mental health, the survey findings showed that reframing mental health in a more positive way, such as ‘mind strength’, may reduce the stigma attached to the more traditional term and encourage more people in the region to open up about their challenges.

Cost of treatment was also identified as one of the most significant barriers to receiving care for mental health challenges in Asia, and 76% of respondents expressed their interest in exploring insurance options to address such challenges. The survey also uncovered that people in Asia worry about their families and jobs, which can lead to a higher rate of mental health challenges.

“Our survey showed that contributing factors to mental stress include concerns about a wide range of family responsibilities, coupled with work-related stress, rising inflation and post-pandemic adjustment. Given we also know that people may not be comfortable seeking help externally as individuals, family assumes a particularly important role. Opening up and addressing these challenges as a family unit first instead of individually, can make a difference as people may feel more comfortable,” added Joanna Chu, Group Head of Product Proposition, FWD Group.

Overall key findings of the survey include:

  1. Mental health issues will become more prominent around the world, yet stigma remains:

o        65% of people in Asia believe mental health will be one of the most critical issues in the coming year

o        74% of people said they had experienced (16%) or known someone close (28%) and distant (30%) to them who had suffered from mental health challenges

o        People in Asia place a higher value on self-help rather than seeking outside assistance, only 34% prefer discussing issues openly with others

o        31% of people in Asia believe renaming “mental health” can help people to open up

  1. Inflation and the future of children/family are top concerns leading to mental health challenges today

o        Concerns around inflation (47%) cause more mental health challenges than post-pandemic adjustment (30%)

o        People in Asia worry about their jobs (31%) and family-related concerns, including the future of children/family (34%) and increasing family responsibilities (32%)

  1. People in Asia are interested in insurance options for mental health

o        76% of people want to explore insurance to assist them in dealing with mental health challenges

o        The cost of treatment is one of the most significant barriers to receiving mental health care in Asia; 40% of people in Asia say the cost of treatment is the biggest impediment to seeking outside help.

– Ends –

About FWD Group

FWD Group is a pan-Asian life insurance business with approximately 10 million customers across 10 markets, including some of the fastest growing insurance markets in the world. Established in 2013, FWD is focused on making the insurance journey simpler, faster and smoother, with innovative propositions and easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD is committed to changing the way people feel about insurance.

For more information, please visit www.fwd.com

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Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), Seniors' Health

Celebrities combine forces and voices to support people impacted by dementia, plus National Dementia Helpline now 24/7

Dementia Action Week takes place from 19 – 25 September 2022 in Australia.

Celebrity supporters, Ambassadors, Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE and a person living with dementia have combined forces and lent their voices to an audiobook version of Dementia Australia’s Dementia Guide.

“The Dementia Guide is the go-to online resource for any person impacted by any form of dementia, of any age, in any location across Australia,” Ms Buttrose said.

“Speaking for the voices team, I know we have all been thrilled to contribute to The Dementia Guide Audiobook to increase the accessibility to vital information about dementia and the support available.

“Each person who has shared their voice has had an experience of dementia in their family and we have done this to raise awareness and help others to know they are not alone and that there is support available.”

Dementia Australia Ambassadors and voices Natarsha Belling, Stephanie Bendixsen, Takaya Honda, Mark Seymour, Denis Walter OAM, Pat Welsh and celebrity supporters Rhonda Burchmore OAM and Geraldine Hickey wholeheartedly echo Ita’s words and have enthusiastically backed the project.

Not just for people living with dementia, The Dementia Guide is also for friends, families and carers, and talks to the impact dementia may have on a person, the treatment, support and services they may need, and how loved ones can provide support.

Stephanie Bendixsen, video game critic and television presenter, said she added her voice to the audiobook as she sees the value in a more accessible resource for families, such as hers, who need to navigate life with dementia.

“My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2018, and we really knew so little about dementia when she was diagnosed,” Ms Bendixsen said.

“This made it difficult to understand why certain things were happening with her behaviourally, and we struggled to understand what was truly going on inside her brain, how her physicality was affected and how best we could support her and my Dad, her main carer, as a family.
“Resources like this are so very valuable, and their accessibility even more so. Even though I consider myself a big reader – finding the time to sit down and read a book can be tricky when you have a busy lifestyle. I switched to audiobooks years ago so that I can absorb books while I’m driving, walking the dog, doing chores – it’s been life-changing. An easily accessible resource like this would have made a wonderful difference to me and my family when we were coming to terms with how Mum’s – and our lives – would change.”

The audiobook includes a welcome from Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM and a chapter recorded by Ann Pietsch, who is a Dementia Advocate and lives with dementia.

“I was invited to read one of the chapters and I personally think that The Dementia Guide is a valuable resource, making it available as an audio book is a great idea as it will now be easily available to more people living with dementia, carers, and families and the wider public,” Mrs Pietsch said.

This media release has been provided by DementiaAustralia.org media release issued on 17 August 2022.

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Fitness, Fitness at Work, Wellness

7 reasons to walk at least 30-minutes a day

My grandpa Winston was a hat-bearing fit gentleman who would ask me to drop him off in Butterworth just so that he could walk back to Penang Island! My cousin Richard walks an average of 20,000 steps a day – a phenomenal feat considering our minimum daily is 10,000 steps a day. Another cousin Madeleine and husband Hieu, owners of Taste Baguette share their secret. They walk an average of 15-hours a week and walk everywhere because she says, “We like to eat, so we need to walk!”.
“We walk to the shops, to the bank, to the post office, to visit our stores and walk with friends on the weekends to each other’s houses or to have brunch at the store”.
My retired uncle James is an early riser and starts his day with a daily walk of at least 45-minutes before heading back for breakfast. My father has begun a routine of jogging at least 30-minutes around the park in the mornings. I’ve found their stories immensely inspiring and have started on a walking spree myself! I walk to the train station to and from work, I walk to lunch, I walk whenever I find an opportunity to walk. I’ve been walking at least 30-minutes a day! And I love this way of ‘tricking’ my body into exercise.

Just a thought. If you’re reading this while seated, may I invite you to stand up? Go on, that’s the purpose of this article. Just stand and shake your legs, stretch and let the blood flow. Stretch your arms up high. Draw a deep breath and breathe out in two fast spurts. Think about walking. Just visualise it. Imagine it in your mind’s eye.

Here are SEVEN REASONS why you could consider walking at least 30-minutes a day. You won’t regret it once your waist starts to trim and find energy in your feet 😛

Reason 1

Walking is a simple yet great stress reliever. Walking increases your heart rate and helps you breath more efficiently and when you have a combination of these two, you’re bound to feel better already!

Reason 2

It improves your mood.  Regular walking outdoors helps you enjoy natural sunlight, lovely scenery and fresh air which can help burn calories and build muscle—all while boosting your mood.

Reason 3

Time out walking gets your blood flowing through to your brains and soon you’ll be ticking with fresh ideas! Stuck on something? Go for a brisk walk and see if it helps.

Reason 4

It reduces your risks of chronic disease. Many university studies have proven that walking lowers your blood sugar levels and your overall risk for diabetes. Imagine… just walking alone can reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease by 30%. 

Reason 5

Get rid of those unsightly varicose veins! Our venous system includes an area called ‘the second heart,’ which is formed by muscles, veins, and valves in our calf and feet. Here, blood is pushed back up to the heart and lungs so when you walk, you’re strengthening ‘the second heart’, boost blood flow and reduce varicose veins.

Reason 6

Get your digestive juices flowing and get more regular! As you walk and move, you tend to engage your core and your abdominal muscles, encouraging movement in your gastrointestinal system. 

Reason 7

Lose weight! It’s a slow way but a sure way! It may take a month, or two but as you continue to walk, you will notice a tightening of your muscles, especially around your midsection, your legs and buttocks. Regular walking helps improve your body’s response to insulin, which can help reduce belly fat. Your metabolic rate increases too!

So these are the seven reasons but do you really need seven? Try adopt a walk a day now. Walk around the block, up and down the stairs, with a good friend or even with a client in the park. And do tell me about it if it works! Enjoy!!

Click image to join the MOVE8 campaign

 

Photo credit: Richard Cheah. Follow him on Instagram: @rich_c8. Article by Jasmine Low, co-founder GoInternationalGroup.com’s Innovation Labs, where it’s incubating www.AsiaFitnessToday.com, fitness media and training startup that promotes fitness and wellness programs at the workplace. Originally published on 26 June, 2017.
Travel & Wellness, Wellness

Travelling to Southeast Asia’s popular destinations? Here’s a travel advisory checklist…

As borders open up and flights resume, tourism picks up throughout the Southeast Asia region. Our team at AFT has compiled this list of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for those who are travelling to popular destinations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam. Travel safe and always follow the SOPs. Enjoy!

Malaysia

Starting 1 May 2022, fully-vaccinated inbound travellers are no longer required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 tests, including children aged 12 and below as well as for those who have been infected with COVID-19 within six to 60 days before departure to Malaysia. Travel insurance will also not be a prerequisite for foreigners entering the country.

Traveller’s Checklist into Malaysia:

  1. Download the MySejahtera app and create an account.
  2. Fill-up the digital pre-departure form via the ‘Traveller’ icon on MySejahtera.
  3. Verify your digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate. If you have previously verified your digital vaccination certificate on the MySejahtera application, you can skip this step.

Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers are required to take pre-departure and on-arrival tests. They must also quarantine for 5 days upon arrival. Book your quarantine facilities here.

Indonesia

As of 28 April 2022, all International travelers, both Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals can enter Indonesia through the assigned entry points by air and sea (list displayed in the website above).

Travellers must abide with the strict health protocols implemented by the Indonesian government and must download the PeduliLindungi app before departure.

Travellers must show certificates (physical and digital) of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccine consisting of two doses and/or a booster (third) vaccine which are administered 14 days before departure at the earliest as a requirement to enter Indonesia with conditions stated in the website above.

Indonesian citizens must show proof (physical and digital) of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccine consisting of two doses and/or a booster (third) vaccine as a requirement to enter Indonesia, and in the event that the Indonesian citizens have not received vaccine abroad, they will be vaccinated in the quarantine place in Indonesia after a second RT-PCR examination with negative results;

The Indonesian government accepts all kinds of COVID-19 vaccine administered to international travelers.

In the event of foreign nationals have not received vaccine abroad, they will be vaccinated in the quarantine place upon arrival in Indonesia after a second RT-PCR examination with negative results (refer to the website above for full description).

Singapore

From 1 April 2022, there will be specific entry requirements in place based on whether you are fully vaccinated or non-fully vaccinated. 

We welcome all fully vaccinated visitors* to Singapore. No entry approvals, pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests and quarantine required.

*Fully vaccinated visitors and non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below will be allowed to enter Singapore.

Pre-departure checklist:

  • Obtain proof of vaccination and upload vaccination certificate onto the Vaccination Check Portal.
  • Secure tickets for any flight to Singapore.
  • Download the TraceTogether app and register your profile.
  • 3 days before departure: Submit SG Arrival Card and e-health declaration via the official and free e-service on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.

Thailand

Travelers may enter Thailand with or without quarantine based on their vaccination status and country of departure.

New entry requirements were introduced on May 1, 2022 but always check on the websites above for updates prior to your departure.

  1. Fully Vaccinated travelers will no longer need to apply to enter Thailand under the Test & Go or Sandbox scheme. A vaccinated traveler does not need to book 1 night’s accommodation in an approved SHA+ hotel or complete an RT-PCR test on arrival. Fully vaccinated foreigners will need to provide proof of insurance and their vaccination certificate when applying for Thailand Pass. Thai Nationals only need to provide their vaccination certificate as insurance is not required.Unvaccinated children under 18 years old may travel with vaccinated parents without quarantine.
  2. Unvaccinated travelers will have 2 options for entering Thailand:
    • Unvaccinated travelers will be able to enter Thailand under the existing 5-day Alternate Quarantine scheme; OR
    • Unvaccinated travelers will be able to avoid the 5-day Alternate Quarantine by completing an RT-PCR test and uploading the result into their Thailand Pass application. The test cannot be older than 72 hours before their arrival date. Book your AQ Hotel Quarantine today.

Vietnam

On 15 March 2022, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Guidance on reopening the tourism activities under the new normal with the spirit “Adapting safely, flexibly and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic effectively” following the directions of the Government and the Prime Minister.

All Vietnam destinations are open. No self-isolation is required.

Here are key points of the new guidelines: RT-PCR test + visa + travel insurance now accepted for entry.

Upon arrival, you must present:

  1. Negative Covid-19 test result per passenger:

    Travelers entering via air: Present a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result (except for children under 2 years old) using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method within 72 hours before entry into Vietnam. Or have a negative rapid test result within 24 hours before departure, certified by the competent authority of the country where the test is performed.
    Travelers entering via land, rail and sea routes: Present negative test results as mentioned in the section above. In case not presenting proof of a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 as specified above, entrants are required to undergo a SARS-CoV-2 test at the border gate before entry (using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2). Upon receiving a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result, they are allowed to enter and join tour activities. If the RT – PCR test result returns positive, they must follow strictly the regulations of the health authority.
    Children under 2 years old are not required to be tested for SARS-CoV-2. Having not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or having never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 before, they are allowed to enter and to join outdoor activities with their parents and relatives.
  2. Proof of valid medical/travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment. Minimum cover USD10,000 (Link to info).
  3. Downloaded PC-Covid mobile app (Apple/Google Play) which must be presented to enter all VN establishments.

 

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