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February 12, 2022 By GOQii Leave a Comment

5 Healthy Valentine’s Day Gifting Ideas

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and if you still haven’t found the perfect gift for your better half, we suggest opting for these 5 healthy little treats so you and your loved one can spend your life on the right side of forever! After all, the best gift you can give the one you love is good health.

Healthy Valentine’s Day Gifting Ideas For Your Loved One!

1. Herbal Teas
If a picture is worth a thousand words then the aromatic blend of flavorful, healthy herbal tea is worth a million! There’s no better way to express the unique love the two of you share than presenting them with an unique blend of tea. Talk about exquisite and classy! Because the world is vast with millions of choices, it is important to pick the right one. Our suggestion – pick the healthy teas by Amaara Herbs. Nothing spices up romance like a freshly brewed cup of tea!

2. Natural Honey
Our money is on the honey for your honey! Celebrate your unadulterated love with some natural goodness. If you’re wondering why honey is on this list, then there are a million reasons. To begin with, sugar is addictive and it does terrible things to your body. If you must go for a sweetener, then why not opt for something that is much sweeter and healthier? The natural and gourmet spice honey infusion by Honey Twigs can do wonders for you and your loved one. It is easy to carry anywhere, delicious, natural and most important of all – healthy!

3. Muesli
We can all agree that love isn’t a single emotion, it is a mix of all things good just like Muesli! Doing something as surprising as bringing the love of your life some breakfast in bed can go a long way in ensuring a long, loving and healthy relationship. Want a healthy Muesli option? Go for the Yogabar Muesli+. They are as delicious as a great Valentine’s Day gift can get.

4. Personal Care Products
Love is a serious business. The best way to show your commitment is by pampering your loved one with a gift that brings out her radiance, much like the inner beauty that you fell for. To show her that your love is pure, choose products that are crafted from natural ingredients such as Raw Nature. For your man, you can get products from Spruce.

5. Healthy Chocolates
By now, we all know that the universal food for love is chocolate! There is absolutely no better way to say ‘I love you’ than presenting your loved one with a box of delicious chocolates! To keep things healthy, we suggest you go for chocolates by Plant Power. These delicious, delicately hand-crafted vegan truffles will make your loved one melt for more!

You can get all the products listed above for a sweet discount from the GOQii Health Store using your GOQii Cash.

Got any more healthy Valentine’s Day Gifting ideas? Share them with us in the comments below.

#BeTheForce for love and good health!

February 4, 2022 By GOQii Leave a Comment

World Cancer Day 2022: Closing The Gap In Cancer Care

Obtaining essential health services is a huge challenge for at least half the world’s population, according to a report from the World Bank and WHO. A large number of households are pushed into poverty as they must bear the costs of healthcare from their own pockets. When it comes to cancer, many are denied basic care, despite the fact that we live in a time where there are awe-inspiring advancements in cancer prevention, diagnostics and treatment.

The equity gap is costing people lives as those who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn. Income, education, location and discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and lifestyle affect cancer care negatively. More so for people who have access to risk factors such as tobacco, diet or environmental hazards.

Barriers That Affect Cancer Care

Gender Norms and Discrimination: Women and girls suffer from discrimination owing to misogny, stereotypes and expected gender roles. Similarly, men suffer as a result of social norms surrounding masculinity – which prevents them from taking life-saving procedures such as surgery for early prostate cancer – for the fear of incontinence or impotence.
Socioeconomic Status: Poverty is a serious barrier to proper care as many people cannot afford or access screening and treatment services. The means of prevention and knowledge among these communities is low as well.
Age Discrimination: Older individuals are vastly underrepresented in the research that sets the standards for cancer treatment. A high proportion of older women with breast cancer receive less chemotherapy than their younger counterparts. More than 70% of deaths caused by prostate cancer occur in men above the age of 75. How old you are should not determine the quality of care you receive.
Rural-Urban Divide: Where you live, should not determine if you will live. Rural patients are frequently diagnosed at later stages and are less likely to receive appropriate treatment. The financial burden of traveling to a place where you can get treatment and getting the right treatment can be insurmountable.
Homophobia, Transphobia & Related Discrimination: Around the world, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQAI) community face hostility and discrimination. They are also likely to face ignorance or prejudice from health practitioners.

These hurdles to cancer care are only a few ways in which people can be deprived of cancer care. But these obstacles are meant to be overcome. The first step is to recognize this inequity, challenge our own assumptions and biases, listen to the perspectives of people living with cancer and fight these gaps when we see them.

The Goal Is Simple

Our systems can be reimagined, situations can be improved and access to proper care can be made available and easier. We can reduce this inequity by:

Educating the public about cancer prevention
Equipping healthcare professionals with skills and knowledge, including how inequity influences cancer care
Strengthening primary health care delivered in communities
Addressing some of the social and economic factors that can negatively affect people’s health through policy and programmes
Increasing the resources which includes both money and people – dedicated to cancer research, and tracking the burden of cancer nationally to more effectively shape our investments
Implementing country-specific cancer prevention and control plans that address each country’s unique needs and resources.

How Can You Get Involved?

While the gap in cancer care might not affect you, it could be affecting someone you know. Together, as a community or as individuals, we can make a difference.

Get Personal: Create your own custom social media post with your own personal message of the commitment and share it with the world.
Light Up The World: Make a statement by lighting up a significant landmark, monument or building to be illuminated on World Cancer Day in the colours of orange and blue in your city. For more information, email hello@worldcancerday.org
Spread The Word: Write an op-ed, blog story, record a video message, feature World Cancer Day on your website, an article in your newsletter, or reach out to a local journalist.
Join The Action: Show your support by showing up. Find an event near you on the Map of Activities, sign up to attend, participate or volunteer.
Create An Event: Inspire others by hosting your own World Cancer Day event. From flash mobs, free screenings, conferences, fundraisers to fun runs, add it to the Map of Impact to spotlight the awesome work that you are planning.
Advocate For Action: Write to your political parties asking them to show their commitment, raise public awareness and take action this World Cancer Day.
Use Your Voice: Start a conversation about cancer with your family, friends, colleagues and networks.
Inform Yourself & Others: Find out more about cancer, how you can reduce your cancer risks, and the impact it has on the people we love, our communities, and the world.

With conscious effort, we can close this inequity gap and improve cancer care for everybody. You can get more information about Closing the Gap In Cancer Care by visiting www.worldcancerday.org

To explore preventive measures, you can check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Together, let’s #BeTheForce for change!

December 31, 2021 By Dr. Viral Thakkar Leave a Comment

Celebrating the New Year? Read This Before You Head Out!

It’s that time of the year again! The Christmas bells ring and the New Year sweeps us yet again! For many, it sweeps with a lot booze & puke! And for many, this happens every week. So here it is guys, the gyaan of what you should and should not do this New Year (or even weekends for that matter).

I am a firm believer of ‘Health First’, be it New Years or Diwali. While the New Year comes once, the ‘dump’ you put inside it wrecks your system in and out. Trust me, if I was the body, I would hate New Years every year of my life!

Let’s Talk About Alcohol

The body can safely process around one unit of pure alcohol per hour. If you drink more than this, your body isn’t able to break it down fast enough and it accumulates in your body. It takes a lot of time to flush it out and the pressure on the liver and the body as a whole is immense.

Binge drinking increases the risk of blackouts, especially on an empty stomach. During this time, a person may do things that they do not remember later. So in case you are planning to drink, know your limits and of course listen to your body. Booze might be free but the body is priceless. Take a call on what you should prioritize.

Our body is designed to ensure that the nutrients reach the organs. All the food goes through the liver which processes the food and passes it on. Same is the case with alcohol. The liver metabolizes the alcohol, but it can only break down so much at one time. What the liver can’t break down is redirected throughout the rest of the body.

Drugs

Please know that consuming, passing on or giving drugs is illegal. Consuming high quantities of drugs can lead to poisoning and eventual death. Worse, if one is addicted, it is extremely difficult to bounce back to normal. Drugs can leave one in semiconscious/ unconscious conditions leaving the person vulnerable to literally ‘anything’. So if you are partying, or are attending a rave, please be safe! Best, don’t attend!

Too Much of Anything

Be it food, drinks, dancing or loud music – anything in excess is bad for your system just as alcohol, smoking or drugs. Too loud music hits the eardrums. That buzz you get in your head after the loud music is your body telling you that it has had enough!

Sex is beneficial and super for health, if done safely and with a known partner. So if you know you are going to get high, have a few friends who will protect you from the unwanted attention. Be safe. Else, just plan it with your partner!

Tips for a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year

In case of excess of alcohol consumption, the person might pass out or vomit. If you are in your senses, be with the person. Ensure they don’t choke on their vomit and that their breathing is normal. If not, rush to the hospital.
If you are hell bent on drinking, ensure you do not have more than a peg in an hour. It will give your body enough time to process it.
Listen to your body! If on any drink, you start feeling uncomfortable, or breathless, stop drinking immediately. Drink a lot of water which will help you flush out the drink. If you still feel uncomfortable, rush to the hospital
If you have done all of what should NOT be done, ensure that you give your body some rest in the coming 2 days. Flush it out by drinking lots of fluids and eating salads. Detox it should be!
Imagine a car loader which is overloaded with stuff. If one keeps overloading it, it will break down eventually. Compare this to your body and load it with only as much as it can take. If you do not know how much the body can take, consider the tips above.
Hire a driver or take the car rentals if you’re going to get high.

I know I sound like an oldie here with no life but I am a firm believer of protecting and befriending the body. If a party has to happen, I personally suggest people to chill with friends at home and order from your favourite food joint. Apart from saving money, I end up playing board games, eating my favorite food, catching up with friends & family and ending with a good night meditation. But everyone is not me! If you are not, consider the tips above, and enjoy your party!

Wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

#BeTheForce

December 24, 2021 By Pritika Saraogi 4 Comments

12 Tips For a Healthy Christmas Week

Want to avoid looking like Santa this festive season? You’re sailing on eating right and exercising daily, then boom — the holidays are here, just waiting to put a kink in your routine! Food is everywhere. Spare time is nowhere. Add this to the emotions and stress of the season, and you’re sure to have a recipe for disastrous weight gain. Here are some tips to help you stay on course of your health goals and celebrate a Healthy Christmas Week!

Tips For a Healthy Christmas Week

Quality Over Quantity: Learn to avoid mindlessly accepting whatever is offered and instead hold out for the snack you value the most, and have just a few. If possible, opt for something baked instead of going for something that’s deep-friend.
Eat Slowly. Enjoy. Move away: If your weakness is salted nuts, you can easily eat double the prescribed quantity and not notice. While the fat in nuts is the healthy unsaturated type that doesn’t clog up your arteries, when it comes to your waistline, calories are calories. Solution? Have a taste, eat it slowly and really enjoy it. “Try to chew your food well, concentrate on the flavour you’re getting and appreciate the goodness”. Then, move away from the source so you can’t keep eating more than your fill.
Beware of the Buffet: People look at a buffet as though it’s their last meal on earth. The smartest thing to do when you’re surrounded by so much temptation is to just walk around and eye everything first. Then go back and take a bit of what you really like. Before doing so, ask yourself, “Do I really want this?” Avoid the trap of thinking you have to get your money’s worth. If you don’t let it go to waste, it will end up around your waist.
Watch Your Drinks: Alcohol plays a big part in Christmas weight gain. Sometimes, when surrounded by family and friends, you never know when 1 drink can lead to 10. Your best bet is to put a cap on the amount of drinks you’ll have. Set your limit to 3 drinks and space them out. In fact, if you can dilute your drink with water or ice, go for it! Opting to be the nominated driver might just give you the excuse to not drink at all!
Keep Up Some Activity: Did you know that dancing can help you burn off calories. Good way to shake a leg and shake off some extra calories as well. If dancing is not your thing, try brisk walking in the cool early morning breeze. Should work as a good start to the day. Don’t even miss out on a post-dinner stroll with family, friends or your loved one. It can be magical!
Make Sure You Log: Logging food, water intake and exercise can keep you accountable. Don’t look at it like a burden. This will help you stay on track and keep an account of what you’ve been eating and drinking. Be honest and log exactly what you eat!
Earn Your Treats Before You Indulge: Treats aren’t really enjoyable if they just leave you feeling guilty afterwards. Eat healthy the day before heading out to that holiday party or work up a sweat before sitting down for a big holiday meal. It will help you feel less guilty and have a good time as well.
Listen to Your Tummy: The human body has an amazing ability to regulate food intake… if we actually listen to it! If you overindulge at a holiday feast, hold off on eating until you truly feel hungry again. Don’t eat just because there’s only one slice of pie left on the table, or because your Christmas Brunch begins at 10 AM. If you’re not hungry, sip on some tea or coffee while everyone else digs in, and make yourself a small plate later. It’ll be there when your tummy grumbles!
Just Say NO to Food Pushers: Food pushers are the people who seem to believe that their holiday celebration isn’t complete until you give in to their food weaknesses. You know them — the co-worker with a jar of candies, mom and her apple pie, the friend who won’t let you leave without a plate of cookies. It’s OK to politely say, “No! Thank you!” It won’t hurt your relationship.
Just Do It: Schedule your exercise time. Not only will you feel better about the indulgences that come with the holidays, but exercise also will help relieve holiday stress. Take something out of your schedule if you need to, but not exercise. The endorphins from working out will only boost your holiday spirit!
Share the Love: When going to a holiday gathering, bring a healthy dish that everyone can enjoy without feeling guilty.
Snack before the party: Avoid going to holiday parties on an empty stomach. Eat a light and healthy snack, such as one with protein that will keep you feeling full, before heading out. This will help you avoid overindulging later. Try a protein bar or some nuts and seeds. You can browse an array of options from the GOQii Health Store within the app.

We hope you try these tips and tricks to Level Up your holidays! Here’s to a happy and healthier you! If you’re keen on forming healthier resolutions and need motivation to push you through the coming year, subscribe for GOQii’s personalized coaching and get the best advice from a certified expert: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!