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Resolving to Evolve on your New Year Health Resolutions

Once upon a time, our ancestors roamed the land, hunting for food and escaping from predators. They were constantly on the move, adapting to their environment and surviving against the odds. Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves in a very different scenario. We sit for hours on end, staring at screens and munching on snacks. Kids are content playing with their tablets or computers.

We have traded physical activity for convenience and comfort, and the consequences are dire. The sedentary lifestyle has unleashed a wave of health problems that threaten to shorten our lifespan and lower our quality of life. But don’t despair, for there is hope. Every year, as the calendar flips to a new page, we get a chance to start afresh and make a change.

The New Year’s Fitness Fervour

January is the month of optimism and enthusiasm. Inspired by the festive season, and perhaps regretting the excesses of the previous night, we vow to take charge of our health and fitness. We rush to the nearest gym, sign up for a membership, and buy the latest gear. We are ready to conquer the world, one workout at a time.

The Rapid Demise of Resolutions

But, alas! Our zeal soon fizzles out like a firework. Research shows that about 80% of New Year resolutions fail by February. It’s like buying a lottery ticket and hoping to win the jackpot – a nice idea, but not very realistic. We realize that going to the gym is hard work, and we have other priorities and obligations. We lose sight of our goals and fall back into our old habits.

The Elusive Solution

So, how can we break this cycle of disappointment and frustration? How can we stick to our resolutions and achieve our fitness dreams? It turns out, we need more than just willpower and wishful thinking. We need accountability and guidance. We need someone who can keep us on track, motivate us, and show us the way.

Enter GOQii – Your Health Ally

As we embark on a new year, full of resolutions and good intentions, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that come with changing our lifestyle. The statistics may be discouraging, but they are not insurmountable. There is a way to overcome the sedentary epidemic, and it involves having a partner in crime.

GOQii understands that lasting change requires more than just a burst of inspiration. It requires a holistic approach to Preventive Healthcare and a Personalised Health Coaching system. GOQii aims to be the faithful friend who helps you turn your resolutions into habits. Think of it as having a supportive mentor by your side, without the hassle and expense of travelling. You can subscribe to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

So, as we pursue our health goals, let’s not just make resolutions, but find solutions that work. Let the New Year be marked not just by good intentions, but by consistent actions that GOQii advocates. Here’s to a healthier, happier, and more resilient you in the year ahead.

#BeTheForce 

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3 Breathing Exercises To Strengthen Your Lungs

breathing exercisesHave you ever thought about the number of breaths you take in a lifetime? On average, we take about 675 million breaths in 80 years. Breathing patterns vary throughout our lives, influenced by age, environment, lifestyle, and health conditions such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). For those managing COPD or looking to maintain lung health, strengthening lung function is essential for overall well-being.

Our lungs are responsible for oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange, ensuring that our body functions smoothly. Lung capacity and efficiency are key to respiratory health, and certain breathing exercises can help enhance this capacity. Here are three effective techniques to support lung function and improve breathing, especially beneficial for individuals with respiratory challenges like COPD.

1. Pursed Lip Breathing

This simple exercise helps slow down breathing and completely empties the lungs, which is particularly helpful during moments of shortness of breath—common among those with COPD.

How to Do it:

  • Sit comfortably, relax your shoulders, neck, and close your eyes gently.
  • Inhale through your nose for 2–3 seconds.
  • Purse your lips as if blowing out a candle, then exhale slowly through them for 4–6 seconds.
  • Repeat for about 5 minutes to experience relief and improved lung capacity.

This technique is beneficial during or after physical activity, as it lets plenty of air flow through the lungs, restoring normal breathing patterns.

2. Diaphragmatic or Belly breathing

How often in a day do we pay attention to our breathing pattern? Do you do shallow breathing or deep breathing? The diaphragm is the main sheet of muscle in between the chest and the abdomen that helps in respiration. But, usually, we develop the habit of breathing through chest, neck and shoulder muscles which limits the amount of air filling in and out of our lungs. Belly breathing strengthens the diaphragm and enhances the pulmonary efficiency. Here is the best way to train yourself for diaphragmatic breathing.

How to Do it:

  • Lie down on your back on a flat surface with the knees bent or sit comfortably on a chair with neck, shoulder and head relaxed
  • Place your one hand lightly on your abdomen and the other hand on the chest
  • Inhale deeply through the nose for 2-3 seconds as you fill all the air towards your abdomen
  • Pay attention to the hand on the abdomen moving up while making sure hand on the chest is not moving up
  • Now exhale all the air through the mouth (Pursed lips) while tightening the abdomen inwards. Make sure the hand on your abdomen is moving down
  • Repeat this breathing for 5-10 minutes to get the maximum benefits

3. Alternate Nostril breathing

This is a type of deep and slow breathing in Yoga in which inhaling, and exhaling happens through alternate nostrils.  Long term practice of this breathing improves the total capacity of the lungs while boosting the pulmonary function markers. It is also meant to purify the lungs and the circulatory system throughout the body.

How to Do it:

  • Sit straight on a flat surface with relaxed shoulders and neck
  • Start with deep inhalation and slow exhalation couple of times or for a minute
  • While folding the index and middle fingers of the right hand, make Vishnu mudra to close the right nostril with right thumb and left nostril with ring finger
  • At first, close the right nostril and slowly exhale through left nostril
  • Keep the right nostril closed and slowly inhale through the left nostril and feel all the air going upwards while filling all the air deep down till the abdomen
  • Once you inhale all the air possible, pause briefly for 2 seconds
  • Now close the left nostril with the ring finger and release thumb to open the right nostril
  • Exhale out all the air through the right nostril with a pause of 2 second at the end
  • As your still closing the left nostril, inhale slowly through the right nostril letting all the air into right side of the body with a short pause of 2 seconds at the end
  • Again, close the right nostril and open the left nostril to exhale all the air out

This is considered as one round of alternate nostril breathing. Continue this pattern for 5-10 minutes to get the maximum benefits.

Enhancing Lung Health with Breathing Exercises

Consistently practicing one or more of these breathing techniques on an empty stomach can help build lung strength and may aid in boosting immunity. These simple yet effective exercises can support your lung function, whether you’re managing COPD or simply aiming to breathe better.

Find more breathing exercises, meditation techniques and yoga here. You can also get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach by subscribing to Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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Cancer Anxiety in India: A Growing Epidemic

– 60% of respondents reported moderate to extreme worry about developing cancer.
– 33% expressed significant concerns over the financial burden of cancer treatment.
– 24% feared death as a result of cancer, underscoring its perception as a terminal illness.
– 70% had not undergone any form of cancer screening in the past five years, despite awareness of its importance.
– 56% worried about environmental factors like pollution and radiation contributing to cancer risks.
– 27.6% expressed anxiety related to poor lifestyle choices such as smoking and unhealthy diets.

Discussing cancer, though difficult, is crucial given the rising anxiety about the disease in India. GOQii’s recent Cancer report titled – “Living in Fear: The Hidden Epidemic of Cancer Anxiety Among the Public” reveals alarming statistics: over 60% of Indians experience significant fear of developing cancer, driven not only by the disease itself but also by the overwhelming treatment costs and feared mortality.

Despite this awareness, an astonishing 70% have not undergone any cancer screenings in the last five years, indicating a serious lag in preventive healthcare. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for better public health strategies focused on enhancing screening access and educating the public about the benefits of early detection.

Recognizing the deep connection between lifestyle and health outcomes, experts emphasize the need for preventive approaches to mitigate these financial and health burdens.

Dr Anurag Agrawal, Head, of Koita Center for Digital Health, Dean of BioSciences and Health Research, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University shared his insights: “As longevity increases, particularly when accompanied by unhealthy living, the risk of cancer, unfortunately, rises as well. It has become imperative that we focus on promoting preventive measures and fostering healthy habits to address this growing concern.”

Luke Coutinho, a Holistic Lifestyle Coach in Integrative Medicine, remind us that the integration of knowledge, science, lifestyle medicine, and epigenetics with traditional treatments can dramatically change our approach to this disease. “Now is the time to awaken and make the change with faith, belief, action, and science,” says Coutinho.

The financial aspect of cancer treatment is another grave concern. With 33% of respondents anxious about the economic burden of cancer treatment, it’s clear that the cost is not just financial but also emotional and psychological. Families fear being pushed to financial ruin, with the extensive costs of diagnostics, surgeries, chemotherapy, and ongoing medication looming large over their heads.

The report highlights the overwhelming fear of cancer as a death sentence among 24% of Indians, exacerbated by late detection and inadequate screening. This perception is often due to delayed diagnosis, making cancer seem incurable. It calls for significant improvements in India’s healthcare system, emphasizing the need for early detection and better access to treatment, especially in under-resourced rural areas.

Stressing the critical need to address this hidden epidemic, Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO of GOQii says: “Cancer fear and anxiety is for real, and it’s affecting millions of people across India in ways that go beyond physical health. People are living in constant fear of not only the disease but also the potential financial and emotional toll it could take on them and their loved ones. This report serves as a wake-up call. We need to shift our focus to prevention, early detection, and providing people with the right tools and resources to manage both their health and their anxiety.”

GOQii is taking proactive steps to integrate mental health support with cancer care. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression compound the fear of cancer, making it crucial to address these psychological impacts alongside the physical aspects of the disease.

Rajashree Menon – CBO Digital Health GOQii, says, “The GOQii Health Ecosystem supports cancer patients by integrating preventive care with treatment, screening, and post-treatment rehabilitation. We aim to reduce the anxiety of a cancer diagnosis by empowering patients throughout their journey, providing seamless care that enhances confidence and improves outcomes”

GOQii is also one of the partners with Universal Health Token (UHT), an initiative designed to promote and incentivize healthy living, and unites the technology and healthcare industries, signifying a change in the approach to health and well-being. The UHT rewards integrate a data-centric approach, empowering users with deep insights and valuable analysis to enhance their well-being and take charge of their health journey. This approach forms the bedrock of an immersive user experience, merging technology and preventive care to foster a healthier, more fulfilling life.

“The Universal Health Token helps alleviate cancer anxiety by encouraging preventive care. By rewarding healthy behaviours and regular screenings, we aim to reduce the fear and burden associated with cancer,” says Agastya Samat, Director – Force of Good Foundation.

The 2024 GOQii Cancer Report isn’t just a collection of statistics; it’s a clarion call for robust public health strategies. It’s time for all stakeholders—government agencies, healthcare providers, and individuals—to come together and address this unseen epidemic of cancer anxiety. By enhancing access to preventive care and integrating comprehensive health strategies, we can begin to alleviate the immense burden that cancer places on millions across India. Let’s not wait for the fear to consume us; let’s act now, for a healthier tomorrow.

#BeTheForce

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7 Tips To Prevent Diarrhea During Monsoons

prevent diarrhea during monsoonsMonsoons entice you and increase your cravings for street food. But these cravings can come at a cost. During monsoons, food and water are the two things that get contaminated easily. This eventually leads to diseases such as diarrhea, since this season is a time for germs and bacteria to breed in large numbers. To help you out, here are some tips to help you prevent diarrhea during monsoons.

Tips To Prevent Diarrhea During Monsoons 

  1. Drink boiled water
  2. Wash your hands before you eat
  3. Avoid outside food and go for homemade hygienic food.
  4. If you are eating in a restaurant, avoid leafy vegetables as you can’t be sure if it is cleaned properly
  5. Always eat well cleaned and washed vegetables and avoid leftover food
  6. Do not eat fish as it is breeding time and there are chances that you might get a stomach upset or an infection
  7. Avoid getting wet in the rains as much as you can to avoid all the bacteria around you

As our body is susceptible to infections, taking some precautions is good, but in case you do get diarrhea, here are few things you can do:

  • Boil water and drink throughout day as diarrhea dehydrates the body
  • Do not have solid food. Eat clear, liquid food initially
  • In case of less severe diarrhea, cooked rice and curd can be included gradually after a liquid diet
  • Drink lots of warm herbal teas, especially with antibacterial properties such as basil leaves, ginger, pepper and honey
  • Digestion process is slow during monsoon because of the humidity in atmosphere, so eat moderately only when you are hungry
  • Include antioxidant rich foods such as green tea, fresh fruits and nuts to fight against infections

We hope this article helps you. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more tips on getting healthier during monsoons, check out Healthy Reads or get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]