11 June 2008

Male Maintainance - Lets focus on dads health

Submitted by: Kirsten
{pp}When the frenetic pace of modern life becomes too much for fathers and indeed most men in general, the tendency is to try and cram a week’s worth of stress relief into a weekend and to overindulge in rich food and alcohol. With the focus this Sunday on the special men in our lives, Dr Rajen Cooppan, the Medical Director of Durban North’s new Ayurvedic day medi-spa, SanAquam Urban Sanctuary, has the following advice for burnt out dads and frazzled fathers.

Cooppan says that “Stress is a silent killer and regardless of age and state of health, acting now can improve your quality of life and prevent further damage.” Most fathers juggle an ever increasing set of worries, from work issues to the escalating costs of living and often do not take into account the effects this has on their health.

These long term worries and stresses can eventually lead to diseases such as hypertension, strokes and heart conditions, with the increased risk of dehabilatation and the possibility of not being able to care for their families due to ill health. It is now evident that although the men in our lives may be the literal ‘stronger’ sex, they embody their own fragility and need to take care of themselves and their families in ways that may seem to be a departure from traditional practices.

The ancient and traditional wisdom of Ayurveda holds the key to stress management and an increased balance in mind, body and soul. With a history that exceeds 5, 000 years, Ayurveda is listed by the World Health Organisation as the world’s oldest system of natural, holistic medicine. Incorporating an elegant understanding of how body, mind and spirit function as an inseparable whole, the principals of Ayurveda are based on the theory that there is an inextricable link between the primordial elements of space, air, fire, water and earth. Ayurveda came to the African continent during the Indian Diaspora over 300 years ago and has become increasingly popular in Durban, with a number of individual practices operating within the city today.

The internationally renowned Ayurvedic Doctor and general practitioner, Dr Rajen Cooppan of the SanAquam Ayurvedic Spa group, is considered to be the foremost expert of this healing modality in South Africa and he regards the recent uptake of Ayurvedic medical treatment in this country as being symptomatic of the need people have to return to a more simpler and balanced way of life. “In a society that is continually stressful and overloaded with information, the majority of people have lost touch with their inherent ability and knowledge of how to ward off disease and infirmity.

Ayurveda is a means of reconnecting the out of balance individual with nature” Dr Cooppan states. “As it is in nature, so it is in the body, mind and soul,” Following an Ayurvedic way of life, incorporating the correct diet, stress alleviating exercises and lifestyle recommendations can assist in creating the perfect balance for the stressed man and the SanAquam Urban Sanctuary offers a convenient and tranquil venue in which to engage and experience this unique healing practice. The day medi-spa features a variety of treatments, including relaxation and detoxing elements. Patients are encouraged to have a full consultation with either Dr Cooppan or visiting Indian Ayurvedic custodian, Dr Varma.

This consultation will provide a complete picture of the body’s current state of health and will delineate the best possible treatments and changes needed to create alignment and restore harmony. For more information, please visit www.sanquam.com or call the SanAquam Urban Sanctuary on 0861 999 181. The sanctuary is located on the 1st floor of Kensington Boulevard in Durban North and also features a yoga studio, library, Ayurvedic restaurant and lifestyle shop.

Side Bar Quiz: Living in the modern world with its fast paced life and constant demands on your nervous system, leaves a trail of symptoms that tell you that your mind and body are not coping.

Take this quick test to determine how stressed you really are.

Allocate 1 point for each if you suffer from the item mentioned and 0 if you do not.

1. Frequent irritability
2. Moodiness
3. Feeling burnt out
4. Recurrent headaches
5. Stiff neck and shoulders
6. Frequent bouts of fatigue
7. Anxiety and anxiety attacks
8. Insomnia or disturbed sleep pattern
9. Failing memory and concentration
10. Worsening relationships
11. High blood pressure
12. Tension headaches
13. Regular use of chemical stimulants (coffee, nicotine, drugs)
14. Depression

1 – 3 = you are mildly stressed and may need de-stressing at 6 week intervals
4 - 8 = you are moderately stressed and need de-stressing and neuro-nutrient support
9 – 14 = you are severely stressed and need urgent de-stressing intervention, neuro-nutrient support and lifestyle supporting strategies such as yoga, meditation or music therapy

Contact Information:
SanAquam
Kirsten Clark of Hunt PR
T: 031 566 1777
F: 031 566 5781
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.sanaquam.com

Published in Health and Medicine