Up in Smoke - no more

This is an inspiring series of short movies. So cool innovation!



Oxfam has couple more of these videos on this topic. You can find them in Youtube.

What is health?

Last night I gave a speech to colleagues about global health issues. Some were surprised as I tried to answer the question above.

Patients as well as the media often think that you have a better chance to stay healthy, if you have easy access to healthcare. True, but not the whole truth I dare say.

Nomenclature is a bit funny here. We talk about healthcare and at the same time mean two rather different things. Firstly the system is there to keep healthy people healthy. Secondly it is supposed to cure the sick or otherwise give them aid. From a doctor's point of view the latter is closer to our education. Quite frankly I'd give more responsibility of the previous for personal trainers, dietitians, nurses etc. If you're healthy, they can help you to stay that way a lot better than a doctor.

What are the factors that affect to the health of an individual? Apart from age, genes and sex the environment plays an important role. Environment with it's physical and social elements have major impact on our health. Questions like sanitation, pollution, water supply and climate change area easily big globally. In Mongolia's capital Ulan Bator winter time is hard on one's lungs. Smoke takes over and you can hardly see your neighbour's house. Nearly everyone I met there complained about pulmonary symptoms.

In social sense economics, gender, social status and education are all major players on the health of individuals just as nations. Take for instance Non-Communicable diseases, which are a major health challenge globally acknowledged also by World Health Organization. These often result after series of choices done in previous years. Smoking, alcohol consumption, seat belts, sports etc. Fast food is cheap. Healthier food is usually expensive and takes time to cook. Or obesity, why do you think it is rather common in women coming from Arabic countries.

Adding to the list is of course access to healthcare services. But the above listing tells the secret why in so many countries grass root health work has done wonders. Barangai workers in the Philippines or community health workers in Nepal are doing the same work for the best of their country. I think in the West we are waisting our resources when trying to provide good health to our people. We've forgot what it takes to have good health.

Mongolia in pics

I experienced this wonderful country in June, which was an early summer for the locals. It is a big country. Trust me. Did some bumpy car travelling. But the people are warm and proud of their history. This is how I saw it.

And naturally found myself once or twice at a hospital. Just kept my eyes open.

No horses this time.

The song that won't stop playing in my head

Seasonal affective disorder

Sounds horrid doesn't it? Back here we mean Winter Blues. Why? Cause it gets so blimey dark.

Mental problems are not a very popular topic, but this one is an exception. Everyone's talking about it around this time of the year. At coffee breaks, with the family, in shops and among colleagues. We have to talk about it cause it affects nearly the whole nation.

Sounds crazy? Well imagine yourself driving to work in the morning and it's dark. The same happens in the afternoon while driving back. If you work indoors, you won't catch any sunlight during the week. If you're lucky, it might peek down on weekends. Before snowfall darkness feels really dark and that's not due in weeks. Meantime sun rises later and later every morning and sets earlier every afternoon.

How do we cope? We fight back!

A funny article made me realize how easily our way to face this time of year makes us feel even worse. A sigh comes out every time we look out the window. We give in to tiredness and slowly begin neglecting our own wellbeing. That's why I've come up with my own survival list.

1. Darkness is a good excuse to burn candles. Some people enjoy this time of the year, so I might give it a try and stop waiting for it all to be over.
2. Bright colors are allowed even though it's not summer. I'm investing on juicy colored nail polishes.
3. Friends are essential, just like laughter and good stories.
4. My girl Florence



I know it's dog days. But my singalong goes dark days.
5. Sports. My goodness how gyms, pilates groups, swimming pools and the lot are packed when we turn to November. And boy when the snow finally comes you can't go more hard core than skiing.
6. Spicy food. When it gets cold and dark outside get some fire in your mouth.. and belly.
7. Smiling is hard if you don't feel like it. But sometimes little bit of forcing is good for ya. At work I've realized that it spreads. Someone just has to lead the way.
8. Focusing on good things in your life. I should be a lot more grateful than I remember to be.
9. Light therapy. Philips I thank thee for building my loyal bright light lamp.

The New York Times on Light Therapy

It's a Girl

Black turns to white and white to black depending on the light. This I feel is the modern method into ethics. Those who are for abortion no matter what easily object abortion based on gender.

"It's a Girl." Someone said those words when I was born. Luckily my mom and dad felt joy.