Health. Fitness. Wellness. You.
“A regular doctor sees an individual patient, and gives a diagnosis and a prescription. A public health specialist looks at an entire community or population to diagnose what is ailing its people, and makes a policy-level prescription to its Government or leaders.” – Dr. James Hospedales
It is the one exercise that reaps a myriad of benefits and does not require a single piece of equipment: the plank. The plank exercise is convenient as it can be performed anywhere, and it does not take much time. Basic Plank Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the […]
The romantic restaurant date. Grabbing lunch with co-workers. A business dinner. Catching a meal while you catch up with friends. It is no secret that the restaurant is often the place where diets go to die. Here are a few tips to stay on track, or at least as close to it as you can! […]
Few mental health conditions have provoked more debate and controversy in recent years than Attention Deficit [Hyperactivity] Disorder (ADD/ADHD).
To the onlooker, it can appear to be a dance… Graceful, fluid movements of lunging, feinting, tumbling, kicking, twirling, cart wheeling and a myriad of acrobatic moves that seem choreographed; a physical dialogue on display.
Article written by Gerard M. Antoine, MD The World Health Organization reports that Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with 12.7 million new cases and 7.6 million deaths in 2008. Occupational cancers cause in 1.3 million deaths globally each year. A carcinogen is any substance that is an agent directly involved in causing […]
Caribbean nationals that seek success abroad are often chastised for contributing to the regional ‘brain drain’ — but recent trends in diaspora engagement point, in fact, to the reverse: a ‘brain gain’.
We often hear about the dangers of “second-hand” smoke, but have you considered the dangers of “third-hand” smoke? “Third-hand” smoke is the invisible yet toxic brew of cigarette smoke residue containing gases and particles that cling to smokers’ hair and clothing, cushions, carpeting, walls and other fabrics and surfaces — even after the “second-hand” smoke […]
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. A childhood diagnosis of cancer is something that shakes you as a parent — it simply makes no sense why anyone so young and precious could be so ill.
For a parent of a child with disabilities, the world can seem very limiting and frustrating. It is this first-hand knowledge and experience that led to the formation of Caribbean Kids and Family Therapy Organisation (CKFTO).
Ophthalmologist Dr. Debra Bartholomew is part of the National Eye Survey team. You can read more about her here. Here are a few of her tips for optimal eye care. Use safety eyewear Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. Wear the appropriate safety equipment at all times, and encourage your coworkers to […]
“Would you rather lose a limb, or an eye?” It is the question that grabs the attention of someone who is about to close the door in your face — a reaction that ophthalmologist Dr. Debra Bartholomew has experienced during the National Eye Survey of Trinidad and Tobago (NESTT).
What is dengue fever? Dengue Fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. It is transmitted to humans primarily through the bites of infected female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway. […]
Are you consistently experiencing low energy and fatigue? The average person who yawns frequently might chalk it up to tiredness or plain old boredom — the idea of a nutritional deficiency may not even cross one’s mind. Iron deficiency is particularly insidious because its symptoms seem so innocuous. But as the body becomes more deficient in […]
We all know the utter joy of emerging refreshed after a good night’s sleep, but too often the importance of sleep is lost to the seeming necessities of the fast-paced modern world. When you are scrambling to meet all the demands of home, work and otherwise, cutting back on sleep may seem like the only choice […]
Healthcare does not end when you are discharged from the hospital. For many, it is a long and challenging journey ahead, and professional care and support are needed at every step along the way.
The artwork is the first thing you notice — which is hardly something you would say about a clinic.
“If you build it, they will come.” It is the timeless test of faith — and one Trevlon Hall knows all too well.
It’s not often you meet a legend — and Lall Sawh’s career is certainly legendary. Dr. Lall Ramnath Sawh, CMT., MB., FRCS, ranks among the uppermost echelons of success in the field of urological medicine throughout the Caribbean.
In this issue of WellnessConnect, we had the honour of meeting renowned local urologist who has made significant contributions to the field throughout the Caribbean and the world at large. Read our article on Dr. Lall Ramnath Sawh here. Here a few of his tips for leading a healthy lifestyle: 1. Men, check your prostate annually […]
Tie-tongue. Lisp. Stutter. These are the words that immediately come to mind when we think of ‘speech problems’ — but the field of speech-language therapy is far deeper and more diverse than these.
Looking to give that booty an extra “pop”? Here are a few exercises to help you sculpt your rear. Squats Squats are excellent to train your gluteus maximus. Add resistance by performing them while holding dumbbells in your hands or with a bar across your shoulders. As you move your feet further apart, you’ll feel […]
Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting periods for an expectant mother — and one of the most challenging. The barrage of information is overwhelming, and the different choices for healthcare can be confusing. This is where the midwife’s role comes in.
The word ‘dance’ in Trinidad and Tobago usually connotes gyrating to soca or grooving to calypso music — but there is another dance style gaining popularity among Trinbagonians: Latin dance.
Is your desk job hazardous to your health? Try these tips to alleviate your pain and improve your posture. Check your posture Sit as close as possible to your desk, with your upper arms parallel to your spine and your hands resting on the work surface. Your elbows should be at a 90 degree angle. […]
“Why Diet when you can Livet?” It is the maxim of Uchenna Hackett, more commonly known by his clients as ‘Dr. Livet’, who owns and operates the Livet Wellness Centre & Holistic Spa in Barataria, north-west Trinidad.
“Let your fitness work for you.” It was the advice of his mentor, and today it is the challenge Brent Elder puts forward to the future generations of fitness professionals.
Brent Elder is a Level 3 Registered Exercise Professional. Here are some of Brent’s tips for current and potential fitness professionals. If you are interested in hiring a fitness professional, these are some of the qualities you should look for. Collect Data If there is no data collected, then how can someone know if he/she […]
“You have to care about people. That’s what Safety is all about. You are there as the buffer to step in — and your intervention could be the thing that sends someone home to his or her family at the end of the day.”
‘Five-finger’ is called many different things around the world — carambola, star apple and star fruit, just to name a few. This waxy, yellow-green fruit hails from the sultry tropical area of Sri Lanka. The fruit grows best in tropical and moderate climates such as Australia, South America, Hawaii, Florida, and of course — sweet […]
“Tai chi is a very total art. It is high art disguised as a dance. Every movement has a hidden secret self-defence technique.”
“Women set the stage for the lifestyle of the family. Almost every woman we work with represents a family, an extended family, and the wider community.”
Road safety is not just for vehicles. Pedestrians also need to exercise more care on our nation’s roads. Use the sidewalk, crossovers and barriers Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Keep looking both ways and listening, in case a driver has not seen you and attempts […]
Eric Kipps, a self-labelled “Road Safety Junkie”, is the Co-director of JARIC Environmental Safety and Health Services, and he is one of the leading defensive driving instructors in the Caribbean. Here are his watchwords to stay safe on the road: Choice, Common Sense & Consequences Always remember the three C’s: Choice, Common Sense and Consequences. […]
Personal trainers are not just for the rich and famous, or Olympic athletes gearing up for an event. A personal trainer can help you to reach your health and fitness goals — or, they could be a big waste of money, as many of us may have been unfortunate to experience! So, how do you know if […]
Caregiving can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. Occupational therapist Lesley Garcia shares a few tips: 1. A sense of humor goes a long way When you’re having a tough day and nothing is going right, imagine you’re the star of a comedy sitcom. Stop and look around at what’s happening to you and […]
It’s a condiment. It’s a spice. No, it’s a bean. The “Manila sweet,” as the tamarind is sometimes called, is all of the above. Tamarind or ‘tambran’ as it is affectionately called in Trini parlance, is a natural food of South Asia and is said to be native to Africa. It melodic name comes from […]
Nutritionist Ms. Yvonne Batson, who teaches Nutrition & Dietetics at U.W.I., recently invited WellnessConnect’s Robert Taylor to speak to her students on the use of ergogenic aids. Robert has over 20 years experience in weight training, and has competed at the national level in bodybuilding — without the use of illegal substances. We thought ergogenic aids […]
Legs dangling, heart in your stomach, wind at your back — and the childish burst of glee as you go propelling at full speed over the North West coast of Trinidad. It’s ZIP-ITT, or ZIP lining In Trinidad and Tobago, to be precise.
Namaste. “The divine essence in me recognises the divine essence in you.” It is the customary greeting in yoga — and akin to the connection between a horse and a child in the Horses Helping Humans programme.
While Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean are certainly not immune to the rising global tide of obesity and diabetes in children, the region lacks one key determining factor that could alleviate the situation: comprehensive research and data.
The word “broccoli” means “branch” or “arm” for the cross-shaped stems, like mini trees bearing the blossoms. Broccoli was a popular food of the ancient Romans, and its use can be traced to 16th century France and England in the 1700s. Eaten raw, broccoli has a number of nutritional elements. It’s important to note that […]
It is on most grocery shelves in some form. Its packaging may not be pretty… it may not look as enticing as, say, the chocolate-chip cookies on the other aisle… but it just may be your best friend. Oats provide a concentrated source of fibre and nutrients — and may be the missing link in your […]
“Sexy” and “corporate” are words that don’t often go together. But Provocative Fitness begs to differ.
Never went rock climbing before? Marc Ramlal, Manager of Trini Rock Climbers and the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Rock Climbers Association, shares a few tips for the newcomers to the sport. 1. Train with a certified instructor Rock climbing is not for the faint of heart. Even though indoor is much safer […]
Used in Trinidad and Tobago for everything from jams and cheese to juices and fruit salads, guavas are thought to be native to southern Central America and Mexico. Soft, sweet, and fragrant when ripe, guavas are small and round or oval, with varying colors from yellow to pink to dark red, depending on the variety. […]
We all know that too much sitting is bad for your health. Unfortunately many of us work in jobs where we are expected to be seated at our desks for the majority of the day, for hours on end (whether or not we’re being productive — but that’s another story!…) Spending long hours sitting down […]
“It’s not about physical strength at all. Rock climbing is about discipline, skill, and mental focus — technique is key.” The same could be said about life — and Marc Ramlal is the living proof.
The thought of going to a gym can be a daunting one for mature women, particularly if it’s a first time experience.
It was the lure of the environment that encouraged Nicolette Choo Quan, in late 2013, to move her practice from Mucurapo Road in Port of Spain to its new location at Hibiscus Place in Petit Valley — where it now shares a location with the Adult Day Centre for Seniors and the WOW gym for mature women.