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Principles of ‘New Start’: Air Continued from previous edition
Did you ever stop to think that we live at the bottom of an ocean of air that surrounds the earth? We could live a few weeks without food and a few days without water, but how long do you think we would live if we had no air?
In one or two minutes, we would all become unconscious and within five or six minutes, we would all be dead. We need a constant supply of pure air into our bodies to keep our blood pure and healthy, to soothe our nervous system and fill our lungs and keep our voices speaking clearly.
The first thing a baby needs when it is first born is to breathe air. Air is “life” to a new born baby and that air is essential to that little one right through life. Children should run and play in the fresh air every day if possible. This will help them to be more cheerful, healthier, and happier.
Pure, fresh air gives a good appetite, helps improve the blood flow, purifies the blood, refreshes the body, helps digestion of food, helps us sleep soundly and helps to heal the sick.
Our homes should be kept clean as well as well ventilated with fresh air. Curtains and drapes should be open to allow sunshine and air to fill the rooms with life-giving elements. We should also sleep with windows open at night where possible.
The fresh air will help our sleep to be more relaxed and restful. If there are sick in the home, the room should not be shut for them to breathe the same air over and over again. The oxygen in the fresh air will help bring a quicker recovery, help the blood to cleanse and purify, resulting in greater strength and health – sooner.
AIR THAT REFRESHES
There is a kind of air that can energise and relax the mind and body within minutes. It is found near waterfalls, in forests, at the beach and after a rainstorm. However, there is another kind of air that can bring on anxiety, depression and even suicidal feelings.
WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?
Air contains positively and negatively charged molecules called ions. These ions become electrically charged as a result of gaining or losing an electron. Air containing an abundance of negative ions is refreshing, as found in the bush, or by river, lakes, waterfalls and at the beach.
On the other hand, air containing mostly positive ions as found in city centres, airports, poorly ventilated rooms and on crowded motorways, is associated with headaches, anxiety, insomnia and depression.
The blend of exercise and fresh air is important, as good active exercise increases the demand for fresh air and we naturally breathe more deeply.
Take time out of the busy day to take a walk in the bush or some other quiet place and do some deep breathing. It will not only lift your chest, but lift your day.
REST
In the hustle and bustle of our busy modern lives, most of us keep going until we finally drop at the end of the day from exhaustion.
We have all heard of the saying “burning the candle at both ends” to describe a person who is always going full speed, borrowing from the store of energy and robbing themselves of needed rest to let body and mind rest up and refresh.
This is not the best way for us to live. Being moderate, even in creative and productive work is what is best for our health. The first place we think of when we speak of rest is in our beds for the evening sleep. We should get into a regular pattern.
Going to bed at 8:30 – 9:00pm is a good time for settling down to sleep and 5:00 -6:00am is good for rising. This pattern brings a good night’s rest and unloads pressure in the morning to beat the clock before work starts.
Quiet reading, some exercise and family time at the breakfast table brings a sweet start to the day. This may be the ideal, but not always practical for certain lifestyles, but if one is able, the pattern soon starts getting easier and life is enjoyed more fully.
It may be hard to sleep the first few evenings at the earlier time, but upon rising at the earlier time of 6:00am approximately, one will soon be looking for sleep by 8:30 – 9:00pm.
Other places of rest, rather than sleep, is out in the beauty and quietness of nature. If possible, it is good to leave the busy cities behind and seek that rest in the quietness of a country setting, beside a river, or lake, in a grove of trees, or in the mountains.
Other ways can be in a good book, giving good counsel and guidance, talking to a friend, quietly taking a walk, and taking time to be with the family.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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