Postpartum depression affects one in five women worldwide.
According to an article published on CNN, three New York mothers have recently performed unfathomable acts of murder: letting their babies fall to their deaths after throwing them out of the window.
These acts are inhumane and unforgivable; yet it is important to know that these women were suffering from postpartum depression. Of course, I am not condoning their behaviour, but these incidents show how important it is that we address this mental disorder. Postpartum depression is rarely spoken about openly, resulting in difficulty identifying symptoms and getting help.
Support programmes are designed to help expats and their family members through each stage of their relocation, offering support for their emotional needs.
Living and working abroad presents a whole host of opportunities, but what is often forgotten or overlooked are the challenges you will inevitably face.
We all know that stress, relationship problems and mental health issues are difficult to deal with and can affect work performance. An expat not only has these issues to deal with but also has to adjust to a new culture and support their family in a new country; it can be overwhelming. Read More →
If you are living abroad on a long-term basis, you will need to ensure your health is protected by the right insurance.
If you are living in your own country, you take out health insurance with a local trusted provider; this much is obvious. If you decide to travel for a few months on end, you buy travel insurance to cover you for the time you are away – this is a no brainer. So why do things start to get more complicated the moment you decide to relocate abroad on a more permanent basis?
Don’t complicate matters for yourself; just because you are living abroad on a permanent basis does not mean your health should be jeopardised in any way. Health insurance comes in different forms and it suits different lifestyles. Here is a breakdown of why international health insurance is the obvious choice for an expat. Read More →
A study from 2013 that linked champagne with the prevention of Alzheimer’s, went viral on social media this week.
With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve around the corner, we’re in the midst of the holiday season. The holiday season equals family dinners and holiday parties and if you’re really lucky, a few champagne toasts to your good health.
If the upcoming festivities hasn’t made you giddy enough, let me draw your attention to a study that has been going viral on the internet which highlights how “drinking to your good health” can be taken more literally than we thought. Read More →
It’s estimated that over half a million people in the UK and more than 10 million Americans are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder.
When the clocks go back an hour, the days immediately seem darker and shorter. For most of us it’s hard to get up in the morning when it’s windy, rainy and dark outside. We all know that feeling of wanting to stay in bed with Netflix or a good book.
While it’s common that most people feel a bit blue during those grey, cold days, there is a small minority who experience real depression during winter. Psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal even gave a name for this winter depression, namely Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
As an expat it is better to be covered for everything, as you never know when illness might strike.
Expats around the world are well aware of the need for international health coverage, because illness or accidents can strike when you least expect them. You may never actually need or use your insurance, but having it gives you the sense of security that someone is watching over you.
Health insurance should be like that one friend that you may not always see or speak to, but they always comes through when you need them and always picks up the phone when you call. They should be that friend that gives you your space but at the same time always has your back. Read More →
Avoid buying costumes made from cheap materials and check the label for information on flammability.
This Halloween marks the one year anniversary of Claudia Winkleman’s own personal horror story when her 8-year-old daughter Matilda’s costume caught on fire after brushing against a candle.
In the months after the terrible incident, the British television presenter launched a campaign to raise awareness of the flammability of these costumes. Due to her efforts, there are now safety regulations and flammability tests being enforced in the UK this Halloween to assess whether costumes are compliant with the safety regulations.
Winter Cold — it’s that time of year again!
It’s getting colder outside, jumpers, winter coats and scarfs have been pulled out of the closet and the
sounds of constant sniffling and coughing can be heard wherever you go. It’s that time of the year again when the common cold reigns and nobody seems to be able to escape its mighty grip.
I thought I was smart by moving to a warmer country, but within days I had a runny nose and was getting through one pack of tissues a day. It seems that wherever you are, Autumn brings with it pumpkins, falling leaves and Halloween, but also a serious case of the sniffles. Read More →
Increasingly doctors in the UK are leaving the country to find better paid jobs with better working conditions.
Being a doctor is a transferable skill, human bodies are the same regardless of nationality; so treating someone in Kuala Lumpur is the same as treating them in Kigali. Apart from language barriers, it is still fairly easy for doctors to practice their profession in a foreign country.
A UK politician recently revealed that her own daughter, a trained doctor had left the UK because of current conditions in the National Health Service. What’s more, her husband and eight of her friends have also left. The question health professionals are beginning to ask themselves is: should I stay in my country of birth and dedicate my career to treating my fellow citizens or should I follow the cash? Read More →
The world wakes up earlier on Mondays than any other day.
The National Sleep Foundation released their 2015 Sleep Duration Recommendations earlier this year. They suggest that a newborn baby should be sleeping up to 17 hours a day. According to me, so should adults.
However, healthy sleeping patterns vary greatly between age groups, reducing until adulthood. As adults, we should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of shuteye every night. Don’t take this to heart, as some individuals might function perfectly on 6 or 10 hours without experiencing health issues.