HEALTH - Living Abroad in Beijing - page 229

TIP 6: TO EVERY THING, THERE IS A SEASON
Each Beijing season has a few particular oddities:
Winter health problems usually include colds and influenza, as well as winter
depression. The secret to avoiding the winter blues? Pamper yourself! For example,
buy a foot soak; keep your skin moist; visit a local hot springs; take a weekend break
in a hotel; take vitamin D.
Spring can come with sandstorms and catkin pollen. It can be a health hazard, but
have a little common-sense avoidance and you'll be fine. Many Beijingers do have
allergic hay fever problems in the spring, but most expats have fewer hay fever prob-
lems in Beijing.
Summer health issues include a major increase in gastroenteritis as well as travel-
related diseases from expats' vacations to exotic and malaria-filled southern locales.
Do your homework beforehand by researching your destination's health status on the
CDC travel website ( wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel ) . Additionally, prepare early—vaccines
can be in short supply at this time of year.
Autumn is fairly mellow, so enjoy this all-too-brief moment of perfect weather
by exploring Beijing's mountains and tourist attractions.
TIP 7: HAVE AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY LIFESTYLE
In Beijing we are bombarded every day with air particles and gases both indoors and
outdoors, as well as from chemicals in our foods. These are pro-inflammatory, caus-
ing free radical damage to our healthy cells, as well as setting off cascades of un-
healthy hormones and enzymes that can slowly lead to many illnesses, such as heart
disease and cancers. To fight off this damage: don't smoke; watch your alcohol in-
take; eat anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., vegetables and fruit); and speak to your doc-
tor about supplements such as fish oil.
TIP 8: EXERCISE
China's number one killer is the same as all over the world: heart disease. You still
need to focus on the basics of good body weight, exercise, proper foods, and not
smoking.