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OffAir with Gbemi, Toolz Is Coming To The Big Screens This November

by Women Times on

A new season of the OffAir show with Gbemi and Toolz will launch on DStv and GOtv with never-before-seen episodes starting on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 9:30 pm on Africa Magic Urban (Ch153).

 

The OffAir show is a casual talk show/vodcast featuring the most hilarious and frank conversations about hot topics from entertainment to parenting and everything in between. Award-winning media stars Gbemi Olagbegi-Olateru and Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru-Demuren are the show’s beloved hosts. The duo created the talk series in response to demands from fans who had listened to Gbemi and Toolz’s daily engaging handover sessions on Beat (99.9) FM for almost a decade.

 

Toolz and Gbemi decided to take the conversation from radio to podcast and now television on DStv & GOtv, where they will engage in their signature cheeky banter and blunt repartee on every trending topic.

Commenting on the new development, Multimedia host Gbemi Olagbegi-Olateru said, “It hasn’t been easy being an on-air radio host for more than 14 years. We began this journey from radio, then moved the conversation to podcast/youtube, and now, the time is right to expand our territory to the big screens to reach more talk show lovers. Words cannot express how thrilled we are to see devoted fans supporting the show and us; and we are excited to continue this journey with the MultiChoice team. We are confident that this action will result in a mutually beneficial relationship, help us connect with our intended target audience and help the brand realise its objectives.”

The show, which officially launched in October 2019, racked up nearly a quarter of a million views on YouTube, over 25 thousand listens on the audio podcasts and almost 7,000 subscribers in just three months into the show. With over 25 thousand subscribers on YouTube now, the show has increased its audience reach and introduced more celebrity guests to drive more talkability.

Executive Head of Content and West African Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola, added, “We are more than willing to embark on this journey with the OffAir team. We will continue to strive for greater excellence and reach our primary objective, which is to provide premium entertainment to every African. We know people are never tired of entertaining content, and we believe we will work harder to offer them more value for less.”

The show had earlier premiered on DStv with reruns of old episodes available on YouTube. However, the new season premiering on DStv and GOtv this November only features new, never-before-seen Off-Air content. So, fans should prepare for more controversial discussions, progressive comments, superstar celebrity guests, and the most exciting banter between Gbemi and Toolz.

On the show, the ladies discuss various fiery topics from entertainment, dating, relationship, marriage, lifestyle and fashion. For more information about this show, visit https://www.dstv.com/en-ng/ or follow DStv on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Health

What Women Should Do to Prevent Breast Cancer – Prof. Ogu

by Women Times on

By Isa Isawade

Prof. Rosemary Ogu, a Consultant from Diamond Helix Medical Assistant in Nigeria has advised women to embark on lifestyle modification as a way of preventing breast cancer.

Prof. Ogu, who is also the President-elect of the Medical Women Association, urged women of 40 years and above to have a mammogram done once a year.

She said that about 40 women died of cancer on daily basis in Nigeria.

She disclosed that one out of eight women would have breast cancer in their lifetime, adding that, on average, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes.

According to her, around the world, one woman dies of breast cancer every 13 minutes, and 40 Nigerian women die daily from breast cancer.

Ogu who is also an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), said that breast and cervical cancers were the highest killers of women worldwide.

She, therefore, said a cancer diagnosis was no longer a death sentence, saying that the death rate was declining because of early detection and early treatment.

Ogu urged everyone to be involved in the awareness and prevention campaign, saying that breast cancer occurs in both male and female genders.

She stated that regular personal checks were key for prevention.

She mentioned some of the preventive measures as more low-fat food, high-fibre diets of natural foods, and daily exercise.

She recommended a brisk walk of about 30 minutes daily to reduce the hormonal level, stress level, and cancer-causing agents in the body.

Ogu also recommended the reduction of alcohol intake, reducing stress, and improved sleep to prevent cancer in the body.

Professor Ogu delivered this enlightenment during a one-day breast cancer sensitisation programme organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

She advised NDDC staff to become intentional about eating reduced fat and carbohydrate diet, adding that they should avoid a sedentary lifestyle and reduce alcohol intake.

 

 

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Entertainment

Bisola Aiyeola, Ini Dima-Okojie, Sharon Ooja, Enado Odigie Star in Upcoming Showmax Nigerian Original Series, Flawsome

by Women Times on

Showmax has released the trailer for its latest Nigerian Original drama series, Flawsome, which debuts exclusively on the streaming service on 10 November 2022.

 

Flawsome revolves around the lives of four friends, portrayed by Bisola Aiyeola, Ini Dima-Okojie, Sharon Ooja and Enado Odigie, as they navigate their personal and professional lives while bound by the flawed yet unbreakable ties they share.

 

Winner of the 2018 AMVCA Trailblazer Award, Bisola Aiyeola takes on the role of Ifeyinwa, a hard-working heiress who has spent all her life preparing to become the CEO of her father’s company after his demise only to find out she isn’t her father’s choice candidate. Ini Dima-Okojie is Ramat, who has a seemingly perfect marriage, a perfect middle-class life and a great career, but her reality isn’t as rosy as it seems.

 

Sharon Ooja plays Ivie, a wide-eyed young woman who abandoned medicine and surgery for a career in fashion design with hopes of living the big city girl life. Enado Odigie plays Dolapo, a career-driven woman who continues to beat the odds as she moves steadily up the corporate ladder with the biggest clients in her portfolio.

 

Compelling, flawed and heartbreakingly human, these young women work hard, scheme, fall in and out

of love and nurture dreams both big and small. As their individual circumstances shifts, one thing

remains constant: their loyalty to one another and their devotion to the hustle.

The 13-part drama series, created and directed by Tola Odunsi, also stars Gabriel Afolayan, John Dumelo, Baaj Adebule, Iretiola Doyle, Toyin Abraham, Chris Attoh, Ali Nuhu, Joselyn Dumas and Shine Rosman.

 

“Flawsome explores friendship, relationships, career and some of the most important issues that affect young women across the world, and particularly in Nigeria, today,” said Dr Busola Tejumola, executive head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria.

“Flawsome’s lineup of stellar cast and its intricate but relatable storyline makes it a really solid series, one that I’m confident that the viewers will thoroughly enjoy,” Tejumola added.

Film producer, Tola Odunsi, who is popular for the hugely acclaimed web series The Men’s Club, takes the reins on Flawsome, and will be bringing the ingenuity that he has come to be known for into play in the Showmax Original.

“With Flawsome, it was important to create not just a glossy show but one with real depth that the audience would find very relatable,” said Odunsi.

Shot in the metropolitan city of Lagos, Flawsome comes hot on the heels of Diiche, Showmax’s first Nigerian Original limited series and joins the growing line-up of local content on the streaming platform.

Flawsome premieres 10 November 2022 on Showmax.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/s9b5Il06X10

Sign up for Showmax www.showmax.com

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Health

ICN Boss Urges Individuals To Go For Regular Mental Health Check

by Women Times on

The Provost of the Institute of Counselling in Nigeria (ICN), Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire has urged Nigerians to visit professional counsellors and psychotherapists regularly for a mental health check to ensure they are in the right frame of mind considering the increasing rate of suicide, depressions and other related issues in the country.

She made this known recently during an event tagged “Online marathon mental health Awareness Campaign” organised by ICN to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day with the theme “Make Mental Health and Wellbeing for All a Global Priority”, marked every year on 10 October. The marathon conversation online was packaged with thought-provoking input and insights which enabled the institute to reach out to millions of people.

In line with the effort, a recent report revealed that 3 out of every 10 Nigerians have one form of mental illness or another. Also, World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that after nearly three years, the social isolation, fear of disease and death, and strained socio-economic circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to an estimated 25% global rise in depression and anxiety.

Also, it reported that around 11 people per 100,000 per year die by suicide in the African region, higher than the global average of nine per 100,000 people. It added that mental health problems account for up to 11 percent of the risk factors associated with suicide.

“As a matter of fact, individuals need to go for a regular mental health check with a counselor or therapist just as we do with our physical health. There is no need to wait for signs before this. However, when an individual finds it difficult to live life optimally, finding it hard to cope with life then there is a need to talk to a counselor. This differs from person to person.”

She added, “I believe that mental health should be given utmost priority. As a matter of fact, a health check should not be complete without the inclusion of mental health check. Well-being is the bedrock of a balanced functional life hence the need to make the importance of well-being known across the globe.

“Well-being covers the emotional, physical, social, and psychological areas of human existence. Innovation of Channels with which the need for well-being can reach the whole world should be the most important conversation right now.”

Oko-Igaire explained further that it is difficult to concentrate and give one’s best if the mind is not settled which might lead to low productivity. “To get the best out of a team, everyone must be in their best and balanced mental state. This is the only way maximum productive output is guaranteed,” she stated.

Commenting on the impact the institute is making in the field of counselling and psychotherapy in Africa, she said “The Institute is big on training, partnerships, and collaborations, that’s the key! We are intentional about producing professional and certified counselors across Africa. We also collaborate with the state and federal government as well as partnering with NGOs to ensure that the gap of ignorance is bridged and mental health can be accessible to all.”

She added, “It can be proudly said that Institute has been able to train over two thousand individuals and a wholesome number of corporate organisations.

“We are looking forward to reaching more people across Africa and the world at large through more local and international collaborations, partnerships, and making use of technology as a tool to reach more lives in the future.”

 

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Entertainment

Five Inspiring Nigerian Movies That Champion Girls’ Child Rights

by Women Times on

The Nollywood industry has been at the forefront of telling African stories, especially Nigerian stories, as authentic as possible. This authenticity has led to the production of movies that speak about girl child rights in Nigeria to spotlight and raise awareness of problems facing the average girl child in Nigeria.

 

Here are five inspiring Nigerian movies that champion girl-child rights.

 

1. Dry

 

The 2014 film produced by Jane Lawalata and Stephanie Linus, explores themes like child marriage, Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and the importance of education for women in a community. With the story of 13-year-old Halima, we went through a rollercoaster of emotions as she overcame her ordeal with the help of a female doctor, Zara.

 

2. Samaria

 

Samaria, a short film written by Chiemeka Osuagwu, is another film that addresses child rights and education. The film, which has received nominations at the 2022 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival for Best Short Film – Nollywood and Best Short Film – International, peeks into the dangers young girls face in Nigeria and how society helps to derail their dreams and aspirations. See the link to the movie HERE.

 

3. Lionheart

 

In Nigeria, women are not exactly given a seat at the table until they fight for it and Lionheart, a 2018 film directed by Genevieve Nnaji, explores the subject. The movie is centred around Adaeze Obiagu (Genevieve Nnaji), who steps up to the challenge of running her father’s business because of his health issues.

 

4. This Lady Called Life

 

Aiye (Bisola Aiyeola) was a young lady whose family abandoned her because she got pregnant after being raped. Her mother, not believing her story and living her struggle through life while on her journey to becoming a chef, brought to life how young girls are automatically thrown to the cubs after one misstep or a traumatic experience. Kayode Kasum directed the 2020 romance movie.

 

 

5. MTV Shuga

 

MTV Shuga is a drama series that explores themes of gender-based violence, female empowerment, teen pregnancy and safe sex. The series, which has eight seasons, were directed by filmmakers like Biyi Bandele, Angus Gibson, Teboho Mahlatsi, Tolulope Ajayi, Tope Oshin and More.

 

Which other movies do you think should make the list?

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Health

Polaris Bank Commemorates Breast Cancer Month

by Women Times on

Polaris Bank has said that increased awareness, advocacy, and support will go a long way to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in the country.

The Bank’s Group Head of Strategic Brand Management, Nduneche Ezurike made this known in Lagos while reiterating the Bank’s unwavering commitment to stem the breast cancer scourge among women, in commemoration of October Breast Cancer Month.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, and prevention.

Mr. Ezurike noted that healthcare is one of the pillars of Polaris Bank’s CSR, stressing that its partnership with relevant public-spirited NGOs like Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE) and Societal Healthcare Organisation (SHO) has enabled it to contribute significantly to the reduction of breast cancer in the country.

The Polaris spokesman further noted that “In partnership with the aforementioned NGOs, we have covered five key milestones namely; awareness, advocacy, capacity-building, prevention, and treatment in an ongoing effort to reverse the negative impact and trend of the scourge and other related health complications.”

“We have screened over 20,000 women including female staff members of the Bank through our prevention program, donated three ultra-modern breast cancer screening machines to enhance quality diagnosis and clinical practices, sponsored the treatment of over 30 indigent cancer patients, and organized a 10-km walk with over 2,500 participants to draw public attention to the breast cancer scourge,” he said.

The President of COPE, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie, commended Polaris Bank for the support, care, and encouragement they have so far received from the Bank, stressing that the Bank has been a strong force behind their Screening Counseling Referrals Education, Enlightenment, and Nurturing (SCREEN) initiative for nearly 20 years now.

“For some time, we had difficulty getting the required support for the women. Some of our women used handkerchiefs; some used tissues to fill up their bras. But we are grateful for the timely support of Polaris Bank. They were able to donate prostheses that ensured our breast cancer survivors lived better lives”, Anozie added.

Polaris Bank also has a number of other initiatives targeted at improving the well-being of the womenfolk in general in the country. It recently organized a 3-day intensive capacity-building workshop in Northern Nigeria on life-saving skills for fifty (50) community midwives and health extension workers, randomly selected from 80 percent public and 20 percent private hospitals in Kano state in partnership with SHO.

The Executive Secretary of SHO, Dr. Mahmoud K. Dankadai commended Polaris Bank’s unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of women and children in Nigeria, especially in the North. He noted that the Bank had provided a number of medical consumables such as umbilical cord scissors; latex sterile gloves; delivery mats; surgical blades; cord clamps; povidone-iodine; baby oil; hand sanitizers and facemasks in addition to the 3-day training for participants.

Additionally, in seeking ways to address social issues affecting women, and the most vulnerable groups in Northern Nigeria, Polaris Bank also working in concert with a northern-based NGO and women-focused group, Sisters-Keepers Initiative, organized a conference in Kano to exchange ideas on the scourge of child neglect, physical abuse, domestic violence, illiteracy, street begging, and child labour.

The Grand Patron of Sisters-Keepers Initiative, Hajiya Halima Yusuf, expressed the readiness of her group to work in conjunction with Kano Concerns Citizens Initiative, other NGOs in the North and the leadership of traditional institutions to drill down the impact of the conference.

The Bank is currently in its second-year partnership arrangement with Pacegate to uplift the girl-child through the provision of educational supplies in 13 secondary schools across 7 states of the country including Kano, Abuja, and Kogi to curb the impact of global warming on the education of the girl-child who is usually at the receiving end of environmental degradation.

Polaris Bank’s consistent support for Nigeria’s health sector was recently recognized as the “Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year” by the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), the nation’s premier Health Award body.

Polaris Bank, adjudged the Digital Bank of the Year, is a future-determining Bank committed to delivering industry-defining products to individuals and businesses.

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EntertainmentLifestyle

Toke Makinwa And Guests Examine Housemates’ Strategy, Fights And Rocky Ships On The Buzz

by Women Times on

The discussion in the 14th episode of BBNaija S7: The Buzz sizzled with the Big Brother Naija house drama. The host, Toke Makinwa, and her guests, multi-award winning music producer and celebrity influencer, K-Solo; disc jockey and creative solutionist, VJ Adams; and celebrity chef and food blogger, Hilda Baci, had a swell time on set.

 

The conversation started with Phyna’s win in the Head of House games, which they all agreed was a much-deserved win for the former Level 2 housemates and helped turn their luck around.

 

From Phyna’s Head of House win, the discussion moved to the ships in the house, starting with Allysyn and Hermes’ relationship and how the latter requested some space from the relationship.

 

Still on the ships, Phyna, Chomzy, and Groovy were the next point of discussion. They talked about how Chomzy addressed the complicated history of Groovy’s relationship with Beauty and dating Phyna a few days after the former got disqualified from the show.

 

The focal point moved to Shella (Sheggz and Bella’s relationship), and the host and her guests agreed that Ebuka’s explosive question about their relationship during the last eviction show might have helped put the relationship into perspective for Sheggz.

 

Moving away from the relationships, Rachel’s emotional week was the next point of discussion. They all agreed that she had a trying week, starting with her “coven sister”, Chi Chi, her recurring issue with Hermes, and her position as the week’s Tail of House position also didn’t help better her bad week.

 

The exciting conversation then shifted to Adekunle, whom the male guests consider a Mastermind of the BBNaija game. For K-Solo and VJ Adam, the housemate is fun and a vibe to watch, while Toke and Hilda couldn’t help but find his game plan a bit annoying as they thought he was not fun to watch.

While they were divisive about Adekunle’s personality, the group agreed that Daniella was giving “side chic vibe” following Adekunle’s confession about having some feelings for her. They also doubted the genuity of Dotun’s feelings towards the poet.

 

To round up the conversation, the housemates’ tendencies to forget the purpose of their presence in Big Brother’s house for fleeting moments was dissected. Everyone agreed that Adekunle is the only housemate who is always aware of his purpose in Biggie’s house.

 

From the housemates’ game plan and momentary forgetfulness, the spotlight shifted to the infamous fight between Phyna, Bella, and Sheggz. For Toke, Phyna properly addressed her fight with the couple, especially when Bella mentioned the former was from the street. She, however didn’t think Sheggz was supposed to get involved in the ladies’ fight.

 

The Buzz is exclusive to Showmax, and new episodes drop on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7 pm WAT. Visit www.showmax.com or dial *447*2*2# from an MTN line to subscribe for Showmax mobile for as low as ₦1,200 to stay up to date on the drama from the BBNaija Level Up season.

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HealthLifestyle

Reducing The Risk of Clots During Pregnancy

by Women Times on

Having a baby is a special time in a woman’s life, a period that is meant to be filled with excitement and delight. However, bringing new life into the world is a delicate process and a level of caution is required to avert pregnancy-related conditions that can risk the lives of the expectant mother and her unborn baby.

Shockingly, Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all global maternal deaths. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum for a Nigerian woman is 1 in 22, compared to 1 in 4 900 in developed countries.

There are various factors that put pregnant women at risk for maternal deaths, with blood clotting – also referred to as venous thromboembolism, or VTE – one of the leading causes.

 “Expectant women are at risk of experiencing blood clots during the pregnancy, at childbirth, or up to three months after delivering their baby,” says Dr Helen Okoye, medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign. “And, while anyone can develop blood clots, they should be aware of the risks that are associated with this condition during pregnancy.”

 

Why does pregnancy pose a higher risk?

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are five times more likely to experience blood clots compared to women who are not pregnant. There are various reasons for this. During pregnancy, a woman’s estrogen levels are higher than normal, which increases the chance of developing a clot, and a pregnant woman’s blood contains higher levels of clotting proteins and lower levels of anti-clotting proteins

 – which is the body’s way of safeguarding against too much blood loss during childbirth.

 

Other clotting risk factors include the fact that blood vessels around the pelvis area are pressed upon by the growing baby, resulting in less blood flowing to the legs. This is a common phenomenon at the midpoint of a pregnancy, says Dr Okoye.

“Another key issue is restricted movement towards the end of the pregnancy, or if the mother has to undergo bed rest after delivery, especially if she has had a C-section. A C-section is a surgery that could cause some damage to blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of a blood clot,” she advises.

Know your medical history

If a pregnant woman has a personal or family history of blood clots or a blood clotting disorder, or any long-term medical condition such as hypertension, lupus, sickle cell disease, diabetes, or lung and heart-related ailments, she must highlight it with her doctor or midwife at the onset of the pregnancy, cautions Dr Okoye.

“Expectant women and new moms should do regular visits to their antenatal and postnatal clinic and be as open as possible with their obstetrician/gynecologist or midwife up until a few weeks after delivery. Raise any medical concerns – this way, the medical team will be able to address possible threats and reduce the risk of clotting. This is especially relevant for first-time moms, who may not know what to look out for.”

Be aware of these signs

The WTD campaign highlights the following warning signs:

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually the leg, groin, or arm, is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Signs to look out for include pain or tenderness, often starting in the calf, swelling on the ankle or thigh or the affected limb, redness or noticeable discoloration, and warmth around the affected area.

If part of that clot breaks free and travels to the lungs, it can block blood supply and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which may be fatal. Signs of a PE include unexplained shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain (which may be worse upon deep breaths), rapid heart rate, and light-headedness or passing out.

If a diagnosis is made, make sure you adhere to the recommendations and medications prescribed by the doctors to keep the situation under control.

Gain peace of mind

A mother-to-be must do everything possible to ensure that she has a safe and healthy pregnancy, delivery, and recovery period. Throughout this time, don’t be afraid to raise things that are bothering you, with your doctor. Before you go to a medical appointment, write down a list of any concerns that you have, and take the list with you.

“It’s easy to get so caught up in what is going on during a medical check-up that you could forget to address pertinent issues,” says Dr Okoye. “Don’t be afraid to speak up about things that are bothering you. Even if it seems like a small issue, it’s important that you have peace of mind, and stay safe, during your pregnancy,” she concludes.

In addition to medical care, there are several activities and exercises that can be done while pregnant to promote body fitness and mental wellness. For instance, take brisk walks in your neighbourhood or engage in a well-structured fitness plan designed by a qualified fitness instructor in consultation with your doctor, to keep you fit, healthy and feeling upbeat.

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SportLifestyle

Nwokocha Suspended Over Use of Prohibited Substances

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, a Nigerian sprinter who ran the anchor leg in Birmingham earlier in August beating England and Jamaica to win Gold medal has been Provisionally suspended by Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) over the use of banned substances.

It was made known on Saturday In a statement by the body on Twitter.

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Nigerian runner, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2),” The tweet read.

A provisional suspension means she is temporarily banned from competing until a final decision is made at a hearing that will be conducted under World Anti Doping Agency rules as the substances Ostarine and Ligandro found in her system are anabolic substances prohibited by WADA.

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LifestyleHealth

Love Binge-Watching TV? Watch Out, It’s A Habit That Could Harm You!

by Women Times on

If your weekends consist of you stretching out on the couch, a bowl of popcorn at one end and the TV remote at the other while you indulge in hours of TV, you may be putting yourself at serious risk, say health experts.

 

According to a new health study the consequences of sitting still and watching TV for long periods of time may increase your potential for forming blood clots. The study found that if you spend more than four hours a day watching TV, your chances of developing a fatal blood clot increase by more than 35% compared to those who watch for two and a half hours or less a day.

 

It’s the same kind of risk factor that affects people who are travelling on long-haul journeys, or are bedridden after surgery, and who are immobile for extended periods at a time. Keeping your body in a static, cramped state for hours at a time slows down your circulation and leads to blood pooling in your extremities, which increases the potential for forming venous thromboembolism (VTE), known more commonly as blood clots.

 

It doesn’t matter whether you’re fit, slim, and do exercise every day – marathon TV sessions are still a risky activity. According to the lead author of the study, Dr Setor Kunutsor of the University of Bristol, UK, the findings show that regardless of your gender, age, or body mass index (BMI), being inactive for long periods at a time is dangerous.

 

What you can do 

There are so many appealing shows to watch – like Big Brother on our screens right now, or the latest amazing Netflix series – that it’s unlikely that humans will stop binge watching anytime soon. If you know you’re going to be spending time glued to the TV, Dr Helen Okoye, medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign, gives the following advice to minimise your risk:

 

  • Take a break every hour to stand up and move around. A good tip is to drink lots of water regularly so that you have to get up to use the rest room even while watching your favourite show.

  • While you’re watching TV, tense and relax your leg muscles every now and then. Clots tend to start in the legs or pelvis, but can break free and travel through the bloodstream, lodging in small blood vessels in the lungs.

  • Invest in a stationary bike or a small rebounder trampoline and keep it in a corner of the sitting room. Make a pact with yourself that at least a portion of your TV time will be spent doing a light workout while you watch. You’ll have fun and feel like you’ve done something worthwhile at the same time!

  • Try not to snack while watching TV, and if you do, keep foods healthy – swap high-calorie fast-food for fruit, and sugary cool-drinks for water.

Studies have shown that spending time in front of the television is linked to an increased consumption of unhealthy snacks and drinks. Many of us know how indulgent it feels to munch on a packet of chips while watching our favourite series, but there is a good reason we enjoy it so much. Watching a programme that you like and eating food you enjoy both offer your brain hits of dopamine, the pleasure chemical – so it’s no wonder many of us have an eating-while-watching habit! Be aware though, an over-indulgence of unhealthy foods can lead to obesity and high blood pressure, both of which raise clotting risks.

 

Doing exercise doesn’t eliminate risk

Unfortunately, being fit and physically active during the day doesn’t offset the increased risk of blood clots associated with prolonged TV sessions. According to Dr Okoye, staying still in any position for a prolonged time is a risk factor for VTE.

 

“Even if you regularly engage in physical activity, when you’re sedentary for long stretches of time, blood pools in your extremities rather than circulating freely around your body, which can cause blood clots. If small parts of these blood clots break off, they can travel in the bloodstream to your lungs, and cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (PE),” she says.

 

Dr Okoye advises that whether it’s watching TV or spending hours at your desk, it’s a good idea to limit the time you spend sitting, and essential to intersperse it with movement to encourage good blood circulation.

Be aware of the risks
Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of the dangers of clotting, or what they can do to avoid it. It’s the reason why World Thrombosis Day is doing all it can to highlight thrombosis as an urgent and growing health problem. According to Dr Okoye, one in four people worldwide dies from conditions caused by thrombosis.

“The good news is that there are many lifestyle adjustments you can make to minimise your risk of getting a DVT, and also that DVTs are preventable and treatable if discovered early,” she says.

So, while sitting for a long time is a bad habit many of us have gotten into, it’s an easy one to break. Before you sit down on the couch to watch TV the next time, ask yourself what your intention is. Will it be a quick break, or are you going to indulge in a TV fest? If it’s the latter, set an alarm to remind you to take regular breaks, and definitely try to limit the overall amount of binge watching you do.

And, advises Dr Okoye, because children’s eating and TV watching habits are so often modelled on what their parents do, incorporating healthy TV-watching patterns is a smart habit for the whole family to adopt.

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