World Stroke Day 2024, celebrated today, October 29, serves as a global reminder of the pressing need to combat stroke—a silent yet severe health issue that stands as the second leading cause of death in India. Strokes occur suddenly, often with little warning, as a result of blocked arteries impeding blood flow to the brain or vessel ruptures causing brain hemorrhage. Symptoms can be life-altering, from weakness and slurred speech to paralysis and, in severe cases, death. Beyond the physical toll, strokes place a heavy emotional and logistical burden on families and caregivers. 

In the fast-paced modern workplace, organizations play a crucial role in stroke prevention. As Dr. Vikram Vora, Medical Director at International SOS, states, “In modern workplaces, where long hours of sitting and high-stress environments have become the norm, companies have a critical role to play in reducing stroke risk among employees.” He emphasizes that “creating a supportive office culture that promotes physical activity, stress management, and healthy lifestyle choices can significantly contribute to stroke prevention.” 

To foster a healthier workplace environment, companies can initiate wellness programs that encourage exercise, provide nutritious food options, and increase awareness about stroke risks such as high blood pressure and stress. “Flexibility in work schedules and fostering a work-life balance can also reduce stress, which is a key factor in both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health,” Dr. Vora adds. By embracing these strategies, companies not only enhance employees’ health but also see improvements in productivity and job satisfaction. 

Stroke Prevention in India: Key Factors and Awareness 

In India, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are especially concerning due to common risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. These health challenges are prevalent, particularly in urban settings where sedentary lifestyles and job stress are widespread. Stroke awareness remains relatively low, despite its significant impact on individuals and families. 

World Stroke Day is an opportunity to spread awareness and promote lifestyle changes that reduce stroke risk. Simple adjustments such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and blood pressure management can go a long way in prevention. By encouraging a better understanding of stroke and its risk factors, World Stroke Day reminds us all of the importance of proactive health measures and wellness support in every aspect of life—from workplaces to communities. 

Imagine going outside to begin your day and feeling the cool, smooth grass beneath your feet. Most of us have had this simple pleasure at some point, but did you know that it can really have positive effects on your health? Going for a barefoot stroll on grass, sometimes referred to as “earthing” or “grounding,” has several health benefits that can improve your body and mind along with to being a relaxing experience.It might be surprising for us to learn that this natural practice has many health benefits, ranging from improving your mood to helping with your sleep. Here are several unexpected ways that developing this habit into a regular ritual can be the best decision for your health.

Reduces stress and anxiety

The relaxing properties of walking barefoot on grass are among its most amazing advantages. It activates particular pressure points on the feet that are linked to different sections of the body. This automatically helps lower stress and anxiety levels. We practice a natural type of acupressure when we walk on grass; this helps to regulate our nervous system and lowers the release of stress hormones like cortisol. This experience is made more enjoyable by the natural surroundings, peaceful greenery, and fresh air, which makes it an excellent way to start the day with clarity.

Better and improved sleep quality

Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? Grounding could be the solution. Walking barefoot on grass allows the body to absorb the Earth’s natural electrons, which help to regulate the circadian rhythm. This rhythmic connection with the Earth’s electrical field can positively influence the production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for controlling your sleep-wake cycle.

Enhances mood and improves emotional balance

Feeling a bit down? The benefits of being in nature are very well known to us, and walking barefoot on grass takes it a step further. The sensory experience of touching the earth directly with your feet can help release endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. These endorphins help to elevate your mood, promote feelings of happiness, and even alleviate symptoms of mild depression. When you walk barefoot on grass, you’re naturally inclined to focus on the present moment, grounding yourself both literally and figuratively. This can be a powerful tool for coping with everyday stress and emotional turbulence.

Better immune system

Did you know that grounding may help support a healthy immune system? Walking barefoot on grass exposes your body to the Earth’s electrons, which have been found to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is often the root cause of many chronic illnesses, including autoimmune conditions and cardiovascular diseases. This way grounding can help your immune system function more effectively, potentially lowering the risk of infections and chronic health issues.

Helps improve blood circulation

Walking barefoot on grass can greatly improve blood flow throughout the body. The soft, uneven surface of the grass provides a natural foot massage, which stimulates circulation in the feet and lower extremities. This increased circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and organs, promoting overall vitality and energy. Enhanced blood flow is especially beneficial for individuals with sedentary lifestyles or those who experience poor circulation.

Benefits to the heart

Unexpectedly, there may be a cardiovascular advantage to this simple exercise. Grounding may improve cardiovascular health by lowering stress and inflammation along with improving blood circulation. Grounding may help reduce the risk of heart disease because it reduces inflammation and chronic stress, two important risk factors. Although it shouldn’t be used in place of medical advice or treatments, this is a healthy practice that can help promote heart heath in general.

Helps maintain a healthy posture

Your lower leg and foot muscles will become more active and stronger when you walk barefoot over uneven terrain, such as grass. In contrast to smooth interior surfaces, grass tests one’s balance and strength, encouraging you to correct your posture while walking. This improves the general body alignment and builds muscle in the area surrounding your ankles. Grounding can help people with back pain and bad posture by releasing tension in their spine and encouraging a more natural walk.

Balances energy levels and reduces tiredness

Grounding can act as a natural energy booster. Our modern lifestyles often expose us to electronic devices and synthetic materials that may disrupt our body’s natural energy flow. Walking barefoot on grass allows the absorption of free electrons from the Earth, which can help to rebalance our energy levels and reduce fatigue. Many people report feeling more energized and alert after spending time grounding outdoors.

Tips for walking barefoot on grass

Canberra: Australian research has found a link between snoring and elevated blood pressure. 

According to the study, which was conducted by sleep scientists from Flinders University in South Australia, people who regularly snore at night are more likely to have elevated blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hypertension occurs when the pressure in a person’s blood vessels is too high. It can cause serious damage to the heart and lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and heart disease.

Blood pressure is recorded in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) as two numbers such as 120/80. The first number – the systolic blood pressure – measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps out blood and the second – diastolic blood pressure – is the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat.

The study found that 15 per cent of 12,287 participants snored for more than 20 per cent of the night on average over a six-month monitoring period and that those with high snoring levels had a 3.8 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure and 4.5 mmHg higher diastolic blood pressure than participants who did not snore.

The Flinders University study was the first to use multiple night home-based monitoring technologies over a prolonged period to investigate the link between snoring and hypertension. Participants in the study were middle-aged and 88 percent were male.

“For the first time, we can objectively say that there is a significant connection between regular nighttime snoring and high blood pressure,” Bastien Lechat, lead author of the research from the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, said in a media release on Wednesday.

“These results emphasise the significance of considering snoring as a factor in healthcare and treatment for sleep-related issues, especially in the context of managing hypertension.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension and that 46 per cent of adults with hypertension are unaware they have the condition.