13 TRAITS OF CONFIDENT PEOPLE

Over the years we have always been told that confidence is key. It is the driving force that gives us an upper hand in many things, for example a job interview or when we have to give a public speech just to mention a few. It feels great when you are told you are confident, right? 

Lucky you if someone gives an honest opinion about your confidence. for those that no one gives a damn about our self esteem this is for you. To make you know if you are confident or you need to pull up your socks.

To begin with, what does it mean to be confident? Studies show that confident people share many of the same traits, even across cultures and industries. 

Some common traits of confident people include;

1. They are not afraid to be wrong

2. They are willing to take a stand, even if they end up being wrong

3. They value finding out what is right more than they value being right

4. They listen more than they speak

5. They do not seek the spotlight, and they share the spotlight with others

6. They ask for help when they need it

7. They think in possibilities, not obstacles – they ask “Why not?”

8. They don’t put others down

9. They aren’t afraid to look silly or foolish

10.They acknowledge their mistakes

11.They seek feedback from only those who matter

12. They accept compliments

13. They “walk their talk”

HYPERTENSION COULD BE THE NEW EPIDEMIC IN AFRICA

Non-communicable diseases like hypertension have always been regarded as a disease of the rich – but this has changed drastically in the last two decades. Numbers of high blood pressure patients are now higher in Africa than in Europe and USA, more alarming is that the disease is most common among Africa’s poorest.

In a recent exercise, Community Health Workers checked blood pressure of slum residents in their home. Out of over 4000 screened by door to door visits, about 1000 were found with raised blood pressure and were referred to receive treatment at Cardiovascular disease clinic set up by the SCALE UP project.

Hypertension is commonly known as having high blood pressure and it is the number one risk factor for strokes and heart attacks otherwise known as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), in Africa.

“CVDs have become one of the leading causes of death in Africa and the total numbers will further increase in the next decades reflecting on the growing urbanization and related lifestyle changes of Africans.” Says Dr. Samuel Oti, a lead researcher at African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).

Traditionally in Africa, communicable diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as maternal and nutritional illnesses, accounted for the greatest numbers of preventable deaths. However, this burden is shifting fast towards chronic non- communicable diseases, including CVDs.

According to Dr.Samuel this phenomenon is what is being termed as the “double burden of disease”. Whereas high blood pressure was almost non-existent in African societies in the first half of the twentieth century, estimates now show that in some settings in Africa, more than 40 percent of adults have hypertension.

The new epidemic of hypertension and CVD not only has an impact on the health of a nation – but has an economic impact as well. A significant proportion of the working age population can become chronically ill or die, leaving their families in poverty.

Like many other non-communicable diseases, hypertension is a silent killer that in general has no specific symptoms or physical complaints. It can only be detected by having one’s blood pressure measured on a regular basis.

“At this stage of the African epidemic of hypertension and CVD, the most important thing will be to raise awareness about the importance and urgency of knowing one’s blood pressure among the population, patients, doctors and policy makers.” Says Dr Isabella Aboderin a researcher in charge of aging at APHRC.

The medics further suggest the following strategies terming them as key in controlling the hypertension epidemic.

Prevention of CVDs through standardized guidelines for hypertension management in primary health care settings, this is much more effective in health and financial terms than treatment of complications in hospitals. Developing and sharing best practices for affordable and effective community based programs in screening and treatment of hypertension.

More so Africa needs policies developed and implemented through a multi-sectoral approach involving the Ministries of Health and other sectors including education, agriculture, transport, finance among others.

And in order to address and monitor this epidemic appropriately more research on prevalence of hypertension and risk factors needs to be done in different settings in the region.

The resource people in this article are senior researchers affiliated with the African Population and Health Research Center. Their research focuses on Non Communicable Diseases and Aging issues in Africa.

HOW TO TIGHTEN THE VAGINA AND KEEPING IT FREE FROM ODOR

BY: AUNT LIZ

Today I am talking to the ladies. Now that I have made it clear from the start let me clear the air and get down to business. Akhem!!! (throat cleared) oh! before i continue i must acknowledge the owner of this blog for the much begging he had do to convince me write this piece. I wonder why he wanted me to write on this topic, Dominick you have some explaining to do boy!! Anyway,that is beside the point let me not bore you more. I am used to talking than writing, wink!

Have you ever wondered once or twice or more, how tight your vagina was, or whether your vagina has a bad smell? If you're married or sexually active, you probably want to know how to take better care of your vagina. It will definitely be on your mind when you want to do the do or it's time for your partner to go 'down' not on our knees but to go ‘down’

First things first, For getting your vagina tight, I know Kegels are great and I practice them when I remember. By the way, am I the only one who gets aroused doing Kegel exercises?

So how is the Kegel exercises done? You ask. Well girl let’s take it easy before we get aroused here. Never mind my talk, lets get it done with.

It takes diligence to identify your pelvic floor muscles and learn how to contract and relax them. Those are the muscles that are vital in this exercises.  To identify your pelvic floor muscles, stop urination in midstream. If you succeed, you've got the right muscles.

 Once you've identified your pelvic floor muscles, empty your bladder and lie on your back. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for five seconds, and then relax for five seconds. Try it four or five times in a row. Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions.

 For best results, focus on tightening only your pelvic floor muscles. Be careful not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks. Avoid holding your breath. Instead, breathe freely during the exercises.

Repeat 3 times a day. Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day to get our Vagina Tight.

About how to keep away the bad vagina smells, bear in mind that all vaginas have their own natural smell, maybe I should say scent. That unique scent  can be an aphrodisiac for your partner, but when your vagina starts smelling too fishy, there's something fishy.

You need to get rid of that smell from the inside out, and from the outside in. Below are the top 10 tips to help you do that.

1. Eat a good quantity of citrus fruits like Oranges and Lemons

2. I don't know what Indian Gooseberry is but it's supposed to help for OK vaginal odor

3. Add fresh yoghurt to your diet

4. Garlic is your friend, as it helps keep away bacterial infections

5. Tea Tree Oil is mentioned too, I've never used it. I know it's great for hair too.

6. Drink lots of water, of course.

7. Use water every time you use a toilet, a wipe may be better than tissue paper.  Avoid using douches. Wash your vagina with unscented soap or simple feminine wash for the external area only.

8. Keep the vaginal area clean and dry also keep your pubic hair short.

9. Choose cotton underwears or those with cotton in the vagina area. Or go commando, that is, without undies at all.

10. During your period, change your sanitary pads or tampons frequently and use panty liners during your ovulation.

I would love to hear your own ideas of getting rid of vaginal odor. Please leave a comment below by clicking on links to this post.

HILARIOUS CARTOONS ON FIFA KICK BACKs SCANDAL

As the world comes to terms with the reigning of Sepp Blatter for the 5^th term at FIFA, everybody is in a off the pitch protest.

Now, to the surprise of absolutely no one who’s been paying even passing attention, FIFA — which  re-elected embattled prez Sepp Blatter — is newly embroiled in international scandal about as scaldingly hot as the surface temperature on Qatar.

Or, as a well-lunged futbol announcer might bellow now, over the Zurich arrest footage: “Stooooole!!!”

Amid the growing phalanx of Patakis and Santorums (Santori?) and Sanderses now filling out the presidential-race bingo card, sometimes the nation’s (and world’s) political cartoonists just need to take a one-day timeout and take out the red-carded (and perhaps caught red-handed), freshly indicted FIFA officials — who, the DOJ evidently contends, were more concerned with kickbacks than corner kicks, looking more at off-the-books than offsides, and were more focused on the greedy sales pitch than the green of the soccer pitch.

Ok, OK, we’ll stop with the tortured sports metaphors — but only because these cartoonists did it much better:

MICHELE AND JAMAL WIN PRESENTER SEASON 2

The much awaited winners of presenter season 2 are 25 year old Jamal Gaddafi  and Michele Ngele. 

Gaddfi clench the entertainment section beating his competitor Richard Onyango to emerge the winner in the Grand finale held at Standard media Mombasa road.

Michelle on the other hand  emerged the winner in KTN’s presenter season two in the News Editorial section.
Jamal Gaddafi , born in 1989 and grew up in Malindi is a Mass communication student at the Kenya Methodist university.

The KTN’s  presenter season begun on January 2015 with over 6,000 people presenting themselves for the auditions. Out of the 6,000, 21 were shortlisted out of which four made it to the grand finale; Richard Onyango, Jamal Gaddafi, Abullah Ahmed and Michelle Ngele.

TOBACCO CLAIMS 6 MILLION LIVES ANNUALY

As I stare at the smoke raising to the ceiling, I slowly move my focus to the person who has just exhaled it. He is bearly 20 years and it is not the first time he is taking a smoke, as a matter of fact he is a chain smoker. What will he become in the next ten years? Perhaps he will be a chimney or relic covered by six feet layer of soil. I am not wishing my friend an early death but he has earned it anyway.

Let me break it down to make you understand what I mean. Imagine losing a loved one after every six seconds. It can be your parents, children, or that person you want to exchange vows with at the altar and live happily ever after. It sounds impossible right? But that is the shocking reality when it comes to tobacco –linked diseases.

According to WHO almost 6 million people die from tobacco related diseases, this translates to one person in every six seconds. That’s forecast to rise to more than 8 million a year by 2030.  

Disturbing enough is that 80% of these preventable deaths occur among people living in low-and middle income countries. This has been attributed to illegal tobacco trade. The illicit dealing in tobacco has resulted to cheaper harmful products, primarily by avoiding government taxes through smuggling, illegal manufacturing and counterfeiting.

Cheaper tobacco has encourages younger tobacco users (who generally have lower incomes) and cuts government revenues, reducing the resources available for socioeconomic development, especially in low-income countries that depend heavily on consumption taxes. This money might otherwise be spent on the provision of public services, including health care.

As the world celebrates World No Tobacco Day WHO has urged member states to sign the “Protocol to Eliminate the illicit Trade in Tobacco Products”.

“The Protocol offers the world a unique legal instrument to counter and eventually eliminate a sophisticated criminal activity,” says Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “Fully implemented, it will replenish government revenues and allow more spending on health.”

The global adult tobacco survey indicates that 19.1 per cent of men and 4.5 per cent of women currently use tobacco in Kenya.

Overall, 41.3 per cent of current smokers started using tobacco aged 20-24 while 32.3 per cent started at age 17-19.

Health ministry estimates that non-communicable diseases contribute nearly 50 per cent of all admissions in public hospitals in Kenya.

So far, 8 countries have ratified the Protocol, short of the target of 40 needed for it to become international law.

However the Protocol requires a wide range of measures relating to the tobacco supply chain, including the licensing of imports, exports and manufacture of tobacco products; the establishment of tracking and tracing systems and the imposition of penal sanctions on those responsible for illicit trade. It would also criminalise illicit production and cross border smuggling.

“The Protocol faces overt and covert resistance from the tobacco industry,” says Dr Vera da Costa e Silva, Head of the WHO FCTC Secretariat. “Manufacturers know that once implemented, it will become much harder to hook young people and the poor into tobacco addiction.”

While publicly stating its support for action against the illicit trade, the tobacco industry’s behind closed doors behaviour has been very different. Internal industry documents released as a result of court cases demonstrate that the tobacco industry has actively fostered the illicit trade globally. It also works to block implementation of tobacco control measures, like tax increases and pictorial health warnings, by arguing they will fuel the illicit trade. This has resulted to a bigger population that is hooked to tobacco usage and a rainy season for the companies.

“Public health is engaged in a pitched battle against a ruthless industry,” says Dr Douglas Bettcher, Director of the WHO’s Department for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases. “On this World No Tobacco Day, WHO and its partners are showing the ends that the tobacco industry goes to in the search for profits, including on the black market, and by ensnaring new targets, including young children, to expand its deadly trade.”

Policy makers should recognize that the illicit tobacco trade exacerbates the global health epidemic and has serious security implications. Ratification of the Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products is a necessary step to combat these twin evils.