Embrace gradual sustainable lifestyle changes – Prof Kyei
Story : Abdulai SAAKA Accra
As the new year approaches, Director of Research at the University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC), Prof. George Boateng Kyei, is urging the public to embrace gradual and sustainable lifestyle changes for improved health and wellness.
Speaking on the inaugural episode of Zed Wellness Link on Zed 101.9FM, hosted by Dr. Paddy Ayitey, Prof. Kyei highlighted the challenges associated with overly ambitious health resolutions and proposed a more practical approach to achieving long-term wellness.
Defining lifestyle as “the habits and routines we practice daily,” Prof. Kyei explained that wellness involves creating positive habits that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. He stressed that activities like brushing teeth or getting dressed are routine behaviours that can be paralleled with wellness habits.
To achieve physical wellness, Prof. Kyei emphasized the importance of movement and exercise, cautioning against overly ambitious resolutions that are difficult to maintain.
“A lot of people sign up for gym memberships as part of their New Year’s resolutions, but by the end of January, many give up because their approach is too aggressive and doesn’t fit into their lifestyle,” he observed.
Prof. Kyei also offered practical advice for making wellness a sustainable part of daily life. For individuals struggling to commit to gym routines, he suggested alternative strategies like incorporating short walks during lunch breaks at work or engaging in other manageable activities.
“Instead of sitting in your office during lunchtime, you can take a 20- or 30-minute walk,” he advised.
By embedding wellness habits into existing routines, individuals can achieve lasting health improvements without the burden of drastic changes. Prof. Kyei’s insights serve as a timely reminder that gradual, consistent efforts are key to sustaining wellness, particularly as many prepare to set health-focused goals for the coming year.
