Sir: Smoking, consumption of alcohol and drug abuse is common in western countries in people of both genders. However, in our part of the world the ratio of men who are into these things is far more than females. The majority of women still try to stay away from smoking, drugs and alcohol, yet women here are still experiencing health issues. It is their sedentary lifestyle, erratic eating habits and lack of exercise that are to blame. I would like to throw some light upon the relationship between stress and declining health. Females, especially housewives, are literally holding a burning furnace of financial and social problems. Disturbed mental health culminates in disastrous physical health.
Women should be encouraged to engage in activities that help them relax their minds; they should have jobs, pursue their careers, make household handicrafts and go out on excursions with family and friends. If they find it difficult to cope with stress even after trying all these activities, they should not hesitate to consult psychologists or psychiatrists, which happens to be a very common practice in many foreign countries.
SHEHZAD HUSSAIN MUGHAL
Karachi