Health and Sexuality

BABY TALK

SEXUAL SENSE

HEALTH GURU

SEXUAL SENSE.

with Onika Henry B.A, M.Ed. To Do or Not To Do: Making Sexual Decisions

Have you been enjoying the festivity and revelry from Carnival to present: the parties, the eating, and the drinking? The events of Easter, Tobago Jazz festival, and before you know it, we will be into the Heritage and beach-party time. Whichever way you swing, there is highlighted and heightened sensuality and sexuality, and an increased possibility of the presence of erotic energy at festivals and parties. Have you ever thought about how this influences your sexual choices? Where you stand when it comes to engaging in bodily pleasures and sexual-decision-making? How do you decide to engage, or not, in sexual activity? Do you ever compromise your standards and boundaries? Have you ever even clearly defined what your standards and boundaries are? If not, better late than never. There are real ways to empower you to make better sexual health decisions and therefore, decrease your risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Let me share with you, some of the things you can do, to achieve just that.

In an atmosphere that swamps and surrounds you with various messages about sex and sexuality - some may be positive and empowering, others are derogatory, shaming or misleading - here are some tips on how you can safeguard your health and have peace of mind about your sexual decisions:

1. Get Accurate Information Find out all the options available to you for safer sex to protect you from Infections and to prevent unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. Latex condoms are easy to get and can help you do both. If you are allergic to latex, get non-latex or polyurethane male condoms, or use female condoms instead. NOTE: Condoms do not protect you from all STIs (e.g. like those obtained through skin to skin contact like herpes and genital warts), so you still need to be careful. For women, there is the ‘morning after pill which works well to prevent pregnancy if you have had unprotected sex, once you have not already ovulated, which leads to another issue - your awareness of how your menstrual cycle works and how pregnancy happens. Ovulation can take place anywhere from the 12th to 16th day of your cycle and sperm can live for up to 4 to 7 days in the female’s body. Be informed!

2. Connect Your Brain With Your Body You know very well that sexual arousal and desire can make you do things you didn't really intend on doing (and with someone you really wouldn't under normal circumstances). So recognise and understand how your desires and fantasies can get triggered and avoid or reduce those triggers. Make concrete and real plans to keep you from falling into temptation. We all know sex can get in the way of thinking smart.

3. Talk To Your Partner In any sexually charged environment, how do you and your partner deal with sexual situations or challenges, if you are not in each other’s company?

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Onika Henry M.Ed. Human SexualityTOBAGO-BASED SEX EDUCATOR AND SEX COACH:

Is there trust and freedom of movement? Do you know what each other expects and wants? Talk to each other and then try to establish some guidelines together.

4. Consent This is a big one. “It is not consent, if you make someone afraid, ashamed or feel guilty about saying no.” When you hear "no", do you think "maybe"? Think about your own assumptions about sexual activity and availability. How do you know if your partner/date is interested in engaging in sexual activity? ASK and BE CLEAR about the responses. Also recognise that everyone, involved, has the right to change their minds.

5. Stay Sober You’ve heard this over and over. And it will never change. Various drugs Impair decision making skills as well as physical control over one’s body. Do not make yourself vulnerable if you are unsure of your partner/date. You cannot follow through with your plans for sexual health and safety if you are intoxicated or high.

6. Explore Your Sexual Feelings Fully. Who are you attracted to and why? Is it lust, or deeper and more complex? How strong are your desires? Do you want to take a risk with this person, especially if neither of you are aware of each other’s sexual history?

7. Get Creative Go beyond penetrative sex and explore other ways to be intimate and sensual with someone. There is mutual masturbation for example, and other techniques that do not involve the exchange of body fluids.

While there are no guarantees in life, these tips can help to reduce the chance of making unhealthy and unwise decisions. Whether in or out of Carnival season and other festivities, applying this knowledge and practicing these skills are critical to achieving better sexual health. Have a (safer) sexy time!

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Contact: (868)-381-3049 Email:ohenrybusiness@gmail.com www.onikahenry.com

CONSULTS. DESIGNS PRESENTATIONS.PROVIDES WORKSHOPS, TRAINING

AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING, TO ADDRESS SEXUAL

HEALTH CONCERNS.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN: Siblings actually mature quickly during this period of time when a new baby comes. You can help your child adjust to the new baby by including them in as much as possible before and after the baby’s birth.

SOME WAYS YOU CAN DO THIS ARE:

• Encourage them to talk about their feelings towards the baby

• Let them “help” in care of the baby

• Having small wrapped presents to give to the older child when people bring presents for the baby.

• Lots of time for supervised interactions with the baby

• Making sure to spend some time each day with the sibling

BABY TALK with Marissa A. Callender MSN, CNM

SIBLING ADJUSTMENT

Your new baby’s siblings will need attention too. The older brother or sister may try to imitate the things that the baby does in order to get attention from mom or dad.

SOME BEHAVIORS YOU MIGHT SEE FROM SIBLINGS:

• Increased pacifier use

• Toileting accidents or bedwetting

• Being more “clingy” to mom

• Being aggressive to the newborn

• Having nightmares

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Runnemede, Tobago. (868)-685-2660

HEALTH GURU.

with Kenya Gale, B.S.P.H. Why turmeric should be included in your daily diet.

Do you often have complications with joint pain, high cholesterol, menstrual pain or acne flare-ups? There are various pharmaceutical medications on the market for the ailments previously mentioned. However, the toxicity and side effects of these medications will most likely negatively affect our bodies in the future. Fortunately, nature provides us with various items, such as Turmeric, to alleviate physical ailments that occur. Turmeric, Curcuma longa, is a plant or root that originates in Southeastern Asia, and was traditionally used in

Ayurvedic healing and natural medicine.

Curcumin is an essential, active ingredient found in the turmeric plant. Curcumin, an antioxidant, contains anti-inflammatory properties, which also aids in destroying mutated cancer cells. Vitamin C and magnesium are additionally found in the turmeric plant. The bloodstream’s ability to retain curcumin is especially low; therefore, Ayurvedic healers recommend certain consumption methods of turmeric. Black pepper contains piperine, which aids in the absorption of curcumin. Pairing black pepper and turmeric is recommended in order to receive the full benefits found in this healing plant. More ailments Turmeric may be used for include: *Cohn's disease *Weight Loss *Ulcerative colitis *Bypass surgery *Hemorrhage *Diarrhea *Gallbladder disorders *Loss of appetite *Stomach ulcers, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) *Diabetes *Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection *Bacterial infections *Brain health *Depression *Alzheimer’s disease *Liver damage

Primarily, it is best to introduce turmeric to your diet in small amounts. Turmeric is a potent plant and can have strong effects if used incorrectly. Pregnant women can use turmeric; however, it is best to use moderately. Consult your doctor if you plan on consuming more than a small amount of turmeric daily. Turmeric has a bitter taste and many individuals find it difficult to incorporate it into their daily diet and lifestyle. However, there are countless ways to ensure daily consumption and use of turmeric.

SIX SIMPLE WAYS TO INCORPORATE TURMERIC USE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE.

Turmeric Tea: Boil 1 cup of water. Stir in ¼ teaspoon of ground/grated turmeric and ¾ teaspoon of ground/grated ginger. Simmer for 10 minutes and strain. Add honey to sweeten.

Curry Powder: Stir ingredients of 8 parts ground coriander, 4 parts ground cumin and 1 part of turmeric and cayenne pepper or paprika.

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