Although the United States is a
developed country with excellent health and
sanitary standards, the changes in
lifestyle, climate, and eating habits can
have an impact upon the health of a person
who just arrived here. We believe that, with
a little common sense, you can avoid health
problems in your new living environment.
A recent trend has lot of people in the
United States trying to adapt healthier
eating and active exercise habits. They try
to avoid fried foods, sweets, and high
cholesterol, high fat diets. Instead, they
are eating more vegetables, leaner meats and
seafood, and watching their salt and fat
intake. Regular exercise, whether mild
walking, a round of golf, or strenuous
cross-country training, is a regular part of
some American's daily routine. Some general
guidelines to keep in mind:
- Do not
make sudden, dramatic changes in your diet.
Attempt to maintain a regular eating
routine, much as you have in your own
country. As time goes by, you can
incorporate American and other international
foods into your diet.
- If your culture does not use heavily
spiced foods, stay away from spicy Mexican,
Thai, and Indian cuisine. Try these foods in
small amounts and make sure that your body
is comfortable in digesting them.
- Water is potable throughout the United
States. Nevertheless, some areas are served
by wells, and other areas have water
supplements such as chlorine or fluoride. If
you find the water in your locality
distasteful, you may either purchase a water
filter or purchase bottled water at the
grocery store.
- If you are moving to a new climate - for
example, from Colombia to Michigan - make
sure that your wardrobe and dress habits are
consistent with your new environment. Avoid
sudden changes in temperature and use layers
of clothing to stay warm; that way, you can
add or remove layers as necessary.
In addition to staying physically fit, your mental health is something which merits close attention. You are in a new country, with new friends, in a new job. You are eating new foods, watching new television programs and shopping in new stores. Virtually everything around you is a new stimulus and different people react in different ways to such stimulation. Most young professionals enjoy the change and do everything they can to experience as much of American culture as possible. Occasionally, however, "homesickness" sets in and the new immigrant finds himself or herself longing for home. In order to preserve cultural identity and a sense of community, remember to:
- Write and call home regularly; send them small gift packages showing them photos, what you are eating, where you have visited, etc.
- Join local community organizations, churches, where others sharing your culture meet and gather. (The United States is very popular for international professionals and you can find a peer group virtually anywhere.)
Staying healthy in the United States is easy if you eat sensibly, exercise, and maintain a healthy perspective on both your newfound lifestyle and your personal cultural background.
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