Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 9: An informative health talk 'Exploring the mysteries of growing up' was organised for the students of class 4 & 5 on Jan 7 in the Lourdes Central School conference hall, to promote awareness about health, hygiene and wellbeing particularly to cope up the changes, which the students face during the phase of adolescence.

The resource person was Dr Mariam Anjum Ifthikar, gynaec oncologist, lab laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, Yenepoya Hospital.

The resource person in her session highlighted:

• The basics of personal hygiene,

• The significant role of balanced, nutritional diet, healthy eating habits and staying hydrated,

• Physical exercises to promote overall health and wellbeing,

• The changes both boys and girls undergo as they approach puberty and how to manage them,

• Tips to handle both physical and emotional changes,

• Controlling one’s thoughts and actions and accepting the changes in a positive way,

• Not to over think, instead share your thoughts and feelings with parents, siblings and teachers,

• To sleep and rest to manage stress,

• To learn what not to be done,

• And most importantly to respect all the friends, irrespective of changes in their body.

She also threw light upon the good touch and bad touch, tips to manage menstrual cycles in girls and negative impact of junk food. Story of lotus which was narrated by her at the end of the session was the cherry on the cake. The talk ended with the question and answer session where she answered the questions asked by the students on vaccines, whom to approach if there are some medical issues, anaemia etc. She engaged the students in an informative, friendly and engaging manner.

This event successfully fostered a greater understanding of personal wellbeing among young minds, empowering them to make informed choices for a healthy future.