We would like to inform you that we are keeping a close eye on developments and are carefully following the policies and guidelines of the official authorities regarding the virus.

Did you recently visit one of the areas where Corona has been reported? Did you meet someone from one of these areas? And are you coughing or suffering from shortness of breath? Do not hesitate to call us. Definitely call us if and before you plan a visit: we can then take the appropriate measures in consultation with you.

It is always important to follow the standard measures that apply to all viruses that can cause the flu and colds:

Wash your hands regularly
Cough and sneeze in the inside of your elbow
Use paper tissues

The latest information about Corona in The Netherlands and about Dutch policies can be found on the websites below (some are only in Dutch).

https://www.rivm.nl/coronavirus/covid-19

https://www.nhg.org/veel-gestelde-vragen-over-het-coronavirus

https://www.ggd.amsterdam.nl/infectieziekten/infectieziekten/infectieziekten/nieuw-coronavirus/

We are very much aware that we must remain alert and uphold the hygiene standards that you are used to from us.

In 2018, the World Happiness Report ranked the Netherlands as the sixth happiest country in the world, citing as criteria for selection: income (GDP per capita), healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, absence of corruption and generosity. At the same time, numerous local and foreign researchers reported enormous increase in work related stress, anxiety and physical exhaustion. The term, known as burn-out, has become even more apparent lately, with figures showing that around 1 million people in the Netherlands suffer from burn-out related symptoms, topping another list, this time for most burn-out related complaints in Europe. Numerous Amsterdam healthcare professionals are talking more than ever about the long lasting effect stress related illnesses can have on our body, but in order to deal with it, you need to recognize it.

How To Recognize Burn-out?

Whether you’re working in Amsterdam healthcare as a doctor, as a teacher, vendor or driver, you can suffer from burn-out related issues. This implies a state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by one’s professional life. Once it becomes a regular condition, it can become a serious threat to one’s general health, and infect happiness, efficiency and even reflect their personal lives. Reasons that can cause this feeling of burn out are numerous, but some of the most common ones usually include professional tasks or goals that are difficult to reach or impossible, low levels of control at work, even mobbing and bad relationship with coworkers. Therefore, in order to deal with this issue that has, in the last couple of years, become one of the most prevailing when it comes to work health and work culture, modern health centers suggest to first recognize them and then ask for professional help with a trustworthy doctor.

Industries Most Affected By Burn-out

Research shows burn-out is especially common in the fast-paced, competitive environment of the tech industry, but many other industries are at the highest risk of it as well. CBS’ 2015 report singled out six sectors, with the educational sector taking the lead, while others including industry, business, ICT, financial and public administration. However, doctors are not protected from it either. In fact, many modern general practice professionals are well acquainted with the term “burnout among doctors”. First described in 1974, the work-related syndrome has quickly become a household term among colleagues. Today, it seems like more Amsterdam and Dutch health care professionals are suffering from it.

How Can You Help Yourself?

After we established that burn-out can happen to anyone and at any workplace, it’s time to look into several suggestions and advices anyone can do to help themselves at work and their employees. Start by recognizing there is a problem and then think about the ideal conditions you would need in your workplace and then start creating them. Think about non-work activities and, if none of this turns out to be useful, you might consider talking to your colleagues, bosses and, finally, find a trustworthy medical clinic and ask for professional help.

As the summer season has ended, the possibilities of getting the flu rise. Although the seasonal influenza (flu) can be detected throughout the whole year, the danger of the flu viruses is the highest during the fall and winter. Changing weather conditions and seasons cause enormous dryness and low humidity, which allows the virus to spread more efficiently. Although in most cases not life-threatening, the flu can be very persistent and tiring to the body, sticking you to the bed for days. However, if you already caught the virus and before you visit the nearest modern general practice and see your trustworthy doctor, here are some tips on how you can help your body deal with it in the fastest way possible.

Make Sure to Recognize It

In order to treat it properly, we must understand that the flu is very easily mistaken for the common cold, although the differences are many. Both flu and the common cold are respiratory illnesses, although caused by different viruses. However, the flu in most cases includes fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). On the other hand, typical symptoms of a cold are usually milder and take longer to develop.

How to Deal With Symptoms

One of the most important things you can do for yourself when you have the flu is to allow your body to rest and heal, fight off the infection and boost your immune system back to its previous condition. This assumes you need to stay hydrated with water and tea, healthy soups and stew that will keep your energy level high. However, even if you decided to rest and stay in bed until the symptoms are over, you also need to make sure you are in a healthy environment. If you are a smoker, stop it immediately, and if your friends smoke, kindly ask them not to smoke in front of you. Being around noxious chemicals in cigarettes will only worsen your respiratory symptoms and prolong the treatment. Another common mistake many patients make is try to ignore the symptoms, hoping they will go away. Going to work while in pain and feeling sick will not help your immune system nor your colleagues and it will, in fact, only prolong the process of healing. Most importantly, this way you are putting yourself at risk for longer-lasting and possibly even more severe symptoms. Do the symptoms persevere, don’t hesitate to visit your general practitioner.

Visit the Closest Trustworthy Medical Clinic

If you’re visiting the Netherlands and happen to feel sick and recognize some or maybe all of these symptoms, be sure to find the closest medical clinic in Amsterdam or a recommended specialized healthcare professional for tourists. After finding a trustworthy doctor, you are already one step ahead of getting back to your feet and battling the flu.

Everyone knows there is no manual on how to live long and stay healthy, especially in this day and age but, no matter your birth place, eating habits or genetics, all healthcare experts around the world agree that physical activity is one of the crucial preconditions for a quality life. But if it’s that simple and the key to long life and happiness is right in front of us, why aren’t we doing anything about it? The simple answer and probably the most honest one is that we are lazy. When you have to balance work, family, stress and free time, the last thing you want at the end of an exhausting day is to suffer even more. But, what if we go back to the definition of exercise and rethink it again?

Do I Need the Gym to Exercise?

As any trustworthy medical clinic and professionals at any modern health center will tell you, we define exercise as any movement that makes your muscles work and requires your body to burn calories. This implies that there are varieties of physical activities that can help you burn calories, keep your body fit and feel better. For those who find going to the gym exhausting and not their cup of tea, think about swimming, running, jogging, walking or dancing. In fact, start with baby steps – instead of using the elevator, use stairs and when you’re not in a hurry, replace your car with a bike. For frequent travelers who still want to keep fit but have no time to hit the gym, there are plenty of doctors in Amsterdam for tourists who can provide you with simple advices and suggestions.

Benefits Are Endless

If you still think that exercising is hard, make sure to remember all the benefits of having a physically active life. Among many advantages, regular exercise is proven to improve your mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety and stress. Additionally, exercise can increase the amount of endorphins in your body, triggering positive feelings and reducing the perception of pain. Modern general practices all over the world, as well as the trustworthy medical services of Amsterdam see exercising as one of the essential factors in helping weight loss. The sooner you start exercising, the better; your body will thank you later in life. Among numerous benefits regular exercising can do for you, probably the most important one is regarding its effect on reducing your risk of chronic diseases. In fact, regular physical activity is proven to improve insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular fitness and body composition, while decreasing blood pressure and blood fat levels. It also helps your skin, brain health, memory, quality of sleep and overall health.

As you can see, benefits of regular exercising are endless. On top of that, exercising is probably one of the not-so-many things in life that have almost no disadvantages (if approached correctly), which leaves us to only one question – what are you waiting for? Start exercising today and do yourself and your body a favor, it will be forever grateful.