Dr. Punam Krishan has also advised individuals suffering from nausea and headaches to seek medical attention, stating, "It's important to get checked."
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Dr. Punam Krishan, the resident doctor on BBC's Morning Live and a full-time NHS GP, has spoken about her incredible experience on Strictly Come Dancing, revealing it was the best thing she's ever done for her health and fitness. "It's been the best fitness journey of my life, hands down," she enthused.
She confessed to feeling nervous at first, but soon discovered that the rigorous physical training and dancing were invigorating, enhancing her muscle tone and energy. "Plus, there's the mental health benefit too - dancing provides a sense of mental fitness that fills you with happiness. Overall, I believe this has been the most beneficial choice I've made for my health and fitness throughout my life."
Her family, comprising her 11-year-old son Aarish and four-year-old daughter Ellora, was overjoyed by her involvement. Dr. Krishan revealed that her son had always dreamed of seeing her on the show, which made the experience even more meaningful.
"My son and I have shared a love for watching Strictly throughout the years. He often said, 'I can picture you doing that someday, mum,' and I would just chuckle at his enthusiasm. However, the sheer joy on his face when I announced that I would be participating in Strictly was truly incredible. It felt like, for those few months, this wasn't just my adventure; our entire family experienced it together, and they cherished every moment."
Dr. Krishan, aged 41, became the fifth participant to exit the competition in late October, but she expressed her excitement over blind comedian Chris McCausland winning the trophy. "I formed a strong bond with Chris throughout our time on Strictly," she reveals.
"He's an incredibly authentic person, a truly wonderful man. I believe his contributions through dance have motivated countless individuals to realize that with determination, anything is achievable and nothing is out of reach. I'm absolutely thrilled; he truly earned this victory."
Dr. Krishan, married to Scottish Conservative MSP Sandesh Gulhane, has utilized her experience on Strictly to boost her fitness levels. In addition to participating in the Couch to 5k challenge, she also attends weekly jazz heels dance classes. "It's truly the motivation I've been looking for," she shares. "As a full-time GP and mother of two young kids, my time is limited—though I’ve often used that as an excuse over the past ten years to avoid fitting gym sessions into my schedule."
"Initially, I felt a bit nervous and uncertain about how I would manage, but the training turned out to be incredibly physical and the dancing was exhilarating. I'm in better shape than I've ever been, and I've gained so much more energy as a consequence."
However, being an energetic individual, participating in Strictly has truly inspired me. It has instilled a desire to stay active, as it significantly enhances my self-esteem. I notice I have more vitality, and I'm intentionally carving out time for exercise, realizing that I actually have the capacity to do so.
She highlights the compelling evidence that demonstrates how any type of physical activity can positively impact mental health. She remarks, "In today's world, we all lead such busy lives, with our packed schedules demanding our attention constantly. We're always on alert, and the accumulation of small stressors can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and being overwhelmed, potentially resulting in burnout."
She emphasizes that physical activity is essential for offsetting the cortisol produced by everyday stress. In addition to dancing and running, Krishan loves taking long strolls with her dog while tuning into inspiring podcasts. She strongly advocates for mental health, stating, "I truly believe that safeguarding your mental well-being is the most vital thing you can do; when that's stable, everything else falls into place. Your choices stem from a place of positive mental health, and achieving that isn't simple. It's a challenge we all need to tackle - I'm no exception to that."
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In order to preserve her mental health and maintain equilibrium, Dr. Krishan makes it a point to keep her weekends reserved for family activities and personal rejuvenation, even though she acknowledges that her weekdays are "completely hectic with work - my life is extremely busy." Yet, amid her demanding responsibilities as a devoted physician, she consistently emphasizes the importance of disseminating crucial public health information.
She is presently supporting a new initiative by the Gas Safe Register known as the Check Your CO-ld campaign. This campaign seeks to raise awareness about how to differentiate between the symptoms of a common cold and those that may signal a serious risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Recent research conducted by the Gas Safe Register for this campaign reveals that merely 27% of people in the UK are aware that symptoms like headaches, breathlessness, and fatigue can indicate CO exposure, which are often mistaken for normal cold symptoms.
Surprisingly, over 54% of respondents incorrectly associate a stuffy nose and fever with carbon monoxide poisoning, even though these symptoms are rarely linked to exposure to this dangerous gas. Dr. Krishan emphasizes, "During this season, we often see numerous cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially among the elderly, who may not recognize the warning signs. With the prevalence of flu, viruses, and colds at this time, the symptoms can easily be confused with those of carbon monoxide poisoning."
She emphasises the importance of attention if multiple members of a household exhibit worsening symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue, especially if these improve with fresh air exposure, urging that it is essential to have them checked. Dr. Punam Krishan, teaming up with Gas Safe Register, is advocating for public awareness about the stark contrasts between symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and common colds.
She expresses: "My goal is to raise awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning, including how to identify its signs and symptoms, as well as ways to prevent it altogether. In today's world, there's no reason for anyone to suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning."
