Dejene Kassa is a dedicated Yoga Therapist who works at New Life Drug Rehabilitation Center and Bright Hills Rehabilitation Center. He passionately volunteers his services to help numerous youths break free from their bad habits. In addition to his work as a Yoga Therapist, Dejene also teaches Information Communication Technology (ICT) at Asko Secondary School.
Dejene emphasized the importance of cultivating a healthy generation and has been actively involved in providing various life coaching trainings to youths in youth centers, rehabilitation centers, and schools. His goal is to empower young individuals to lead active lives without being consumed by addictive behaviors. He often incorporates Yoga and kickboxing training to help youths overcome their deep-rooted addictions and psychosocial traumas.
He strongly believes that in order for youths to succeed in their future endeavors, they must possess a well-rounded set of skills. Merely excelling academically is not sufficient for achieving success in life, according to Dejene. Therefore, he has cultivated the habit of reading various philosophical, religious, psychological, scientific, and other books beyond his academic curriculum. Additionally, he engages in various physical exercises to enhance his physical fitness.
Dejene emphasizes the parallel importance of mental well-being and physical fitness. He firmly believes that one cannot achieve true health without being both mentally and physically active. Therefore, he encourages youths to recognize the significance of staying active and safeguarding themselves from bad habits.
“I have trained myself to be multidisciplinary,” Dejene says. “I graduated with a degree in IT from Wollo University and teach youths how to utilize technology properly to improve their future. I have also learned Taekwondo, kickboxing, and Yoga to maintain physical fitness. I had the opportunity to attend a one-month-long Yoga training in India and received certification as a trainer.”
Dejene has provided life-skill and Yoga trainings to over 100 youths in Arada Sub-city, youth centers, and youth rehabilitation centers. Through his efforts, he helps young individuals make wise decisions regarding their education.
It is evident that many youths face exposure to bad habits during their early lives, often due to peer pressure. In light of this, Dejene emphasizes the importance of access to mentors and coaches who can provide guidance and advice to youths.
Moreover, it is highly recommended for youths to actively engage in various volunteer services as a means to protect themselves from falling into bad habits. By participating in volunteering activities, young individuals can develop a sense of responsibility and effectively fulfill their duties.
At present, the prevalence of bad habits among youths poses a significant challenge to their success in life. It is crucial for young people to be mindful of their habits and the company they keep.
Several factors contribute to the vulnerability of youths to bad habits, including the pursuit of happiness, fear of facing challenges, feelings of loneliness, peer pressure, and a lack of direction or dreams. These factors can greatly influence their inclination towards engaging in negative behaviors.
Different psychiatrists have emphasized that understanding why people become addicted requires a comprehensive examination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Biologically, addiction can be linked to the brain’s reward system. Certain substances such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, and excessive internet use can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This pleasurable sensation reinforces the behavior, leading individuals to seek it repeatedly and eventually leading to addiction.
Psychologically, individuals may turn to addiction as a means of coping with emotional or psychological distress. Substance abuse or engaging in addictive behaviors can temporarily alleviate feelings of distress, anxiety, depression, or loneliness.
Social factors also play a significant role in addiction. Peer pressure, societal norms, and environmental influences can contribute to the development of addictive behaviors.
In this case, youths should understand that it is possible to find happiness naturally. There are various yoga therapies that help counter stress.
According to Dejene, addiction affects an individual’s brain disorder, cognition, and overall well-being. Misuse of substances such as alcohol, stimulants, tobacco, or other illicit drugs is a clear sign of addiction.
He elaborated that individuals who are exposed to bad addicts are advised to undergo rehabilitation therapies such as yoga. According to him, yoga can have a positive impact on cancer recovery by reducing stress, improving physical function, managing side effects, and fostering a sense of community.
Thus, incorporating yoga and other physical exercises into daily life immensely contributes to the overall well-being and quality of life for individuals on their journey of recovery from bad habits.
He further highlighted that meditation can be a valuable tool in the process of drug recovery, offering individuals a way to cultivate inner peace, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.
One of the primary benefits of meditation in drug recovery is its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. It helps individuals build emotional resilience by providing space to explore and process their emotions in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner.
Moreover, leading a healthy life will have a significant contribution to cultivating more productive, responsible, and industrious generations. Thus, the government, media, schools, and other stakeholders are expected to fulfill their responsibilities to protect the new generation from bad habits.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals should be physically active and refrain from bad habits to maintain their health and happiness. Leading a happy and healthy life is possible when youths are well aware of the importance of mental and physical well-being.
WHO guidelines and recommendations provide details for different age groups and specific population groups on how much physical activity is needed for good health. For adults aged 18–64 years, it is recommended to engage in at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 22 OCTOBER 2023
