Different parts of the world move to different beats. Life expectancy varies greatly from country to country. But don't let where you come from determine the pace of your life, says Clare Harris.
NESTLED within the mighty Pyrenees mountains, the tiny country of Andorra is home to cheap skiing, duty-free shopping and a population with the longest life expectancy in the world. The average Andorran citizen will live to be a whopping 83.5 years old.
Skip several thousand miles south and you'll eventually reach Botswana. People in that African country are only expected to reach 33.9 years of age, the lowest in the world.
This kind of health inequality does not exist just between different countries - it is found within the same country and even within the same city. Scotland is no different.
According to a recent study, a 15-year-old boy living in Shettleston, in Glasgow's east end, has a 50% chance of seeing past his 65th birthday. Just a few miles away in Bearsden, the scene is very different. A 15-year-old boy living in the East Dunbartonshire town has a 90% chance of making it to 65. There's no one reason for this, but a mixture of factors such as a difference in diet, exercise, smoking levels, education, and hope for the future, all play their part in widening the divide.
While the statistics might make for depressing reading, it need not be all doom and gloom. You can buck the statistics and not let where you're from determine how healthy you are.
Experts say exercise is a great start. It builds not only physical but mental health. With a Young Scot card, you'll get free or discounted swimming at most pools and discounted bus travel to get there.
Make as much use of school as you can. You may think it's boring but even a couple of qualifications at the end of the day will make your life less stressful in the long run.
Like Glasgow, many councils now run free stop-smoking schemes. Websites, such as yheart. net, also have tips and links on how to get your health levels up and avoid heart disease.
Your doctor can also help, not only with physical health but by putting you in touch with a free, confidential counsellor, if you're feeling down. It's all about taking control.
If that all sounds a bit too conventional, how about these two ideas for keeping fit and feeling good for not much money?
DRUMMING
Aberdeen on a grey November day is a complete world away from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro or Kenya, but a group of young musicians are bringing the two worlds together and drumming up a lot of interest in African and Latin American beats.
A group of 12-17-year-olds started Babibelz after attending a drumming workshop.
Band co-ordinator Ron Bird, says: "I've taught adults before but I've never had as much fun as this. They're bursting with enthusiasm and learn everything so quickly - it's a great buzz."
The 20-strong band spent the summer touring the north of Scotland entertaining people at music festivals with Brazilian drums, cowbells and whistles. And the drumming orchestra entertained a crowd of more than 25,000 at Aberdeen beach recently at a fireworks spectacular.
Maybe Copacabana isn't that far from the North Sea after all.
Neil Smith, 12, plays drums and trumpet. "I really love playing the drums - it's great fun and I've made new friends, " he says.
Jillian Bruce, 12, is also in the band, along with her 14-year-old brother James. "It's good fun to be able to make as much noise as we want, " she says.
Next summer, they're travelling to Tenerife and France to attend international youth music festivals where they'll play a mixture of reggae, samba and salsa, as well as releasing their own CD. Sounds interesting? If you want to start a similar band in your area, ask your local community centre if they would help set it up.
YOGA
Gwyneth Paltrow does it. So does Cameron Diaz. Nicolas Cage isn't adverse to it either. No, it's not kabbalah - it's yoga. Not only does yoga make you stronger and more flexible, it helps you relax and cope with the stresses and strains of life.
As well as giving you a total body workout, health experts believe that yoga can have other health benefits, such as improving back pain and easing symptoms of many illnesses, for example multiple sclerosis, arthritis and asthma.
Research has also found that people who do yoga have less risk of heart disease as it reduces blood pressure, stress and cholesterol levels. Not only will you end up fitter and more supple, but the deep breathing and relaxing that are part of yoga will help you feel happier and more peaceful.
So, if you're feeling anxious, stressed out or down in the dumps, yoga will give your spirits a lift and help you cope with your personal problems with a calmer and clearer mind.
You can find yoga classes at your local community centre, leisure centre, or health club and ask about classes for young people.
HEALTH WEBSITES
Full of suggestions on keeping fit for little money.
Great tips on avoiding heart disease and general fitness pointers
Recipes, links, suggestions and generally great advice for keeping active.
