Sanaa Kader discusses her hobbies away from dentistry and why it is important to make the most of each day.
Please introduce yourself
My name is Sanaa Kader. I am the principal dentist of a mixed three surgery practice in Leeds. I am also an educational supervisor for the West Yorkshire Dental Foundation Training Scheme.
What do you get up to in your spare time away from dentistry?
I am a mother and wife, so most of my spare time is spent with my family. We enjoy the simple things in life, such as cooking, visiting family (not during COVID of course), enjoying getting outdoors and exploring all the natural beauty on our doorstep.
Are you a foodie? Why and what particular food do you go for?
I love all cuisines to be honest, and my South Asian upbringing, along with my Yorkshire roots and years spent living in London mean that I enjoy all cuisines. My favourite is Italian, I just can’t resist the pastas and the pizzas! I enjoy all types of food such as meat, fish, vegetables, lentils etc, and I will always try any new food at least once.
Are you into any sport?
I do not play any specific sports regularly, as my time is limited due to my practice and my family being the priority. However, I really got into spinning at the gym prior to lockdown. I’m waiting for normality before I can restart my spinning sessions again.
What type of television/movies do you like – any guilty pleasures?
I like to watch many different types of programmes, but particularly enjoy watching Martin Scorsese movies. They really make you think about what is real and what is not. Anything with a psychological element I always enjoy. But Netflix is great – there are so many great things to watch, variety is the key!
Do you like to travel and do your hobbies take you anywhere in particular?
I love travelling, and this has been stopped by COVID. I am planing to visit Turkey and Dubai with my family in 2021, as I would love to just relax on the beach, with everything done for us for a week! The bonus is that the kids would love it too.
Why is it important to have hobbies away from your profession?
Although I love my job and profession, I do think we can end up burning out mentally and physically if we do not take the time to de-stress and recharge. I enjoy meeting friends for a catch up, and generally meeting people with different interests. It just puts things in your own life into perspective.
In 2019 I took part in a charity women’s cricket tournament. It was an amazing way to learn something new, get physically active, and make new friends, many of whom are still my friends now!
Life really is too short, and time disappears before our eyes. We should all make a conscious effort to make the most of the time we have now, so that we don’t regret it later.
