UR Crash Course On Psychological Disorders
Psychological disorders are the pattern of behavioural or psychological symptoms which impacts several areas of your life. They are also termed as mental disorders as they create the distress among the persons who may experience poor ability to function in their ordinary life. Types of Psychological Disorders There are different types of psychological health disorders, but the type of disorder is normally determined by the root cause. In most cases, it is determined by the peculiar symptoms a person experiences, along with any family medical history of psychological disorders. Most common types of Psychological Disorders include: ANXIETY DISORDERS Anxiety is defined as an uncomfortable feeling of fear, terror, dread or danger. A group of psychiatric conditions that involve anxiety, and are termed as Anxiety disorders. You may experience occasional anxiety which is a normal part of life but, during this disorder you may experience intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about your regular activities. The following disorders are identified as anxiety disorders: • Agoraphobia • Generalized anxiety disorder • Selective mutism • Substance-induced anxiety disorder • Panic Disorder • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) • Phobias, also called Social Anxiety Disorder In most instances, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issues such as Heart disease, Diabetes, Thyroid problems, Respiratory disorders, Drug misuse, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and rare tumours. It is not always possible, to predict the cause of an anxiety disorder. So, it is better to seek immediate medical attention, if you think that you are at the risk of any of the following Anxiety disorders. MOOD DISORDERS Mood disorders are also called as affective disorders. During these disorders, your general emotional state, or mood gets swayed with your circumstances and interferes in your functional ability. You may experience frequent feelings of sadness, overly happy feelings, fluctuation from extreme happiness and even extreme sadness. Most common mood disorders are: • Major depressive disorder • Bipolar disorder • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) • Cyclothymic disorder • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder • Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder • Depression related to medical illness Mood disorders in most instances can be successfully treated with medications and psychotherapy talk therapy. However, your mood disorder may not go away on its own, and it may get worse over time, if it is neglected. It could be easier to treat early on, so seek professional help before your mood disorder becomes severe. EATING DISORDERS Eating disorders are referred to an unhealthy attitude towards food, and these are related to persistent eating behaviours. This eating disorder can negatively impact important areas of life including your health, emotions and ability to function. This disorder can have a negative impact on your weight, body shape and disturb your body’s ability to absorb appropriate nutrition. Most common types of eating disorders include: • Anorexia nervosa • Bulimia nervosa • Binge-eating disorder • Rumination disorder • Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder Eating disorders aren’t easy to manage or overcome, if you think you may have an eating disorder, it is best to seek immediate medical help. PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that involve distorted awareness and thinking. The usual symptoms of psychotic disorders are hallucinations and delusions. People with these types of disorders lose touch with reality. These disorders can be genetic and most commonly found in people in their late teens, to early thirties and it affects men and women equally. The examples of a psychotic disorder include: • Schizophrenia • Schizoaffective disorder • Schizophreniform disorder • Brief Psychotic disorder • Delusional disorder • Substance-Induced psychotic disorder • Psychotic disorder due to a medical condition • Paraphrenia Most psychotic disorders can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Self-help will also help in managing these psychotic disorders. However, the patients are advised to learn how to cope when these episodes occur, as it could be vital for managing a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. IMPULSE CONTROL AND ADDICTION DISORDERS Impulse Control and Addiction Disorders are considered as behavioural addictions where people have the inability to resist urges, impulses and perform acts that could be harmful to themselves or others. People with these disorders become involved with alcohol and smoking, while ignoring their responsibilities and relationships. Some of the most common types of impulse control disorders include: • Intermittent explosive disorder • Kleptomania • Pyromania • Trichotillomania • Pathological gambling An impulse control disorder co-occurs with other psychological disorders such as mood or anxiety disorders. Various psychological disorders that can occur alongside impulse control disorders: • Bipolar disorder • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Conduct disorder (CD) • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) • Depressive disorders • Antisocial personality disorder Opting treatment for any of the following disorders will help in reducing the potential negative consequences and improve the overall quality of your life and your loved ones. Your doctor may also conduct comprehensive mental health tests and medical evaluations to analyse the condition and implement a treatment plan that is specific to your needs. So, don’t ignore your mental health, when you can take charge of it!
Psychological disorders are the pattern of behavioural or psychological symptoms which impacts several areas of your life. They are also…
A Breath Of Relaxation With Guided Meditation
The human mind absorbs and stores both the good and bad energy of its surroundings. Therefore, considering all the stressors that exist within the environment we live in, it’s quite natural that our mind and body show signs of anxiety and stress. To cope with stress levels, every individual has his/her unique choice of intervention. However, among all of the stress-relieving activities, meditation has gained significant momentum in the past few decades. And one of the many types of meditation routines that can help alleviate stress, anxiety and improve focus is a guided meditation, which has gained a lot of attention and appreciation due to its efficiency and consistency. So let’s understand how we can integrate this type of meditation in our lifestyles. What Is Guided Meditation? Guided meditation is a form of meditation where participants meditate in response to the guidance and instructions provided by an expert, teacher or practitioner. The format of communication between the instructor and the student could be either in person or via music, video or written text. The instructive nature of this format of meditation makes it easier for the individual to be much more structured and ordered in their practice. Nowadays, there are many guided meditation videos available online, which can help you meditate with ease. How We Can Incorporate It In Our Lifestyle Meditation is an activity that can be performed anywhere and anytime without prior preparation. The only thing to keep in mind is to channel all your focus on the task of meditation. Guided meditation, as the name suggests, helps an individual meditate without the burden of thinking about how and what to do if he/she is unfamiliar with the task. Meditation could also mean that a person is sitting in silence and reflecting upon life. The trouble with such types of meditative practices is that there is no framework to it. On the contrary, guided meditative practices have a finite set of instructions, which makes the process easier. If you are looking for long-term benefits, meditative practices only during episodes of stress may not be quite as effective. Try to include 10-15 minutes of guided meditation routine either in the night or morning, depending on your schedule, every day, without fail to reap its full benefits. Once you are comfortable with 15-minute intervals, you can increase the duration and go up to one hour, if time permits. However, most individuals will be able to stay focused and relaxed up to 30 minutes, if practised daily. Benefits Of Guided Meditation • As opposed to other meditative practices, guided meditation saves you the trouble of planning the routine, as it is pre-recorded or designed. You can either drop by a class and follow the instructions or plug in your earphones and follow the guidelines. • It reduces stress hormones in the body and promotes a sense of well-being. • 15-30 minute episodes of meditation practised daily have shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension. • It leads to slower brain wave activities, which helps in reducing the stress all the while triggering human growth hormones (HGH). • It also helps in reducing inflammation by neutralising acidosis, thus minimising pain as well. With technology at our fingertips, meditation has become an easily accessible practice. Moreover, many apps are now available on your smartphone that can give you instructions about meditation and how to start meditating, if you are new to it. Give these meditative practices a try to live a stress-free life!
The human mind absorbs and stores both the good and bad energy of its surroundings. Therefore, considering all the stressors…
Embrace Work-life Harmony
Stress, anxiety and pressure have become the highlight of our everyday conversation these days. While these words were not frequently used just two decades ago, in today’s time, they have become the causes of so many physical ailments. Stress has been termed as “World Wide Epidemic” by the World Health Organization. What Is Harmonious Work-Life? Work-life harmony is all about integrating all the aspects – work, family, health, friendship - together and like musical notes, making a melody by joining all the elements at the right time so that a melodious song is produced! The idea is to achieve harmony with a focus on one thing at a time. Ways To Achieve Work-Life Harmony Become Self Aware We all know knowledge is power, and learning about self is like having unlimited power. Being self-aware is the key to bringing harmony in life. Some specific actions or reactions may drain or increase our energy. Identifying these can help in avoiding irrelevant results and replacing them with a response instead. Be Mindful and Prioritise The four aspects of our life – Work, Family, Self/ Health and Friends are all important, but keeping all the elements happy all the time is too much to ask for from yourself. Prioritising helps in knowing which aspect needs attention more according to the circumstances. It can help to bring both personal and professional life to a balanced position, and life becomes much more comfortable at both ends. Communicate Effectively Communication plays a paramount role when creating harmony between work and personal life. While there will be times where failure may strike in, communication is the best tool to consider to hold oneself strong. Transparent communication with loved ones, colleagues, bosses or friends can facilitate in being on track. It’s important to interact and be clear with the situations that come across. If things are not going right, there’s always a better choice which is to communicate with the people involved in that situation. Develop Core Habits Core habits are essentially a practice that we start following as it gives us overall life satisfaction; these habits may form intentionally or even unintentionally. Core habits create a domino effect bringing a positive change in all the aspects of our life, thus making it easier to achieve fulfilment in our lives. For instance, core habits can be working out after a stressful day at work or starting the day with meditation, which helps in increasing the level of satisfaction. What are your Core Habits? Write down three habits that will make you feel happier, regardless of how difficult and stressful your day has been. Try this exercise, and you can see yourself analyse so much about a situation you may be in, and help you find your solutions, because, problems come to you only when you have an answer. Attaining work-life harmony is not an easy task, but it’s also not impossible to do. Although it requires one to keep reinventing and learning what works and what doesn’t, the takeaway is extremely beneficial as it leads to less stress, less guilt and more peace of mind.
Stress, anxiety and pressure have become the highlight of our everyday conversation these days. While these words were not frequently…
5 Biggest Fitness & Workout Trends Of 2020
5 Biggest Fitness & Workout Trends Of 2020 Leandi van Zyl, CSCS Lead – Sport Science (Strength & Conditioning) Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital Some fitness trends have more or less been around for a while with some innovation but the trends this year are fairly new. From workouts powered by technology to online fitness classes, the fitness trends this year are motivating and exciting at the same time! Here are 5 fitness trends for 2020. 1. Functional Training: Before the lockdown, many gyms had developed ways to train people to lift heavier weights, do more repetitions and burn lots of calories. However, recently there has been a shift towards doing the right exercises that improve everyday movement. Functional training helps strengthen you in specific areas that are weak and helps you move better and more efficiently. Functional training is also easier to do at home. The risk for injury is also lower in comparison to programmes that need heavy equipment. 2. At Home HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) Workouts: A lot of people have been confined to their homes during recent months, and this has impacted what training looks like. Household items like chairs, water bottles, towels or backpacks have helped to serve as gym equipment for workouts at home. This will continue for the foreseeable future until it is safe for gyms to reopen. A good way to increase the intensity of UR home workouts is by doing high intensity interval training. This incorporates using time as a measurement of intensity. The exercise time in these workouts can range anywhere from 20 seconds to one minute with short rest intervals in-between exercises. These workouts are very effective if you have limited time to do a training session. 3. Yoga HIIT: Yoga has always been popular as an effective way of distressing while improving flexibility. Yoga High Intensity Interval Training uses dynamic yoga stretches in quick bursts to burn more calories while improving muscle length. These classes are done online and do not need any equipment, which makes it easy to do at home. 4. Virtual Cycling & Running: Virtual cycling and running has made it easy for endurance enthusiasts to train in the comfort of their home. It is as easy as hopping onto UR training cycle or treadmill and joining other friends and athletes in a virtual races or exercise sessions. There are many different tournaments and training sessions which can take UR endurance to the next level. The best thing about online racing is that you can compete against top athletes. 5. Technology-Led Training: Whether it is smart watches, fitness applications, GPS devices or heartrate monitors, technology is changing how we train! Technology is ever evolving and so is wearable technology and training programmes. Using the latest technology keeps you motivated and on track, to reach UR fitness goals. Smart watches help you see how much work you have put into UR training session. By looking at your heart rate and the amount of calories burned it is easy to see if you have to push more or less. There are multiple fitness applications that help people stay active during the lockdown. These applications show you what exercises to do and some can help monitor UR training sessions as well. However, these applications do not allow for individualized programmes and can increase the chances of sustaining an injury. What’s great about technology is that you are able to have online training sessions with qualified trainers in the comfort of UR home. This will make UR session more customized and a trainer can make sure you are doing all the exercises with the right techniques. During the lockdown staying active can be difficult but adding functional training, high intensity interval training, Yoga HIIT or virtual cycling or running to UR workout programme can keep you motivated and add some excitement to your routine. Using technology to monitor all the training you are doing is an effective way to know if you are improving. The best thing about technology is that you can take part in any training session without even stepping outside UR home!
5 Biggest Fitness & Workout Trends Of 2020 Leandi van Zyl, CSCS Lead – Sport Science (Strength & Conditioning) Sir…
Top 5 Techniques To Help Improve UR Body Posture
An important aspect of ensuring our long-term health is good posture. Ensuring that you are holding UR body correctly while moving or stationary can help to alleviate pain, injuries and certain health issues as well. During our everyday movement we get used to poor postural positions. These can cause pain or discomfort when not addressed. So if you are struggling with pain due to bad posture these five techniques will help release tight muscles and strengthen UR weak muscles. Here are a few easy stretches and exercises that can help improve overall body posture. Top 5 Techniques To Help Improve UR Body Posture Leandi van Zyl, CSCS Head – Sport Science (Strength & Conditioning) Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital An important aspect of ensuring our long-term health is good posture. Ensuring that you are holding UR body correctly while moving or stationary can help to alleviate pain, injuries and certain health issues as well. During our everyday movement we get used to poor postural positions. These can cause pain or discomfort when not addressed. So if you are struggling with pain due to bad posture these five techniques will help release tight muscles and strengthen UR weak muscles. Here are a few easy stretches and exercises that can help improve overall body posture. 1. Stretching and releasing of the chest muscle While moving around and working in your day-to-day life, the tendency is to slouch your upper back. This causes the chest muscles to become overly tight and which translates the shoulders forward. Releasing or stretching the chest muscles is very important and can help relieve tension in the upper back and neck. This is also an important stretch for fitness enthusiasts who tend to prefer push-ups and bench press to pulling exercises. As seen in the picture there are three different positions by which you can stretch your chest. Just raise your hands a bit higher each time. Each stretch should be held for at least 30 seconds and can be repeated 2 to 3 times. 2. Scapular strengthening exercise The forward bending posture of the upper body can also cause dysfunction in the upper back. Because of the tightness in the chest, the upper back muscles can get lengthened and weak. Here is an effective upper back exercise that can help correct this. Lying down on your stomach, make a ‘W’ with your arms. From this position straighten your arms. When returning to the W position, try squeezing both UR shoulder blades together. Do not arch UR lower back. You can do 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets. 3. Thoracic mobility Mobility is when joints and muscles can move freely without any restrictions. The movement of the Thoracic Spine (rib and chest area) that gets restricted from bad posture is extension and rotation. Extension is the ability to straighten the upper back and rotation is rotating your upper body without movement from your lumbar spine. The following mobility drill can help make the thoracic spine move better. The important aspect here is to eliminate lumbar spine movement. Keeping the knees together keeps the movement from the thoracic spine. During this mobility drill the goal is to open the chest up as much as you can. This can be done 10-15 times for 2-3 repetitions. To progress, you can add a light weight in the hand that is on top. 4. Upper Back stretch Poor posture, an injury or muscle overuse can usually be the cause of upper back pain. Though upper back pain is less common than lower back pain or neck pain, there are many causes for it. One of the causes may be deconditioning which means, you may not be using your muscles correctly. This could easily happen while sitting at UR desk for long hours in the wrong posture. Certain exercises can help strengthen your back and also help improve UR posture. Try this upper back stretch to help correct your posture and also ease pain. Keeping UR elbows bent, try to push down your upper body as far as possible. A stretch should come over UR upper body and triceps muscles. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat 2 to 3 times. 5. Pelvic Mobility The ideal position of our pelvic bone should be neutral. If we sit for long periods of time on the wrong chair, we tend to round our lower back or posterior tilt our pelvis which might cause pain in the lower back. The structures around the pelvis can get tight because of poor posture. This is why the first step to better pelvis posture is pelvic tilts. Once you are able to maintain a neutral pelvic you can start strengthening your core to be able to sustain the posture in a different position. A neutral pelvis is when the lumbar spine is slightly arched but not too much and the pelvis pushing forward or back. Our lumbar spine is made to be stable. This means that a structure is able to maintain a specific position despite forces being placed on it. In order to train lumbar stability we need to do a variety of core exercises. Pelvic Tilts The main idea is to move only your pelvic bone. Try keeping your hands on your hips to help with navigating your pelvis. The first movement would be to arch your lower back (pushing your buttocks out) and the second would be rounding your lower back (bringing your buttocks in). These exercises can be done 10 times for 2 to 3 sets. Bad posture can become a habit and cause some muscles to tighten up and others to lengthen and weaken. Releasing the chest muscles and upper trapezius muscles, strengthening your shoulder blade muscles, working on your thoracic mobility and neutral pelvis can help improve UR posture and reduce pain.
An important aspect of ensuring our long-term health is good posture. Ensuring that you are holding UR body correctly while…
5 Ways Coconut Oil Improves UR Skin & Hair
We all know that coconut oil is immensely beneficial for our skin and hair. However, what we didn’t know is that there are a number of explanations justifying this claim. Right from moisturizing dry and flaky skin to treating frizzy hair, coconut oil has a number of benefits. The natural element of the oil has a wide array of therapeutic and beauty-enhancing properties. Moreover, coconut oil is also used as a component in various hair care and skin care products. It is the most common and cost-effective products to nourish and treat your skin and hair. Here are a few benefits of coconut oil you can enjoy at home. Hair Conditioner Coconut has a fatty acid structure, which penetrates into the hair roots. So, if you feel your hair is dry or is prone to break, manage it with coconut oil as an overnight treatment. For this, you need to take virgin coconut oil and apply it on your hair, starting from the roots to the ends. Tie your hair in a ponytail. Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. It is the most effective way to deal with split ends as well. Reduces hair loss and breakage When you feel your hair is puffy, rub a small amount of coconut oil on your fingers and run it through your hair to keep fizziness at bay. In addition, if you are in a pool or at the beach, it is likely that your hair will become little tangled. So at times like these, it’s best to leave coconut oil in your hair, as it saves your hair from the scorching sun, chlorine and saltwater. It also keeps your hair conditioned. Skin Moisturiser During the winter season, our lips get dry, so to moisten your dry lips, apply coconut and then rinse it off. Again, apply a little coconut oil to your lips to keep it moist and soft for a longer period. Overall Skin Treatment Coconut oil is enriched with natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, which makes it the perfect ingredient to prevent infections and fungus. Therefore, apply coconut oil to keep your skin moisturized. To keep your feet smooth and fungus-free, use the oil every day. Exfoliator Coconut oil is also good for pedicures. Take half a jar of coconut oil and add two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of sugar. Mix all the three ingredients until the sugar is immersed completely in the oil. Take a spoonful of the scrub and rub it on your legs and feet to exfoliate your skin. Doing so takes away the dead skin and smoothen your cracked heels and rough spots.
We all know that coconut oil is immensely beneficial for our skin and hair. However, what we didn’t know is…
5 Hair Myths Debunked!
Our hair has an important role to play in our overall look and personality. Still, we have been living with some myths about hair care for so long, that we have actually started believing in them mindlessly, disregarding the facts. Therefore, it’s important for us to debunk such myths and to take care of our hair with natural ingredients. Here’s the list of five common myths associated with hair. MYTH 1: Greying Of Hair Happens Only Because Of Stress FACT: It is often thought that greying of hair occurs because of the presence of increased stress in our lives. But this is not the case, it happens because of the absence of the pigment named melanin which is responsible for our hair being black in colour. However, stress can aid the greying of hair but is not the only cause. Genetic factors, unbalanced diet or illness also contribute to the lack of melanin. MYTH 2: Increased Hair Fall Because Of Shampoo FACT: It is often thought that shampooing the hair often increases hair fall. But this is not really the case. Hair fall happens when our hair roots are not strong enough to hold the hair properly. Therefore, it is necessary for our scalp and roots to be healthy and nourished so that it can hold the hair. MYTH 3: Hair Grows Faster When Cut Regularly FACT: The hair growth actually takes place from its roots and not the ends, hence it doesn’t really matter if we cut them regularly or not. Nevertheless, it is important to get a regular haircut to chop off the split ends. Doing so provides more volume to your hair and add a fresh look. MYTH 4: The Presence Of Dandruff Means Your Scalp Is Dry FACT: Dandruff is actually developed due to the existence of a certain type of yeast which is actually present in oily hair. MYTH 5: Shampoo And Conditioner Should Be Applied To The Entire Hair Length FACT: One of the biggest myths is that one should apply shampoo and conditioner to the entire hair length. However, the basic purpose of shampoo is cleansing. Therefore, it should be applied nicely on the scalp. Whereas, conditioner should be used on the hair ends to make them softer and to reduce split ends.
Our hair has an important role to play in our overall look and personality. Still, we have been living with…
Chicken Broth With Peas & Carrots For Pets
Put the chicken pieces in a large pot with enough water to cover the chicken by one or two inches. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Ease: 6 Approximate cost: INR 225 Serving size: Cooking time: minutes Chicken Broth Ease: 6 Approximate cost: INR 225 Serving size: 6 Cooking time: minutes Nutritive value Energy: 112.7Kcal Carbs: 10.4g Protein: 9.53g Fat: 3.4g Fibre: 3.6g Ingredients Chicken (whole or pre-cut with bones): 1 Brown or white rice: 1 cup Peas and carrots: 1/2 pkg Cut green beans (not French cut): 1 cup Step 1:Put the chicken pieces in a large pot with enough water to cover the chicken by one or two inches. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Boil the chicken until it separates easily from the bones. Remove chicken from the water onto a platter, separate the meat from the bones and keep the bones separate. Allow the chicken to cool down on a platter. Now pour the rice into the broth, stir gently and bring to a boil on low flame. Cover the pot with a pot and let it simmer till the meat and veggies are almost done. Read the package for directions and stop cooking just 5 minutes before the total cooking time mentioned on the box or package. Step 2: Water should not be absorbed. If water does seem to get absorbed in UR broth, then add some more to make a little more chicken broth. Make sure you don't burn it or let it absorb into the rice too much. Separate the chicken from the bones while the rice cooks. If your dog is large, you can leave the pieces a bit bigger and if your dog is a bit small or likes to eat in smaller quantities, you can either cut or pull the chicken apart into small or large pieces depending on how UR pet likes it. Step 3: When rice is 5 minutes before it is done, add vegetables and stir thoroughly. Put a lid and let it simmer for approximately five minutes, or until the veggies are soft. Avoid using corn and grains as they have been proven to cause an allergic reaction in some dogs. Step 4: If UR adding fresh veggies like beets, then make sure to add them 15 minutes before you add chicken. Remove from heat, add the chicken pieces and stir thoroughly. Allow the stew to cool down and serve. Store the leftover stew in an air-tight container in the freezer. Note: Remove the stew from the freezer 2 hours before you want to feed UR pet. Chicken broth is essentially chicken-flavoured water, and since dogs love the taste of chicken, by giving them chicken broth you help hydrate UR pup and aid in stopping diarrhoea. Joint pain relief Chicken broth includes two primary ingredients which can relieve the joint discomfort of your pets. Glucosamine is the first and chondroitin, the second. For dogs with arthritis, these two ingredients are recommended for addition. The problem is that the additions can be costly. One great choice is to feed the chicken breast for your dog. Heart-healthy Arginine is a prescribed treatment for congestive heart failure in dogs. Chicken broth contains plenty of arginines that improve cardiac health for your puppy. This would possibly contribute to an energy boost when your dog uses chicken broth. Rich in Amino Acids Every day most dogs eat the same thing. It doesn't matter if the food is well-balanced. The problem though is that it can cause certain deficiencies in amino acids. A number of amino acids, including glycine, are found in chicken broth. Giving UR dog a little chicken broth is a great way to make up for the missing amino acids. Gives a lustrous and healthy fur coat Just like chicken broth contains a good variety of amino acids, it also includes a wide range of micronutrients, which will help keep UR dog's coat on point! Boosts brain health Glycine offers multiple health benefits, but one of the biggest is that it can improve UR dog's brain health too apart from bone health. Glycine is a neurotransmitter that can help your pets with OCD, depression, stress and even separation anxiety. Nutritive value Energy: 112.8 Kcal Carbs: 62.5g Protein:57.2 g Fat: 9.53 g Fibre: g Ingredients Chicken (whole or pre-cut): 1 Brown or white rice: 1 cup Peas : 1/2 cup Carrots: 1/2 cup Cut green beans (not French cut): 1 cup Step 1: Put the chicken pieces in a large pot with enough water to cover the chicken by one or two inches on top. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Boil the chicken until it separates easily from the bones. Remove chicken from the water onto a platter, separate the meat from the bones and keep the bones separate to give them to UR pet. Step 2: Allow the chicken to cool down on a platter. Now pour the rice into the broth, stir gently and bring to a boil on low flame. Cover the pot and let it veggies and rice cook. Water should not absorb the stock too much. If too much stock does seem to get absorbed, then add some more water. Step 3: Add the chicken while the rice cooks. Cover the pot and let it simmer for approximately five minutes, or until the veggies are soft. Avoid using corn and grains as they have been proven to cause an allergic reaction in some dogs. Step 4: If UR adding fresh veggies like beets, then make sure to add them 15 minutes before you add chicken. Remove the stew from the heat, add the chicken pieces and stir. Allow the stew to cool down and serve. Store the leftover stew in an airtight container in the freezer. Note: Remove the stew from the freezer 2 hours before you want to feed UR pet. Chicken broth doesn't just taste great but it is also healthy for UR pets too! From joint relief and keeping their fur coat shiny and strong. It's a host of great health benefits which keep UR pet happy and healthy! Joint pain relief Chicken broth includes two primary ingredients which can relieve the joint discomfort. Glucosamine is the first and chondroitin, the second. For dogs with arthritis, these two ingredients are definitely recommended. The problem is that the additions can be costly. One great choice is to feed the chicken breast for your dog. Heart-healthy Arginine is a prescribed treatment for congestive heart failure in dogs. Chicken broth contains plenty of arginines that improve cardiac health for UR puppy. Rich in amino acids Every day most dogs eat the same thing. It doesn't matter if the food is well-balanced. The problem though is that it can cause certain deficiencies in amino acids. A number of amino acids, including glycine, are found in chicken broth. Giving UR dog a little chicken broth is a great way to make up for the missing amino acids. Gives a lustrous and healthy fur coat Just like chicken broth contains a good variety of amino acids, it also includes a wide range of micronutrients, which will help keep UR dog's coat on point! Boosts brain health Glycine offers multiple health benefits, but one of the biggest is that it can improve UR dog's brain health too apart from bone health. Glycine is a neurotransmitter that can help your pets with OCD, depression, stress and even separation anxiety.
Put the chicken pieces in a large pot with enough water to cover the chicken by one or two inches….
Homemade Vegan Dog Treats
Peel the bananas and mash them with the peanut butter until everything is smooth. Measure and pour in your flour, adding half at a time. Vegan Dog Treats Ease: 4 Approximate cost: INR 125 Serving size: 8 Cooking time: 50 minutes Nutritive value Energy: 86.3 Kcal Carbs: 11.6g Protein: 3g Fat: 3.2g Fibre: 1.2g Ingredients Oat or rice flour: 1 cup Ripe mashed bananas: 2 Peanut butter smooth (unsweetened): ¼ cup Preparation Step1: Peel the bananas and mash them with the peanut butter until everything is smooth. Measure and pour in your flour, adding half at a time. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly combined, then add the remaining flour. Fold everything together until the ingredients are combined. Use UR hands as needed to form a solid ball of dough. Step 2: Chill the dough for 20 minutes. Optional, but it helps firm the dough more faster. Remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a parchment paper or on a well floured counter. Preheat UR oven to 162 C. Step 3: Roll the dough out not too thin so as you need to cut the cookies out into small dog bone biscuits. Using your cookie cutter, cut out shapes as desired. Transfer the cookies to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Use a fork to poke 4 holes in the center of each, to allow steam to escape. Step 4: Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove and let completely cool before transferring into an air-tight container. Give to UR pet as desired! They're safe for all pet parents too! Oats also known as Avena sativa belong to the cereal clan that are commonly eaten in the form of oatmeal, or rolled oats globally. Oats can be turned into a comforting porridge, healthy snacks and treats for UR pets and you! Over a few decades, oats have become a very popular health food, which aren’t just meant for humans but for UR pets too! Oats are rich in dietary fiber (containing more than other grains) and also have healthy cholesterol-lowering properties too! Rich in fiber and antioxidants. Oats are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, B, zinc, iron and selenium. All of which, play an important role in maintaining and improving health. Many of the antioxidants that oats contain, such as linoleic acid and vitamin E, can also help supplement your pet’s liver, skin, fur, etc. Great for skin and fur The best part is that oats are also used in may topical creams, shampoos and other pet products too that are gentle on UR pet’s skin and fur. The soothing properties found in oats help calm the skin when you or UR pet has skin rashes, bumps or any allergy-related skin concerns. Bananas contain a number of vital nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and vitamins B6 and C. This superfood has been extensively studied and provides health benefits such as lower blood pressure , increased potassium intake, bone growth and nutrient absorption. Bananas are also rich in magnesium, which may help your dog absorb other vitamins more efficiently and promote healthy bone growth. Like most fruits, bananas are sugar-problematic for dogs and lead to gastrointestinal problems, obesity and diabetes. Your dog would have to eat a lot of these fruits quite often to develop these conditions, but it's best to make sure UR pooch doesn't go overboard. Peanut butter From a health perspective, there are a few facts you should be aware of before giving your pets peanut butter. Peanut butter is rich in natural fats and protein, but too much can lead to obesity, or unnecessary health concerns like pancreatitis. You can also make UR very own peanut butter with coconut oil, chia seeds and peanuts. This is one of the safest and healthiest peanut butter options that we highly recommend for cats, dogs, horses and even humans! Natural peanut butter is a great source of protein, vitamin B and E and healthy monounsaturated fats. Note: It doesn’t hurt to determine whether it’s safe to feed UR pets peanut butter at all or on a regular basis, you can contact UR veterinarian and ask his or her advice. This is especially important if your pets have potential health conditions such as diabetes, digestive or any allergy sensitivities.
Peel the bananas and mash them with the peanut butter until everything is smooth. Measure and pour in your flour,…
10 Ways You Can Care For Yourself & UR Furry Friends Health & Hygiene
10 Ways You Can Care For Yourself & UR Furry Friends Health & Hygiene Pets are not just companions, but are also our saving grace, especially during COVID-19. Many autistic kids, senior citizens, cancer patients or visually challenged people take the help of service dogs to get through daily life. Dogs have been known to help and heal people with their gentle touch and calming presence. Even though they can't speak or express themselves, they know how to put a smile on UR face by showing their unconditional love, which can leave a lasting impression on a stranger too. Keeping that in mind, it is even more critical for us to imply the same healthy choices and hygiene practices for our pets, as we do for ourselves. Yes, it does take a bit of work, but we bet it wouldn't be so hard once you look into UR furry friend's eyes! That being said, here are a few tips that can help you keep UR furry companions well-groomed and free from any health concerns. 10 Pet Health & Hygiene Tips Every Pet Parent Should Know Ensure Timely Vaccinations & Vet Visits Immunizations are a basic necessity for humans and pets too. Timely vaccinations help avoid unwanted and harmful diseases from affecting UR pet's health. Vaccines not only keep UR pets safe but also UR family and most importantly kids too. The best way to keep UR furry family member healthy in the long run is entirely dependent on how well you take care of them every day, which includes timely vaccinations as suggested by the veterinarian. It is highly recommended to get UR pet immunized as unvaccinated pets can pose a risk to UR health and UR kid's health too. As much as you are dedicated to taking care of UR pet's health, make sure you do the same for yours by opting for full body checks and annual health checks. Avoid Ticks & Fleas Brushing UR pet's fur regularly avoids any fleas, ticks and other irritants from damaging their skin, fur and health. These pests are known to cause skin allergies and affect your pet's health. One of the first changes that occurs when UR pets are unhealthy are irregularities in their fur, like shedding and eventually balding in the irritated/sensitive areas. UR pet's fur coat can go through these irregularities if their health is impacted or compromised. Hence, it is highly imperative for you as a pet parent to groom UR furry companion frequently. Taking the time to brush UR pet's hair will also gets rid of extra hairballs, hair, removes ticks and fleas from affecting their majestic fur coat and health. This also shows UR pets that you care about their health, comfort and well-being too. Find Suitable Products Asking UR vet to recommend safe products and food items is one of the most important things to do. Being aware of what suits UR furry friend eliminates unnecessary purchases, and can avoid any possible side effects. With the boom of natural products and other organic concoctions in the market, now you can easily choose from a variety of products made specifically for UR pets. Just like the saying goes, “The more you ask, the more you’ll know”. Most importantly, avoid using random products, as they can expose you and UR pets to harmful chemicals and toxins, which can impact UR health and theirs. Meet Their Nutritional Needs Just like you, UR pet's can only reach their prime when their diet has equal proportions of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, good fats, healthy oils, vitamins and minerals. So, in other words it is always a better choice to choose fresh, real foods and avoid the processed ones. The same rules apply to UR pet's food and treats. Calorie Intake for Cats & Dogs For example: A 4.5kg cat needs only 200 calories a day A 23 kg dog needs 700 to 900 calories. Larger dogs may eat up to 1,350 calories Proteins- rich foods are usually preferred by dogs. And cats are basically hunters, so they’re natural carnivores.But, some cats do prefer drinking milk or eating fish. Protein is important for cell growth, muscle repair, and general body maintenance. Animal-based proteins pets need, including: Arginine Methionine Histidine Phenylalanine Isoleucine Threonine Leucine Tryptophan Lysine Valine Taurine Fat & Energy Dietary fats are derived from animal fats or vegetable seed oils. They're the main source of nutrients in UR pet's diet. Fats contain more than twice the amount of calories/energy per gram, when compared to proteins or carbohydrates. Fat and energy provide UR pet with essential fatty acids that are required by both dogs or cats. Fatty acids, such as omega-3s, are required to: Keep UR pet’s fur and skin healthy Produce certain types of hormones Absorb vitamins Insulate their body Protect their organs Plus, fats make UR pet's food even tastier (at least for them). Carbohydrates supply energy, help balance digestive health and also affect their reproduction. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that affects the bacteria in UR pet’s gut. Vitamins & Minerals Dogs and cats get their vitamins and minerals from their daily diet. If you feed UR pet with a healthy diet the more likely you and UR pet will stay healthy and fit. Vitamins Food Source Vitamin A Carrots, spinach, liver, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, fish oil and eggs Vitamin D Fish oil, fatty fish, egg yolks, dairy products, liver and cottage cheese Vitamin E Plant oils, leafy green vegetables, seeds, wheat germ, bran, whole grains and liver Vitamin K Liver, leafy green vegetables, milk, cabbage and fish Vitamin C Fruits, vegetables and organ meats Vitamin B Whole grains, nutritional or brewers yeast, liver, beans, green vegetables, spirulina, nuts and dairy products Macrominerals Food Source Calcium Milk, yogurt, tofu, raw bones, green beans, broccoli and cauliflower Phosphorous All animal tissues, eggs, fish and milk Magnesium Spinach, broccoli, green beans, tofu, tomato juice, beans, whole grains and seafood Potassium, Sodium and Chloride Fruits, vegetables, milk and grain Microminerals Food Source Zinc Spinach, broccoli, yogurt, beef, poultry, whole grains, and vegetables Sulfur All protein foods (meats, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes and milk) Iron Red meats, fish, poultry, shellfish, eggs and legumes Iodine Iodized salt, seafood and dairy products Selenium Seafood, meat, whole grains, brown rice and vegetables Cooper Seafood, nuts, whole grains, seeds and legumes Manganese Nuts, whole grains and leafy vegetables Chromium Lean meat, vegetable oils and brewers yeast Cobalt Liver, kidney, fruits and vegetables Fluorine Available in water Molybdenum Legumes, cereals and organ meats Silicon Cereals, vegetables, beans and peas Water Even our pet needs access to fresh and clean water at all times to keep themselves hydrated. Cats and dogs have varying degrees of thirst. It is best to ask the vet how much water UR pet may require in a day. Foods That Aren’t Safe For Ur Pets Sugar Onion and garlic Raw meat if UR pet isn’t eating a raw meat diet Xylitol found in candy and artificial sweeteners Alcohol Pamper UR Pet Just like how we need to take a shower every day, it is equally essential for our pets to take a shower too. Not regularly, but once a week during summer, every two weeks in winter and monsoon should do the job! It also depends on how naughty UR pet is and if they like to have some fun outdoors. Bathing UR pet keeps their coat and skin healthy, and free from any infections and ticks. Let's not forget that bathing also makes UR pet smell great, refreshed and this also shows that you care about UR pet's overall hygiene. Surprisingly bathing them also helps avoid any potential skin rashes which can affect you or UR family members. There are many states in India which have also opened up exclusive pet spas, resorts, cafes and hotel services, which welcome animals. Many celebrities and pet parents treat their precious four-pawed friends to a day at the spa, hotel or get customised clothes designed or make it themselves just to make their fur friend feel special. Keep UR Pet Active Going out on a small run in the morning or evening in UR neighborhood or park will help you and UR pet burn off calories! There are multiple ways for you and UR pet to have fun and exercise. If you want to keep UR pup or cat entertained then maybe you can conduct pet play dates, head to the dog park, travel, or just spend some quality time with them. If this sounds too much for you as a pet parent, then maybe you can give a few pet workout toys available online to help UR pet’s build and strengthen their muscles, boost memory and more. This is a win- win for you and UR pet! Walking is the best way for any living being to stay active, fit and healthy. Brush Their Teeth Brushing UR pet's teeth may not be easy, but it is a must. Just like how keeping our teeth clean is crucial for our health. Oral hygiene plays a vital role in maintaining UR overall health, heart health and more. Being proactive about UR pet's dental hygiene can be very beneficial to their health too, as it removes plaque and tartar, avoids bad odour, tooth decay, removes food particles and also avoids any infections in their gums and teeth. If UR pet's dental hygiene is neglected, over a period of time absorb into UR pet's bloodstream and can damage their kidneys, heart and liver, which can be detrimental to UR pet's livelihood. Clip & Clean Their Nails Trimming your pet's nails reduces any risks of them scratching themselves, you or any other animals too. Scratches from unclipped nails can cause various infections, which can start as small and eventually become serious if it is neglected over time. Whether you have a cat or dog, dirt and other particles can collect under their nails, and can pose as a threat due to the nails being dirty, filled with germs, dirt and debris. All of which, are breeding grounds for infections to and compromise not just UR pet's health but yours too. To make this task easier, a viral trend on TikTok and other social media apps show how you can cut UR pet's nails without a sweat. All you need to do is spread peanut butter on a cling wrap and wrap it around UR forehead, while UR pet is licking the unsweetened peanut butter, you can clean and clip their nails. Keep Their Eyes & Ears Clean Cleaning UR pet's eyes and ears avoids any crusty build-up in the corner of their eyes and inside their ears. Keeping their eyes and ears spick and span will avoid unnecessary infections from festering. Any mucus build-up around the eyes should be wiped with a clean, soft and damp cloth to prevent hurting their eyes. Ears can be gently cleaned with cotton swabs or tissue, but it is best to be extremely careful while doing so. Clean Their Bed Bedding is an essential element for UR pet; they spend a reasonable amount of time in their bed, which makes it imperative for you to keep their bed and surroundings pristine. Keeping UR pet's surroundings and bedding clean eliminates any bacteria, dirt, debris and other allergens that UR pet may unknowingly bring into UR house. Vacuuming the area clean and washing their bedding will avoid any allergy from harming not just UR pet but UR family members too. Keeping our bedding clean is also essential for our health, disposing of old rugs, pillows and bedsheets can avoid unwanted allergies, skin rashes and much more. If UR main goal is to keep UR pet and UR family healthy then follow these few tips and see the change. So, follow these to ensure UR all are safe, healthy and happy! And, remember to adopt and not shop!
10 Ways You Can Care For Yourself & UR Furry Friends Health & Hygiene Pets are not just companions, but…
Managing A Heavy Workload With Motivation
If you feel you are overloaded with work and have heaps of tasks to complete, keep in mind that there are a few individuals in your team or at your workplace who would be happy to go beyond their job descriptions, so before you complain about a workload stop and try to be your driving force. It is instances such as these that demand you adopt the Happy A.X.E principle to proceed with deeper self-introspection over priorities. Therefore go ahead and make the most of the Happy A.X.E rule to stay motivated and upbeat about your work! And remember, a positive and optimistic outlook can go a long way! A-Access Vs. Excess Time On Your Hands Are you under stress because you have less time to access the work, or excess work needs to be done at the earliest? Besides the push from your reporting manager, are there other factors causing stress? Try to identify them and cut them down one by one. Remember, you are giving your best to bring positive results but be open to constructive criticism later. Convincing yourself to unload the work pressure is the first step to feel motivated. X-Xerox The Exact Idea Vs. Apply The Advice Are you open to seeking help from others during this period? One of your colleagues or seniors might have been in a similar situation earlier. So there is nothing wrong with asking for help but see to it that it does not turn into asking for favours. You may implement their advice in your work and seek further help later with their permission. Also, don’t forget that making peace with the people around is essential to help you stay motivated while being honest with your work. Present Vs. Living In The Future When was the last time you enjoyed working overtime? Compare and assess the efforts that you put in during those days with the present work. Give yourself two realistic self-deadlines and work with proper dedication, keeping all distractions away. This will help you feel comfortable while you give your hundred per cent, regardless of the pressure. Working in a high-stress environment is different from working with highly stressed individuals. Engaging yourself and your team through outbound training sessions with the help of professional transformational training experts can help you prevent such instances in the future as the team members do not just take a break but give a break to each other holistically. The team’s abilities are also improved, and leadership qualities are enhanced. What’s more, personal conflicts or intragroup conflicts too are resolved, and communication skills are boosted, leading to better bonding and collaboration. You may be giving your best to bring positive results but convincing yourself to unload the work pressure is the first step to feel motivated. Even though you want to be motivated and inspired to complete all of your tasks, there may be times when you may not feel any motivation at all. There’s also no denying that sometimes, motivation is hard to get hold of. Staring at our screens and simply not being able to get through the work, no matter how hard we try, is an instance we can all relate to. At times like these, you have to get your act together and look for real and practical solutions to be able to get the job done and also inspire yourself. Fortunately, there are certain tricks and tips to help you get motivated in no time at all! Stay Motivated And Upbeat About Your Work Stop thinking of the work as hard and consider it as something that is propelling you towards what you want to be. Envision the task is already completed and also think about how good that would make you feel! Chasing a big goal can be scary at times, as you may not know where to begin! So it’s best to break your goals down into small bite-size goals so that each time you make some progress, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and will be motivated to continue. When you need to complete a task, you will probably not think about doing anything else or for that matter, pick up a book and read! But reading can help you find the motivation you are lacking! Additionally, it’s a profoundly inspiring habit to acquire. Moreover, when you have a deadline to reach, ignore all irrelevant activities and forge ahead to complete your unfinished work by getting rid of anything that wastes your time and always sticks to the activities that apply to a larger goal. Some of the other natural ways to find motivation are to allow yourself some downtime and once refreshed, dive into your task again. Also, remember to celebrate your small wins and reward yourself for staying motivated and on top of things!
If you feel you are overloaded with work and have heaps of tasks to complete, keep in mind that there…
Everything You Need To Know About Brain Tumours
What is a brain tumour? A tumour, in general, is a collection of abnormal cells in your any part of the body. Brain tumours are located inside the skull. The skull encloses the brain, which is very rigid! Any abnormal growth inside this restricted space can cause problems. Brain tumours can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). When benign or malignant tumours grow, they increase the pressure inside your skull. This additional pressure can cause brain damage and can be life-threatening. Brain tumours are categorized as primary or secondary. A primary brain tumour originates in your brain. Many primary brain tumours are benign. Metastatic brain tumour, also known as a secondary brain tumour occurs when the cancer cells spread to the brain from a different organ of the body. Types of brain tumours Primary brain tumours originate in your brain. They can develop from your: • brain cells • membranes surrounding your brain, which is called meninges • nerve cells • glands Primary tumours can either be benign or cancerous. Gliomas and meningiomas are common types of brain tumours in adults. Gliomas Gliomas are tumours that develop from glial cells. These cells normally: • provide nutrition to your central nervous system • supports the structure of the central nervous system • break down dead neurons • clean cellular waste Gliomas tumours can develop from different types of glial cells. Other primary brain tumours Other primary brain tumours include: • Pituitary tumours, which are usually benign • Pineal gland tumours, which can be benign or malignant • Ependymomas are generally benign • Craniopharyngiomas occur mostly in children and could be benign, but these can change clinical symptoms like in vision or premature puberty • Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas that are malignant • Primary germ cell tumours of the brain can be benign or malignant • Meningiomas originate in the meninges • Schwannomas arise in cells that produce the protective cover of your nerves (myelin sheath) called Schwann cells Risk factors for brain tumours Family history About 5 to 10 per cent of all cancers are genetically inherited, or hereditary. It’s rare for a brain tumour to be inherited genetically. Seek a specialist doctor if several people in your family have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Your doctor might recommend a genetic counsellor in that case. Age With age, the risk toward most types of brain tumours increases as well. Race Brain tumours, in general, are the most common in Caucasians. However, African-Americans are also more likely to find meningiomas. Chemical exposure Being exposed to certain chemicals, even those that you find at your work environment can increase the risk for brain cancer. Exposure to radiation People exposed to ionizing radiation have an increased risk of brain tumours. Ionizing radiation can occur through high-radiation cancer therapies. Radiation from nuclear fallout has similar effects. In the past, the nuclear power plant incidents in Fukushima and Chernobyl gives testament to how people can be exposed to ionizing radiation. What are the symptoms of a brain tumour? Symptoms of brain tumours depend on the location and size of the tumour. Some tumours cause direct damage by invading brain tissue, and some tumours cause pressure on the surrounding brain. You’ll have noticeable symptoms when a growing tumour creates pressure on the brain tissue. Headache is the tell-tale sign of a brain tumour. You may experience headaches that: • occur while you’re sleeping • are worse in the morning after waking up • are worse while coughing, sneezing, or exercising You may also experience: • Blurred vision or double vision • vomiting • Confusion • Weakness in a part of the face or limb • Seizures (especially in adults) • A change in mental functioning Symptoms of pituitary tumours The following symptoms can occur with pituitary tumours: • Nipple discharge, or galactorrhea • Development of breast tissue in men • Lack of menstruation in women • Enlargement of the hands and feet • increased amounts of body hair, or hirsutism • Sensitivity to heat or cold • Low blood pressure • Blurry vision or tunnel vision • Obesity How are brain tumours diagnosed? The diagnosis starts with a physical exam and a look at your medical history. They conclude the following, • muscle strength • memory • coordination • logical ability The doctor may order more tests after they finish the physical exam. These could include: CT scan of the head MRI of the head Angiography Skull X-rays Biopsy Treatment of brain tumours The treatment of a brain tumour depends on: • the type of tumour • the size of the tumour • the location of the tumour • your general health The most common treatment for malignant brain tumours is surgery. The primary goal is to remove as many cancer cells as possible without causing damage or complications to the healthy parts of the brain. Sometimes, the location of some tumours allows for easy and safe removal. Other tumours may be located in an area that limits how much of the tumour can be removed. It is seen that even the partial removal of brain cancer cells can be beneficial. The risks associated with brain surgery include infection and bleeding. Clinically dangerous benign tumours are also surgically removed. Metastatic brain tumours are treated according to the cancer present in the body. If surgery is suggested, it is most likely to be combined with other treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. After neurosurgery, physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy help you to recover.
What is a brain tumour? A tumour, in general, is a collection of abnormal cells in your any part of…