Five Ways To Train UR Brain During COVID-19 Lockdown
COVID-19 has pushed us back against the wall with the unprecedented lockdowns throughout the world. We are surely trying to live with this novel coronavirus in every way possible. And with things are opening up in due course. While we are all waiting to go back to normal, our brain has been kind of redundant in the past 2-3 months. The unprecedented changes in our lifestyle due to this lockdown, we need to train our brains to improve cognitive and social skills. Learning new skills, setting new goals and challenges for the brain are part of the training to keep our minds functional. Here are the top 5 ways in which you can train your brain for a more cognitively active lifestyle. Diversity is the key. Our activities in daily life rely on several brain or cognitive functions. They include memory, language, planning and speed of processing, among other things. Different types of activities allow us to train our brain do learn more thinking skills. Doing crosswords puzzles, for instance, maybe a great way to teach language and short-term memory. Set smart goals When you are sitting inactive at home, the best way to get back on track is to set goals. But don't set the bar too high. Instead, look to monitor your small goals. When you are done with one part and want to move forward, revise them and aim for a bit higher. Your goal should be about doing a new task in defined time or even achieving a higher difficulty level in a set timeframe. Brain workouts Brain workouts are a great way to train your grey matter. Research has shown that it isn't compulsory to exercise the brain every day. Instead, doing a 'brain workout' session of 30-60 minutes in a week is a great way to keep going. After you've completed the task, try to use these newly-learned skills in your daily activities. This will help you transfer the gains of the brain workout into your day-to-day operations. Overcoming challenges Always remember that the more challenging the activity, the more chances of sharpening your cognitive ability. It might happen with you that you will not be able to conquer the set goals. It can be either because of setting the bar too high or things going beyond your control. It is in these times that you will have to overcome the obstacles by planning meticulously instead of giving up. Better together Ever heard of the phrase two heads are better than one? Well, it works great in the gym for you, right? Try that when you are doing cognitive training. It will not only be more enjoyable but may also increase our level of effort. It will also help you overcome boredom. Not in the mood to do it with face to face? Try going on video calls with your friends and train together.
COVID-19 has pushed us back against the wall with the unprecedented lockdowns throughout the world. We are surely trying to…
5 Ways To Calm UR Mind During Stressful Times
Life throws chaos at us on a regular basis—from finances to our relationships and health. The latest chaos that has gripped the world is the novel coronavirus. The world has been dealing with the COVID-19 for almost five months now and there has been no end to it. While many of us have been working from home to meet the targets; stress kicks in many ways to push us back. In response to that, we try to survive on our adrenaline. Overworking, drinking another cup of coffee; we respond to the emails and get the work done. We think that if we stay up and work, we get things done. But all it does is that it burns us out, drain our productivity, and lead to exhaustion. Coping with stress To relieve stress, it is important to come up with a strategy to relax your mind and body. Here are the five quick and easy ways to regain calmness so that you can deal with different situations. 1. Take a Walk Exercise can be a great stress reliever. Exercising releases the feel-good hormone called endorphins. Walking brings the stress levels down and also helps you gain short-term and long term benefits like increase fitness of heart, stronger bones and improved balance. Walking will also help you get off work and return to it in a new frame of mind which is optimistic and determined. 2. Take a Breath Breathing exercises are a great way to instant calm URself. More oxygen into UR body means that you will feel a calm state. It also releases the physical tension that’s gripping you. And the fun part about this exercise is that you can do them anytime or anywhere. 3. Take a Mental Break If you want to restore UR peace of mind, then visualizations and guided imagery are a wonderful way to do it. Just close UR eyes and imagine scenery or a place that calms you down. It can help you in relaxing both physically and mentally. With practice, you will be able to access your "happy place" and quickly feel relaxed when stressed. 4. Reframe Your Situation We tend to maximise our stress just by the way we perceive them. One way to deal with situations and the arising stress out of them is to look at them differently. Put a different perspective to it and see how it changes UR situation. Pessimism and other self-sabotaging thought patterns are meant to cause stress and problem, but if you change the way you look at problems, it'll come in handy when you're stressed. 5. Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique in which you tense and release all of UR muscle groups, leaving your body more relaxed in the process. PMR is a great technique that can be practised by anyone. With continuous practice and use, you can fully release the tensions that are gripping you in a matter of seconds.
Life throws chaos at us on a regular basis—from finances to our relationships and health. The latest chaos that has…
How Stressed Are You?
As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be”. In urban India, the answer seems to have become a foregone conclusion. Almost akin to saying, if you are alive, you surely have stress! So if having stress is a given, let’s check your attitude towards stress. Is it driving or destroying you? Is it energising and invigorating, or is it extremely exhausting? Is it fantastic or fatiguing? A simplistic diagnosis would be to ask you what your answer was. If you said ‘yes’ to the former all the time, that does make you a stress addict. Without stress you don’t move, but with stress you are all charged up - face flushed, eyes wide, heart pumping and blood racing through your arteries. You may also have said ‘No’ to most of the questions. What then? You do seem to be at the end of your tether, don’t you? You seem to be swamped under the burden of your troubles. Or, the thought of stress puts you in panic mode. You are either overburdened with stress and close to burnout or you have stress phobia. But why not do a quick 30-day stress analysis – a ‘how much’ and ‘where from’ check. You can understand the problem quickly, which will make working on the solution much easier too. If work was “very exciting” then place a W on that day. If the work was “OK” then write 2 Ws. And if it was bad/tiring/disappointing, then give it 3 Ws. Follow this routine with all other areas too. At the end of the week, total up each area individually. This matrix will help you quantify your stress areas, which you can reflect upon on a weekly or monthly basis. The more the Hs, the more the stress caused at home. The less the Rs, the healthier is your relationship quotient! The results may be exactly as you expected - confirming what you always knew. On the other hand, the results of the month may even be quite a revelation. Your perception may have been that home was a boiling pot of stress, but the totals may indicate that in fact, it was work. Now, let us explore some solutions. A problem-solving approach, a change of attitude or a change of perception might help you address specific areas. But meanwhile, you need to burn the existing stress. Let us start with the top of the body and work down to the feet. It was about your lazy bones that Martin Lurther King Jr said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” 1) Head, Neck, Face – When stress burdens us, like Atlas we tend to take the load on our shoulders. The muscles of the neck and shoulders go tight, the jaw clenches and the forehead goes into a frown. All this muscle tension soon results in a tension headache. Here are a few simple steps to beat the Atlas: • Sit comfortably in a chair, legs and arms in an open position. • Gently point your chin to the left shoulder, then right. Repeat it five times. Then point the chin up to the sky and down, five times. • Rotate your neck very slowly – left shoulder, chest, right shoulder, back, left shoulder. • Slowly reverse. Repeat five times. • Now comes the silent scream – open your mouth wide, squeeze those eyes shut and let out a scream at a zero volume. This is a good preventive measure, though it may not help much if the headache is severe. Try it when you feel discomfort starting. • Time taken: 5 minutes. 2) Chest – With stress, the chest feels heavy, the breathing short and uncomfortable and this only adds to the state of arousal. Try these quickies to breathe right. • Sit with the back straight in, in an open body position. • Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. • Slow your breath down to a count of four in, and then 4 out. • When you breathe in, push the abdomen out and when you breathe out, pull the abdomen in. • Now reverse count your breaths. Depending on the time available, start with 54 or 16. One count for breathe in and one for breathe out. When you reach zero, open your eyes. • Now your breathing is slow: lower chest and lungs are being used, your oxygen requirement is being met and your body and mind are becoming calm. • Time taken: 5 minutes The value of a robust physical activity is many folds. Whether it is an hour of aerobics, Bollywood dance or salsa, a walk or jog around the park or a strenuous session of swimming, the benefits are felt by your heart, lungs and blood vessels. The muscles and the joints of the body are mobilised and strengthened. And most importantly, the stress impacts of hormones and neurochemicals are burned and reduced. Feel-good hormones or endorphins are released creating a sense of de-stress and wellbeing. To the above list let’s add sports – tennis, football, basketball, hockey or cricket. With this, you will learn to work within a team, subjugate your ego for the group, rise to a leadership position if required, demand the best out of each teammate and rise to the challenge of a win!
As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be”. In…
Imagining The Subtle Body
What is the subtle body? And why should we imagine it during yogasanas? It is the body which is subtler than the physical one! The human system is very complex and beautifully done. It is incredibly fragile and at the same time, phenomenally resilient. This life is so fragile: Inhalation, exhalation, inhalation, Imagining The Subtle Body: From The Surface To The Core exhalation - If the next inhalation does not happen, you're gone! Between life and death, there is just half a breath, not even a full breath! But even though life is so fragile, it still has resilience. Human beings can do unbelievable things because the body is structured on many different levels. If it was just physical, if you just held somebody’s nose in their sleep, they should be gone. But that is not how it is. It is in layers. Even if the physical loses its ability to live, if the other dimensions are still alive, the physical could be revived. It happens to you every day: When you sleep, one part of you is actually dead – your personality, your thought, and your ideas of what you are – but because the other parts are still awake, everything comes awake once again. Enhancing Perception Whether you practice a simple asana or any other dimension of yoga, essentially, the only goal is to improve your perception, because only what you perceive you know – the rest is just imagination. Generally, instead of enhancing knowledge, people have unfortunately been given teachings. Teachings will only lead to unbridled creativity, which is a sure way of graduating into an asylum. If your imagination loses control, if it is not rooted in reality, you are moving towards insanity. On the spiritual path, if you take in teachings which are not necessary for you, very quickly, you will move towards insanity. The danger is always there. If your feet are still firmly on the ground and then you imagine something, it is okay. But if your imagination can take you off the ground, then you have no control over the situation. Memory And Imagination Asanas and other yogic practices are mainly designed only to enhance your perception and not to send you on a flight of imagination. As your understanding is enhanced, then you know life, you are not thinking about life. Right now, this question has arisen because there is no experience of the subtle body, but somebody is telling you ‘please see it,’ -imagination. Yes, we are asking you to imagine this because the distinction between what is real and what is vision is not significant. It is a very thin line. The actual process is anyway happening. If you assist it with the right kind of action and awareness, the real thing will come into the picture. Today, it is an established fact in neuroscience that unless you have some memory and imagination, your visual apparatus will not function. You always believed that your eye is a camera – no. Without the computer behind, it cannot work. We are doing what is called natural eye care methods at Isha Rejuvenation, where we use memory and imagination to see better; you can distinctly see if you build memory about something; within a minute, you can see things better. Conclusion Even now, you are unable to see many things about which there is no memory. So we are just trying to build some memory, and you cannot make memory without imagination. You always thought you could not imagine unless there is a memory. No, you cannot build memory unless there is imagination. Without imagination, consciousness is not possible. We are asking you to imagine the subtle body. Just make it like yourself; do not make it too beautiful. Do not let your imagination run wild. Just a little bit is okay because if you build this, the memory will play. Once the mind plays, you will begin to see. But do not see it walking all over the place – only when you are doing the asanas. Those of you who start seeing subtle bodies all over the place, such people should eat only subtle food! Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author. Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service.
What is the subtle body? And why should we imagine it during yogasanas? It is the body which is subtler…
The Fundamentals Of Good Health
There are three fundamentals you need to take care of to create health for yourself - food, activity and rest. 1. Eating Right One of the most critical aspects you must be conscious of is how quickly a specific type of food digests and becomes a part of yourself. If you eat something and it doesn't digest within three hours, it means you have eaten food that should either be avoided or reduced in quantity. If the food moves out of your stomach within three hours, it means that even if it is not the best food, it is still something your system is able to handle. If you maintain a clear gap of five to six hours between one meal and the next, without having anything in between, cleansing will take place at the cellular level. This cleansing at the cellular level is essential for a healthy life. If you are over 30 years of age, two tasty meals a day will suffice one in the morning and one in the evening. There must be a gap of three hours before you go to bed after your evening meal. If this includes at least 20 to 30 minutes of light physical activity such as simple walking your system will be healthy. If you go to bed with food still inside your stomach, a certain level of inertia in the system will be generated. Physiologically, this inertia is like acceleration towards death and death is the ultimate inertia. Another dimension is that if you go to bed with a full stomach, it puts pressure on other organs in the abdomen. This will also lead to various kinds of health issues. For this reason, too it is crucial that before you go to bed the food eaten should move out of the stomach as you sleep in different postures so you should ensure that your stomach doesn’t put pressure on your other organs at any point. 2. Use Your Body When it comes to activity, a straightforward thing you need to consider is that your body is capable of bending forward, bending backwards and twisting towards both sides. So this activity must happen in some form or the other. Classical hatha yoga is the best way to do it. Moreover, it is scientific. So if traditional hatha yoga is not yet part of your life, you must somehow make sure that every day you bend forward, backward, twist to both sides and squat so that your spinal column is stretched. This is a must on a daily basis, if you want to keep your entire system healthy particularly your neurological system, or else it will be an issue as you age. 3. Get Enough Rest But Not Too Much! Various factors determine the amount of rest a person needs. One crucial factor is the type and amount of food you consume. Experiment with different kinds of foods and check which foods make you feel heavy and which ones leave you light and agile. If you make sure that at least 40 per cent of your diet consists of fresh vegetables and fruits, there will be lightness in your body. Also what the body needs is restfulness and not necessarily sleep. Therefore it is a misunderstanding to think that sleep is the only way to rest. Even as you sit or stand you can either be in a state of restfulness, in a state of agitation, or in a state of inertia. But if you are in a lively state of restfulness every moment of your life, the volume of sleep you require will decrease. How To Live A Healthy Life The Five Sheaths Of The Body 1. In yoga, the human system is looked upon as five sheaths or layers. Every aspect of the human system including the mind, is seen as a body and yoga is a technology to transform it. These five layers of the body are called Annamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Vignanamaya Kosha and Anandamaya Kosha. 2. Anna means food. And your physical body or Annamaya Kosha is the food that you have eaten small or big is your choice, but it is food, nonetheless. So as there is a physical body that you have gathered from outside, there is also a mental body. This spiritual body is known as Manomaya Kosha. If you bring the physical body, the mental body and the energy body into proper alignment and balance, you will not have any physical or psychological ailments. 3. The third layer of the body is called Pranamaya Kosha or energy body. The physical body, mental body, and energy body are all in the realm of physicality, but on different levels of subtlety. 4. The next layer of the body is a transitory body that is known as Vignanamaya Kosha. It facilitates the transition from the physical to the non-physical. It does not ascribe to any of the physical qualities, but at the same time it is not yet wholly non-physical either. 5. This layer is called Anandamaya Kosha which in English translates as ‘bliss body’. This does not mean there is a bubble of bliss in you. It is called bliss body because in our experience, whenever it is touched, we become blissful. Bliss is not its nature; bliss is what it causes.
There are three fundamentals you need to take care of to create health for yourself – food, activity and rest….
How To Achieve Peace In UR Life
We are the most comfortable generation to have ever lived on this planet. In our endeavour to make our lives more secure and tranquil, we have also tried our best to fix the environment and if we fix it any more, there will be no planet left! Furthermore, our survival process is better organised than ever before. For instance, you can go to a supermarket and buy everything you need for an entire year. Moreover, you can get all your groceries without even stepping out of your home! Never before in the history of humanity has such a thing been possible. But despite having all the comfort, amenities and luxury at our disposal, we definitely cannot say we are happier, more loving or more peaceful than our forefathers. There Is No Peace Everybody desires peace in their lives, but their agitated minds prevent them from experiencing peace. Suppose you lose your peace — naturally, you will first quarrel with your husband or wife. But as this state progresses, you will go and yell at your neighbour. And if it progresses further, you will yell at your boss! The day you yell at your boss, everyone will come to know you need medical help. This is because, yelling at your husband, wife or neighbour may be perceived as ‘normal’ as everybody else is doing it, but yelling at your boss is considered to be taking it a bit too far. Peaceful Chemistry Within You When your mind is restless, you will visit a doctor who in turn will prescribe a tablet for you to get some respite. Once this tablet goes into your system, you will become peaceful — at least for a few hours. This is due to the fact that when some chemical is put into our system, at the level of our body and mind, agitation leaves and a little peace sets in. So, peace is a sort of chemistry within our body. Similarly, every emotion has a type of chemistry and whatever the feeling, it will have a similar chemical process within the body that will adjust with it. If you are peaceful, peaceful chemistry will be within you. Or, if you can create that kind of chemistry within yourself, automatically peace will be within you. In yoga, it is approached both ways. Creating The Right Kind Of Chemistry With the right kind of practices, you can bring about a change in your internal chemistry and bring it to a particular level, so that, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in, you will always be able to maintain your peace. At present, your peace may be dependent on external situations. Hence, if the situation is conducive for you, your peace is not disturbed. However, if you find yourself in a situation that is not favourable to you, there may be a problem. Therefore, only when your peace is not a slave to external situations and your inner self remains the same, despite the external situations you encounter, it is called yoga. In other words, it can be said that yoga is the science of creating the right kind of chemistry. Inner Peace: A Guide To Developing It Being Peaceful Is The Very Beginning When your inner state is pleasant, you are naturally pleasant to everyone and everything around you. No scripture or philosophy is needed to instruct you to be good to others. It is a natural outcome when you are feeling good. Therefore, inner pleasantness is surefire insurance for the making of a peaceful society and a joyful world. If you have the right kind of chemistry, being peaceful and joyful is the only way — it cannot be any other way. To be peaceful and joyous is not the ‘end’ of life but the ‘beginning’ of life! If you are not peaceful and always caught up in your own mental nonsense, you have not started ‘living’ yet, as being peaceful or joyful is the most basic requirement. You must be peaceful, even if you just want to enjoy your breakfast or dinner. If you are restless, you will not experience any enjoyment, as being peaceful is the very beginning of things. However, nowadays people go about propagating that the highest dimension of one’s life is to have peace of mind. Unfortunately, as a large population of the world has not made this ‘beginning,’ many are speaking about it like it is the ultimate goal in life. Additionally, it is very sad that so-called spiritual gurus are going about telling everyone that to be peaceful is the ultimate thing! What people don’t realise is that being at peace is the most fundamental of all things and it is not enlightenment or God — being at peace with oneself is the ‘A’ of life and not the ‘Z’ of life!
We are the most comfortable generation to have ever lived on this planet. In our endeavour to make our lives…
Ice Breakers At The Dinner Table
Here are 5 ice breaker questions that are perfect for family gatherings. The aim is to have light-hearted conversations and get to know each other better. Save the Drama for another time 1. What animal do you relate to and why? Give everyone a 1 min time limit and have patience. Try not to repeat the animal in the group as much as possible. 2. What would you have done if U were bolder? The time limit of 1 minute per person, appreciate every answer. Do not be judgemental. Show family members are in a safe environment 3. Share one thing that you wish everyone knew about you? Give people enough time to brag about themselves but no more than 3 min per person. Try this in smaller groups. 4. If you rename yourself what name would you choose? This is a light-hearted question to ease tense situations during family get-togethers. Answers don’t particularly have to have a reason behind them. 5. What is one special talent you would like to have and who is UR inspiration for this talent? This is a way to help UR family members get one step closer to doing things they enjoy for themselves. It’s great to bond if UR talents align. Enjoy family time. Take loads of pictures and create memories that will be cherished forever. For the past 7-8 weeks, we have been confined to our own homes, the world over. Many of us are lucky not to be alone. Some of us are enjoying spending time with family like never before. While each one is busy through the day with their own tasks like you with Zoom meetings, UR spouse with Zoom parties, UR kids with online classes, elders catching up on family news, meals for one are surely together. Ask urself these questions: Is it usually a TV dinner? Or do you sit at the dining table with some scope for conversation? After the usual queries and compliments about the food, what do you all chat about? Do you get a peek into their lives, aspirations, lonely moments? Do you share your stories with family? Spare some time to chat with each other, get to know what everybody is thinking and what they are feeling. All you have to do every now and then is to take the initiative to set up a good meal and invite the family to join you at the table. Start a quiz with everyone asking one question. Keep it simple. Reward good answers through kind gestures. Non-contributors or spoilsports can be given fun but non-hurtful tasks such as clearing the table or making tea for all! The Topics Could Be Give me one song each from this famous singer. Name 3 top movies in the last 2 yrs. Where do you see yourself 5 yrs from now? What are you afraid of? If you could go anywhere you choose for a vacation, where would it be? What feature do you like most in your face/your body? What is your first, earliest memory? Can you remember? One thing you like and don’t like in this family. What are you most proud of? And one thing you are most embarrassed about. You could start a chat by sharing an interesting incident that happened to you. And then ask if anyone had any such anecdotes to share? The elders in the family could talk about why they chose the career they did? The young ones could talk about what career choices they would like to make? Two generations will laugh at or marvel at each other’s life decisions. Sit back and understand how each of their minds functions. Each question will stir up a fun debate amongst the family. Someone may argue the singer is not famous at all, while another may quote a song from a totally different singer and be adamant they are right. Mixing fun topics will slightly more introspective ones will keep everyone listening and connected. Everyone will learn things about each other they just never knew. If you notice it is a Quiz about the family and by the family. These chats are fun, interesting & insightful. Create an atmosphere for family members to share things about themselves they would otherwise be reserved about. A lot of information gets shared in fun and game. Make the most of this family time. Once 2021 comes around, the privilege of time will go back to becoming . . . limited.
Here are 5 ice breaker questions that are perfect for family gatherings. The aim is to have light-hearted conversations and…
5 Tips To Strengthen UR Familial Bonds
'Blood is thicker than water', an ancient proverb tells it all about familial bonds. Families may have their problems and jealousies, but in times of dire need, you are better off having a family member on standby. There are various kinds of relationships and friendship is an important one. As per the Oxford dictionary, friendship is defined as a 'relationship between two people who hold mutual affection for each other'. If you happen to have a family member who is also a close friend, you have the best of everything. However, if there is consistent reciprocity, understanding, compassion and honesty, an acquaintanceship can turn into friendship. The conversion is more likely when one experiences a level of comfort in the company of the other to be himself and express fearlessly. Age is no bar to form a relationship. A good relationship is like a fuel that strengthens our health, mind and connections with others. On the other hand, if the relationship isn't working, it can drain a person physically and emotionally. Seeking professional help may include individual therapy to raise emotional awareness and assertiveness, or couple and family sessions to help tidy the unattended issues. Seeking help, in my opinion, is a sign of strength, not weakness. 01 Communicate Effectively Remember the key to a healthy relationship is effective communication. The fundamental of excellent communication is to listen more and talk less. This will leave the other feeling valued. It's wise to accept the views of others without feeling challenged or threatened. Speak calmly without losing composure or unduly asserting UR thoughts. 02 Choose Humanistic Contact Technological advances have connected us to people across the world but disconnected from those with and around us. I suggest you choose direct one to one contact over texting, email and clicking the 'like' button on Social Media. Personal engagement is always better than a digital one. Make sure you look into the person's eyes while speaking. U must pay attention as a mark of respect. 03 Leave No Loose Ends Ensure that any growing differences are attended promptly, especially in romantic relationships. Understand that relationships are dynamic, therefore warrant a proactive response to change. Loose ends in relationship matters enhance emotional burden and bury the core issue. 04 Accept And Adapt Queen Elizabeth allegedly stated 'grief is the price we pay for love'. Which means we need to accept some loss if we want to love. It is essential to recognize that there are ups and downs in every relationship and nothing is permanent. Relationship breakdowns should not be seen as rejection or failure which can drive withdrawal, agitation, depression and even suicidal behaviour. For a lasting relationship, ongoing investment is the key. Learn to temper UR attachment and let go of the relationship when it isn't working. Make sure you give it UR best shot before breaking relationships as once the damage is done, it’s very hard to be rectified. 05 Allow Space, Invest More And Expect Less Insecurity breeds possessiveness and a claustrophobic feeling. Therefore allow space in UR relationship, have basic trust and avoid undue involvement. Relationships are an investment. The more you put in, the more returns you can get back. All that is required is patience and consistency. When you expect nothing, you always get more. Stay Happy and Learn to Live to the fullest. Spread Positivity and try UR best to Strengthen Family Ties.
‘Blood is thicker than water’, an ancient proverb tells it all about familial bonds. Families may have their problems and…
5 Uncomfortable Topics To Be Avoided At Family Gatherings
What do we all crave? What is that one thing that enables us to feel good about ourselves? Indeed, it is a relationship with our family, friends or work colleagues. It's a very healthy craving! The need to belong is a deep-seated psychological impulse. The Human is social by nature. We are inherently programmed to form relationships right from our inception into this world. Healthy attachment with parents and family establishes a lifelong skill of building and maintaining relationships. The consistency of relationships enables us to relate to this world, develop coping mechanisms and feel secure. A stable secure upbringing can enhance emotional development as well as build a reserve for active coping. In other words, it leads to the development of our personality, identity and sense of self. On the other hand, fragmented formative years can make us fragile and isolative. When relationship difficulties seem irremediable, seek professional help without delay. Getting an independent, objective and unbiased input from an expert can mean timely advice and support at any age. UR current state of unknown unhappiness may have strong roots in the past. Stay away form unnecessary topics that can have a deep impact on loved ones. Keep gathering light and jovial. If you have a pressing concern, address it one on one in private at a scheduled time of convenience for both. 01 Politics In a world of information overload, bias and inclinations to political views are invariable. With social media being the most significant source of misinformation and fakery, it is all too common to see hatred and arguments at family gatherings & what's app groups. There will always be that one annoying aunt, uncle or cousin who will disagree and end up wanting to fight or argue. Spare yourself the grief and do not wander into the treacherous arena of politics amongst UR relatives. Respect people’s views and lend them a hearing ear if you have to. It’s best not to indulge or express UR opinion on this topic. 02 Parenting Techniques Everyone is entitled to their own parenting techniques. It depends on various factors including geographic and socio-cultural context. There are no 'one size fits all' parenting strategy. It's not UR business to provide unsolicited advice (especially relatives) on ways to parent, even if you disapprove of how they run things. Do not indulge in idle gossip on parenting skills. Only if asked, answer in private. This is not the time to show off UR badges, the repercussions can sometimes lead to hiding UR face as well. 03 Finances This one is a strict NO, especially if you've several different relatives that in Business or especially the family business. The irony of this is that, you may end up getting expert advice from even those relative who has mismanaged funds! It gets absolutely annoying when comparisons are made on investments and savings! Try not to indulge in over dressing or pomp and show at family gatherings. Let UR hospitality and personality speak volumes rather than wealth and belongings. 04 Religious Ideologies In an ideal society, there is no better way to showcase UR faith and religious beliefs than in intellectual conversations. The possibility of putting forth the idea of exploring another faith that you didn't grow up flowing is enough to make people insecure and threatened. This in turn, makes you vulnerable. Keep Ur beliefs to yourself and practice what you would like to preach. Forcing people to follow UR ideologies can become overwhelming. Share personal experiences but don’t become a gyaan guru. 05 Relationship Status Some things are personal and best discussed discretely rather than in a living room of gathered relatives. UR extended family doesn't need to know anything about UR dating life until you're committed, engaged, planning to get married. Gone are the days of the nosy relatives prying into UR personal life. Digging up scoop works both ways, make a wise choice before you comment on any persons relationship status.
What do we all crave? What is that one thing that enables us to feel good about ourselves? Indeed, it…
What’s The Difference Between A Friend, A Therapist And A Guru?
At different points in our lives, we have needed a friend, a therapist, and a mentor to push us through the difficulties, share our happiness and guide us to a better tomorrow. However, they are all different and play different roles in our lives. So, what is the real difference between them? One of the easiest ways to find that out is to as these simple questions, “What role does this person play? To what end? For how long?” If you can get answers to these, you can very well understand each of them and move ahead in life. Friend A friend is supposed to take your side. They need to have unconditional love for you, where right or wrong shouldn’t matter. They are someone who stand by you, take your side and make sure that they are there for in every situation. A friend is someone you can partly take for granted as well because they have your interest in the place. They are neither certified nor are trained practitioners, but the advice that they give you are out of the shared experience of your lives. You also need to set some boundaries and rules, and you should choose a minimum of 5 people who will always be by your side for the rest of your life. You have to cultivate the sort of friendship from your school or college days, where you spend time with them, understand and make a comfort zone around them. You have to make sure that these relations are platonic, and you do not reach any uncomfortable situation in these relationships. You should also let your parents or partners or sibling know about your friends. As a matter of fact, these friends could include your partner or siblings who are in this “5 friends” relationship with you. Friendship is sacred as the rules of friendship are strong. They include, • Sticking by you Being available for you • Understanding your needs • Syncing and growing together • Building a relationship together As friends, you need to have a positive influence on each other, rather than draining each other out. This is what a friend should be. Therapist A therapist is a trained professional who you seek for help. Therapists are not supposed to be judgemental. By practice, they are certified professionals who do not have to judge you and listen to you. Their job is to teach you how to deal or cope up with the urgent situation that you are facing. When a therapist teaches you how to deal with a situation, you will learn to deal with more similar situations or even worse in a better manner. Some of us have deep-rooted issues, and they don’t know who to speak with. That’s where a therapist comes in to help you figure the problem and deal with it in a better manner. Therapists also prescribe medication, as it is essential for you to heal with medication. They also prescribe alternative therapies. Before going to a therapist, you must do your homework. You must understand what you are visiting the therapist for and what you want out of it. Don’t go with high expectations and understand your needs before visiting a therapist, as they are expensive. So choose them wisely, closer to home, within your budget, and can give your benefits out of those therapy sessions. Guru/Mentor A guru or mentor is a person who you seek advice from at different times of your life, depending on what you need. Say you want to start a new business, it is this guru or mentor who will help you move in the right direction. These people give you advice. You can look at their life and experiences and gain from them. Depending on what you want to achieve in life, you have to choose your mentor. That’s the essential part of the process. It is also crucial to choose a set of mentors. Make sure that you learn your lessons from them before moving on to the next one. It will lead to confusion where you might learn anything even with the best of help. Dive deeper into your questions. If you can get a personal session with your guru, then there is nothing better. Or else, you can keep following them on their website or YouTube channels. Study their lives and understand their successes. Take what you feel will help you grow. This is the difference between a friend, a therapist and a mentor or guru. Always remember that all three are your well-wishers, and you need to have them all in your life. Choose who you want to, to succeed in life. And segregate them in different compartments, which will help you become a better person in life.
At different points in our lives, we have needed a friend, a therapist, and a mentor to push us through…
Is Ur Mom Secure?
It's the day after Mother's Day, has life gone back to normal? Mom not being respected and given the importance she deserves? I certainly hope that's not the case. The love hangover needs to last a bit. Even wondered about UR mom's security. By security, we mean, does she feel safe and well taken care of. We all do love our mothers, but sometimes we need to show it practically as well. The love, attention, care and discipline that mother's invest in taking care of the family reflects in her health and in the health of the family. Majority of women find it challenging to follow a wellbeing routine without proper motivation. Little things like not having a restful night's sleep, overworking to exhaustion, trying to balance family and professional life etc. take a toll on her health. When tell-tale signs of a disease or an infection start showing up, most mothers turn to home remedies. The waiting period makes the illness even trickier to treat. When the woman of the family falls sick, there is chaos. A mother plays a crucial role in taking care of the family's needs, and her requirements take a backseat. She waits to reach out to a doctor only after the pain becomes unbearable. The family members feel guilty, as they feel they ignored her symptoms. Only then does the rest of the family pitch in or hire help to keep up her daily routine. The mental and emotional wellbeing of the family is dependent on the severity of the woman's illness. It's proven that the family is much more peaceful and successful when the women of the house are healthy and happy. Basic Questions? Does she have direct access to UR family doctor? When was the last time she did a complete health check? Where and how are her previous records and reports stored? Is she on regular medication? Is she taking her medicines on time? Does she have enough finances or insurance to take care of her medical needs? Have You checked UR Mom's Reports? Cholesterol & Blood Pressure screening: If her test results are normal, the test can be repeated after a year. If significant lifestyle changes occur and the results aren't good or borderline, it's advised to screen more frequently. If UR mom has an existing condition like diabetes, heart disease, kidney issues or other medical conditions, she needs to be monitored more closely. Stress has a huge correlation to elevated BP or cholesterol. Stress may be ignored by a lot of moms, but it's something that needs to be addressed. Stress is an underlying cause for most lifestyle diseases. A good way to relieve stress is to stay active and meditate. 10k steps a day and 15 min of any kind of meditation should do the job. Please do not confuse prayer/ chanting for meditation, they are two separate activities with different healing powers. Diabetes & Obesity screening: If UR mom's BP is higher than 140/80 mm Hg or your family history suggests diabetes, you should definitely get her tested. An easy test to see if UR mom is in good shape is to give her a tight hug. If UR hands don't go around her waist comfortably, you know she needs to lose weight. Removing processed and polished foods like white rice, maida, sugar, canned juices etc. can be the first step. Get UR mom to meet a nutritionist and set a healthy menu for the whole family. This one-off exercise will change UR healthcare spend as well as manage UR monthly grocery expenses. There are abundant success stories of how people have controlled/ reversed diabetes by transforming their kitchens and fridges. It takes a bit of effort, every self-respecting successful adult is doing it. Keep track of Mom's BMI and weight, it can be nagging but will pay off big time in future, i.e. if she listens. If Mom is over 20Kg above her ideal weight, there are loads of medical options available for her to get back in shape. Consult with a good gastroenterologist or obesity specialist. A Smile Screening: UR mom's smile brings u a lot of happiness, but did you know when she last enhanced her smile? Visiting UR dentist twice a year is a must for oral hygiene. Tooth issues can be very painful if ignored. For all those who just love their mom's smile a bit too much, suggest a bit of filler/botox to boost her mood and make her feel forever young. ENT & Chest exam: If Mom is dealing with diabetes or any vision issues, get an eye examination every year. Make sure she invests in a good pair of sunglasses that have UV protection and cover a large part of the face. Keeping a few pairs of reading glasses handy would make life easier for her. Sinus and snoring can be small issues that can lead to nagging headaches and loss of quality sleep. Get it checked and nip the problem in the bud. As women age, their voice also starts to change. Some women lose their voices, or it becomes more hoarse. Regular chanting and yoga can help keep their voice intact. If Mom has asthma, make sure she has a backup of inhalers at home. Sticking a glow in the dark sticker on it makes it easier to find at night. Encourage mom to stay hydrated and consume warm water with cinnamon regularly. Vaccination: Get mom a flu shot every year. A tetanus-diphtheria booster once every 10 years is beneficial. Two doses of varicella vaccine is a must if she has never had chickenpox or the varicella vaccine. With the COVID-19 pandemic shocking us, it's better to keep mom at home if she's over 60. Get the right protocols implemented and keep masks and sanitizer handy at home. Try to maintain a very hygienic environment at home. Woman Screening: Mammogram: If UR family medical history suggests breast cancer, consider yearly mammograms over the age of 35. For mom's under 35, do regular self-breast examinations or opt for a breast ultrasound. Keep a check on mom's skin for abnormal signs. Pelvic exam and Pap smear: These are must for mom every 3 years to check for cervical cancer. If mom's Pap smear and HPV test are normal, she needs to repeat the test only every 5 years. Colorectal Cancer Screening: If mom is above 50, get a faecal occult blood test every year. For every 5yrs, get a Flexible sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy every 10 years. Osteoporosis screening: If mom has a fractured bone post the age of 50, make sure to get a bone density test. Gynaecologist Women find it invasive to meet a gynaecologist. With age encourage UR gynec to become UR mom's best friend. Help mom to choose a gynec she can confide in and trust. Few most common issues women deal with are menstrual abnormalities, menopause, pregnancy-related problems, ovary health, vaginal discharge, itchiness, bleeding and cancer. Consult a gynaecologist and follow up with the entire course of treatment. Don't feel shy. UR moms health is as stake. Addressing women's issues are no more a taboo, we're living in 2020. The most common health-related issues women face are due to an unhealthy lifestyle. PCOD, late childbearing, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis (presence of Endometrial Tissue - the lining of the uterus, outside the uterus in the pelvic cavity), adenomyosis, pelvic infections, breast and uterus cancer in younger patients, infertility, etc. could be avoided by making minor lifestyle changes gradually. U R in this together as a family. You can choose to bake her a cake full of sugar or teach her to start living healthy. The choice is URs. Make UR mother's day act meaningful or else don't do it at all. Insurance We all have got to pay the price of healthcare if we don't make adequate lifestyle choices early. It is best to understand the evolving world and get insurance to secure Mom's health and finances. UR employer or external agencies offer insurance packages based on age and risk. It never hurts to be careful and indulge in research. If you are not considering insurance, then saving money for a rainy day might come in handy during a medical emergency. How to make Mom secure about her health Apart from keeping up with her medical history, there are a few practical things you can set to help her. 1. Always choose to live in a locality with a nearby pharmacy and a multi-speciality hospital. Keep the numbers handy and registered on her mobile. 2. Teach parents about the technology of online consultations and emergency services. 3. Always make sure that their emergency contacts are on speed dial. 4. Know your neighbours as they can be life saviours. 5. Keeping a savings account only for a health emergency. 6. Do not miss an appointment or a screening test as prescribed. 7. If mom is bedridden, consider appointing a home care nurse with expertise. Taking precautions earlier helps you and UR mom feel more secure. This is a relationship that will either make you feel guilty or great UR Mom’s Wellbeing Checklist The time it takes: 30 min Satisfaction: Invaluable Basic knowledge of: 1. Name and Number of UR family doctor and her gynaecologist. 2. Date of the most recent complete health check. 3. Where and how are her previous records and reports stored? 4. Is there a list of regular medication entered on her phone calendar with timings? 5. The validity of Health Insurance. 6. Savings account details with a deposit saved for a medical emergency. 7. Are the Emergency contact detailed saved on her phone? Does she know the speed dial list? 8. Address of the nearest hospital, pharmacy & clinic. About Her Wellness Find answers to these questions 1. Is she active, ideally walking 10k steps a day? If not, encourage to achieve the 10k mark gradually by making daily progress. 2. Does she have any injury or pains? If yes, Have you put her in touch with a physiotherapist? If no consult a physiotherapist and get to know the actual issue. 3. Is UR mom feeling low and depressed? Does she have a mentor or trainer professional like a psychologist she can seek help from? She needs someone to express her feelings. 4. Is UR mom making the right food choices for home and her health? Get her in touch with a good nutritionist. A consultation should help her get a clearer picture. 5. Is UR mom staying hydrated? Water retention & bloating are huge problems for women. Her weight multiplied by .033 will give you the amount of water(in litres) she needs to drink every day. 6. When was the last time UR mom did something for herself? A massage etc. its time to set up relaxation time for UR mom. 7. Know where UR mom is buying supplies & produce for the house. You can recommend healthier produce vendors by doing a bit of research. Make sure it is suitable to UR budget. 8. Mom is not a glorified maid, punching bag or sole governor of the house. It has to be a collective effort. Give her the respect she deserves. 9. Height, Weight & BMR and the conditions that she might deal with, concerning age or genetics. Mandatory Medical Checkup 1. Blood Pressure – The normal range of BP should be more than 90/60 and less than 120/80. 2. Blood Sugar - There are two types to determine blood sugar levels. While fasting, the sugar levels should be between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL). After eating, the sugar levels can be up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 3. Cholesterol - The total cholesterol in the body should be less than 170mg/dL. In which the non-High-Density Lipoprotein should be less than 120mg/dL. Low-Density Lipoproteins should be less than 100mg/dL. High-Density Lipoprotein should be more than 45mg/dL. 4. Oxygen saturation – The oxygen saturation in the blood should always be between 95 - 100%. 5. Menopause 6. Pap smear 7. Mammogram 8. PCOD 9. Fibroids 10. Cysts - The normal size of a cyst is up to 3 cm (a little over an inch) 11. Endometriosis (presence of Endometrial Tissue – the lining of the uterus, outside the uterus in the pelvic cavity) and adenomyosis 12. Pelvic infections 13. Uterus cancer in young moms 14. Infertility 15. Osteoporosis screening 16. Colorectal Cancer Screening 17. Flu shot 18. Tetanus-diphtheria booster 19. Two doses of varicella vaccine 20. Vision 21. Sinus, breathing and lung function test 22. Sleep study 23. Dental appointment
It’s the day after Mother’s Day, has life gone back to normal? Mom not being respected and given the importance…
5 Valuable Quarantine Gifts For UR Mom
Nothing can express the strength of motherhood, it's natures highest law. Right since childhood women are naturally designed to have a balance. Call it a supernatural power women are born with, or a power that's cultivated. They're unstoppable and are up and about round the clock no matter how physically drained they are. Selfless & unconditional love is in abundance in their DNA. This mother's day think differently about UR mothers needs 1. Health Ever wondered the importance of UR mom's health and how it impacted the emotions the family. She's made sure UR health was in top shape as a child, its time you do the same for her. Has she had her annual check-up when was the last time she did a mammogram, when was the last time she met her gynaecologist and have you asked her about her general health and wellbeing. Getting to know her aches and pains will help you plan a wellbeing program for her. It is essential to keep tabs on her physical and mental wellbeing as both are related. Arrange all her medical records and keep a tab on her medication. If she doesn't have insurance, make sure she gets a policy or check if UR employer covers UR parents insurance. 2. Relax, Get To Know Her Better How well do you know UR mom? When was the last time you chatted with her about her likes and dislikes? Women believe in multitasking and sometimes can have stress or anxiety related to this, but will hardly complain. Let her loosen up a bit. Give her a head massage, clean her feet and apply the cream, stretch her out. These are small gestures but will make her feel special and show that UR intentions are pure. Don't bring up touchy topics, keep things light-hearted. 3. Cook Healthy Gone are those days when you cook fatty fancy elaborate meals for people you love. Healthy cuisine is now the most fashionable and shows U care about the person and the planet. Make a healthier version of a dish she makes. You mom will love everything you make, this can be UR subtle way of teaching her to change her eating patterns as well. Starchy sugary foods will end up giving her diabetes or hypertension. Spicy foods will give rise to stomach issues. Remember she has started ageing, and this means her food choices and portion size have to change accordingly. 4. Revisit Memories Revisiting old memories is like therapy. It takes you back to a happy place. Make a mental list of all the happy moments and experiences you have shared together. Going over these memories will teach you to value relationships and how to nurture current ones. It's an important lesson for a lot of us who prefer nuclear families these days. Create a list of experiences that you want to create in the future, these are moments you will treasure and realize their value at a later date. 5. the Hobby Experience Due to her schedule, there might be many hobbies that have taken a back seat. Help her retrace the steps back to hobbies she likes, such as art, craft, gardening, music etc. Help her reorganize her schedule to incorporate hobby time in her life here on. Motivate and encourage her. Make hobbies a way for her to earn, be independent and express herself. UR mother deserves this.
Nothing can express the strength of motherhood, it’s natures highest law. Right since childhood women are naturally designed to have…