Are you struggling to be productive while studying online? This unexpected situation is not easy for anyone. We each have to create a new temporary lifestyle! Here are a few tips from Les Roches Global Hospitality Education to help you make the most of your time at home.
Create a designated study area
It is important to separate your studying and leisure spaces to avoid distractions. Your ideal studying area should be quiet, organized, free from distractions and comfortable: so avoid studying in your bed as you might be tempted to take a nap!
Manage your time
Create a plan to help you organize your time and keep track of your daily tasks. You’ll be more effective and feel in control of your day. Scheduling breaks is also helpful. Consider separating study subjects with breaks to help you focus.
Prioritize your daily tasks to achieve
At the end of the day, make sure your tasks have been carried out, and if they haven’t, put them back on your to-do list. Carry them out on the next day according to their priority, but try not to fall behind!
Be ready with questions
Keep track of each topic covered and prepare specific questions if needed. You may want to ask your teacher to clarify any unclear points during live sessions or in discussion forums.
Reward yourself
Striking a task off your to-do list is satisfying on its own, but when you finish a task, consider rewarding yourself with something you enjoy to keep yourself motivated!
Stay connected with your peers and teachers
Human connections are essential, so it’s important to create a support network to stay in touch with others. There are many ways to stay in contact virtually. For instance, you can attend virtual classrooms, take part in discussions boards, or organize a videoconference with your peers, for group work, a study circle, or just to hang out and decompress.
Build your routine
If you’re not used to this study from home situation, it’s critical to establish a routine. For instance, set an alarm, wake up, and get dressed to get yourself into a productive mood. Treat your day like any other, whether you’re going into school or not.
Human behaviour is largely a function of learned habits. To build a new routine, you need to start by forming new habits which will help your brain switch to automatic mode. Based on various studies, it often takes around 21 days to form a habit, so start now!
The situation around the coronavirus requires a high-level adaption. It is indeed challenging, but it’s an opportunity for you to learn and practice self-discipline which is a critical skill to have in life. Learn more about how Les Roches Global Hospitality Education can help you develop the skills you need for a great career.
As Neil DeGrasse Tyson rightfully says, “Dreams about the future are always filled with gadgets.” We human beings have constantly been growing and developing rapidly for generations now. One of the most things that we are constantly moving ahead with us is technology. The number of tabs, mobiles, phones, laptops that roll out in a few months is so many in our daily live themselves. Electronic gadgets once were a just medium however, now it is a necessity for every single human being. By this, I think the readers have some kind of idea about my topic for today’s article. It is about how electronic gadgets have become a part of our daily lives and even more during the pandemic.
Human life and electronic gadgets
Remember the time when having a phone used to be a privilege. We knew all the phone numbers through our strong memory. The only time that we used to get phones in our hands was when our parents were not using them and we could play all the games on them. Electronic gadgets then were a means of getting the work done or for communication. From standing in one place and using the landline to being able to move around with a mobile phone we have come a long way. Electronic gadgets have come a long way with human civilization. However, by coming along with us they have also managed to seep into our lives so much that now mobile phones, laptops have become more than just their purpose. They have not just become a part of our world but they are also our world now.
I was casually scrolling through social media when I came across this post showing a mom during the earlier times pulling us inside the home while the childe still was playing and a parallel image of the present where the mom is pushing out of the house to go and play outside. This might sound very typical and cliché but it is the reality. The virtual world has immensely taken over our real world. The games that we once used to play on the road is something that now children play on video game. Electronic gadgets have not just brought bad things but also an immense amount of good things. People do not have to spend a lot of time searching for information rather; it is now readily available at our fingertips. A cinematic experience is now available in the comfort of our own houses because of the various electronic gadgets that have come about to make our lives more comfortable and luxurious. We do not have to remember every single phone number these days. Just a small click and all the numbers are right with us anywhere, anytime, and any place.
With the invention of electronic gadgets, it slowly became a means of provision, entertainment, etc by the establishment of apps. Today, the virtual world of apps and online businesses has an immense amount of impact on our real-world not just physically but also mentally, emotionally, financially, and economically. Due to apps and electronic gadgets people can be a part of every sector such as clothing, footwear, food, appliances, language, culture, world, etc. Electronic gadgets and apps have made our lives easier, simpler, and more accessible. It is maybe due to this that these days electronic gadgets have become inevitably an important and major part of our lives.
The reason electronic gadgets whether it be television, radio, mobile phones, laptops, washing machines, etc are known as a necessary evil these days is because it has made it possible to increase human efficiency and productivity but at the same time is harmful to not just human beings, but also to nature and other living species of plants and animals. The improvement of technology, gadgets, etc has brought about so many solutions and yet so many problems that needs tackling and handling for the future generation to survive in the coming generations.
Electronic gadgets and the virtual world has been responsible for bringing human civilization together and are also responsible for bringing about division, hierarchy in human civilization. Electronic gadgets and the virtual world plays an important role in bringing about good in society but also play the same amount role in bringing about the bad things as well. It has connected us and disconnected us at the same time.
Therefore, it is very important to realize that human beings need to have the same amount of responsibility, carefulness, etc that they have in the real world to be present in the virtual world as well.
Let me ask all the readers out there, ‘What would happen if this necessary evil as we call it became our only means of dependency and daily living?’ Well, the answer is simple. Whatever is happening right now due to the pandemic would happen if we think about it. The dependency and the increase in the virtual world becoming our real world is because of the pandemic that we are still a part of even today. The pandemic has made it impossible to live without electronic gadgets these days.
Let us understand more about this.
The Real virtual world during the pandemic.
Remember the times when our parents constantly were annoyed about the amount of time children spend on their phones and laptops? During the pandemic, it even got worse. Children’s screen time amount drastically increased during the pandemic. They spent time attending classes online and even spent the rest of the time on electronic gadgets because it was not safe during the pandemic to go outside. Their daily real world was constantly revolving in the virtual world and this brought about an immense amount of stress and uneasiness among children. The real world becoming the virtual world was not just for students, children but also for adults who were working regardless of which sector they were working in.
The real and the virtual world becoming one was a big problem especially for the lower economic class. Electronic gadgets do not come cheap and during the pandemic education, business and everything else became online which made it even more difficult for these people to survive and keep up with other people. Students from small towns and villages found it very difficult to survive in the real virtual world because they did not have access, products, or connection that would help them move forward with other kids.
The consumers during the real virtual world had a drastic increase, which brought about inefficient production. I have only mentioned the education sector but there are many more sectors that are very affected due to the virtual and the real world coming together as one.
The real and the virtual world becoming one are a boon and a pain at the same time. This was because it kept us safe and protected but at the same time brought about more amount of problems during the same time. Virtual reality has not had a conclusion yet. We are still fighting the pandemic and trying to bring about recovery from the losses and struggles that we have been facing for almost two years now. The only thing is that we are now more adaptable to the virtual and real-world coming together through experience.
To conclude with a hopeful note that, it is time we human beings act more responsibly, carefully, wisely so that we can overcome the pandemic time and through the lessons, we have learned during this time bring about some positive change and awareness and make our world a better place for everyone.
In 2013, a group of seven boys, all from different backgrounds, who left behind their friends and family to follow their dream of becoming K-pop artistes, were about to debut. But soon afterwards, their hopes were crushed as the bad press from the media, internal strife and lack of proper finance forced them to almost disband multiple times. But they kept on fighting for their dream, even if that meant living in one cramped dorm room and having to beg people to come to their concerts. These boys had very humble beginnings – one of the members, Yoongi, recently had a surgery to repair a torn shoulder labrum. The tear was related to an injury that occurred in 2012, when the performer was hit by a car during one of his delivery-boy shifts.
Flash forward to years later, that same group of boys from South Korea, Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS), are now one of the biggest boy bands in the world. Among other outstanding achievements, they have multiple No. 1 albums in the US Billboard Hot 100, 15 Guinness World Records and over 300 awards. BTS are the youngest recipients of South Korea’s Order of Cultural Merit award and the first ever K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination. They are changing the world and the face of K-pop forever, paving the way for others.
For years, BTS struggled to get their music heard. They were not an overnight success, like some people might believe. But because of their struggles and despite of it, they became worldwide superstars and South Korea’s pride and joy. BTS refuse to be confined within the boundaries of the “K-pop” industry, instead often experimenting with different, versatile styles and musical genres like Hip-Hop, Jazz, EDM, R&B, Latin pop, Ballad, Country and Rock among others. Each of the seven members embody various roles and positions in the group, such as dancer, vocalist, leader, rapper, producer, choreographer, and more.
BTS
BTS’s music transcends language, time and cultural barriers; their raw and relatable lyrics resonates with people, going through different stages of life. The healing power of their music does not discriminate. The majority of their self-written and self-produced songs discuss socio-political issues found in contemporary society such as mental health, toxic-masculinity, women’s empowerment, self-love, capitalism, burn-out and the struggles of growing up among other things. Most of their topics are still taboo in the culturally-conservative Asia and are often brushed away as non-existent.
The Korean music industry is known for their “manufactured” and “engineered” sound, where the artistes themselves have no say in what they are singing about, but instead, have their music written and produced by a group of professionals fit for the industry standards. BTS breaks all those preconceived rules by having a voice in their own music. They have started a new trend for Korean singers to explore more complex and impactful themes.
These motifs are often seen in both their studio albums and individual mixtapes. In their latest album “BE”, which was released on November 20, 2020, BTS shared their experiences and hopes during the pandemic, as they as embrace “Be”-ing in this new reality. The relatable lyrics and catchy beats in titles like “Fly to my Room”, “Dis-ease”, “Stay” and “Telepathy” are contrasted with the raw, emotional ballads like “Blue & Grey” and “Life Goes On”.
This album also features their first ever completely English language song, “Dynamite”. It consoles anyone struggling with their mental health during these times and is a beacon of hope for listeners that everything will be okay and life goes on. To me, this album feels like a warm hug from a loved one on a cold winter morning.
BTS’s fans, known as ARMY (short for Adorable Representative MC for Youth) are a group of passionate and creative individuals, from all walks of life, who stand by BTS and each other through thick and thin. Shehrin Tabassum Odri, a digital marketer and an ARMY since 2018, shared her story of how much of an impact BTS has had in her life. “When I was at my loneliest, having hit rock bottom and losing the will to live, BTS was there for me. It was the day they released their ‘Life Goes On’ music video,” she says. “The song was like a wakeup call. It made me realise how many future opportunities and loved ones I will be losing if I give up now and that I’m not the only one feeling this miserable and lost, the members of BTS have gone through this phase too. If they have found a way to stay hopeful for the future to change and better times to come, maybe I should hold on a bit longer too. BTS gave me the hope to keep living.”
“In conservative countries like ours, masculinity is associated with tall, bearded men with deep voices,” mentions Sumaiya Islam, a Nuclear Science and Engineering student. “In a society where men struggle to be vulnerable and be seen as ‘manly’ enough, BTS breaks the gender norms by wearing makeup, jewellery, gender-neutral clothes, and long, colourful hair. They have completely changed my viewpoint on Asian men.” Sumaiya has been an ARMY since 2018.
Atanu Roy Chowdhury shared that the band makes him feel “seen”. “Mental health is affecting our lives, but people don’t want to talk about it. BTS is using the universal language of music to tell the world how important mental health is,” he says. “One of my closest friends died by suicide in 2012, and there are times when it still breaks my heart thinking that I will never see her or talk to her again. Songs from BTS albums help to ease the pain. Having my favourite musicians talk about such issues makes me feel more connected to them.”
By breaking down age-old, ignorant ideas like “men don’t cry” and “only girls can wear makeup”, openly talking about their struggles and sharing their emotions, BTS are showing the world that gender does not have to confine anyone and there should be no one standard of being. Group members Min Yoongi (Suga), Kim Namjoon (RM) and recently, Kim Taehyung (V) and Kim Seokjin (Jin), are known for being open about their struggles with anxiety, depression and burn-out. “I have been called ‘girly’ because I like cooking, cleanliness and keeping my hair long. Even the way I walk has been criticised. Terms like ‘girly’ and ‘gay’ are so easily used as insults, when they should not be,” adds Atanu. “Toxic masculinity is so ingrained in us, and it affects people of all ages. BTS is fighting a difficult fight, and kudos to them for that!” Seeing someone like BTS’ Jungkook be named “Sexiest International Man Alive 2020”, in a sphere usually dominated by white men, can do wonders for brown, Asian men worldwide, giving them an ideal person they can actually relate to. Another ARMY, Niaz Ahmed, shared that messages from the band to “Love Yourself” (a trilogy of their albums in 2018) resonated with him. “Their music was eye-opening, and helped me to start thinking that being happy with who I am is very important,” he says.
Subyeta Sarwar mentioned how being a part of the BTS fandom in Bangladesh has helped her connect with other ARMYs easily, creating deep bonds and long-lasting friendships. Going to different events such as the BD Korean Festival, hosted by BD K-Family, has helped her socialise and meet fellow ARMYs. Since there is a lack of K-pop concerts in Bangladesh, these events are the closest fans can get to experiencing them.
For fans who have been with BTS for a couple of years like myself, it feels like we are growing up with them, experiencing the highs and lows of their lives and career alongside them, not as a distant fan, but as a close friend. There is a popular saying in the fandom, “If you are not a fan of BTS now, it’s because you’re not at a point where you need them yet. Just wait, they’ll find you and come to you when you need to be healed, never too early or too late.”
In the pop-dominated culture we live in, BTS have successfully utilised their music platform to spread the message of social inequality and injustice, which the youth often face. By speaking up about these issues, BTS are not only breaking the preconceived societal stereotypes and creating awareness, they are also urging their fans to do the same. To quote the group’s leader, Kim Namjoon (RM), from his UNICEF speech at the United Nations in 2018, “No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin colour, gender identity: speak yourself.”
Plenty of exercise. Healthy food. Positive attitude. Plain old good luck. There’s lots of advice out there about how to keep body and brain in optimal shape as the years roll by.
But Louis Cozolino, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, is deeply engaged with another idea. In Cozolino’s book, Timeless: Nature’s Formula for Health and Longevity, he emphasizes the positive impact of human relationships.
“How we bond and stay attached to others is at the core of our resilience, self-esteem, and physical health,” Cozolino writes. “We build the brains of our children through our interaction with them, and we keep our own brains growing and changing throughout life by staying connected to others.”
Mindful Couple
5 Effective ways to strengthen your relationship:
Spend time with the right people
We generally become more and more like the people with whom we spend our time. The more we see someone model a behavior and see that behavior being reinforced in positive ways, the more likely we are to try it out ourselves—whether it’s a friend having success with a new exercise routine or a partner staying calm during disagreements by tuning into their breath.
One of the most fundamental ways to make sure your relationships are helping you grow is to surround yourself with the right people. Some relationships frustrate us, some make us happy, and some challenge us (and some relationships do all three!). While it isn’t always easy to stop and start relationships, of course, we can aim to spend more time with the people who challenge us.
Create goals with others
Who says that goal setting should be a solitary venture?
When we share our goals with others, we immediately have someone to keep us accountable. It is difficult to stay on track with a goal all the time, but it’s easier if we have someone to help us work through an obstacle or pick us up when we fall.
The social support that we receive from others is incredibly powerful, particularly during those tough times. When the pressure is high, those who have greater levels of social support tend to experience less stress.
We may also be more motivated when we are working toward a goal with someone else. Think about being pushed by a running mate to jog a little faster than you would otherwise. Or giving up your Saturday for a service project because a friend is doing the same thing. Sometimes we need someone else to inspire us to be our best.
Ask for feedback
It’s usually up to us to decide on the areas where we could use some self-improvement. And while this process of self-reflection is important, we can sometimes be bad judges of our own abilities; we usually assume we know much more than we actually do. So why not look to our relationships as a source of feedback about where we can improve?
Feedback is crucial for our development. Research has shown that when we seek feedback and use it as an opportunity for growth, we are more likely to improve over time. How much faster would that process be if we went and asked for feedback instead of waiting for it to come? Imagine your partner’s reaction if you were to ask for feedback on what you could have done differently after a big fight, or how blown away your teenager would be if you asked how you could be a better parent this school year.
Our positive relationships represent a safe space for us to work on ourselves with support from people who care about us. But sometimes we have to make the first move and ask for that support.
Use your broader network
Just like financial capital, social capital is a valuable resource that we can invest in for our own good. The more meaningful relationships we have, the more social resources become available. We often find work or beloved hobbies through our relationships, even at three or four degrees of separation—like your brother’s wife’s friend, who heard about that great new job opening.
In addition to exposing us to new ideas, activities, and opportunities, social capital also frees us up to do more of the things we are good at when we find others to help with the things we aren’t as good at. This has benefits at home and at work: For example, employees are more engaged when they get to spend more time using their strengths. And teenagers are happier and less stressed when their parents focus on building their strengths.
Be grateful
Gratitude has long been promoted as a way of increasing our happiness, but it also motivates us toward self-improvement. If you want a simple boost from your relationships, you can start by just practicing gratitude for them. The act of being thankful can increase our confidence and encourage us to move forward with our goals, perhaps because it tends to make us feel more connected to people and creates feelings of elevation—a strong positive emotion that comes when we see others do good deeds.
So think about someone who has helped you a great deal in the past, and reach out to thank them. Not only will that exchange feel good for both of you, but it might also reignite a relationship that can spark your further growth.
Judy Grahn once beautifully said and I quote “Menstrual blood is the only source of blood that is not traumatically induced. Yet, in modern society, this is the most hidden blood, the one so rarely spoken of and almost never seen, except privately by women”. By this, everyone knows what this article is going to be about today. As women are slowly growing stronger and learning to stand up for themselves, it is time, not just women but also men start talking about menstruation, periods, and the entire process that girls, women go through every month for several years. It is high time topics like menstruation are brought out openly rather than hiding among women.
Understanding menstruation and the taboo behind it
Menstruation is the process where girls and women lose blood for a period of five to seven days, every month. This process is the menstrual cycle. The blood is usually old blood cells that detach themselves from the uterine walls. This is a process that every girl and woman goes through around the world no matter which religion, race, ethnicity, countries women belong to. Sounds pretty normal right? Then everyone just is wondering what the taboo is all about. People need to understand that menstruation, menstrual cycle, period cramps, etc are not something that has emerged very recently. These have been there from the time humankind has been existing.
The idea of menstrual blood being impure and something bad for society comes from a place of women idealization, gender discrimination, the gendered identity that has come into creation by the one and only patriarchy. Menstruation has become a medium to suppress women and limit their creativity, intelligence, feelings, emotions, and everything else that makes women as important as men or more in society. Let me ask people reading this. First, to all women and girls, how many of you have covered your pad in a newspaper and or taken your sanitary napkin like a secret bomb to the washroom? In addition, the second question to all men and boys who have seen this and found it weird until you know why women or girls have been doing this? This is how the inclusion of patriarchy happens in society and the idea of impurity and purity seeps into everyone’s lives. The very idea of how girls in co-ed schools and college are only in the class while the teachers are talking periods and the boys are in another class during that period shows how the societal taboo behind them. This is the very reason boys have no education about menstruation and how it works.
Until today, the awareness of menstruation is so less, that a lot of action and awareness is in great need to make things better for women and girls in every district, village, and country. Over the years, the taboo has come down about the menstrual cycle at least in the metropolitan areas of different countries. There was a time when women were in deprivation of communication with other people during their menstruation, and there were places separately for women and girls during their menstruation that was usually away from the house. So many more things were happening that no are longer happening in the developed parts of the country. Nevertheless, there are still so many places that these things take place. These are small villages, districts that have no connection with the mainland. That being said, many castes and religions have a cultural tradition of celebrating the commence of menstruation with great joy and pomp and bringing down the menstruation taboo that has such a strong grasp on the minds of the community.
Yes, things are much better in the metropolitan areas but let me ask you this how many times do we hear jokes or statements made about women “PMSing” when they are genuinely angry or irritated about something at work or home. Linking something as natural as menstruation to religion, caste, and gender is still present in every part of the world whether it is a village or a metropolitan area. People believe that period cramps are nothing because every woman goes through the menstrual cycle. What people do not understand is that though every woman suffers from period cramps the intensity level is very different. If you believe that women who have low tolerance levels have high-intensity pain, then you are wrong. Several studies have proven that period cramp pain is equivalent to the pain of several bones breaking together. Therefore, it is time we think twice before making comments or statements about menstruation.
Menstruation products and their prices
Though the world is moving forward and developing rapidly, women are still paying a huge amount for menstruation products that are in use for a natural process of losing blood every month. It might seem very surprising that women all over the world have to keep aside a lot of money just for menstrual products such as sanitary napkins, tampons, etc. Basic things like these have become a privilege. Products that are necessary during the cycle are not available for the lower section of the economy because the price of these products is so high. How fair is it that some sections of girls and women get menstruation products and some women and girls cannot? Menstrual hygiene is such an important thing in every single female’s life. If menstrual hygiene is not cared for then it can lead to many physical problems as well. It is time that governments all over the world look into this problem and make things more accessible to women and girls whether they belong to the higher economy or the lower economic class. Scotland and New Zealand are some of the best examples of other countries. These countries have made sanitary napkins free for everybody. These countries have shown that menstruation products should not be a privilege rather products everybody has a right to.
The argument that has been made is that these countries have a lesser population, therefore; it is easier for the government to bring about these laws. To this argument, the only answer can be that, even if you cannot make sanitary products free for everybody, things can at least be done to make them free for people who cannot afford menstruation products. The thing that needs to be kept in mind as well is that the quality of these products should be equally good as the products that are being paid for. The rights of women and girls should not be made into a monetary business from which only the rich benefit. In recent years, awareness, protests, and petitions have been increasing to bring about some change and remove patriarchy from the root so that women can get what they deserve. These actions should not stop until we as people have some change in the community and the world.
I would like to conclude that women do not expect to be treated as supernatural beings or goddesses rather what we do expect is to be treated as human beings who deserve respect, trust, proper treatment, and everything else like any other person living on this planet. Finally, it is time that the people of the world realize that periods are not gross, weird, or inappropriate to talk about.
As Wayne Dyer rightfully says, “Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are.” Today my article is going to be about one of the evilest and most common things that happen in every society around the world. The topic for today is going to be body shaming. It is not surprising if this word rings a bell in your mind. The reason is very simple. It has become so common in our daily lives of listening, experiencing, and feeling negative after we experience body shaming. We in our real-life have also seen how body shaming comes into normalization and justification even today. It is sad and disheartening to know that even though people are aware that body shaming someone will bring about an upsetting consequence and still say or do things concerning body shaming.
Understanding Body Shaming
The definition of body shaming is very simple. When you make a derogatory comment, regarding the shape, size, weight, looks, color, or anything else that defines an individual or yourself for that matter then, it is body shaming. Now, that I have defined body shaming I am sure all of you are having flashbacks of instances where you have had an experience of body shaming yourself. The unfortunate thing is that society has set a certain standard for looks, and when that is not in a meeting, people experience body shaming. The standards are set for both men and women. Women have to look thin, fair, should have long hair, and have to dress in a particular manner, etc while it is nothing less for men as well. They have to be tall, strong, muscular, fair, etc. Body shaming is not just limited to a certain gender, race, age, etc. It is to everybody.
Body shaming has been there for generations now. Its roots come from prejudice, idealization, male gaze, fantasy-filled standards, and one of the most common things, which is patriarchy. Body shaming initiation in our minds has been happening right from the time we were small children in several ways we now understand. Let me give you an example. Remember the time when we as children used to watch cartoons like Barbie or Ben 10? The women in both the shows were thin, fair, had long hair while the men were tall, fair, handsome, and even well built. The villains on the other hand had a crooked faces, fat, dark, and so on. This is just one example out of all the hundreds of cartoons that are out there even today. The standardization for body shaming is through this process. Let me give you another example. Next time while watching a movie just give it a thought of why the main characters have the standard body while the co-actors do not. Pay a little more attention to the subtle, indirect, or sometimes even the direct body shaming that is through dialogues.
People should understand that body shaming could be done by anybody. Your friends, relatives, or even your parents could do it. Whoever does it is wrong and nothing can justify those actions. Another that also needs to be here is that comparing two people for their bodies is also body shaming. Body shaming does not necessarily have to be just about a person being fat. It could even be about a thin person. It is very simple. Body shaming anyone about anything is bad and should not happen. If you are being critical about yourself and questioning your own body then you are body shaming yourself. This is also bad. There are many reasons why one is body shaming themselves. One of the most prominent reasons because of the engraving one has had from childhood about meeting the standards. There are several other reasons such as social media, peer pressure, etc.
Effects of Body shaming
The effects of body shaming are so many that one cannot even imagine. Suppose someone insults you about something, then the things that one feels are the same when but the intensity is much higher when someone body shames you. When an individual has experienced body shaming then they lose self-confidence, self-trust, a sense of guilt, obsessive thoughts, fear and so much more. These are just some of the small effects that I am referring to. There are so many more. If body shaming is persistent for a long period in individuals, it could also result in mental disorders, eating disorders, etc which is something nobody deserves to suffer. The effects of body shaming are seen physically, mentally, and emotionally. We have seen people justifying body shaming with the idea of helping, fitness, concern for health and so many more things. Let this be clear that the reasons that it is justifying body shaming are the ones that take a toll on the individual. As Laci Green has rightly said, “You do not encourage people to take care of their body by telling them to hate it.”
Yes, there is change because of awareness, people talking about it, the spread of the right kind of information, therapy, change in thinking in society and so much more. This should not stop here. It should go on until body shaming becomes history. Nobody should feel horrible or ugly with the way they look. Everyone deserves to be happy with themselves and nobody should or gets to say otherwise. It is high time standards are thrown away and everyone has their freedom with their own body. It is now that we learn to embrace our natural self and make sure that our future generation does the same too. EVERY BODY IS BEAUTIFUL. I am not going to disagree when people say it is going to take time to unlearn things, but while being in that process one should be able to change and not repeat the same things as well. The responsibility of removing body shaming is not just on one individual or a certain group. Every single person, society, country, government, and world should collectively do it. A new year is just starting which is giving us time to remove evils and make this world a better place to live. Let us come together and use this year to bring peace, happiness, and harmony not just with others but also with our inner self.
To conclude with a beautiful quote by Eve Ensler where she says, “Stop trying to fix your body. It was never broken.”
There are a lot of benefits some foods serve us. Like mustard contains manganese and phosphorus, which contribute to strong bones and teeth so help prevent osteoporosis. Many other foods have similar preventive powers such as:
Asparagus for high blood pressure.
Image result for asparagus Asparagus contains the natural diuretic asparagine, which helps your body get rid of excess salt and fluid. For people with oedema caused by high blood pressure, eating asparagus can be very helpful. Asparagus also has B-vitamins that help fight early cognitive decline and depression.
Onions For lung cancer
Image result for onion Studies have found that dietary flavonoids that are found in onions, reduce risk of lung cancer. Onions may also help boost your good cholesterol.
Cheese for dental health.
Image result for cheese The fat that is naturally present in cheese coats your teeth and acts like a natural barrier against bacteria. Cheese also contains caesin, a protein that provides protection.
Lemons and limes for kidney stones
Lemons and lime contain citric acid that helps reduce the excretion of calcium in urine so it prevents kidney stones from forming. Lemon rinds are also rich in a component called rutin, which helps strengthen the walls of the capillaries, potentially reducing the pain and severity of varicose veins.
Papayas for arthritis
Image result for papaya Papaya is an excellent source for vitamin C. Thus help prevent the ailment, if consumed regularly.
Beets for a better brain.
Beets produce nitric oxide, which helps blood flow throughout your body and brain. Which decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
As the new year of 2022 has arrived after a long triumphant journey of 2021, we all now have the opportunity to write a new story for ourselves. As we start with the first month of January, we all are at the same time gearing up for exams that are going to start very soon. I do not know how many are feeling the stress the moment I say the word “exams” but I for sure feel it every time I think about it. Now that everyone is aware of what I am going to talk about let, we get straight to it. The article is going to be about exam stress and the things we can do to make the situation of exams better for ourselves as individuals.
Why do we stress during exams?
To be very frank and I am not here to blame any government the past or the present, the problem of stress with exams is not just limited to the individual’s ideas and perspectives but the system of education also plays a very important role in it. Today the situation has come to such that if one mug up everything from the textbook and do not understand what they are reading and score well, then people see these individuals with the presumption that they are smart and intelligent. The stress of exams comes from a place of scoring well and not from the place of understanding the subject. I have often heard people saying that if the person has done their entire studying well, then they will not stress about exams. This is not at all true. Every child will stress about exams and it is natural with the competition they are constantly dealing with but what people forget is that each child is different; therefore, the intensity of stressing about exams will also be different. A little amount of stress is good. It helps us be alert and makes sure that we do not take things for granting and put our effort and hard work towards our exams. On the other hand, too much stress about the exam is not good for anybody. It not only affects us emotionally but, also physically and mentally. It might seem very conventional but even till today across the world under so many circumstances students feel a sense of identification with the marks that they score. Therefore, the stress of doing well in exams to meet the expectation of society still exists in the minds of people. I am not saying that people should fail or people should not do well in their exams. What I am saying is that the stress of performing well in exams should not be so much that it creates a sense of fear or over-expectation that will result in something negative. There are several other reasons why one stresses during an exam. It could be personal, familial, cultural, environmental, and so many more. I am not blaming anybody. I am just stating things that are still present in society while we can see slow change and improvement in it. Not many people will agree with what I say and that is completely understandable but it does not mean that this does not exist. It is important for people preparing for exams to understand that exams are not their final ones. We have so much more to learn, understand, and face practically in the real world.
There are so many exams one is going to write in their lives. One cannot be stressing about every exam excessively as it will be harmful to their health not just during that time but in the future as well.
Things individuals can do to reduce their stress during exams
Understanding the concept: It is very important to understand and learn the concept while reading any subject. Be it math, English, or science. When an individual understands the concept, they will not only be able to answer the direct questions that come during exams but also the twisted or indirect questions that come from the topic. When you understand the concept, you do not learn it only for the period rather you will always remember it and be able to use it practically in the real world.
Clear your doubts beforehand: Make it a point to clear all your doubts before the exams. This way the stress of exams reduces because there is very little space for confusion. When all the clarifications are done the concept becomes clear and easy to understand. Do not ask a doubt because everyone is asking and if you do not ask then you will look like a fool. Do not stop yourself from asking doubts because no one is asking and if you do then you will like a fool. It is time we get past these notions.
Take small breaks: Exams can be very hectic and stressful. Therefore, we must remove the notion that taking small breaks is waste of time because that is not true. Small gaps of break are necessary for our brains to grasp the information and retrieve everything that we understand and learn. A small break helps us to relax and stretch our bodies a little before we start studying again. It has been under the recommendation that taking a 20-minute break during our long hours of study helps us a lot.
Do not skip your meals: Often when people are stressing about something their appetite decreases and they tend to eat less. This factor should come to such a level where people do not eat their meals on time or skip the meal and stressfully study for their exams. Three meals a day is very important because we as individuals tend to use more energy when we are studying. Therefore, to study efficiently we must provide enough amount of food to our bodies.
Do things that you like and make you confident: when a person does things they like and makes, them confident regarding their exams it tends to reduce their stress about it. For example, some people like to write and learn which makes them confident about what they learn for exams while some people like to listen to calming music so that they can learn things peacefully which makes them confident about their exams thereby reducing stress about it. I leave it to the individual of doing the things they like, which makes them confident for their exams and reduces their stress regarding it.
I have mentioned some of the things people can do to reduce their stress during exams. There are so many more things that people can do to make exams less stressful for themselves.
Before I end this article, I would like my readers to remember that many exams shall come and go. Even if you do not do well in one exam, it is not the end of the world. I am not asking you to fail your exams, but even if by chance you do then it is completely okay. As long as you as an individual know that, you have put in your hard work and 100 percent that is that matters. I would like to conclude with a quote that is very important and it says, “Do not be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.”
As we are moving ahead to a new and better year, we all have made some kind of decisions or resolutions to make our lives better, more progressive, and more successful. Some people have made decisions regarding their physical health betterment. However, how many of us have been making resolutions or decisions to make ourselves better internally and mentally? The numbers are few and it is growing slowly which I am really happy and glad about. Therefore, my article today is going to be about how it is time for us to look after ourselves not just physically but, also emotionally and mentally. It is important to do this because we have no idea how 2022 is going to pan out for all of us. This year the pandemic is teaching us something important which is, putting aside our industrialized and mechanized world and starting caring for ourselves. Before I start a quote by Jack Kornfield, where he says, “If your compassion does not include yourself then it is incomplete”
The importance of prioritizing oneself.
There have always been constant assumptions that if one prioritizes them then are arrogant and selfish. This is not true in all cases. It is important to look after one emotionally and mentally as if they do of themselves physically. Let me ask you this question if you are physically incapable of doing things will you take a rest and get better by seeking medications and other help or will you just go about it until it gets worse? I am sure most of you will take a rest and relax until you feel better. Then why does no one do the same when they are mentally and emotionally not in the state to do something? People must start asking these questions to themselves and attempt to do things better for themselves internally. Self-care, self –preservation, and self-indulgence do not make an individual evil, bad, selfish, arrogant, or anything else that they are put in association with. When an individual prioritizes, one then they not only makes themselves better but they also make the society and environment a better place to live for others as well.
When an individual spends time with himself or herself they understand how they can make themselves better to deal and cope with things, it helps them work on their strength and weaknesses, helps them deal with issues and problems, not just the ones they are facing outside but even the ones internally as well. These are just some of them that have been put here but there are many more things that happen during the process. When one learns to prioritize themselves, they become more confident, strong, powerful, trustworthy, etc with themselves, which is such an important to have as human beings. One of the most important things is when we prioritize ourselves, we see ourselves as human beings and not machines. We learn to be understanding, easy, and compassionate to ourselves just like how we are with others.
The reason I am specifying more on emotional and mental health is that even though we are getting progressive and developing we tend not to give enough importance to our mental and emotional health. Yes, with changing years, things are getting better but we can still do more. We often seem to acknowledge our physical health and problems whether they are big or small however, we do not do the same kind of acknowledgment to our mental and emotional health. There are various reasons for it such as cultural or ethnicity bias, societal taboo, fear, and so many more things that play a role in the way we see things. It is time we get over these and start prioritizing and bettering ourselves positively before it is too late.
An Important Priority during the Pandemic
As we are moving to 2022 and the Pandemic is coming along with us, it becomes even more important for us to look after our overall health of ourselves. The pandemic is somewhere responsible for us to create more importance and awareness towards better mental health. During the pandemic, we all were confiding into four walls. It is during that time that we realized that time how important it is to take a break from our hectic scheduled life and give some time of relaxation ourselves. This was the time when people realized that things can be overwhelming for everybody and it does not make anyone weak. We realized that anyone can have mental problems and it is not bad to have one and seclude them away from society. The taboo of mental health problems and emotional problems has been reducing over the past years because the problems are increasing and people can come over the myths and disbelief that they are holding mental health and that is thanks to information, awareness, and openness to experience change. Prioritizing things that we like and love has been one of the most important things in the lockdown. It could be the simplest thing as cleaning your house, cupboard, or rearranging your clothes, etc, or more intense such as getting back to things one is passionate about such as painting, singing, drawing, etc. It could even be just relaxing oneself and binge-watching shows. Whatever one does it should make them feel better and relaxing. The pandemic has been responsible for really sad, disheartening, and big scars in our lives, which will never leave us, but it has also taught us some important lessons of life, which we should never forget.
My article is not going to be long and it is not going to tell everybody what he or she should do to prioritize themselves. Rather what I am going to tell them is that they should make a point to put it on their resolution list or just a reminder into their daily lives so that we can make this world and ourselves a better place and people to live. We must realize that money, power, success is not the only things that keep our world running and moving ahead. It is also kindness, generosity, compassion, trust that are responsible for keeping this world and people ahead towards a brighter future. To conclude with a beautiful quote by Mandy Hale where she says, “It is not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It is necessary”
Every time you’re about to unlock your phone, take a moment to think about why you are doing this right now. Because sometimes the reasons for checking your phone are much deeper than you think.
Analyze how you use your phone and set limits
With iOS 12, Apple has introduced the Screen Time feature which shows how much time you spend on your phone, what apps you use the most, and how often do you pick up your device. To see the report, go to Settings > Screen Time. Android users can try digital wellbeing which works similarly. If particular apps take too much of your time, you can set daily limits for them. When you reach a limit, your iPhone notifies you about it.
Get rid of distracting apps
Sometimes you just can’t resist tapping a colourful icon on the Home screen. This is usually the case for games and social media apps. How can one avoid this temptation? Move all addictive apps to the second page where it’s harder to open them spontaneously. You can also group such apps in folders like Games or Social so they’re always one extra tap away from you.
Minimize notifications
When a new app asks if it can send me notifications, I usually say, ”No.” I only turn on notifications for messaging apps and email. If your app has flexible notification options, it’s a good idea to play around with them.
Keep your phone away
It’s easier to forget about checking your phone when it’s physically out of sight and reaches.
Don’t use your phone before going to bed
Constantly checking your phone throughout the day ruins your productivity, while staring at the screen before bedtime can affect the quality of sleep.
Kick your device out of bed
Don’t let your phone be the last thing you see at night and the first thing you check in the morning. By using a regular alarm clock and charging your phone out of reach, you won’t be tempted to start your day by getting vortexed into an avalanche of messages and updates.
Use speaker
One of the most valuable things about smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo or Google’s Home products is that they help you live a more screen-free life. Since I got one, I’ve stopped turning on music or podcasts on my phone and will try to answer all basic questions via voice. Generally, using my smart speaker for as many things as possible has kept my smartphone out of my hands for long periods.
The year is coming to an end and we can all say it is nothing less than a roller coaster ride of so many different things. If we look back, we all have had our share of happiness, grief, excitement, anger, joy, blues, and so many more things. Each one has had it just in different quantities. Before we start our New Year and new adventures, we all have one small thing to do so that there is the hope of change and betterment when we move forward. The small thing I am referring to is sharing and giving. As Leonard Nimoy says and I quote “The more we share, the more we have”
During this festival celebration of the year let it be it Christmas, Diwali, or Eid it is time that we all spread our hands forward to help by sharing and giving to those people in need. By doing this we not only make our lives better but also the people whom we are helping and also the society and the world. When we share and give, we make the world a happier, peaceful, and joyous place to live. When a festival is celebrated, it should not be limited to those just of a better class but also to the people who are trying to make their lives better by working hard every single day and trying to meet with the fast-growing world. Let us understand this on a more detailed note.
Why is it important to share and give?
The first and foremost thing that one should understand is that when a person shares or gives one should do it selflessly. There should not be any ulterior motive or expectation of any kind of praise, reward, or anything else in expectation of return. The other thing that people should keep in mind while sharing and giving is to do it with all their heart. It should be done out of kindness and happiness not because there is a requirement or just for the sake of it. This might sound very typical but when children see their parents share and give then they learn a lot and even make it their habit. Sharing and giving is not something that kids should learn and leave it aside rather it is a thing that a child should learn, imbibe, and make use of it in their lives at the very end. The contentment and the joy and happiness that one feels from within are very powerful and can even influence the way a person sees and behaves positively. The importance of sharing and giving cannot come at a better time when the world is slowly becoming mechanic, selfish, and greedy. It is the process of sharing and giving that makes us human beings more humane and evolved than other species. The idea of sharing and giving should remain intact until the very end of everything if we want to have a better future not just for the future generation but also for ourselves
Sharing and giving during the pandemic.
The pandemic is not over yet and it managed to put a big pause on our robotic life. The pandemic made us realize the amount of destruction and pain we have caused to nature and other living creatures in the name of development and progress. It is not that development and progress are bad but it will be harmful if we lose the very essence of living and being ourselves. The pandemic created havoc, something that nobody expected or was ready for the destruction that it is causing. It was this very pandemic that made us realize the importance of humanity and the importance of sharing and giving during tough times. By sharing and giving, we were uniting as one and made us realize that only through togetherness and hard work will we be able to fight the virus. We realized during this time that sharing and giving was not just related to materializing things but rather more important things such as sharing our thoughts, feelings, and emotions so that more people could open up and acknowledge their feeling and emotions as well and give so much more important to mental health than we ever did. We realized that when many people come forward to give the pressure of it reduces and the quantity and quality of things get better and thereby we can help more and more people are safe and secure. When scientists, doctors, and other front line workers shared their ideas and perspectives and also made sure to give their hundred percent by constantly working hard day and night that it was possible to reduce the death toll, bring down the positive cases and get back some sense of normalcy back. I can go on and on about how sharing and giving have had a major positive impact during the pandemic. Let us all go back to the memory of the very first year of the pandemic and the present. So That we can see and understand how we have had so many small and big instances of our lives where you have shared or given to someone or someone has shared and given something to you. This is when we understand that these actions have not only made each other’s lives better but also strengthened the relationships with people around us.
All of these things being said we also need to remember and make sure to follow that we do not need a major event or anything big to happen to share and give. Rather I think it should come from the space of responsibility and duty towards the society and the world that is constantly playing a role in our growth and development. When a person truly with a good heart and mind without any motive shares and gives then it speaks a lot about their personality and their character. One does not have to do many things to share and give. They can just spend their weekend in an orphanage enjoying and playing with the children there or one can go to the orphanage and spend some peaceful and fun time with all the people there. Even giving your toys and clothes that you do not use to someone who requires them can make such a big difference and impact.
In the end when someone does something big or small towards a positive change then it always makes an impact and difference in the whole world. It will always be there. To conclude with a thought-provoking quote by Robert Brault where he says and I quote “The willingness to share does not make one charitable rather it makes one free”
There is a urban legend that goes – “consuming uncooked rice is harmful for a bird and can even lead to it’s death.” Out of fear of causing harm to flocks, people have stopped throwing rice at weddings. If you are a parrot owner who has been believing in this urban legend so far, it is time to get rid of this misconception and include rice to the diet of your feathered buddy! No one is quite sure how this myth emerged but there is no truth to this notion and on the factual side rice can be cosidered a tasty and nutritious dietary staple. The infamous myth of rice killing birds was based upon the faulty assertion that rice upon consumption consumes all the moisture in a bird’s stomach and henceforth expands and causes tearing, ultimately leading to it’s demise. But the fact is rice after soaking up moisture in a bird’s stomach will expand in a way that will lead to a healthy digestion. However, the question of focus is – what kind of rice is more preferrable? Raw or cooked? Or how much quantity of rice should you feed your pet parrot? Rice contains protein, Iron, thiamine, niacine and magnesium that promotes optimal physiological function in birds. Rice is also rice in carbs and helps in providing energy to birds. Technically, birds can be fed both raw and cooked rice. While parrots living in the wild habitat are most likely to consume uncooked rice, one can feed their pet parrot cooked rice. Infact, in many cases it has been observed that parrots after getting a taste of soft and starchy flavour of cooked rice have rejected raw rice. Furthermore, birds with small beaks find it difficult to consume and digest uncooked rice. It is extremely important to keep in mind that under no circumstances, one should feed their parrot fried rice since they can be detrimental to their health. Fried rice contains oil, salt and other ingredients which are unhealthy substances for birds. Excess salts can lead to hardening of arteries and cause heart problems that can be fatal for your parrot. Only pure rice without any additives is considered nutritious for birds. While rice is considered healthy, one shouldn’t force it upon their pets if they refuse to consume rice. Just like humans, your pet bird also has his/her own set of preferences. Therefore, it is advisable that you consult your vet before making any changes to your pet’s diet routine.
Sex education is the most important factor which lacks in every individual, especially in India. In India, sex education was considered as some taboo and people were shameful to speak openly about it. But nowadays there is a shift from this norm and now people are free to discuss about sex, sexuality and other related things. Many schools have started teaching students and they give an orientation to children even from a very young age, which include some topics like good touch, bad touch etc.
Sex education involves topics related to human development, relationships, orientation about reproduction sexuality, puberty, gender identity, sexual behavior, sexual health which include knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases, contraception and pregnancy. Sex education also includes the discussion on sexuality in society and culture which include gender roles, diversity etc. WHO defines sex education as “broad program that aims to build a strong foundation for lifelong sexual health by acquiring information and attitude, beliefs and values about one’s identity, relationships and intimacy”.
The importance of sex education increases in this scenario, as the teachers are not willing to take up topics related to sexuality, even though these topics are present in the curriculum and adolescents gather information about sexuality from other ways. This is harmful for them. To tackle this misinformation and ignorance, young students need to get an awareness about sexuality and sexual orientation. They should also be aware about different gender minorities, LGBTQIA, like trans- sexual people, homosexual communities like gay, lesbians etc. They should also respect every gender. Sex education also provides the knowledge to differentiate between ‘sex’ and ‘gender’, as one is the biological aspect and another one is socio cultural to oneself. Gender is the identity one perceives apart from the biological aspect. Sex education is important to know diverse communities and also it enables one to understand about one’s own body. In this way sex education also helps to decrease crimes related to sex.
So sex education is a very important factor in the development of a society. It helps citizens to understand about themselves and others and provides knowledge which helps to decrease many crimes related to sex. As sex is the vital factor in the development of a society, sex education is also vital.
In 2015, the largest marine heat wave in the U.S. hit the Pacific Coast. Whales moved closer to shore to find prey, but they came across something dangerous—they were getting entangled in crab fishing gear.
Crab fishermen and women wouldn’t usually be out at that time of year. But the change in climate was also causing an algal bloom, toxic to crabs. So the fisheries delayed their timing by several months—the same time migrating whales were on the coast.
“It was this double-whammy,” said Briana Abrahms, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Center for Ecosystems Sentinels at the University of Washington.
This was one of the topics Abrahms was studying when she realized there hadn’t been much published research on how climate change is exacerbating human-wildlife conflicts. Looking at scientific literature and government reports, she came across only a few dozen. And many of those were either buried in obscure journals or just anecdotal mentions.
In a paper published in Science, she delved deeper into this area and wrote a call to action for managers and researchers to focus on this issue.Abrahms was working on another project at the same time as her whale research that was on completely different species in a completely different area, but seemed to have some similarities when it came to climate and conflict.
In Botswana, a government report cited some of the highest numbers of human-wild conflicts on record, mostly large carnivores preying on livestock. That happened to be during an extreme drought in 2018. “It struck me how different these systems were, but the story was the same,” she said. “I felt like it was really important to tell this story and draw attention since these climate changes and conflicts are likely to increase in the future.”
As part of her paper, Abrahms applauded a new, proactive risk assessment developed by the state of California to help managers figure out when and where to close fisheries under different climate and ocean conditions. “If you understand what the underlying driver is, in this case climate is a factor in these dynamics, you can better prepare to make management decisions and reduce conflict—or avoid it in the first place,” she said.
Abrahms also pushes for more research in these areas, especially where there are geographic and taxonomic gaps. “We definitely need more research and also need to be synthesizing research across everything already out there to understand how much we should be more worried about long-term changes,” she said.
The phrase ‘healthy lifestyle’ is an abbreviated definition of what it looks like to live a vibrant, active life with a healthy body and healthy mind. Creating a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean drastic changes. Making gradual small changes to your daily routine can have a big impact.
What Is a Healthy Lifestyle? You know the obvious behaviors that describe someone who is healthy and takes care of themselves. A healthy person doesn’t smoke, tries to maintain a healthy weight, eats healthy foods with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber and, of course, exercises on a regular basis.
Then there are other elements to add to the list. A healthy person also knows how to manage stress, gets good quality sleep each night, doesn’t drink too much, doesn’t sit too much—basically, does everything in moderation all the time. When you look at everything that could possibly go into a healthy lifestyle, you can see just how hard all of those things are in our current world.
The good news is, you don’t have to change everything at the same time. In fact, the trick to healthy living is making small changes—taking more steps each day,1 adding fruit to your cereal, having an extra glass of water, or saying no to that second helping of buttery mashed potatoes. One thing you can do right now to make your lifestyle healthier is to move more.
Benefits of Physical Activity You know you need to exercise, but there are many excuses not to do it. You’re too busy, don’t know where to start, you’re not motivated or you’re afraid you’ll injure yourself. Maybe you think exercise has to be really hard or it isn’t good enough.
Whatever definition you have about what exercise is or isn’t, the bottom line is that exercise is movement. Whether it’s walking around the block or running a marathon, that movement is exercise and every time you move more than you normally do, it counts.
Healthy Weight Loss or Maintenance Even if you opt for small changes, the benefits are still pretty amazing. For example, increasing your activity level can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight. If you are currently overweight, small steps toward that goal can have an impact.
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