THE CAFFEINATED HISTORY OF COFFEE

Coffee is a daily ritual in the lives of millions of humans around the globe. coffee is the most valuable legally traded commodity in the world. We love it, we rely on it, and we drink it in massive quantities. It is estimated that 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day worldwide. New Yorkers are said to drink 7 times the amount of any other U.S. city, which is why it may seem like there is a Starbucks on every corner of Manhattan. Famed French writer and philosopher Voltaire was rumored to have drunk 40 – 50 cups per day.

As with most foods that have been around for centuries, coffee’s beginnings are enveloped in mystery and lore. There is a popular Ethiopian legend wherein coffee is discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi, who found his goats frolicking and full of energy after eating the red fruit of the coffee shrub. Kaldi tried the fruit for himself and had a similar reaction. After witnessing their strange behavior, a monk took some of the fruit back to his fellow monks; they too spent the night awake and alert. Of course, they would have been reacting to coffee’s high dose of caffeine. This natural stimulant also serves as an inborn plant pesticide, protecting the coffee fruit from insects.

Before coffee became our morning beverage of choice, it appeared in a variety of different preparations. In its most basic, unprocessed form, coffee is a cherry-like fruit, which becomes red when ripe; the coffee bean is found at the center of the red coffee fruit. Early on, the fruit were mixed with animal fat to create a protein rich snack bar. At one point, the fermented pulp was used to make a wine-like concoction; incidentally, a similar beverage was made from the cacao fruit, before the advent of chocolate, which goes to show that humans are especially adept at finding new ways to imbibe. Another drink that appeared around 1000 A.D. was made from the whole coffee fruit, including the beans and the hull. It wasn’t until the 13th century that people began to roast coffee beans, the first step in the process of making coffee as we know it today.

HISTORY OF COFFEE:

Wild coffee plants, probably from Kefa (Kaffa), Ethiopia, were taken to southern Arabia and placed under cultivation in the 15th century. One of many legends about the discovery of coffee is that of Kaldi, an Arab goatherd who was puzzled by the strange antics of his flock. About 850 CE Kaldi supposedly sampled the berries of the evergreen bush on which the goats were feeding and, on experiencing a sense of exhilaration, proclaimed his discovery to the world.

The modern version of roasted coffee originated in Arabia. During the 13th century, coffee was extremely popular with the Muslim community for its stimulant powers, which proved useful during long prayer sessions. By parching and boiling the coffee beans, rendering them infertile, the Arabs were able to corner the market on coffee crops. In fact, tradition says that not a single coffee plant existed outside of Arabia or Africa until the 1600s, when Baba Budan, an Indian pilgrim, left Mecca with fertile beans fastened to a strap across his abdomen. Baba’s beans resulted in a new and competitive European coffee trade.

Vintage Coffee Grinder

Coffee was introduced into one European country after another throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Many accounts are recorded of its prohibition or approval as a religious, political, and medical potion. By the end of the 17th century, coffeehouses were flourishing across Britain, the British colonies in America, and continental Europe.

By the 20th century the greatest concentration of production was centred in the Western Hemisphere—particularly brazil. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industrial roasting and grinding machines came into use; vacuum-sealed containers were invented for ground roasts; and decaffeination methods for green coffee beans were developed. After 1950 the production of instant coffee was perfected. The popularity of instant coffee led to increased production of the cheaper Robusta beans in Africa.

In 1616, the Dutch founded the first European-owned coffee estate in Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, then Java in 1696. The French began growing coffee in the Caribbean, followed by the Spanish in Central America and the Portuguese in Brazil. European coffee houses sprang up in Italy and later France, where they reached a new level of popularity. Now, it is de rigueur for Parisians to indulge in a cup of coffee and a baguette or croissant at the numerous coffee cafes throughout Paris.

By the late 1800s, coffee had become a worldwide commodity, and entrepreneurs began looking for new ways to profit from the popular beverage. In 1864, John and Charles Arbuckle, brothers from Pittsburgh, purchased Jabez Burns’ newly invented self-emptying coffee bean roaster. The Arbuckle brothers began selling pre-roasted coffee in paper bags by the pound. They named their coffee “Ariosa,” and found great success selling it to the cowboys of the American West. It wasn’t long before James Folger followed suit and began selling coffee to the gold miners of California. This blazed the trail for several other big name coffee producers, including Maxwell House and Hills Brothers.

PROCESSING OF GREEN COFFEE :

HULLING :

The ripened fruits of the coffee shrub are known as coffee cherries, and each cherry generally contains two coffee seeds (“beans”) positioned flat against one another. About 5 percent of cherries contain only one seed; called peaberries, those single seeds are smaller and denser and produce, in the opinion of some, a sweeter, more-flavourful coffee.The cherries are processed by disengaging the coffee seeds from their coverings and from the pulp and by drying the seeds from an original moisture content of 65–70 percent water by weight to 12–13 percent; all beans must be removed from their fruit and dried before roasting. Three techniques are used for processing the coffee: the dry, or “natural,” process, the wet (and washed) process, and a hybrid process called the semi-washed, or “pulped natural,” method. The coffee resulting from those processes is called green coffee, which is then ready for roasting.

Elk Hill Coffee Plantation, प्लांटेशन सॉल्यूशन, प्लांटेशन सॉल्युशन, बागान  सॉल्युशन in Mumbai , The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited | ID:  10005012933

THE DRY PROCESS :

The oldest and simplest method of processing coffee, requiring little machinery, is practiced in dry climates such as those of Brazil and Ethiopia. After the fruits have been sorted (often by hand) and cleaned (via running water or washing canals or in large tanks), they are placed in the sun to dry on concrete, brick patios, or raised mats. The cherries are frequently raked or turned by hand to shift them onto the driest surface and to prevent fermentation and mold. The drying process may take several days or up to four weeks. The drying process is critical: overdried coffee will break, forming defective beans, and coffee too moist can deteriorate quickly if attacked by fungi and bacteria. When the fruits have been dried to a water content of about 12–13 percent, they are mechanically hulled to free the seeds from their coverings. In rainy regions where humidity and rains during harvest time are common, the dry process is obviously not practical.

drying coffee beans

THE WET PROCESS :

The wet process requires more equipment than the dry method but produces beans that are better preserved and more homogenous and have fewer defects. Most Arabica coffees are produced by the wet method, and they generally command a higher price.In the first step of the wet process, the skin and the pulp of the fresh fruit are removed by a pulping machine, which consists of a rotating drum or disk that presses the fruit against a sharp-edged or slotted plate, disengaging the pulp from the seed. Pulp still clings to the coffee seed, however, as a thin mucilaginous layer. That layer is eliminated by fermentation, actually a form of digestion in which naturally occurring pectic enzymes decompose the pulp while the wetted seeds are held in tanks for one to three days. Washing clears all remaining traces of pulp from the coffee seeds, which are then dried either by exposure to sunlight on concrete terraces or by passing through hot-air driers. The dry skin around the seed, called the parchment, is then mechanically removed, sometimes with polishing.

The “pulped natural” process:

A third method, called pulped natural, is a hybrid of dry and wet processing. Pulps are removed mechanically, but the beans are dried without any intermediate fermentation, and the mucilage is not removed until after drying. Beans thus treated have a good balance of sweet and acidic notes.

GRADING AND STORAGE :

The practice of grading and classifying coffee gives sellers and buyers a guarantee concerning the origin, nature, and quality of the product to aid their negotiations. Each coffee-producing country has a certain number of defined types and grades—based on characteristics such as growing altitude and region, botanical variety, method of processing, roast appearance, and bean size, density, and defects—but there is no universal grading and classification system. Fair Trade coffee, part of the larger Fair Trade movement, arose to ensure that coffee is harvested and processed without child labour and dangerous herbicides and pesticides and that growers and exporters, particularly in the poorer regions of the coffee-growing world, are paid a fair price. In moderate climates the conservation of dry lots does not pose a problem as long as they are stocked in well-ventilated places.

How Long Do Coffee Beans Last: Shelf Life & Storage | The Woke Lark

PROCESSING OF THE BEAN :

Decaffeination:

The process of decaffeination was initially solvent-based (in the early 20th century using benzene but later using methylene chloride or ethyl acetate). In the direct method, the coffee beans are steamed and then rinsed by the chemical agent. In the indirect method, the chemical agent never touches the beans but treats the water-base coffee solution in which the beans are first soaked. Although some high-volume companies still decaffeinate by using solvents (mainly ethyl acetate, as methylene chloride is considered a possible carcinogen), the process is regulated such that the chemicals are removed before the coffee is roasted.

Roasting:

The aromatic and gustatory qualities of coffee are developed by the high temperatures to which they are subjected during roasting or broiling. Temperatures are raised progressively from about 180–250 °C (356–482 °F) and heated for anywhere from 7 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of light or dark roast desired. Roasting releases steam, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other volatiles from the beans, resulting in a loss of weight between 14 and 23 percent. Internal pressure of gas expands the coffee beans by 30 to 100 percent. The beans become a deep, rich brown, and their texture becomes porous and crumbly under pressure. The most-important effect of roasting is the appearance of the characteristic aroma of coffee, which arises from very complex chemical transformations within the bean. Roasting too long can destroy volatile flavour and aroma compounds. For that reason, Robusta beans are often deliberately overroasted to rid the coffee of its natural harshness.

Regardless of the method used, the coffee, after leaving industrial roasters, is rapidly cooled in a vat, where it is stirred and subjected to cold air propelled by a blower. Good-quality coffees are then sorted by electronic sorters to eliminate those seeds, either too light or too dark, that roasted badly and whose presence downgrades the overall quality.

Dark Roast vs. Light Roast Coffee Beans: What are the Differences Between  the Two? | Burman Coffee

Grinding :

Some coffees are left as whole beans to be ground at the time of purchase or by the consumer at home. Much coffee, however, is ground, or milled, by the manufacturer immediately after roasting. In most modern roasting plants, grinding is accomplished by feeding the coffee through a series of serrated or scored rollers, set at progressively smaller gaps, that first crack the beans and then cut them to the desired particle size.The degree of fineness is important. If a coffee is too coarse, water filters through too fast to pick up flavour; if it is too fine, water filters through too slowly and retains particles that deposit at the bottom of the cup.

Packaging :

Effective packaging prevents air and moisture from reaching the coffee. Ground coffee alters rapidly and loses its aromatic qualities within a few days if it is not put into hermetically sealed containers immediately.The air, especially in humid atmospheres, causes rancidity through the oxidation of fatty components. Modern packaging materials, plastic films such as polyethylene and complexes of aluminium and cellulose, are capable of conserving the quality of coffee for a time. The most-satisfactory solution to the problem, however, is packing under vacuum or in an inertgas, in rigorously impervious containers.At the turn of the 21st century, manufacturers responded to consumer desire for freshness and easy-to-brew systems by producing single-cup coffeemakers using coffee capsules—small disposable containers filled with a premeasured amount of coffee and sealed airtight to maintain freshness.

Brewing and Drinking:

There are both hot and cold methods of extracting flavour and aroma from ground coffee, and the caffeine content varies with the variety of bean and method of brewing. In steeping or boiling, pulverized coffee is measured into hot water, which is set or boiled before being poured off the grounds. In percolation, water is brought to a boil in an urn and fed up a tube to a basket holding the coffee. After filtering through the coffee, the water drips back to the urn, where it is forced back up the tube and recirculated until the brew has reached the desired strength. In the filter, or drip, method, hot water is slowly filtered through the coffee and dripped into a receptacle; it is not recirculated.

Finally, high temperature is not needed to brew coffee—as long as one is willing to wait about 12 hours. In cold-water extraction, dampened grounds are left to sit and steep. When strained after some 12 hours, the resulting brew is a robust but smooth taste without the bitter acids and oils that traditionally accompany hot-water extraction methods. The cold concentrate keeps well for up to two weeks when refrigerated, and it is ideal as a cooking ingredient, as when making coffee ice cream.

INSTANT COFFEE METHOD:

In the manufacture of instant coffee (called soluble coffee in the industry), a liquid concentration of coffee prepared with hot water is dehydrated. This can be done by spray drying or by freeze drying (a dehydration process known as lyophilization). The operations are complex, and methods vary among manufacturers. The resulting soluble powder, on the addition of hot water, forms reconstituted coffee. The average yield is 25 to 30 percent by weight of the ground coffee, thereby lowering shipping costs. Instant coffee is obviously quicker to make than brewed coffee, and it enjoys a longer shelf life than coffee beans, but it picks up moisture readily and must be kept dry. The taste of instant coffee is also widely considered inferior to brewed coffee.

COFFEE SHOP FRANCHISE BUSINESS :

A Coffee shop is not just a place to have a cup of coffee. It is a place where you can meet friends, family, co-workers or maybe even close a business deal. India, as an emerging nation, is growing at a fast pace to become one of the top coffee markets in the world. Coffee shops capture the imagination of sipping customers by providing a relaxed ambience that caters to youngsters, working professionals or just about anybody.

Cafe Coffee Day:

A part of India’s biggest coffee concoction, is the favorite coffee shop among all Indians. This largest retail cafe chain is ideal for the young and the old to unwind.

Indian Coffee House:

The oldest coffee franchise run by a set of working cooperative society members has a strong hold in this sector with almost 400 chains all over India. This cafe is owned and managed by the employees itself.

Barista Cafe and Restaurant:

Barista is a leading developer of Indian cafe culture. They have authentic flavors of coffee with cafes spread over many cities in India. This cafe is ideal for people to catch up and relax over a cup of coffee in their comfortable and friendly surrounding. This place also offers a wide range of snacks to go along with coffee.

Costa Coffee :

Costa coffee was first introduced by the Costa brothers Sergio and Bruno who worked to give special Mocha Italian blend of coffee to its customers. Now this coffee franchise has many outlets all over India and is planning to expand over the years.

Starbucks coffee company :

Globally famous American based coffee company is the world’s largest coffee chain. With more than 20,000 outlets all over the world, it has around 10 outlets in India committed to serve great quality coffee.

 Cafe Mocha:

Cafe Mocha  is one of India’s popular coffee chains which has its inspiration from coffee houses of Morocco and turkey where people gather to spend time over coffee, Hookah and conversations. Indian now enjoys the simple pleasures of life in the cafe with beautiful surrounding, good food and great coffee.

HEALTH EFFECTS :

Coffee consumption has been associated with various health benefits and health risks. In general, moderate consumption, amounting to three or four cups daily, is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, type -2 diabetes mellitus, liver cancer, and Parkinson disease. Research has also linked moderate coffee consumption to a longer life span.

Excessive coffee consumption can cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, jittery sensations, and heartburn. Studies conducted in the 20th century suggested a causative link between coffee and cancer. In 2016, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed coffee from the list of possible carcinogens because multiple studies had debunked a possible causative association between coffee consumption and cancer.

THANK YOU!

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS: ALL ABOUT INDIA

Mental health is a vital matter all around the world and our country India is also a bit close in sharing this. Evaluating the spread in the area of mental health, the momentum seems to be lagging. Dr. Brock Chisholm stated the “where there is no mental health there will be no true physical heath”- WHO first Director-general, even after 60 years, the scene seems to be stagnated considerably. Around 14% of the worldwide load of illness is ascribe to neuropsychiatric disorders. The weight of unbalanced mind is more probably to be underrated because of insufficient acknowledgement of the interrelation among mental illness and health disorders.

The campaigns on mental health awareness have given the optimistic results. Dearth of awareness about mental illness constitute trouble to mental health care delivery system. Awareness and health are opposite sides of same coins. Some of the few analyses have estimated mental health education in the Indian context. One study gave the result that mental health literacy among teenagers to be very less, i.e., depression was recognized by 29.0 percent. This data emphasizes on the need for the spread mental health in India.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS: BLUEPRINT

As very large Indian population is indulged in mental health, the only progressive way is through uplifting the mental peace awareness which can build its own demand. With increasing in the alertness, it can be anticipated that advance understanding and approach to therapy can be done. It is predicted that dimensions of the awareness contributions can be passed from these following objectives.

  • Conventional media
  • Government programs
  • Educational system
  • Internet, social media & phones
  1. The Conventional Media

Media has been the foundation of the earlier efforts in the area of mental health education. Indian celebrity like Deepika Padukone in recent shared the depression battle fought by her.

Short brief taglines of commercials and description which are rich in content and documentaries; are considered the pillars of media drives so far.

  • Government Programs

Despite some crumble about the measures, the Indian government continue to offer their time to resolve this problem in the mental health sector. Alone with this, the National Rural Health Mission is on its route for delivering mental peace as a chunk of consolidated foremost awareness at the knife-edge for the healthcare of the public.

  • Educational system

Most long term and weakening mental illnesses leave their impact before 24 years of age when most of the children are part of the educational system, the educational system gives multiple chances for uplifting the mental health awareness.

  • Internet, social media & phones

Hand used gadgets and the social media can really be a turning point in the generation of effective mental health and mental peace interference by focusing expansion, and not in spreading the facts and data. With help of big data and sympathise of subtle and distributed design above the big volumes shall brief the decision taking.

CONCLUSION

And the conclusion is that most of these strategies are to enhance and uplift oneself from the mental illness or depression. Its been six decades or more, that these ideas have not been succeeded in less developed countries, it is high time that new approaches are needed to be taken to fight and cope with the mental illness or depression.

Mental health a matter of concern.

Did you know that taking care of your mental is just as important to a long healthy life/taking care of your physical health?

Did you know Being in a good mental state can keep you healthy and help prevent serious health conditions?

A study found that positive psychological well-being can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, poor mental health can lead to poor physical health or harmful behaviors. Chronic diseases.

What is mental health?

People sometimes use the term “mental health” to mean the absence of a mental disorder.

Mental refers to your overall psychological well-being. It can include the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties.

Some common mental health disorders.

  • anxiety disorders
  • mood disorders
  • schizophrenia disorder

Anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness.

People with these conditions have severe fear or anxiety, which relates to certain objects or situations. Most people with an anxiety disorder will try to avoid exposure to whatever triggers their anxiety.

Types of anxiety disorders

  • Generalized anxiety disorder.
  • Panic disorder.
  • Phobic disorder.
  • Separation anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Mood disorders

People may also refer to mood disorders as affective disorders or depressive disorders.

People with these conditions have significant changes in mood, generally involving either mania, which is a period of high energy and elation, or depression. Examples of mood disorders include:

Types of mood disorders

  • Major depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Schizophrenia disorders

Mental health authorities are still trying to determine whether schizophrenia is a single disorder or a group of related illnesses. It is a highly complex condition.

Signs of schizophrenia typically develop betweenthe age of 16 and 30, according to the NIMH. The individual will have thoughts that appear fragmented, and they may also find it hard to process information.

Schizophrenia has negative and positive symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and hallucinations. Negative symptoms include withdrawal, lack of motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood.

Warning signs and symptoms of mental illness

  • Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care
  • Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings
  • Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
  • Drop in functioning — An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work or social activities, such as quitting sports, failing in school or difficulty performing familiar tasks
  • Problems thinking — Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain
  • Increased sensitivity — Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations
  • Apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity
  • Feeling disconnected — A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality
  • Illogical thinking — Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult
  • Nervousness — Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling
  • Unusual behavior – Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior

Self-help

A person coping with mental health difficulties will usually need to make changes to their lifestyle to facilitate wellness.

Such changes might include reducing alcohol intake, sleeping more, and eating a balanced,nutritious diet. People may need to take time away from work or resolve issues with personal relationships that may be causing damage to their mental health.

People with conditions such as an anxiety or depressive disorder may benefit from relaxation techniques, which include deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.

Having a support network, whether via self-help groups or close friends and family, can also be essential to recovery from mental illness.

JOURNEY TO SANITY – SELF CARE

Imagine human mind as a bank account. In order to withdraw money from an account, we need a basic primary balance and we need to deposit from time to time in order to make future withdrawals. Similarly, human mind and body needs equal deposits of self-love, care and compassion in order to reflect that upon others. You cannot pour water from an empty pot. So, it is necessary to fill your pot before you pour it out.


The Social – Media and Magazine definition of self includes Hair-Care, Skin-Care, Spa sessions, etc but we often forget the most important part of our body that requires equal care and nurturing. Yes, our Mind. Our mind works 24/7 unlike our body, hence this calls for a special day to celebrate it’s success and hard work.
Self-care is a broad term. It involves any and everything that makes you happy. Be it having an ice cream, putting on a good hair mask or dancing in your bedroom to silly item numbers. The best part about it is that it doesn’t have to make sense to others.


It is okay to take a day off just to sit with yourself and do nothing.
It is okay to binge watch the new show you always wanted to see but never got enough time to do so.
It is okay to avoid social gatherings if it’s getting too much for you.
It is okay to sleep early and miss out on parties and night-life.
It is completely okay to avoid that person, phone call or that text to maintain the sanity of your mind.
It is okay to not be okay all the time


But what’s not okay, is to not listen to your heart and letting others decide what you do with your life. Self-care involves standing up to your beliefs unapologetically and living on your terms. It might not always be right but its worth a try. After all life’s too short to not live and sadly most of us are working on auto-pilot mode.
So, get up with the sun. Eat your favourite breakfast, binge on your most awaited show, go for long walks and dance to your favourite song till you sleep.

Do not forget to read more from the series : 🙂

JOURNEY TO SANITY – DOUBLE STANDARDS

JOURNEY TO SANITY – SUNSHINE 🌤️

JOURNEY TO SANITY – ACCEPTANCE

JOURNEY TO SANITY – MINDFULNESS

JOURNEY TO SANITY -JOURNALING

UNAIDS- Achievements and Challenges.

As of 2018, about 38 million people in the world are infected with HIV and out of these about 21 million people were living in Africa alone. South Africa, Nigeria and India are the worst affected countries with over 7 million, 3 million and 2 million people with HIV infection respectively. Interestingly, India is on third position with over 2 million of its population infected with HIV; however it has the lowest HIV rate in the world due to its vast population.

Source: UNAIDS.

UNAIDS acts as a global cogent body that protects HIV infected people from discrimination and aims to provide them a safer environment by creating awareness among the masses. It also provides deliberate and strategic advocacy and cooperates with different governments and private bodies to achieve its goals.

Achievements of UNAIDS.

1) Because of UNAIDS’s effective advocacy, different Government responses towards every aspect of HIV and AIDS was positive with good leadership and management.

2) UNAIDS’s advocacy also inspired many countries to change and abolish discriminatory laws that used to keep HIV patients on the fringes. It also convinced many countries to make laws in favour of women’s rights so that stigma faced by women decreases.

3) In 2019, 67% of all people living with HIV were accessing treatment. 68% of adults aged 15 years old and above had access to treatment, 53% of children had access to treatment and 73% of the female adults also had the access to treatment.

4) About 85% of pregnant women living with HIV had access to antiretroviral medicines to prevent transmission to their child in 2019.

5) UNAIDS also worked a lot in raising awareness about HIV and related stigma all over the world. It focused on myths related to HIV which ultimately led to a positive attitude of public towards HIV patients.

CHALLENGES FACED BY UNAIDS

There are a lot many challenges attached to HIV infection and thus it also becomes difficult for UNAIDS to deal with the issue at times. It is a social difficulty too and HIV patients suffer in silence because misconceptions about HIV.

1) HIV and Violence on women:

Every week, about 5500 young women aged 15-24 years become infected with HIV.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, five in six new infections among adolescents aged 15-19 years are among girls. Young women aged 15-24 years are twice more likely to be living with HIV than their male counterparts.
More than one third (35%) of women around the world have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point of time in their lives.

2) HIV and Tuberculosis:

Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, accounting for around one in three AIDS related deaths.
In 2018, an estimated 10 million people developed Tuberculosis and 9% of them had HIV.

3)HIV and COVID-19, newest of all:

A new analysis by UNAIDS has revealed that COVID-19 is going to have a detrimental effect on low and medium income families and countries around the world on supplies of the generic antiretroviral medicines used for HIV treatment.
The lockdowns and border closures imposed by Governments to stop Covid-19 have impacted both production of the medicines and their distribution.

It’s important for us as a society to support the HIV-AIDS patients and their families morally, socially and make a stigma-free environment for them.

CHILD ABUSE

Child Abuse can be defined as harming (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child.

Manipulation is when They blame you for your reaction to their Disrespect

If they are children it doesn’t mean, they can be ‘open to’ harm, injury, violence, and abuse.

As a society we are responsible to ensure that every child in our family, locality, community, region, state and nation is safe and feels safe.

Safe places for children are those where children feel secure and protected. They are nurtured, looked after and cared for.

As adults, it is our responsibility to observe child behaviour and encourage them to speak up.

Choose wisely who you defend

Because of ignorance and dependency on the abusers, children often are unable to express that they are abused.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can be caused from punching, beating, kicking, shaking, biting, burning or throwing the child.

Indicator in child

  • Unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, abrasions, Unexplained burns, Unexplained fractures
  • Injuries to areas of the body that is usually protected /covered.
  • Delay in seeking medical attention for a child
  • Is violent to animals or other children
  • Tries to hide bruises or other injuries
  • May be extremely withdrawn or extremely aggressive
  • Is wary of adults or of a particular individual
  • Cannot recall how the injuries occurred or gives inconsistent explanations

Emotional Abuse

It occurs when a child’s emotional, psychological or social well-being and sense of worth is continually battered. It can include a pattern of criticizing, rejecting, discriminating, degrading, ignoring, isolating, corrupting, exploiting and terrorizing a child.

Indicator in child

  • Bed-wetting or bed soiling that has no medical cause
  • Frequent Headaches, nausea, abdominal pains
  • Has not attained significant developmental milestones
  • Displays attention seeking behaviours or displays extreme inhibition in play
  • When at play, behaviour may model or copy negative behaviour and language used at home
  • Suffers from severe developmental gaps

Indicator in adults

  • Constantly labels the child or publicly humiliates the child
  • Continually threatens the child with physical harm or forces the child to witness physical harm inflicted on a loved one
  • Has unrealistic expectations of the child

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes acts where an adult uses a child for a sexual purpose. While it may involve a stranger.

Indicator in child

  • Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
  • Bruises, lacerations, redness, swelling or bleeding in genital, vaginal or anal area
  • Blood in urine or faeces
  • Unusual or excessive itching or pain in the genital or anal area
  • Difficulty in sitting and/or walking
  • Signs of sexually transmitted disease Indicators in a child’s behaviour
  • Outburst of anger
  • Self-harm (cutting, burning or other harmful activities)
  • Age-inappropriate sexual play with toys, self, others
  • Sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge
  • Nightmares, sleeping problems
  • Becoming withdrawn or very clingy
  • Becoming unusually secretive
  • Sudden unexplained personality changes, mood swings and seeming insecure
  • Regressing to younger behaviours, e.g. bedwetting
  • Fear of certain places or persons e.g. bedroom or bathroom, friend-uncle

Indicators in adult behaviour

  • Insist on physical affection such as kissing, hugging or wrestling even when the child clearly does not want it.
  • Insist on time alone with a child with no interruptions.
  • Spend most of their spare time with children and have little interest in spending time with people their own age.
  • Frequently walk in on children/ teenagers in the bathroom.
  • Treat a particular child as a favourite, making them feel ‘special’ compared with others in the family.
  • Regularly offer to baby-sit children for free or take children on overnight outings alone.
  • Buy children expensive gifts or give them money for no apparent reason.

What to do??

  • Learn to recognize the signs
  • Provide a listening ear
  • Offer help
  • Give helpful information
  • Explain that violence is not OK
  • Look for community systemic support for the family
  • Can contact Childline (1098) to talk over your concerns confidentially with a trained social worker. 

Take following steps on Emergency

Step-1: Immediately contact parents if child is not abused by parents and if child can give information of his/her parents.


Step-2: Contact any one of the following agencies to provide required support to parents and child: DCPU, SJPU, Childline, CPCs, Police or CWC. You can also take help from credible NGOs working on Child Rights in your area.


Step-3: Provide emergency support such as medical aid, clothing, food and transportation to safe places. Make sure that you handover this child to responsible adults from above mentioned list only.

Step-4: Help authorities with whatever information and evidence you have as regards abuse of the child to make sure that the abuser is punished. If possible give written information.

Step-5: Maintain privacy to ensure that the name of the child is not disclosed to media or public in any ways.

Prevention

  • Create Safe places for children in community, neighbourhood and society.
  • Create Structures and Systems where children can express their feelings and emotions freely without any inhibitions.
  • Create Structures and Systems to ensure safety and to ensure that children are supervised.
  • Educate children about safety measures. Provide information about the emergency contact numbers.
  • Create awareness: About child protection systems and networks. Keep this information handy.
  • Build network of concern individuals and groups to help children. Develop support systems for children.

Being Healthy

A standard definition of being healthy according to World Health Organization (WHO) is , ” complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition clearly expresses that just because you are disease free , it does not mean you are healthy. So, keeping that definition in mind , do you think you are healthy??

Health is a major concern for almost all the people living in this world. As we are growing with time, most people are being ‘health conscious’ , they plan diet , go to gym, practice yoga and what not. But what we actually need to know is that health is not just about being physically fit. It is a combination of three element – being physically well, mentally stable and socially fit. There are many person who are physically fit but are mentally depressed. So are they actually healthy?? The answer is plain ‘No’. Similarly if someone is physically as well as mentally well but finds difficulty in socially interacting or communicating or do not contribute to the society , is not actually healthy.

So what it needs to be healthy?? If you physically fit, happy with your mental state ( do not worry about little stress , it is completely okay to be little stressed out) and doing socially great then you can conclude that you are healthy.

So , next time when you think about your health, do not just count your health. And if you think you are not healthy, here are some tips to improve ( most of the are about mental health):

1) Plan your diet – This is the first step that almost everyone takes to be healthy . And of course it is necessary . Planning your diet not only improves your physical health but also keeps you mentally satisfied.

2) Exercise, Yoga or anything – Do anything that includes labour works. Try to sweat . It will definitely lift your health.

3) Listen to music – Experts says music can be a great way to boost your mood and improve signs of depression.

4) Gratitude – At the end of the day, always try to write at least three things you are grateful for. It is always beneficial to count your blessings.

5) Relax – Don’t forget to relax. Always take some time out for yourself. Do something that you love to do. Paint, dance, read or anything that makes you happy.

6) Books – Books are great way of escaping reality. Feeling depressed or lonely? Grab a book, sit comfortably, make some coffee and read. It will teleport you to a different world. Certainly you will feel better. Try reading atleast 15 mins a day. It will also improve your creativity.

7) Friends and Family – Spend quality times with your loved ones. Create memories and cherish them. Do not forget , no matter what, you are always loved.

8) Friendliness – Be good and kind to everyone – your neighbors , mates, kid you see in a subway , everyone. Do charitable works. It will always give satisfaction in the end, no matter how much you suffer.

CITY RESILIENCE TO FIGHT COVID 19

The urbanization level of cities is increasing and with this the population and critical infrastructures in the city also increases, thereby increasing the exposure and vulnerability of cities to acute stresses and long terms shocks like cyclones, floods, pandemics etc. Currently the cities are battling with the greatest challenge to mankind since second world war and most dangerous health calamity, i.e. COVID 19. Cities are the areas having maximum concentration of population and are the nodes of development, hence there’s a need to combat the effects of COVID – 19 and it is important to find a way by which the cities can be developed more sustainably, with more resilience and livability.

WHAT IS COVID 19 ?

The name COVID – 19, originates from ‘Corona’ for CO, ‘ VI’ for Virus and ‘D’ for Disease and ’19’ represents t=its year of occurrence. The pandemic started from the Wuhan city of City in December 19 and within couple of months it became the global health emergency. The pandemic has not only affected the public health but also demobilized the global economy, impacts on environment and governance as well.

Image showing the different modes by which COVID 19 can be transmitted

WHAT IS RESILIENCE ?

Generally, Resilience is defined as the capability to recover from difficulties. In context of city, Resilience can be defined as the ability of an city to Prepare for, Respond to and Recover from any acute stress or long term shock. While dealing with the resilience of a city, the opportunities and threats provided by the difficulty is analyzed and initiatives are taken accordingly. In order to reduce the vulnerability of cities from getting affected by the disaster or hazard, pandemics or any other threat, the city’s capability to resist and recover from these risks is mandatory.

NEED OF RESILIENCE

  • For ensuring and increasing the safety and well being of the citizens and the environment, cities need to be made more resilient and prepared for addressing shocks and stresses.
  • There are many ways by which the resilience of cities can be enhanced and these w2ays can be determined by comparing the COVID 19 with other such health risks and various ways in which problems were caused can be determined. With the help of this the different interventions and recommendations pertaining to specific ways can be decided and the resilience can be enhanced.
  • Resilience plays a major role in shaping governance as well because it provides way for trustworthy leadership, responsive community organizations and also neighborhood design which can facilitate social connections. Resilience enhances physical and social infrastructures that helps the people to protect themselves and the society.

CONCLUSION

Resilience is all about learning from previous experiences and generalizing them those lessons to solve new problems. COVID 19 has provided many experiences for the people by altering the entire living schedule of humans and the experiences learned from this pandemic can be used while preparing for the future pandemics and other health, social and economic threats. In some way or other, COVID 19 has been following the previous pandemics and hence required months of restrictions in travel and isolations, which created and is still creating numerous social, economic and domestic problems for citizens, households, businesses and communities. To answer all these issues and to combat such pandemics the cities need to be resilient. To improve resilience, the communities need to be aware before hand , emergency response programs are required and proper initiatives for contagion control is also a mandatory step. Along with such measures, adequate housing for all citizens and physical and mental support to the sufferers and isolated people is also necessary. In case of designing aspect, the homes and quarantine centers can be designed in such a way that they could reduce the stress with the help of adequate space and proper lighting and ventilation. Along with all such initiative, global threats are needed to tackled with proper international cooperation and by learning from the best practices and approaches for handling such situations.


PLASTIC POLLUTION!

— A hazardous problem for our nation

Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

I have realized that i’m living in a world ,where : rivers are filled with pollutants , air is filled up with toxic gases , soil is polluted with waste materials , and humans are habituated to turn a blind eye upon these by the name of technology and development, expect for some people.

The major factor of this pollution is plastic , Do you know : More than 99% of plastics are produced from chemicals derived from oil,natural gas and coal -all of which are non-renewable resources. only 9%of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled , About 12% incinerated & the rest 79% used in land fills ,dumps etc,. so , please understand the seriousness of this and start using eco-friendly items.

plastic: the common factor for all pollutions.

Plastic waste is something which is not eco-friendly , non-renewable particles . Plastic pollution is nothing but a harmful accumulation of synthetic plastic production in the environment. Basically , plastic pollution is nothing but pollution caused by the plastic in different kinds of ways . Alot of plastic waste is dumped in the dumping areas not only causing the soil pollution but also making the land non-usable .

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

-> This land can be used for the poor people from slum areas . India consists 2,216,533 of population who are living in slums . By decreasing the usage of plastic makes the land useful by providing the people to get a place to live.

-> Plastic waste also makes the land infertile and makes the land useful for farming which decreases the production of crops.

-> By dumping the plastic waste in oceans and rivers creates water pollution . It even causes a problem for the livelihood of marine animals . 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste in oceans. “This is only in the records , out of the records don’t even know”. and 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled in plastic waste.

Photo by Yogendra Singh on Pexels.com

-> Coming to the water pollution , Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other surrounding water sources, and also the ecosystem. The long stay of plastic in water can stimulate the plastic and combine some of its nature into water which makes water unreliable to drink and use .

->By burning the plastic , the toxic gases get released causing air pollution . The chemicals which get released ,pollute the air and affect the surrounding areas by making the air un-breathable . The smoke which comes is so hazardous ,it remains in air for longer time and causing the damage for ozone layer : which is protecting us from the direct hit of sunlight . The direct hit of sunlight can shatter the livelihood of humans cause we cannot bare the heat it produces. Though there are many other initials where poisonous gases are producing which causes air pollution. one of the main cause is plastic.

summary

so , guys its high time . so many people changed their way about using plastic in their lives .We also need to change and make earth a better place to live . Lets struggle at first to enjoy the tang of better planet . Don’t you guys want to feel the smell of fresh air where pollution is not present anywhere ,see the stars where the sky can create mysteries with the insane nature it has . I hope one day we can see plastic free world.

Bioterrorism

From the past two decades , it is stated that the threat of biological warfare is not a myth but a harsh reality of the world . Due to the outbreak , we can recognise the high risk and consequences of bioterrorism.

This editorial provides you the overview of bioterrorism , it’s symptoms , causes , measures and impact on humans in present scenario .

Introduction

A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death. These germs are often found in nature. But they can sometimes be made more harmful by increasing their ability to cause disease, spread, or resist medical treatment.

Biological agents spread through the air, water, or in food. Some can also spread from person to person. They can be very hard to detect. They don’t cause illness for several hours or days. Scientists worry that anthrax, botulism, Ebola and other hemorrhagic fever viruses, plague, or smallpox could be used as biological agents.

Despite patchy intelligence, France started its own biological weapons programme in the early 1920s. It was headed by Auguste Trillat, an inventive German-educated chemist who envisioned and tested the sustained virulence of airborne pathogens.

The goal of bioterrorism is usually to create fear and/or intimidate governments or societies for the purpose of gaining political, religious, or ideological goals. Bioterrorism may have a different effect on societies than would weapons such as explosives.

Symptoms

The symptoms of exposure to a biological agent might include sore throat, fever, double or blurred vision, rash or skin blisters, exhaustion, difficulty talking, confusion, descending muscle weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and coughing.

History

Historically, biological weapons have been a threat to humans for many centuries. At those times, very crude methods such as fecal matter, animal carcasses, etc. were used to contaminate water sources, but now the concentrated forms of biological agents such as dried spores and genetically modified organisms are available, which are fatal even in minute quantity.

During the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965, a scrub typhus outbreak in north-eastern India came under suspicion. India’s defense and intelligence outfits were alert to the outbreak of pneumonic plague – well known in biological warfare – in Surat and Bubonic plague in Beed in 1994, which caused several deaths and sizeable economic loss.

Prevention

There are some points that you need to consider during the outbreak :

  • If you become aware of a suspicious substance, quickly get away.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can filter the air but still allow breathing. Examples include two to three layers of cotton such as a t-shirt, handkerchief or towel.
  • Depending on the situation, wear a face mask to reduce inhaling or spreading germs.
  • If you have been exposed to a biological agent, remove and bag your clothes and personal items.
  • Follow official instructions for disposal of contaminated items.
  • Wash yourself with soap and water and put on clean clothes.
  • Contact authorities and seek medical assistance. You may be advised to stay away from others or even to quarantine.
  • If your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk, immediately seek emergency medical attention.
  • Follow the instructions of doctors and other public health officials.
    Avoid crowds.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
  • Do not share food or utensils.

Link

Ways To Reduce Stress

Many individuals nowadays have lost sight of their hobbies, interests, and passions as a result of their stressful lives. As a consequence, individuals suffer from stress as a result of overwork and weariness. 

Stress is really intense. It could have a detrimental influence on both your physical and emotional health. Whenever you think, your mind is in continual contact with your body. Your ideas generate feelings and emotions, which can be impacted by environmental stresses. This demonstrates how intimately the mind and body are linked, making it critical to identify the role stress tends to play in your daily lives.

Sadly, despite the evident negative impacts of stress, many individuals continue to ignore it. Nevertheless, properly combating stress requires prioritising your own needs. It’s time for action if you’d like to reclaim your rhythm after being stressed out. 

While it is difficult to escape stress in life, you can learn how to manage it efficiently. There seem to be measures you could do to help you cope with daily pressures more effectively so you can get back into your flow easily.

1. Recognize The Sources Of Stress 

One of the primary causes of stress is a hectic and unhealthy lifestyle, however this varies from person to person. Make a list of the things in your life that are giving you stress. Is it effective? Is it a personal issue? This is the first and most important step in properly combating stress. The more you understand what causes your anxiety or concern, the better you will be able to handle or combat stress.

2. Cultivate Mindfulness

When you are worried, your brain and body’s normal reaction is to fight or flee. Meditation and breathing techniques, on the other hand, have also been shown to perform marvels in terms of stress relief and perhaps even improvement in mental health. Find a few periods of solace each day when you can relax and make some time for yourself to get through your concerns and cleanse your thoughts.

3. Prioritize self-care

Why aren’t you taking care of yourself the same way you take care of your house with regular upgrades or your car with planned maintenance? Among the most essential realisations is that no one can take more care of you than yourself. Ignoring oneself makes you increasingly vulnerable towards the dangers of stress. While scheduling time for self-care, keep the following in mind:

  • While it may seem self-evident, it bears repeating: eat well, exercise frequently, and get enough sleep. Many individuals do not realise this, yet it may have an impact on how you felt during the day. If you eat poorly and don’t get enough sleep, it’s simple to notice indications of stress in your body.
  • Many individuals feel uneasy about investing money on self-care items or services. If you have troublesome skin, arrange for a consultation with an expert who can help you clean your skin. If crystals provide you a burst of mental and physical vitality, purchase that citrine bracelet and make yourself happy

4. Rise Up and Begin Moving

Getting up and moving about is among the best methods to combat stress and feel better. Although it may be tough to find opportunities for proper exercise once you have a career and a home to look after, you should make an attempt if you’d like to regain your flow. Endorphins are hormones that make us feel good while you workout. You will feel much better on the inside if you feel happy about your physique.

5. Align Yourself with Positive People

Understand that you are not alone in your battle against stress. You should surround yourself with individuals who can help you manage your stress levels in check so it doesn’t spiral out of control. Stress may cause feelings of loneliness, so make an effort to spend more time with your loved ones. 

Seek comfort and guidance from reliable loved ones. There are also several support systems available, so if you don’t feel at ease approaching anybody about your stress issues, you can always join any of them just for added help. Spend time around individuals who make you happy and do activities which bring you joy.

It can also be difficult to determine where to start when attempting to combat stress. Although stress is a normal part of life, it may sometimes become excessive and cause physical and mental issues. Joy and comfort are within your grasp—try either of these tactics and you’ll see that you can definitely battle stress and reclaim your flow!

Is MSG bad for our health?

What is MSG? Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is added to many foods to enhance flavor. MSG is commonly found in canned foods, soups, fast foods, and processed foods. While (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that’s “generally recognized as safe,” but its use remains controversial. That’s why FDA require that it should be listed on the label.

Symptoms that may occur after consuming MSG include:

  •  Nausea
  • Weakness or fatigue
  •  Headache
  •  Sweating or flushing
  • Numbness
  •  Chest pain
  •  Hives
  • But there reaction is short term or mild, that don’t require treatment. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG.

Food containing MSG.

MSG is used in many common foods including snacks, seasoning, soups, and noodles. MSG is a flavor enhancer, so it’s included in many seasonings. Dressings like ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, mustard, and salad dressings have been known to contain MSG to boost flavor. Many foods contain MSG naturally such as year extract, soy extract.

Many of the foods containing MSG, like instant noodles, chips, aren’t necessarily part of a balanced diet, so we can easily avoid eating them. When consumed regularly can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, effects on the reproductive organs, and other health risks. MSG, which has been banned in certain [US] cities and MSG is scientific invention. It’s in news since, when a scientist coined the term “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” for MSG symptioms.

However there is no scientific evidence to suggest that MSG has any adverse effects in general population in the amounts normally consumed as part of the diet. Many governing food agency consider MSG safe for human consumption as a flavor enhancer. It’s harmful only when they consume large amounts of MSG on an empty stomach. 

Homemade foods contain more vegetables, less carbohydrates, less calories and less fat than any other fast food. It’s the best.

Best air purifying plants for bedroom

Insomnia is one of the common problems faced by many people today. It could be due to stress or unfavourable conditions in the bedroom such as uncomfortable temperature or humidity. According to doctors, the body should have healthy oxygen saturation levels, around 96% to 98%, to stay active and healthy.

Plants play a key role in keeping the environment favourable around. They help to purify air indoors so that you can stay healthier and away from toxins inside the house.

Best plants for Bedroom, which purifies air and induces good sleep.

1.Aloe vera plant

We all know that aloe vera plant has medicinal value. But do you know it also has the ability to eliminate toxins like benzene and aldehyde from the atmosphere and produces Oxygen. It can be the perfect plant for your bedroom.

2.Snake Plant

 This is a low-maintenance plant that has this unique feature to increase oxygen level during the night. Snake plant also removes toxic gases in the house like benzene and formaldehyde.  

3. Tulsi plant

Now a days also we can see a lot of people keep tulsi at homes and even worship it. It produces good amount of oxygen at night and has the power to absorb upto 90% of dust particles from the indoor atmosphere. The fragrance of tulsi plant induces good sleep.  

4.Rubber Plant

This is one of the most popular plants for the bedroom, as it effectively removes formaldehyde, mold spores, and bacteria present in the air. You can expect this plant to purify air upto 70%. It is also a low maintenance required plant. Its glossy leaves look gorgeous.  

Overthinking (The Beauty and the Beast)

Mannat Sandhu

“Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.”
– Robert Eliot

Now imagine this , after a tiring day at work , you’re finally getting to sleep on that oh so soft mattress of yours. But wait , the moment you’re ready to surrender yourself to 6 hours of sleep ( if you’re lucky ! ) , you suddenly remember, “Did I turn off the gas stove ?” ” What if the entire house just explodes and there I am dreaming about how I am going to answer the questions at Koffee with Karan ( yes I also have a struggle to talk about ! ), and many such more fake,over the top scenarios are being flashed in front of your eyes.

Over-thinking Cartoons and Comics - funny pictures from CartoonStock

THE BEAST

This constant feeling of your head being constantly overburdened with unwanted thoughts, the ones you’re being involuntarily surrendered to , is my friend ,the beast.Often you put yourself under a lot of pressure , and you consider yourself responsible for every little thing happening around you. You overthink about a situation to such an extreme extent , that you’re no longer able to differentiate between reality and delusion.You want to stay in the reality but at the same time have one foot dangling in the realm of delusion.

Its that constant battle in your head between trying to stay the same and trying to stay sane.

THE BEAUTY

Sometimes thinking about any particular situation, whether in the past or future, helps you give a different perspective towards it and life as a whole.I mean the fact that Newton really over thought about a fallen apple, was pretty useful.But the key is to know when to stop.

I often think about a saying by Sylvia Plath

If i didn’t think, I’d be much happier.

and most of the times I resonate with it so much.This beautiful brain of yours which holds this massive power of creativity and imagination often turns into this beast you never could’ve expected.

THE PANACEA

1.Meditation

If I tell you that meditation is going to help you, I’d be only 50% correct. Just because you sit down, cross your legs and close your eyes , does not mean that you’re meditating; because your mind is still at loggerheads with your thoughts.So to begin with, whenever you feel like you need to calm down , take a deep breath and try to clear your mind. Then slowly try to give your mind enough space to breathe ( Yes it needs to! ). I know its easier said than done , but hey you got to begin somewhere.

2. Binge watch something

Well, well well..if it isn’t the solution to all our problems. I’m not even going to lie how many times I’ve resorted to this option ! And i just love it. Even if it temporarily helps you to distract your mind, then go for it.

3. Walk it out

Whether on your terrace, in your verandah or outside in a park, there’s nothing a quiet peaceful walk cannot solve .

4. Sleep it off

Sometimes i just feel ,I use this option as an excuse to get out of everything.

Feeling stressed ; Go to sleeep

Don’t feel like doing anything ; Go to sleep

There’s a fire ; Go to sl….NO WAIT..Buddy you got to run!

Maybe you’ll be at the same stage after you wake up , but hey at least you got a few hours of peaceful sleep, and boy that’s rare.

5. Call a friend

Sometimes talking to a friend really helps you either find a solution or help you take your mind off it.And if you don’y feel comfortable , you can seek professional help or contact at the official helplines.

Overthinking does not sound like a disorder , but don’t wait for it to become one.

6. Let go off things you cannot control

The most difficult one on the list yet the most effective. Take a minute and ask yourself, will I be able to do something to solve the situation,

If yes ; then work on a solution.

If no ; then remind yourself,

It is not your job to be everything to everyone.

– Paulo Coelho ( The Pilgrimage )

A penny for your thought ? If only it was a penny for every time I over thought, I’d be a millionaire, no wait a billionaire, no wait…you know what let me just go think about it.

HUMAN ANATOMY

Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy is the study of the shape and structure of the body of organisms or living beings. The word anatomy is derived from the Greek words ‘ ana ‘ and ‘ tomy ‘ where ‘ ana ‘ means ‘apart’ and ‘tomy ‘ means ‘to cut’. In physiology, the functions of various system such as respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, skeleton system and muscular system of organisms are studied. It can be said that physiology is the study of how the body and all its part function. It consists of two word, namely, ‘physio’ and ‘ ology’ where ‘physio’ means ‘nature ‘ and ‘ ology ‘ means ‘ study’. Here ,we will study human anatomy and human physiology.

Definition of Human Anatomy

Free Vector | Anatomy of the human body information infographic

Human Anatomy is the study of structure ,shape, size , weight and location of all the organs of human body. A detailed knowledge of the structure of various system of human body is provided in human anatomy . For example , the shape, size, weight, structure and location of all the organs of the excretory system such as lungs, kidneys, large intestine, liver, skin, etc. are studied in human anatomy. Human anatomy can be defined as the science dealing with human body structure and relationships among structures.

Importance of Anatomy

The importance of anatomy and physiology is mentioned below.

  • Anatomy Provides the Knowledge of Structures of Various Organs : Human anatomy provides the detailed knowledge of the structure of various organ body . We get the knowledge of structure, shape, size, location and weight of organs of all the systems of our body. We come to know about the length of various organs such as the length, size and shape of the bones. With the help of anatomy , we get the knowledge of the percentage of white fibres and red fibres present in an individual. As a result of such knowledge , the teacher and coaches working in the field of physical education and sports may easily select the suitable sports according to the traits of students. For example, weightlifting is more appropriate for short statured students, who have more percentage of white fibres i.e., fast twitch fibres in comparison to red fibers i.e., slow twitch fibres can perform better in sprinting events instead of endurance events.