Category: Health

Social media and Eating Disorders- does it have a connection?

Eating disorder describes conditions in which individuals engage in disordered eating. Eating disorders are not simply poor eating habits but are recognized mental health disorders in which emotional issues manifest in harmful eating habits. Eating problems in childhood and adolescence are very common.

It usually starts to be a problem in teenage years. It is not known for certain what causes them, but many factors could play a part such as Social pressure, particularly caused by the social media idealizing being thin, losing weight can make us feel good and in control, others include puberty, family problems, trauma, bullying, depression and low self-esteem.

The messages people get from society about how they should look, how much they should weigh especially western culture (particularly, the social media) promotes extreme thinness as the epitome of body perfection, success and happiness. Bullying others when they fail to be perfect since bullying others over the internet is easier due to anonymity so people do it without feeling guilty without worrying about the consequences. This leads people to become dissatisfied with their own bodies, their self-esteem suffers and they turn to dieting as they feel the pressure to be thin.

Our generation has become so obsessed with taking picture perfect selfies, having the perfect body and weight just like they see on the internet and thinking a person can only be happy if they have large number of followers and likes on social media that they fail to realize that social media only shows the good side of a person’s life and nobody knows what goes on the inside.

A lot of effort goes into becoming like those people or what we call “influencers” and not everything we see or hear on the internet is the truth and as the saying goes “comparison kills the joy” we see them and get disappointed with what we have when we compare ourselves to them. A lot of people start taking shortcuts just achieve those unrealistic goals like excessive dieting or starving and in turn ruining their overall health. Sometimes it leads into developing an eating disorder.

Eating disorders can develop from the desperation to live up to unrealistic cultural expectations, strained relationships within the family, other pressures arising from school or in the work place. Some people eat to curb their loneliness, anxieties and sometimes even to pass the time. A lot of people with eating disorders do not have other effective coping strategies, so, they turn to their eating disorder to help them cope and without even realizing it, many of these individuals actually end up harming their health and the quality of their lives.

The most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

There are a lot of causes of eating disorders including stress from a variety of external factors such as some sort of crisis or disappointment to the individual. The loss of a loved one or life changes, lack of communication as people who are unable to communicate clearly and effectively often prefer to hold in their emotions, sometimes described as “swallowing” their emotions, many individuals choose to remain silent but express their feelings and frustrations in other ways, including through abnormal eating disorders.

Signs of Eating Disorders vary, but here are some of the signs and symptoms to look out for an eating disorder are only eating certain types of food, using the bathroom immediately after eating, making excuses not to eat at meal times, obsession with body weight/being overweight.

Anorexia Nervosa–

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which an individual becomes so afraid of gaining weight and/or having body fat that they severely limit the amount of food that they eat or they exercise excessively in an attempt to burn off the calories that they do eat so that they will not gain any extra weight. Self-induced vomiting, the misuse of diet pills, diuretics, or laxatives is often found in them.

There are many health risks of Anorexia such as if weight becomes dangerously low, there is the risk of vital organs shutting down and anorexia nervosa has the highest death rate. Others include malnutrition and dehydration, anemia, amenorrhea.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa, which is more commonly known as bulimia, is an eating disorder marked by binges and then purges. During a binge a bulimic will eat a great amount of food in one sitting, then purge by either inducing vomiting or taking a laxative or diuretic to expel the food. For bulimics, bingeing and purging becomes a cycle but they may never lose or gain enough weight to make it obvious that they have an eating disorder.

Damage to the digestive tract, mouth, teeth, and salivary glands is common among bulimics and the constant bingeing and purging mean that bulimics rarely keep in enough vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Others include changes in body chemistry, erosion of tooth enamel due to vomiting and, in extreme cases, stomach rupture and death.

People suffering with bulimia are often of a normal weight so it may go undetected for many years, with those close to them often having no idea they have the disease or that their health is suffering.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is a common eating disorder in which an individual regularly consumes a large amount of food in one sitting, or “grazes” constantly even when they are not hungry or become physically uncomfortable from consuming so much food.

Binge eaters do not purge after over-eating, nor do they routinely exercise excessively in an attempt to burn off the calories.

Binge eating disorder can occur in individuals of any gender, race, age and because binge eaters often become overweight or clinically obese, they put themselves at risk for a wide variety of health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, gallbladder disease, kidney disease, fertility problems, high cholesterol, and some types of cancer.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

The type of eating disorder treatment that is most appropriate will depend on the severity and type of eating disorder and the length of time it has continued, as well as, the patient’s individual preferences about the type of treatment they would like.

Getting professional help is a good idea. Various therapies are available, including psychotherapy, family counselling, group therapy, and self-help groups, in which patients can explore their issues with food and learn to develop healthy eating habits. They might suffer relapses once eating disorder treatment has begun, but early treatment makes a far greater chance of recovering successfully.

Coping with Stress

Developing efficient coping skills may prevent the development of an eating disorder. Some of the simple coping skills include:

-Accepting that life brings disappointments

-Avoiding stressful situations. If reading fashion magazines makes people feel bad about themselves, then, they should stop looking at them and focus on another activity instead.

-Scheduling time for hobbies that are enjoyable and relaxing.

-Building a support system of friends and family who support their hopes and dreams, and accept them for who they are.

Family and friends can help individuals stay strong and prevent an eating disorder by praising an individual’s talents and strengths, listening to and discussing an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and fears, supporting an individual’s hopes and dreams, reminding an individual that a healthy body, not necessarily a slim body, is most important, barring unrealistic and unhealthy diets and excessive exercise regimes.

Overuse of social media can become an addiction which might lead to anxieties, damage to eyesight after staring at the screen for long periods of time, unhealthy sleep patterns leading to insomnia and other health problems so we should always keep a check on the content and the amount of our usage of social media. If it goes out of hand and you feel like its impacting you negatively you can always quit it, since you are in control of what should be a part of your life, take a social media detox. And always know that in whatever form and whenever you need help it is always available.

BIO-TERRORISM AND CLIMATE GETTING WORSE- TWO MORE PANDEMICS WAITING FOR US IN THE FUTURE

In 2015, when Bill Gates warned us about a possible global pandemic occurring in the future, which could kill above 10 million people, he predicted that it would not be because of a nuclear war but it would come in the form of a deadly virus. He warned us that we are not prepared enough to face the pandemic head-on and our unpreparedness will result into very adverse outcomes.

Looking back at it, he was right wasn’t he. We remained unprepared ignoring the warnings and then coronavirus hit us, and it hit us so bad that even developed countries like China, Italy, USA and UK took a serious blow and the death toll is still increasing. Vaccines are being developed but we still have a long way to go.

And while we are still recovering, we are facing the danger of two more pandemics which are- Bio-terrorism and Climate change. In his recent interview, Bill Gates talked about these issues, he warned about increasing death toll in future due to changing climate and spread of biological weapons in form of infectious bacteria and viruses with the intention to cause damage globally. Many physical impacts of climate change are already visible, including extreme weather events, glacier retreat, increase in level of sea water, drought and wildfires etc. And he also suggested us the ways in which we could better prepare ourselves to fight effectively against these future pandemics, they are-

  1. Field based activity- Appointing a team of epidemiologists so that they could go to the affected locations and collect data about the problems and difficulties they are facing because vaccine research begins only after a careful assessment of public health priorities. Work conducted in the basic research laboratory forms the scientific foundation for all subsequent investigation.
  2. R&D activity- Investing more in the Research and development for the solutions to the pandemics, like in case of an infectious virus developing mRNA vaccines and developing warning systems using technology.
  3. Contact Tracing- Contact tracers use clear protocols to notify, interview, and advise close contacts to patients with confirmed or probable infections . Jurisdictions can use the following steps and considerations as a framework when developing a protocol for the tracing of close contacts.

To prevent climate change we have to take some important steps ourselves to save our environment and sustain our resources by-

  1. Planting more trees & Stop deforestation
  2. Using resources like water and fuels responsibly
  3. Using energy efficiently and minimizing wastage
  4. Using natural resources like solar power to generate electricity.
  5. Recycling and using renewable resources
  6. Informing and educating others of these dangers and ways to fight against it

India – The land of Green Gems

Have you ever wondered why some advertisement makers show that we’ve used this or that plant in our product ?

Do you know there are about 47,000 plant species in India ?Out of these , many have healing capacities , they have abilities to cure some diseases. You may have even used one out of these plants’ leaves or bark to heal your wounds or to beautify yourself or to cure some disease .

India has about 8000 species of plants which have some medicinal qualities. About 2000 species have been described in Ayurveda & more than 500 are in regular use. You may be familiar with some medicinal plants , herbs & trees like Tulsi , Neem , Babool , Palash , Ashok & Arjun.

Let’s talk about their qualities .

Tulsi is used to cure not only cough, cold & headache but is also useful in indigestion, heart diseases & respiratory diseases. Neem has antibiotic & antibacterial properties. People often use its twig to clean their teeth , its bark can be used to heal wounds , it is also used to cure bloody nose & leprosy & to kill intestinal worms. Babool has its use in healing of bleeding gums , its leaves are used to cure eye sore , it is also used as tonic. Palasha is used as a cure in complexion of skin, worm infestations, roundworm. Ashok is used to cure menstrual irregularities & used as uterine stimulant . Arjun’s leaves are used as a cure for earache , it is also used to regulate blood pressure.

Sarpgandha is one such medicinal plant which is found in India only. It is used to treat blood pressure.

Some other popular medicinal plants are Amaltas , Amla , Kachnar , Jamun , Varun , Brahmi , Kateki & Akarkara.

There are many medicinal plants which are like all-rounders , they are not only for medicinal purposes but also used as beauty products. Some are edible ( & off course tasty too ). People use some of these plants for decorative purposes , some of these are used to make colors , & some are used as jewellery too. Some plants like Tulsi are worshipped by many Indians.

India’s ancient culture valued its flaura & fauna. But now we’re losing on it.The World Conservation Union’s Red List has named 352 plants out of which 52 are critically threatened & 49 are endangered.It’s not only about saving the culture , it’s about preservation of the biodiversity , or you can say it’s about saving our own lives.

There are a lot of local medicinal plants & herbs in India. They are not so popular but are very useful. Only the locals have knowledge about them & only they can save such plants , trees & herbs.

There’s a need to create & implement policies which include locals. Locals , administration , & government together can change the whole scenario . One such example is of India’s only orchid sanctuary, where the administration together with the locals rejuvenated the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary in just 21 days.

Let’s come together to preserve the beautiful Indian culture , & the biodiversity.

Ps : It’s never too late to make a change.

Simple Ways to Relieve Stress

Tips for dealing with stressful situations
You may be surprised to learn that bouts of depression are more recent. It was not until the late 1950s that endocrinologist Hans Selye began identifying and recording depression.

Symptoms of depression existed long before Seleye, but his discovery led to new research that has helped millions to cope with stress. We have compiled a list of the top ten ways to reduce stress.

listen to music
If you feel overwhelmed by a stressful situation, try taking a break from listening to soothing music. Playing soft music has a positive effect on the brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and lower cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.

We recommend cello master Yo-Yo Ma to play Bach, but if classical is really not your thing, try listening to the sea or the sounds of nature. It may sound hot, but there are similar relaxing effects in music.

Talk to your friend
When you feel the pressure, take a break to call a friend and talk about your problems. Good relationships with friends and loved ones are essential for any healthy lifestyle.

They are especially important when you are under a lot of pressure. A reassuring word, or a moment, can put everything in its place.

Talk to yourself about it
Sometimes calling a friend is not an option. If so, talking to you calmly may be the next step.

Don’t worry about looking crazy – just tell yourself why you’re stressed, all you have to do is complete the task, and most importantly, everything will be fine.

Eat well
Stress levels and diet should be closely related. When we are frustrated, we often forget to eat well and use nutritious, fatty foods as a beverage.

Try to avoid sugary snacks and plan ahead. Fruits and vegetables are always good, and fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce symptoms of stress. The tuna sandwich is actually brain food.

It’s funny
Laughter releases endorphins that enhance mood and reduce levels of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Humorous your nervous system makes you happy.

Our suggestion: watch old Monty Python drawings like “The Ministry of Silly Walks.” Those Brits are so funny, soon you will be cracked, rather than cracked.

Drink tea
High levels of caffeine cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. It can also cause your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to go to extremes.

Instead of coffee or energy drinks, try green tea. It contains less than half the coffee caffeine and contains healthy antioxidants, as well as theanine, an amino acid that has a calming effect on the nervous system.

Remember
Most of the tips we have suggested provide immediate relief, but there are also many lifestyle changes that can work better over time. The concept of “thinking” is a large part of meditation techniques and certain forms of mental health and has become popular recently.

From yoga and tai chi to meditation and Pilates, these meditation programs include physical and psychological exercises that prevent stress from becoming a problem. Try joining a class.

Exercise (or minute)
Exercising does not mean lifting strength in the gym or training in a marathon. Walking slowly around the office or simply stopping to stretch during breaks at work can provide immediate relief from stress.

Your blood circulation releases endorphins and can improve your mood almost immediately.

Sleep better
Everyone knows that stress can make you lose sleep. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is also a major cause of stress. This vicious cycle causes the brain and body to degenerate and become worse over time.

Make sure you get a doctor’s recommended hours of sleep seven to eight hours. Turn off the TV in front of you, turn off the lights, and give yourself time to rest before going to bed. It would be the most effective pressure barter on our list.

Breathe easily
The advice to “take a deep breath” may seem like a short clip, but it works when it comes to depression. For centuries, Buddhist monks have been known to deliberately breathe during meditation.

A simple exercise for three to five minutes, sit on a chair with your feet up and hands on your knees. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply, focusing on your lungs as they fully develop in your chest.

While abnormal breathing causes stress, deep breathing breathes your blood, helps to stabilize your body, and clears your mind.

Learn more about stress relief
Depression is an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Untreated depression can cause serious physical and mental problems.

The good news is that in many cases, stress is manageable. With some patience and a few practical strategies, you can reduce your stress, whether it is family stress or stress at work.

Benefits of Yoga In Life

Yoga offers both physical and mental benefits to people of all ages. Also, if you are experiencing illness, surgery, or chronic illness, yoga can be an important part of your treatment and may even speed up your recovery.

A yoga therapist can work with patients and bring together independent programs that work in conjunction with their therapies and surgeries. Thus, yoga can support the healing process and help a person see symptoms with greater concentration and less stress.

  1. Yoga promotes strength, balance and flexibility.
    Slow walking and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm the muscles, while holding the space can build strength.

Experiment: The Question Tree
Balance with one foot, while holding the other foot on your calf or above the knee (but never twisted) at the right angle. Try to focus on one area in front of you, while measuring one minute.

  1. Yoga helps relieve back pain.
    Yoga is like a basic stretch in relieving pain and improving the mobility of people with low back pain. The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as a first-line treatment for chronic pain.

Try it: Cat-Cow Pose
Get on all fours, and place your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. First, breathe in, as you let your stomach down. After that, breathe, as you pull your navel toward your spine, wrapping your spine like a sleeping cat.

  1. Yoga can reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
    Gentle yoga has been shown to reduce some of the joint discomfort, which is common in people with arthritis, according to Johns Hopkins’ review of 11 recent studies.
  2. Yoga benefits heart health.
    Practicing regular yoga can reduce stress and inflammation throughout the body, contributing to a healthier heart. Many causes of heart disease, including high blood pressure and excess weight, can also be treated with yoga.

Try it: Down Dog Pose
Get on all fours, then put your toes down and bring your bones sitting up, to make the triangle stand up. Keep a slight bend at your knees, while stretching your spine and tailbone.

  1. Yoga relaxes you, helping you sleep better.
    Studies show that a continuous sleep yoga routine can help you get into the right mindset and prepare your body for sleep and sleep.

Try it: Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose
Sit on your left side of the wall, then gently turn to the right and lift your legs to relax on the wall, keeping your back down and your bones sitting close to the wall. You can stay in this position for 5 to 15 minutes.

  1. Yoga can mean a lot of energy and bright feelings.
    You may feel an increase in mental and physical strength, increased alertness and enthusiasm, and a few negative emotions after practicing yoga.
  2. Yoga helps you manage stress.
    According to the National Institutes of Health, scientific evidence shows that yoga supports the management of stress, mental health, meditation, healthy eating, weight loss and sleep quality.

Try: Carcass Pose (Savasana)
Lie on the floor with your legs outstretched, away from the body, palms up. Try to clear your mind while breathing loudly. You can hold this pose for 5 to 15 minutes.

  1. Yoga connects you to a supportive community.
    Participating in yoga classes can reduce loneliness and provide a place for group healing and support. Or in individual times loneliness diminishes as the person is accepted as a different person, listened to and participates in creating a personalized yoga program.
  2. Yoga promotes better self-care.
    Scientific Research on the Benefits of Yoga
    The U.S. military, the National Institutes of Health and other major organizations are listening to – and including – scientific confirmation of the importance of yoga in health care.

Healthy Breakfast Benefits

I love eating healthy breakfast, every day! You too? If you are skipping breakfast, occasionally, or skipping junk food for convenience, then you are missing out on the benefits of a proper breakfast, and you need to take action!

Oxford Dictionary defines breakfast as ‘Breakfast, the first of the day’. As you sleep for about eight hours (however) every day, you wake up and ‘break your fast’ with your first meal of the day. Having a healthy breakfast helps you stay hydrated, so that you can pass the day in a strong and focused way.

Breakfast
Some of the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast, suitable for your well-being and well-being are:

  • You can concentrate better on your studies or work and have a healthy breakfast.
  • The people who eat breakfast are often smaller than those who skip it, as these usually eat more during the day.
  • Combine preparing and eating a healthy breakfast in your breakfast routine to make it your daily routine. Being professional is often linked to work success.
  • Plan your breakfast habits and fitness together, as they go hand in hand, giving you the full benefits, and the longer.
  • Are you bad for being a morning person? A good breakfast plan can help motivate you, so waking up in the morning is something you look forward to, making it a daily habit.
  • Other examples of healthy breakfast include (but not limited to) oats, yoghurt, fruit, eggs (low-calorie recipes), whole wheat toasts, various smoothies, more… To make breakfast interesting, you can vary the way you take it. -Your oats, use your toasts, and use a variety of fruits for your smoothie. The ideas are endless!


“Good nutrition does not have to be complicated. Go back to the lessons you learned as a child. Start with a real breakfast; never miss that. If you get up early to run, make sure you drink at least a glass of water and put something healthy in your stomach before going out the door. ”- Summer Sanders, as in Brainy Quote.

“All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.” – John Gunther, as in Brainy Quote.

“The answer is a champion breakfast.” – Ken Blanchard, as in Brainy Quote.

Who I am and Why I’m here

Hey there, I am Disha Mitra, currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Bioinformatics from the University of Calcutta. I did my graduation in Microbiology and am a keen lover of the subject biology. I like reading and writing during my past-time.

I am totally an introvert and like to pen down my thoughts whenever I feel down. I love singing which actually lights up my mind when things go wrong. Writing on various enthusiastic topics by gaining in-depth knowledge on them and conveying them to others through my writing skills is what I enjoy a lot.

I’m here to gain and explore new experiences on writing and to challenge my own writing and blogging skills.

Boost your Mental Fitness

When you know you need to exercise your body, did you know that it is also important to exercise your mind? You may have heard the old saying, “Use it or throw it away.” Many researchers believe that this system works in your brain.

Brain training is all the rage these days, often seen as a way to sharpen your mind and strengthen intelligence. While many cognitive scientists have suggested that the claims surrounding brain training are both exaggerated and misleading, there are a number of studies that suggest that certain types of activities can help your mental health.

1. What Can You Do to Strengthen Your Mind?

The plastic brain allows you to adapt and change, or weed. As you learn new things, you can build and strengthen neural pathways and networks. This helps to keep your brain strong, but it can also help make you more flexible and adaptable.

These benefits can go a long way in keeping your mind sharp as you grow older.

One in-depth study involved more than 2,800 participants over the age of 65 each doing one of three different forms of psychotherapy. The types of training used include speed processing training, memory training, and thought training

Researchers found that those in the jurisdictional team of the study group received significant benefits, perhaps because the training led to a broader pattern of brain activity. However, all three groups benefited, receiving protection from age-related dementia that lasted for at least five years. Clearly, certain mental functions can have significant brain benefits

Now let’s look at the brain exercises you can do at home. Although these brain games are not designed to make you more intelligent, you may find that you feel mentally sharp and have the power to know if you practice them regularly.

One of the best ways to strengthen your mind is to take commitment, but it is also one of the most effective and rewarding ways. Find out what you need to do to get your mind set on the task at hand.


2. Take Care of Your Body To Take Care of Your Mind
If you want to take care of your mind, you need to start by taking care of your body.

Studies have repeatedly shown that people who engage in healthy habits, such as exercise and a healthy diet, are less likely to be affected by the mental decline associated with aging.

Studies from 2006 have also shown that exercise can make you smarter and protect your brain from slowing down as it grows.3 A study in mice in 2013 also revealed that exercise can increase neurogenesis, or the formation of new brain cells, in the hippocampus of the brain. 4

One study published in 2013 looked at healthy behavior in about 2,300 men over a 30-year period. Researchers look at participants’ behaviors and cognitive abilities from an early age to tracking their progress during old age

Researchers found that men who engaged in certain healthy activities were less likely to be 60% more likely to develop mental retardation and dementia as they grew older.

These healthy behaviors included not smoking, maintaining a healthy BMI, exercising regularly, eating more vegetables and fruits, and drinking more alcohol in moderation.

So if you want to build a better mind, start working on your physical health first. Take a walk, start adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.

3. Draw a map of your city from memory
While you may feel that you can walk the streets of your neighborhood with your eyes closed, try to challenge your brain by drawing a map of your city or area with a memory. No cheating! Try to include highways, highways, and landmarks.

When you’re done, compare your memory map with the actual location map. How did you do it? Are you surprised by some of the things you missed? If you find this task too easy, try drawing an unfamiliar area in the memory, such as a map of the entire United States or Europe, and then trying to label all countries or countries.

Navigating your way to the store or doctor’s office may seem easy and almost automatic in the back of your car. However, forcing yourself to remember your local environment and drawing and labeling helps to activate different areas of your brain.

4. Learn Something New

This brain exercise requires a little commitment, but it is also one that can give your buck a lot. Learning something new is one way to keep your brain in their hands and continually introduce new challenges.

In another study, researchers assigned older adults to learn new skills ranging from digital photography to quilting. They then performed a memory test and compared the test groups and control groups. Those in the control groups used to do fun things but not so much a challenge to their minds, such as watching movies and listening to the radio.

Researchers found that only those participants who learned a new skill could improve in memory tests.

They also found that these memory improvements were still present when tested again a year later.

Other activities you may want to try include learning a new language, learning to play a musical instrument, or learning new entertainment. Not only will you expand your mind, but you will continue to learn something new as you continue to increase your skills and become more accomplished.

5. Try to use your unusual hand
The following are some interesting brain exercises recommended by a neurologist who can help “keep your brain alive.”

In his book Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness, neurobiologist Lawrence Katz recommends using your uncontrolled hand to strengthen your brain. Because using your opposite hand can be a big challenge, it can be a great way to increase brain function.7

Try changing hands while eating dinner or when trying to write something down. It’s going to be hard, but that’s exactly the point.

The most effective brain functions are those that are not easy.

The following is an activity you do almost every day, but you may not realize how helpful it can be to your mental faculties.

6 Share with friends for fun

Recreation tends to involve many areas of the brain and many social activities also involve physical activities, such as playing a game, that also benefits your mind.

Even if you are an inveterate introduction, wanting to connect with people can be helpful to your brain in the short and long term. Other ideas for staying involved with the community include signing up for volunteer opportunities in your community, joining a club, signing up for a local travel group, and staying very close to your friends and family.


7 Meditate

Exercise for the brain that you have never thought of can be very effective – meditation. Mental meditation, in particular, is all the rage right now, sponsored by psychologists, business leaders and other health professionals. Before you say that this ancient Buddhist tradition is very new to you, consider some research that shows the many benefits of meditation.

Studies from 2007 suggest that mindfulness meditation may help to integrate new neural pathways, which has led to the development of self-assessment skills and increased mental flexibility.

A 2007 study also showed that meditation can help improve attention, concentration, empathy, and self-defense. Research also suggests that meditation can even increase your working capacity. 9

Are you ready to try this brain activity? You can read the quick meditation meditation guide. You can also check out some practical tips to incorporate thinking into your daily life.

Once you have tried some of these brain tests, you may be left wondering if any of those online “brain training” websites can also help. Next, let’s see if those sites, apps, and apps really need your time.

8. What About All The Brain Training Games?

The possibilities are probably the best you’ve ever heard, or tried, of any of the many brain training games, websites, and apps out there. Many of these tools claim that these computer-assisted brain tests can increase your mental flexibility, keep you mentally sharp as you grow older and make you more intelligent.

While there is still much debate about whether these claims are true or not, there is a chance that playing these types of mental games can be good for your brain.

How much is really expected in the debate. If you think you can enjoy such games, you can find a good list of brain training resources that you would like to explore.

If, however, you have already spent a lot of time looking at your computer screen or smartphone, your time is probably best spent wandering around, enjoying a new hobby or visiting with a friend. All of these activities can have serious long-term effects on the health and function of your brain.

Importants of Chess in life

You already know a lot of ways you can improve your brain health. You can exercise to be more productive, eat better brain food, and make sure you get enough sleep by falling asleep. And you can keep your brain in good shape with puzzles and even learning another language.

But what about chess?

It is known worldwide, and it is often associated with tact and ingenuity. But does chess make you more creative?

If you are already a chess lover, the following article should make you feel good about your favorite game. If you are not present, this article may just get you started. Here are 10 ways that chess can make you smarter.

1. Chess can increase your IQ
Chess has always had an image problem, seen as a game for brainiacs and people with high IQ already. So there has been a bit of a chicken and egg situation: Do smart people tend to tackle chess, or does chess make them smarter?

At least one study has shown that moving those knights and rooks around can actually increase the level of human intelligence. In reviewing the educational benefits of chess, Robert Ferguson describes a study of 4,000 Venezuelan students that made a significant increase in IQ schools for boys and girls after four months of teaching chess. Other studies have confirmed these effects of skills transfer.

2. It helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Because the brain works like a muscle, it needs to exercise like any bicep or quad in order to stay healthy and prevent injury. Review of the number of key subjects received

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that more than 75 people who engage in brainstorming activities such as chess are less likely to develop dementia than their peers who play the game. As unused tissue is depleted, Dr. Robert Freidland, one of the authors of the study, found that unused brain tissue leads to loss of brain power. So that has more reason to play chess before you turn 75.

These results are confirmed by a major review concluding that chess is a protective factor in dementia.

3. It uses both sides of the brain
In a German study, researchers showed chess experts and novices simple geometric shapes and positions in chess and measured the reaction of subjects to self-identification. They expected to find that the left brain specialist was very active, but they did not expect the right part of the brain to do the same.

The results of the study suggested that novice and experts had the same moments of response in simple situations, but experts were using both sides of their brains to quickly answer chess position questions, and novices were absent.

4. Increase your intelligence
Since the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for art, it should come as no surprise that activating the right side of your brain helps improve your creative side. Specifically, chess magnifies the real thing.

Robert Ferguson’s four-year study included students from Grades 7 to 9 playing chess, using computers, or doing other activities once a week for 32 weeks to see which activity promoted the greatest growth in artistic thought. The chess team received high marks in all art forms, which is their main source of profit.

5. Improves your memory
Most critical chess players know — at least anecdotally — that playing chess improves your memory. Being a good player means remembering how your opponent has worked in the past and remembering the steps that helped you win before.

But there is hard evidence to support an anecdotal experience. In a two-year study in 1985, young students who were given regular opportunities to play chess increased their grades in all subjects, and their teachers saw better memory and better planning skills in children. The same study made Pennsylvania’s sixth graders get the same results. Even students who have never played chess have improved their memory and speaking skills after playing.

6. Increases problem-solving skills
The game of chess is like one big puzzle that needs to be solved, and solved on a plane, because your enemy is constantly changing boundaries. About 450 fifth graders were divided into three groups in a 1992 study conducted in New Brunswick. Group A was the control group and passed the traditional mathematics curriculum. Group B added numbers with chess orders after first grade, and Group C started chess in first grade. In the standard test, Group C scores rose to 81.2% from 62% and surpassed Group A by 21.46%.

7. Improves reading skills
In a landmark study of 1991, Dr. Stuart Margulies studied the learning style of 53 elementary school students who participated in the chess program and tested them compared to non-chess students in the region and nationally. You have found clear results that playing chess has led to an increase in learning. In a district where middle school students are tested below the national average, children from the region who played the game were tested on it.

8. Improves concentration
The masters of chess may come out as scattered nutty professors, but the fact is that their antics during the games are often the result of intense torture demanded and developed for their players. Looking away or thinking of something else for even a moment can lead to losing the game, as the opponent does not have to tell you how to move if you are not careful. Numerous studies by students in the U.S., Russia, China, and elsewhere have repeatedly shown that young people’s ability to concentrate is sharpened by chess.

[See our great guide to find other ways to improve your focus.]

9. It grows neuron dendrites
Dendrites are tree-like branches that move signals from other neural cells to the neurons attached to them. Think of them as horns picking signals from other brain cells. The more antennas you have and the bigger, the more signals you pick up.

Learning a new skill like playing chess causes dendrites to grow. But that growth does not stop once you have learned the game; interacting with people in challenging activities also increases the growth of dendrite, and chess is a good example.

10. Teaches planning and foresight
Having teens play chess can save their lives. It goes like this: one of the last parts of the brain to develop the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for planning, judgment, and self-control. So teens are not scientifically mature until this part grows up.

Strategic games like chess can stimulate the development of the cerebral cortex and help them make better decisions in all areas of life, perhaps preventing them from making stupid, dangerous choices related to youth.

So, yes, there is some good evidence to suggest that playing chess can improve your brain and improve your cognitive skills. If you are interested in other ways to improve your ability, intelligence, and brain health, keep checking EDUindex.

Avoid Procrastination

  1. Organize
    You can’t do any work if you don’t know which assignments need to be completed. Invest in a planner or start using a calendar app on your phone. This makes it much easier to track individual assignments and important dates. Need help getting started? Watch our video on editing skills and time!
  2. Set simple goals that you can achieve
    Part of the reason why we delay is because the work we are facing seems very daunting. It is much easier to get started on a project when you set up simple, achievable goals rather than a big, vague plan. Instead of thinking, “I’m going to study biology tonight,” say, “I’m going to study chapter six tonight.” This makes your goals less fearful and achievable. Read this blog to face your goals for more tips.
  3. Create a timeline / schedule
    After you set your goals, create a timeline for achieving them. This could be a schedule for studying your next major exams (“Tuesday, I will read chapter five, and on Wednesday I will read chapter six”), or it could be a map of what you have to write (“Saturday, I will write an introduction and conclusion”). Skipping an assignment into smaller chunks over time makes it much easier.
  4. Set a deadline
    Many people get caught up in the cycle of “Someday, I’ll edit my notes,” or “I’ll get to the end of that math schoolwork.” The truth of “one day” and “finally” never comes. It is important to set a specific date when you want your goals to be achieved. If you have an assignment that you would like to have, try to complete it a day or two in advance. That way, if something unexpected happens, you have more time to finish it.
  5. Remove distractions
    It is important to eliminate any distractions before you start working so that you do not become unnecessarily distracted during your work. If you are accustomed to spending too much time on Snapchat or Instagram when you have to read, then turn off your phone (remotely). Disorders can also be external sources, such as annoying siblings. Try listening to old music or white noise to choke their endless conversation. Alternatively, you can switch study areas all together and head down to your local library or coffee shop, where you can clear your mind and learn not to be distracted.
  6. Time for yourself
    When you are loaded with assignments, it is easy to overwork them. Also, our brains can only handle so much detail and focus at the same time! So how long should you study? Everyone is different, but most experts agree on 50 to 90 minutes. Set a timer for a focus study or work block to protect yourself from the heat.

You may need to try to find your “beautiful place” for the length of time you spend studying. According to the Atlantic, the full production formula works for 52 minutes and then breaks 17.

  1. Take a break
    It is important to take a deep breath in homework regularly. When your timer turns off, take a 10-30 minute break. Listen to music, take a walk, wash clothes, or shout a pillow – anything that distracts your mind from work and allows you to relax.
  2. Use stimulants
    Everyone loves to be rewarded. It is important that you give yourself incentives, no matter how small. It could be something as simple as, “If I work in this assignment for an hour, I’ll watch an episode of my favorite TV show tonight.” Or it could be a big goal like, “If I get an A in math this semester, I’m going to my favorite restaurant.” It is easy to pay attention when something is in danger.
  3. Get the hard stuff done first
    This can make you want to turn everything back. It’s hard to do what you don’t want to do. But guess what? Once you’re done, it’s over! It’s best to complete your most challenging assignments first. That way everything after it seems simple and takes a short time. If you keep pushing the English text back, you will never accomplish it. It’s best to tie it down and just do it.
  4. Tell someone about your goal
    It’s easy to forget about assignments or postpone them if you’re the only one who’s committed. If you really want to do something, tell a friend or family member. Now someone is putting you in charge of your goals. You cannot undo or delete it. As an added bonus, you also have someone to celebrate your victory with, no matter how small. Whether you got an A in that physics test or completed a project a few days earlier, your friend will be there to support you.

True Happiness

What does it mean to be truly happy?
Happiness is essential to life. It’s important and it’s important. Most people can do anything… But what is real happiness?

Here are some ideas below:

Follow your purpose in life
Knowing what you want to achieve in life is the essence of feeling satisfied. Only then can you work to achieve it. The goals you set should have a purpose.

Have the work of your dreams
You may want to exercise professionally, with a formal education, relevant skills, and work experience, so that you have a job or profession of your choice. This can be your key achievement.

Live by your own conditions
You could be someone (like me) who likes to work from home with flexibility or maybe be an entrepreneur, starting your own business. What about blogging, YouTube, a podcast, or the Instagram influencer?

Being in a good relationship
When it comes to happiness, it is natural to think about relationships. People around you are key. They can also affect how you feel. Your life partner plays an important role in your life. However, when you face difficult times, make yourself feel better! On the other hand, many people decide to remain single by choice.

‘To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and goodness will come to him naturally. ’- Buddha

Internal motives
Having goals that are within your reach often helps to ensure your happiness. For example, when you do things without expecting revenge, you are truly happy with the person you helped. If they don’t give you back, you don’t have to worry about it. You know that you support this person with all your heart.

‘In my life I have learned that real happiness comes from giving. Helping others along the way gives you a sense of identity. I think love is what we all want. I have never met anyone who has never been a better person in love. ’- Marla Gibbs

External motives
The external search usually refers to a number of material objects. For example, if you wanted a higher salary, worked for it, and eventually got a raise, at some point in time, you may not have much value. You start to take it for granted and get used to it.

‘Happiness, real happiness, is an inner quality. It is an attitude. When your mind is at peace, you are happy. If your mind is calm, but you have nothing else, you can be happy. If you have everything the world has to offer – pleasure, possessions, energy – but you lack peace of mind, you will never be happy. ‘- Dada Vaswani

There are endless ways to feel happy or not, so I can keep going. The main point is that everyone is different. However, true happiness comes from within!

The conclusion

In short, we all want a happy life. Fortunately, much (if not all) depends on our approach and our state of health. Therefore, choose happiness by seeing what you already have, while working on your goals and aspirations.

IMPACT OF PORN ON MODERN SOCIETY

We are living in the 21st century where the term ‘sex’ is considered as a taboo by our society. Since sex, a very basic human necessity, has been dealt so covertly, people ended up being hesitant to talk or discuss it openly in public. Sex education was included in the school curriculum as a result of relentless demands by the liberal and freethinking blocks of the society but has ended up more like a human biology and anatomy education rather than actual sex education. This has led to the scenario of people being poorly aware of the topic even after being taught about it.

Unlike a few years ago, with the advent of modern technologies like the internet, smartphone etc, porn has become a readily accessible material to everyone, especially teenagers. The lack of proper sex education and overexposure to pornographic contents set forth a complex scenario of our young generation mistaking the fantasies portrayed in porn for real. Porn often manipulates one’s idea of an ideal partner with unrealistic expectations which eventually leaves a considerable impact on our relationships with one another. As time passes, the enticing fantasies of porn drag one into the psychological traps of darker themes such as incest, rape, racial stereotypes, child porn etc. 

Though many studies and researches are yet to be conducted on the effects of porn and porn addiction, the report from the American Psychology Association provides us with a short insight into the topic. The annual traffic statistics of popular porn websites reported that an average Indian spent around eight minutes watching porn at a stretch. Another entrancing insight is that one-third of porn viewers are women and 48% are of the age group 18-24. Many consider porn as a private and harmless way through which people can enhance their sex life and relieve tension by releasing latent sexual energy. But watching porn regularly develops addictive behaviour resulting in an unhealthy lifestyle and broken relationships. The male-centric porn culture deceives its viewers into the devious mentality of objectifying women as mere sex tools to satisfy their urges. Porn drains love, respect and intimacy off a human being when he gets addicted to it and seeks for aggressive sex they’ve been exposed all their lives through porn. Lack of interest, sexual dissatisfaction, body image issues etc are a few among the list of relationship issues caused by porn addiction.

A revamping of the sex education imparted in schools by experts along with medical professionals, school managements and parents is essential to reduce the negative impacts of porn on teenagers to an extend. In addition to biology, sex education should consider the socio-psychological factors to ensure the eradication of taboo and reticence that persists regarding the topic. Setting a clear cut distinction between fact and fiction is necessary to prevent our children from having damaging unrealistic sexual fantasies. It is a natural instinct of teenagers to explore their sexuality and have sexual curiosity. Instead of blaming them for their sexual inclination and muffling the discussions regarding sex, timely guidance is what our society should provide our teenagers with.

Porn is a multi-billion dollar industry spread across the web which makes it nearly impossible to reduce or cut off the exposure to it. It’s just like any other commercial movie industry, a definite work of fiction with actors and directors producing contents for a targeted audience. One should realize that what porn showcases are an exaggerated product which is far from reality and attempts to imitate it in real life will result in issues with confidence and self-esteem. While you might learn a thing or two from watching porn or reading a sexy book, it shouldn’t be considered an alternative to sex education. A doctor or sex therapist should be the ones to be approached to clarify your queries rather than porn sites.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF MARITAL RAPES IN INDIA

Marital rape is the act of indulging in sexual intercourse without proper consent of the partner. People often mistake marital rape as an act of domestic violence or sexual abuse, although a lack of consent is enough in itself.  The right for sexual intercourse within the marriage was considered as a naturally consigned right of the spouse, historically. Many countries around the world have rightly classified non-consensual sexual intercourse as “rape”, yet countries including India regard this intimate assault a perfectly legal crime.

Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code propounds rape as all forms of sexual assault involving non-consensual intercourse with a woman. Yet the Exception 2 to Section 375 absolves the unwilling sexual intercourse between a husband and a wife over fifteen years of age from Section 375’s definition of “rape”. Thus the atrocities and abuses within the sacredness and sacrosanctity of marriage are legalized by the government under this section. This is a clear case of discrimination against female victims by the Indian criminal laws, just because they have been raped by their own husbands.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reports, an average Indian woman is 17 times more likely to be subjected to sexual violence from her own husband than others. Such heinous acts go unreported due to the ineffectiveness of the existing laws. Though India is striving hard to empower its female population, it fails to ensure their safety even in the very basic social structure like family. The patriarchal social structure of India is the fundamental reason for the mortifying status of women in Indian society and the persisting ineffectiveness of laws protecting them.

NGOs for the empowerment of women and Constitutional experts are of the opinion that the Exception 2 to Section 375 is a clear violation of Article 14 and Article 21 and insists that its high time India criminalize marital rape and frame new laws for protecting women from intramarital violence. The equality and liberty rights assured for all citizens in Article 14  and Article 21 of the constitution are denied in exception 2 to section 375. Even the UN General Committee has recommended the Indian government to criminalize marital rape back in 2013. A large part of the British influenced Indian laws which need timely amendments remains untouched for the past 73 years since independence. No Indian government has, however, so far shown an active interest in remedying this problem. As a result, many of such primitive practices still exist in our society. 

INFERTILITY AND THE IMPACT OF GADGETS

We live in a century where technology and gadgets are closely knitted to our everyday life and it is hard for us to imagine that the generations before our’s existed with near to zero exposure to the kind of technologies we have today. With the introduction of modern technologies, a significant change in the basic routine of people’s lives is clearly visible. Though these technologies are meant to make life easier and better, they do come with several drawbacks as well. Many aspects of the modern lifestyle have severe impacts upon our health both mentally as well as physically. 

While new technologies are introduced every day, simultaneous attempts are made by the researchers to understand its various health impacts. Of all the identified threats caused by the excessive use of technology, especially electronic gadgets, infertility stays high in the order followed by cancer, poor mental being etc. People often overlook the health consequences and carry these gadgets most of the time because of the convenience it provides. Many have a habit of scrolling through their phones right before they go to sleep. Apart from sleep deprivation, studies have revealed that this habit can cause far more shocking repercussions like reproductive disorders in both males and females.

According to studies, the electromagnetic radiations are transferred directly to the reproductive organs when cell phones are kept in trouser pockets for a longer period. Evening or late-night exposure to short-wavelength light(SWL) emitted from electronic gadgets and digital media devices can result in poor sperm quality, reducing sperm motility, sperm progressive motility and sperm concentration. The long-term exposure and its proximity affect the ovarian activity in women leading to infertility. The radiation from mobile phones affects one’s DNA destroying our cell’s natural ability to recover and might result in abortions.

Abstinence from electronic gadgets is not practical but their excessive use must be reduced. The people suffering from fertility issues must consider reducing the use of electronic gadgets. Cutting down the screen time helps one to avoid health consequences like sleep deprivation, fatigue, headache caused by the overexposure to digital gadgets. Pregnant women should limit their exposure to cell phones as it is known to affect the growth of the fetus. Exposure to EMF radiation / RF from laptops, cell phones, Wi-Fi and other personal devices are known to be key detriments to the mental health of a child in its pre-term and neonatal days.

Modern technologies and gadgets are invented to reduce physical efforts and make life easier and better for. The introduction of new technologies every day is revolutionising our world and lifestyle. But the comforts provided by these technologies should never be the ground for us to move away from our basic instincts. Exploiting these technologies without its proper and limited usage will be similar to digging our own grave.

KOCHI TO GET AN INFRASTRUCTURAL FACELIFT IN 2021

The year 2021 will be witnessing a grandiose infrastructural facelift of Kochi, the stupendous port city of Kerala. Kochi has undergone a massive transformation during the past decade, with the launch of Cochin International Airport, Cochin Shipyard, Infopark, Kochi Metro etc which has uplifted it from a tiny port city to a metropolitan urban city we see today. Enormous investment in the construction and expansion of roads and bridges has increased the pace of life in the city. 

With the inauguration of the Vytilla and Kundannor flyovers, the two major projects which Kochi has been anticipating for a long time; the city has kickstarted its infrastructural facelift of 2021. The Vytilla Kundanoor flyovers built under the supervision of  Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) are expected to reduce the traffic congestion at the busiest junctions of the city. With the completion of the Palarivattom flyover by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in the coming months, commutation through and within the city will become facile.

The first phase of Kochi Water Metro, a project introduced as an alternative public transport system to reduce traffic congestion within the city with minimal pollution is expected to be completed by mid-2021 under the supervision of Kochi Metro Rail Limited. Kochi will become the first city in the country to have an integrated road, metro rail and water transport system under one roof with the launch of this project. The Phase I extension of the Kochi Metro to Tripunithura is expected to be completed this year. 

Efforts to resolve the waterlogging and flooding in Kochi during monsoon season as a follow up to Operation Breakthrough is said to begin in March 2021. Several innovative projects such as rooftop solar panel projects and Intelligent Traffic Management System have been rolled out by Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CMRL). A walkway development project, an open-air theatre and renovation of Dutch Palace premises in the Fort Kochi area will also be carried out this year.

The Ernakulam Medical College Hospital was transformed earlier this year into a state-of-the-art healthcare hub that the state can be proud of. The commissioning of the GAIL pipeline in January by the Prime Minister marked a historical achievement as the city and the government had to tackle numerous hard knocks to make the project a reality. With the launch of numerous infrastructural and economically uplifting projects, Kochi is expected to become one of the leading metropolitan cities in the coming decade.