Size zero and its side effects

For those of you who want to dump your curves and crave to be a size zero, here is a warning. Research have shown: girls dieting to be size zero could be risking their bones to long-term problems such as osteoporosis. The research conducted on 4,000 young girls, shows that fat mass plays an important role in building bones. It is also found that constant images of reed-thin, size-zero models, pop stars and actresses fuelled a rise in eating disorders amongst young women.

In India, Bollywood hottie Kareena Kapoor sparked the craze for size zero after she reportedly lost eight kilos to acquire a bikini body for Tashan in 2007.

While celebs like her can take pride in setting a trend, for young followers there could be health hazards. Building strong bones is particularly important for women, as they are three times more likely to develop osteoporosis and suffer up to three times more hip fractures than men. Actress Gul Panag points out, "Size zero has sparked low self-esteem issues, resulting in bulimia, anorexia and body dysmorphic disorders. Looking thin is like being a poster girl for sickness and bad health. I believe it's more important to be fit than be thin and look sick." Former Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan agrees with Gul."The term size zero is a gimmick to sell certain products in the market."

Fitness experts point out that size zero is unhealthy and not many are aware of what it really implies. "Size zero refers to maintaining a slim figure. Do the right kind of exercises under the guidance of a certified trainer and have the right kind of food that can help you acquire a slim figure. Simply aping superstars and trying to be a size zero is something no sensible person will support," concludes fitness expert Dinaz Vervatwala.

Unhealthy fad
In early 2006, Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston, 21, died of anorexia on the eve of a Paris photoshoot after living on a diet of apples and tomatoes
Actress Nicole Richie was reported to have collapsed on set. Citing dehydration, she has tried in vain to quench rumours that she suffered from malnutrition.
And there are numerous other cases that can be stated.. so instead of craving for size zero try out for being fit...

Best brain foods for everyone

As you age, your memory goes for a toss. Eating right will help those grey cells in working condition and you in tip-top shape!

Can't find your keys ... again? Whether your momentary memory loss is linked to doing too many things at once or just a bad case of menopausal brain fog, you don't have to put up with it.

It is suggested that natural chemicals in these foods, spices, and drinks combat cognitive decline.

Here is a list of some of the foods that help us keep our memory active and sharp.

- Asparagus

- Blueberries

- Cocoa

- Coffee

- Egg yolks

- Indian curry

- Red wine

- Rosemary

- Salmon

- Tomato sauce

- Walnuts

Like celebs, shed post-pregnancy kilos

Take a cue from celebrity mothers and shed those post-pregnancy kilos. Here are a few things that work in your favour and make the ordeal easier

Celebrity mothers such as Aishwarya, Amrita Arora, her sexy older sibling Malaika Arora Khan, Hollywood hotties like Angelina Jolie and bootylicious singer Jennifer Lopez prance around setting an example for young mothers everywhere. While they may have a slew of helpers and nannies to take over when they tire, getting back into shape post delivery is as rewarding as it is difficult, much like childbirth itself. Gone are the days when all you could picture were double chins, saggy tummies and excess weight that's impossible to shed.

Here is a cheat sheet on how they do it and what you can do to get rid of your motherhood fat.

Eating on the run
When coping with a newborn it's almost impossible to sit down and enjoy three normal meals. So mums tend to eat little and often — between feeds and while the baby sleeps.

"This style of eating keeps energy levels up and boosts the metabolism," says nutritionist Louise Khan. The other secret for a faster fat-busting metabolism is breastfeeding, which burns an average of 500 calories a day. "It also helps stomach muscles contract and tighten post-birth for a flat tummy," says Louise.

It fixes your hormones
More and more mums — including celebs such as JLo and Victoria Beckham, have suffered from the common hormone imbalance polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Symptoms of this condition include irregular periods, infertility, miscarriages, excess hair, acne and obesity.

But although it can be tougher to conceive with this condition, after pregnancy many women with PCOS find their hormones balance out for the better. This means more stable blood sugar levels, so it's easier to keep weight off.

You burn more calories
It might sound obvious, but when you think that weight loss is down to a simple calculation of substracting calories, it's clear why the additional activity involved in looking after a newborn shifts fat.

Many new mums find that after years of leading a relatively sedentary life — sitting down at work all day, for example — they're now find themselves racing around from the moment they wake up until their head hits the pillow. Some also find it easier to walk to more places rather than load and unload the pram into the car for every short journey. Plus, the bigger your family the better, as with every additional baby your activity levels increase even further.

Exercise for the first time
For many new mums, trying to lose weight after pregnancy is the first time they've done any real exercise since school, so even women who were slim before wouldn't have had much muscle tone if they weren't working out. Wanting to shift the pregnancy weight gives mums an incentive to visit the gym or start swimming, which can reap big rewards. They find their body becomes stronger and better toned than ever before.

Respecting the body
Having a baby can put you more in tune with your body. You feel more confident and appreciative of your body and what it's capable of doing. Serial yo-yo dieters can find this newfound respect ends the 'binge-then-crash diet' cycle and they lose weight without trying, for the first time in their lives. New mums must eat well to have enough energy to cope, and this change of focus often stops them from obsessing about calories. They follow a healthy diet, with everything in moderation and no meal skipping, which is the real secret to sustained weight loss.

Post-baby body
Exercise throughout : Swimming or walking three times a week while pregnant will keep your muscles toned and fat stores down, without overdoing it.

Go steady after the birth: Ask your doctor at your six-week check up if you're safe to start exercising, and listen to your body— don't rush into exercise until you feel up to it.

Move more: If it's impossible to get to the gym, try to walk everywhere with your pram — the faster you go, the more calories you will burn.

Breast-feed: It's not just the best thing for your baby — it will help you lose weight faster too.

Eat right: A healthy diet with plenty of fruit, veges and lean protein is vital, and eating small mini meals fives times a day boosts your metabolism.

Fix your fat belly now!

We share with you four easy ways to fix your belly fat. Mind you, they are not exercises...

Are you also worried about your 'jelly' belly like millions of others around you? Have flat-abs diet failed you too often? We share some easy tips to drastically reduce belly fat. We are not suggesting exercises, only some quick lifestyle changes...

"Roll your shoulders back and down"
By default when you haunch, your belly pooches out. This is a simple posture correction that helps your tummy to stay in. This posture also makes you look slimmest.

"Pull up your abs and up"
Yes, you read it right. You don't have to go through the painful process of crunches and simply pull up your abs and then push them up.

"Keep your butt tucked in"
Many of you must have heard this trick somewhere but never took it seriously. It's time you start doing it!

"Bend 90 degrees"
Don't stress your back when you bend. When you pick up stuff ensure you bend 90 degrees. Do it few times a day and it will help push the belly fat in.

Dont like veggies.. here are some tips..

 

Love them or hate them, you cannot deny their importance.

Easily the most health-promoting food group on the planet, vegetables are powerhouses of fiber and antioxidants. So, what do self-confessed veggie haters (like most of us!) do? One thing's for sure, cheating veggie haters into eating generous portions of the leafy things works...everytime. Here are some tips for including vegetables in your daily diet without really tasting them...

 Add vegetables to your favourite dishes

You love lasagna? Add layers of chopped spinach or boiled and stir fried broccoli or carrots along with flavoured zucchini slices. You love macaroni and cheese? Stir fry a few seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, mushroom and tomatoes in olive oil. Add a dash of oregano or tomato puree to it, your healthy bowl of macaroni and cheese is ready. Fold them into quesadilla or omelettes.

 

Fold them into salads

 

Throw in all the vegetables you like (or tolerate) into your bowl of salad. There are many vegetables which will go well with salads - onions, radishes, grated carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, cauliflower florets or green beans. Perhaps a good way to include them is to slice them really thin...so they don't get in the way too much.

 

Have some fun mixing and matching

 

Some vegetables are best when combined with certain other vegetables. So add a bunch of them to a single dish - maybe grill some eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes for a single dish topped with your favourite sauce?

 

Serve them raw with a tasty homemade dip

 

The flavour of raw veggies is milder and the texture is crisp. Serve them with onion dip (use home prepared onion broth and add low fat cream to it) or simple make a flavoured tomato puree (boil tomato puree, oregano, salt and pepper in one table spoon of olive oil).

 Sneak them into your evening snack

 

Place them inside hot or cold sandwiches. Add grated or finally chopped vegetables such as fresh basil, sliced zucchini, shredded cabbage of different colours. Tomato and sprouts go well with wraps and pitas too.

 

Drink your veggies!

 

Prepare homemade versions of bottled or canned juice and add your own healthy twist of veggies to it. Blend some carrot along with mango or orange juice.

Grill them!

 

Grill some vegetables, and add a dash of your favourite flavouring or simply salt and pepper will also do. Just make sure to brush them slightly with olive oil or light dressing, before grilling. Large pieces of mushroom and zucchini or eggplant can be placed neatly on a stick and grilled.

If you are somebody who dislikes eating overcooked vegetables, simply change your cooking style. Try cooking vegetables in texture enhancing ways such as light microwave cooking or simple stir-fries in your favourite sauce.

Merry Christmas...

Headache bothering you???

 

If you frequently suffer from headaches, try switching on to a more healthy diet comprising of fresh fruits and vegetables that provide the body ample vitamins and minerals and regular exercise.

Whether you have a headache due to cold, stress or lack of sleep, here are some remedies to help you deal with a headache:

Take a nap : Sleeping for a short while help to reduce headaches. However take care not to oversleep as it can aggravate the headache. A nap of 15-30 minutes is sufficient.

Practice breathing exercises : Take slow deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly. This helps to ease out the discomfort caused due to the headache.

Head massage : Massages are known to be effective in curing headaches. Gently massage your temples with your fingers in a circular motion. Also, gently tap your fingers on your forehead.

Aromatherapy : Sniffing some aromatic oils can not only reduce headache but also uplift your mood. Essential oils of lavender, ylang ylang, sandalwood and vanilla are beneficial in soothing your stress away.

Easy ways to put on weight

Are you one of those struggling to put on weight? Here are some ways to achieve your goal

While realms of space has been dedicated solely to how you can knock off those unwanted pounds and lose those inches, there are also people that want to put on a little bit of weight, and have a tough time doing so. There's no reason to take supplements or weight gain pills to put on weight — a healthy diet and some positive attitude is all that you need. First of all you need to find out if you're suffering from a medical condition that is not allowing you to gain weight. Once you get the all clear from that, gear up to improve your diet.

- Since gaining weight is as tough as losing it, you need to be patient to get results. Make up a diet chart to ensure that you consume more calories than what you burn.

- The idea isn't to eat everything that comes your way, but to eat wisely. Consume healthy foods but frequently — say three small meals and three large ones. Make sure you keep a gap of at least three hours between each meal so you can digest them properly. Never keep a five hour gap between meals.

- If you think that to gain weight, you need to forget exercising, think again. Resistance training exercises not only help you gain muscle mass, they will also increase your metabolism. Ask a fitness trainer to give you some weight gaining exercises. Don't forget to protein rich foods after your workout.

- Foods that have great sources of protein include fish, low fat dairy products, milk, meats, almonds, sesame and sunflower seeds.

- Stay away from junk and fatty foods. Consult a dietician to know which high protein foods, high carbohydrate foods and healthy fats you can include in your diet. There is another misconception that beer helps you put on weight. Besides a beer belly you'll gain nothing else. Don't binge on it.

- Start your day with a healthy breakfast comprising a glass of milk and a banana or a banana milkshake, whole-grain toast, a fruit and some nuts. Stick to eating more fruit than having juices.

- Stick to wholegrain bread, green leafy vegetables, paneer, a chicken or fish dish, rice and dal for lunch. Eat dinner comprising of the same things albeit two hours before you hit the sack.

- Healthy snacks to eat in-between meals include fruits, cheese or chicken sandwiches, a bowl of plain or flavoured dahi or salads. Avoid fast foods like burgers, doughnuts and fried things.

6 Factors that kill your diet plans

 

So you have been dieting all this while and also keep a check on what you eat, still you feel you aren't losing much weight. Or does it come back after sometime? here are some solutions...

Don't give your food power:
It's all in your mind. Food can't make you eat it. Some people talk as if a chocolate bar holds them down, forcing them to eat it. You have the power to say No to food.

Good versus bad food:
So you think there are good and bad foods? Incorrect. Food is food; it could be fatty, salty, sweet, and low in fat, high in fibre, high in protein. You have to find the right balance and ensure that your body is not deprived of food.

Dieting can't go on forever:
You feel heavy today and you go on a diet plan. Once you lose the excess weight, you go off the diet. If you follow this pattern, you are most likely to regain all the weight. So eat well but eat right.

You can't lose weight without exercise:
So you think you can lose weight without exercising. It isn't impossible, but you would need to go on a controlled diet. But once you stop dieting, the weight will come back. It's very important to follow some kind of a fitness routine. It can even be a brisk walk, or any kind of increased activity.

All fats are not bad
Some fats are healthy. Nuts and seeds have good oils in them, so you should not avoid those oils. Also, you should keep alternating food oils. Do not stick to one kind of oil. The trans fat in fast food and packaged foods is bad for you.

Don't drink too many calories
If you are living in the misconception that soft drink is bad but juice and sports drink are good, think again. Juice has the same calories as soft drinks. And sports drinks are mostly full of sugar. It's best to eat your fruit than drinking it. And drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated.

Walnuts...!!!

 

Research has shown that having walnuts daily can reduce the risk of heart disease and can help in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and the C-Reactive Protein.

When you are having a meal that is high in saturated fats, having a handful of raw walnuts can limit the ability of the harmful fat to damage arteries.

Walnuts contain less than four grams of saturated fats per 50 grams. However, all nuts are high in calories, so, having them in moderation is essential.

Walnuts are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fats and alpha linoleic acid.

Add it to your daily diet

- Begin the day in a healthy way with chopped walnuts in your breakfast cereal.

- Avoid meat in your salads and instead, sprinkle a handful of fresh walnuts on it.

- Give the sausages, eggs and processed meat a miss. Get your protein from roasted walnuts!

-Add some walnuts to ur cornflakes or oats mean in morning. 

Look for the fresh nut

- Shelled walnuts should be brittle. Avoid the rubbery ones. Opt for the ones with a darker skin.

Store them right

- No one likes a rancid walnut. So store them unshelled in the refrigerator for a couple of months.

 

Weightloss??? Here are some tips...

With fad diets and fitness routines round every corner, it is quite difficult to keep a tab on which weight loss tips really do work and which don't. Should you join that bhangra aerobics class, adopt that no-carb diet, or eat dinner at 6pm? Never mind all that loophole-ridden weight loss jargon, step over to the healthy side. Here are 5 tips for guaranteed weight loss that will set your weight straight, and help you adopt some really healthy, weight-friendly habits for life.

Weight loss tip 1: Stock your kitchen - Keep your house well-stocked with fruits, vegetables, healthy meats, grains, cereals, spices, and flavourers. Follow our tricks to healthy cooking, cooking vegetables for the week, and low-fat cooking posts to understand how best you can stock your kitchen with healthy and delicious ingredients. All of this will go into helping the next step - cooking healthy meals at home.

Weight loss tip 2: Eat healthy homecooked meals - Whether it's you who's cooking, a family member, or house help, ensure that every one practises healthy cooking methods, and ingredients. Ask any person who's lost weight the healthy way, and you will always hear about how healthy homecooked meals were a big reason behind it. Use less oil, low salt, fresh produce, and you'll start seeing results in no time.

Weight loss tip 3: Start a cardio workout - A healthy weight loss programme is incomplete without a good exercise routine cardio is the best way to lose weight. Of course, variations and forms exist, but any workout that stresses on muscle tone and increased heart rate will always help you lose weight and keep it off. You can either start a home workout today, or rely on gyms for fitness training.

Weight loss tip 4: Find a solution to combat stress - Stress is always detrimental to healthy weight loss in the long run. Find ways to combat stress and you'll soon realise that your diet and exercise aren't sabotaged anymore, and that you truly do see results. Look at yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simple hobbies like reading to fight stress.

Weight loss tip 5: Drink plenty of water - You've known that your body relies heavily on water for all important bodily functions, and yet you skimp on drinking adequate quantities of water every day. Well, it's time to stop that. Check out some exciting ways to make water interesting and you'll be packing it away in no time.

Get rid of puffy eyes!

Eyes are the indicators of our health condition. Puffy eyes usually make people look more tired and aged.

Causes
Lack of sleep, excessive crying, lots of sodium or salt intake, emotional or physical stress, build-up of toxins and wastes in the body, post-operation or surgical recovery, heredity or genetic predisposition, allergic reaction or dermatitis, excess consumption of alcoholic beverages, irritation from contact lenses, body fluid fluctuations due to hormones, sinus problems, vitamin deficiency.

Symptoms     
Swelling around or at the corners of the eyes. Puffiness of the eyelids, of the eyes. Difficulty or inability to open or close the eyes due to swelling.

Prevention
Sleep well
Give your eyes the muchneeded rest. Sleep deprivation makes them work overtime and causes bags underneath. This is because all the fats and fluids settle down and accumulate in the area. As the skin underneath the eyes is very thin and fragile, the extra fluid becomes more prominent.

Pamper your eyes
Apply cucumber slices or cool tea bags to your eyes on a regular basis. Tea bags contain tannin that reduces the swelling and discolouration of eye bags, while cucumber soothes the puffiness around the eyes. Keep cool cucumber slices or tea bags in the refrigerator overnight and the next day put them on your eyes for about 15 minutes.

Eat a balanced diet
Deficiency of Vitamin K or B12 is known to be a major cause of puffy eyes. Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet along with plenty of water to get all the vitamins and minerals. Decrease your salt intake.

Quit smoking Smoking is bad for your health and can also cause under eye circles and puffiness.

Avoid rubbing your eyes
Rubbing on the eyes and eye contours may break the tiny capillaries underneath the skin and lead to more dark circles and puffiness.

Take care of eyes while you sleep
Before going to bed, dampen a soft cotton cloth in cold water and squeeze it to remove excess water. Then put this cloth over your eyes as you sleep.

Take regular breaks
Learn to take regular breaks during work, especially if you are working on computers.

Visit a doctor
If the swelling around the eyelids is 2-3 times more than normal, you should visit a physician immediately.

Want to increase your blood circulation!!!

Here are a few tips...

Good blood circulation in the body is essential for improving one's memory and concentration, preventing toxin-formation in the body and keeping the joints of the body agile. 

Walking
Walking is the most simplest and easiest form of exercise. Walk for at least 20 minutes a day.

Swimming
If you hate working out in the gym and wish to do something fun, then swimming is a good option. Swimming is not only loads of fun but it also is a good form of physical activity. Do the butterfly stroke, back stroke, breast stroke, anything that catches your fancy.

 Cycling
Cycling provides the heart and blood vessels a good work out, fostering blood circulation. Cycling regularly tones the muscles of the legs and thighs. This is specially beneficial for those with a sedentary lifestyle accompanied by lack of exercise.

Belly Dancing
Dancing, especially belly dancing, is very effective when it comes to blood circulation. It promotes cardio-vascular health, strengthens the abdominal muscles and bowel movements. Besides physical fitness, you can learn to groove seductively and wins hearts too!

Five ways to be happy with yourself !!

1. Don't take others too seriously. Try to understand that no one is perfect. If you feel that someone is being overtly critical then be frank and point it out to that person.

2. Accept the fact that you are made a certain way. If you aren't happy with your weight or looks, try and improve on it. But don't put yourself down.

3. Don't try to blend in with others. Just because all the people in your group are wearing saris for a wedding, you don't have to do the same. Wear what you are comfortable in. If you are comfortable in your skin, you will exude a certain confidence that will make you attractive to others.

4. Don't put up with any kind of bullying. Whether it's in your college, work or home, make sure that you put forth your point of view firmly. It's great to adjust, but not at the cost of changing yourself drastically.

5. If you are happy with yourself, then you will be sure of your thoughts and beliefs. You may not follow the herd mentality, but at the same time, you won't end up being different just for the heck of it.

Walnuts..!!

Not only are walnuts delicious to eat but also good for your heart and your skin. 

They are one of the best plant sources of protein. Here are some health benefits of walnuts we bet you didn't know about:

- Walnuts are a rich source of omega-3 fats and alpha linoleic acid (ALA) that are known to improve artery function.

- They contain anti-oxidant properties that help in preventing cancer.

- It is believed that consumption of walnuts as a part of daily diet helps in prevention of gallstones.

- The monounsaturated fats present in walnuts helps in lowering bad cholesterol and lipoprotein, a compound that can cause atherosclerosis by increasing blood clotting.

- An essential amino acid called L-arginine, which is present in walnuts, gets converted to nitric oxide that helps in increasing the blood flow in the body. It also prevents arteries from narrowing and preventsthe accumulation of fatty deposits on the artery walls.

- Walnuts are often referred to as 'brain food'. That is because they are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which plays a major role in the optimum functioning of the brain cells, making you smarter.

- Melatonin, a compound found in walnuts is helpful in promoting good sleep therefore, reducing insomnia and other sleep disorders which are prevalent.

Skipping breakfast... A BIG NOOO..!!!

Don’t most of us just nibble on some toast or have a spoonful of porridge, down our daily dose of caffeine and rush off to work at least once a week (sometimes more)?  Skipping breakfast in a bid to reach work on time may not be the wisest thing you do. Not only will it leave you feeling irritable and restless all morning, it will make you gorge on more fatty foods through the day too. Read on to know why should not skip your first meal in the morning.

The benefits of breakfast
Breakfast is the first meal of the day that helps our body fuel itself after 6 to 10 hours of starving itself. It prepares our mind and body for the day we are about to face.

 “A good breakfast also replenishes our glucose reserves.”

“A nutritious breakfast is very important as it boosts our metabolism.” A healthy breakfast also improves our cognitive ability, our ability to pay attention and our memory. “Not only that, people who eat breakfast are also found to be more positive, have a better attitude at work, be more productive at work and concentrate on a task better.” So, have a yummy egg sandwich if you want to ace that presentation.

Why you shouldn’t miss breakfast
Skipping breakfast will leave you feeling tired and sleepy through the day. And since most of us do not tend to eat much till lunch, “it drops our metabolism.” So, it does not help to skip breakfast if you hope to lose weight.

Also since your body was denied proper nutrition first thing in the morning, “it will end up craving for more food through the day.” So that explains all those cravings for a chocolate dessert, or a burger or a packet of chips between meals. Fat from these unhealthy snacks only end up showing in parts you least desire them to!

“Not having breakfast will also leave you feeling irritable and restless through the morning.” Now you don’t want to pick a fight with your partner as soon as you start your day, do you? A good breakfast, rich in fibre and antioxidants and low in fat, sodium and sugar will not just help you lose weight but improve your immune system and lower your risk of contracting several diseases.

Here are some healthy breakfast ideas

1. A whole grain cereal or muesli with low fat or skimmed milk
2. Mixed sprouts salad with yogurt and a fruit
3. A whole grain/ wheat bread sandwich with a filling of tofu or paneer and bell peppers
4. Eggs with whole grain toast and a fruit
5. Whole grain chappati/roti stuffed with vegetables with curd or a glass of milk

Taking care of your beautiful eyes... Do Eyes Yoga!!!

  In alternative therapy vision care assumes that the muscles of the eyes, like the rest of those all over the body, must be exercised to remain healthy. We naturally did that as children when we played games, like ball games, running etc. These involved complex eye movements. However, these days, with even children confined to the desk, TV, or media (computer, electronic games) that involves only a confined strain by the eyes the muscles within the eye socket are not worked out. Reworking them, even with gentle movements, including peripheral ones, can help contain degenerating sight.

A few poses that may be safely practiced to help maintain eye sight:

Trataka (Yogic focusing exercise)
Hold your right hand in front of you. Extend the thumb, folding back other fingers lightly. Ensure hand is at eye level. Look at thumbnail. Then switch focus to nose tip. Back at right thumbnail, then switching focus to nose tip. This is one round. Rest your eyes. Do palming (see above). Do up to five rounds. Then switch hands, to do for left hand. Do palming after each round.

Benefits: This helps with the eye's ability to switch focus from distant to close viewing. Most problems, according to yogic occur when the eye muscles slacken and do not accommodate this important skill. Unlike with reading a book, staring at a computer screen reduces our vision skills, creating eye problems. This exercise rectifies this. Plus, when done regularly can boost mental focus. It is also advised for insomniacs.

Avoid: If having glaucoma or cataract.

Palming
Rub palms together. Place them gently on closed eye-lids so the cups of the hand cover the eye-lids. The palms should feel the eye socket. This would ensure that your holding the hand over the eye in a correct position. There should be no pressure. This is called palming and may be practiced several times during the day for a quick rest, not just for the eyes but for the mind too. If the duration of the final hold (of palm over eyelid) is lengthened and if palming is done several times during the day, it is believed that eye problems will be controlled.

Benefits: It soothes eyes strained by an effort to see. Also, keeping the eyes in a dark, soothing mode creates a healing impact by tweaking the master glands, like pineal gland, which reacts to excessive exposure to light or artificial lighting by hitting sleep etc. In yogic eye exercises palming is seen as the most important of healing exercises.

Be A Happier person...!!!

Life can get you down for a host of reasons, but it only becomes something you have to address if you have been discontent for a long time. All you need to do is change a few things around, organise your life a little better and make a commitment to becoming a happier person. Here are five things you can change to put a smile back on your face.

Find a hobby
If the corporate world is getting you down, try doing something you are passionate about. Most people live their entire lives wishing they did something they love. While it may be unrealistic to think of starting anew, you can always pick up a hobby. Start a collection of some sort and don’t be embarrassed by it. You could even pick up a new sport or devote your evenings to a good swim, the sky is the limit. Adding a sense of fulfilment other than your job, will go a long way in making your life a little happier.
Where do you start: Make a list of things you really love doing, even if it’s just watching movies. Start with two or three passions, and you’ll lose interest in the ones you aren’t zealous about.

Find a friend
Indians for centuries have had a strong support structure in the form of families. Unfortunately or fortunately, over the last couple of decades, nuclear families have become the norm. This has made the need for a support group even more. From work friends to college friends to chaddi buddies, people need others to share their ups and downs. Now, this does not mean adding more people on your Facebook page. Social scientists have found that meeting a core group of people that you know will stand by you add to your overall well-being.
Where do you start: If you find yourself too busy to meet any one, it is about time you started. Fit friends into your schedule rather than just talking to them over the phone. Engage in activities that will get your friends together, even if it means just having a cup of coffee on a Sunday afternoon.

Organise your future 
This doesn’t mean cleaning out your closet. Set yourself a few attainable goals in every area of your life. Whether it is financially, in your career or in your personal life, the idea of committing to something and watching it come to fruition can be a rewarding experience. Studies have shown that people who make short-term plans deal with life much better than others.
Where do you start: Make goals with different time frames. Start with the obvious daily ones, then have twoyear, five-year and 10-year plans. Write them down and knock them off ones you’ve completed them.

Make the job switch
Now, being absolutely content with your job might be too much to ask for, but it shouldn’t be a chore either. Most Indians spend more time at work than they do at home, so obviously it ranks high on your happiness index. The happier you are in your job, the happier you will be in life. So if you are stuck in a job you hate, maybe it is time for a change.
Where do you start: Don’t jump the gun, make a list of things that you don’t like about the job and the things that you love. You need to know whether it is your career that you are discontent with or your company. Get enough research done and also try and develop more skills so that you are prepared for any transition.

Feel healthy
Though pigging out on the juiciest burger might give you instant happiness, studies show that it is your overall lifestyle that actually matters. Exercise, a proper diet and avoiding things you know will harm you do more than just improve your physical well-being. The healthier you are the better you will feel about yourself and your life.
Where do you start: Remember that living healthy is difficult and requires a lot of work on your part. Make a commitment to eat healthy and stay fit through regular exercise. You might miss out on a few foods you crave, but remind yourself to focus on the bigger picture

A hundred splendid suns... or A surya namaskar???

As an early morning exercise regime, nothing quite beats this age-old holistic routine. In a world starved for time, doing a hundred surya namaskars would seem a like bit of a stretch. Yet its popularity shows no sign of waning. We take you through the numbers game.

A salute to the sun is how we've grown accustomed to kick-starting the day in India. The veritable surya namaskar, a rhythmic combination of asana and breathing exercises, has, not surprisingly, caught on worldwide, with the new fad being to go for 100 a day.

Overall benefits 

It services and harmonises the entire endocrine system. It also detoxes, by working on all the major cleansing systems in the body, including the lymphatic drainage system. It retards puberty in kids so they can mature at the appropriate time. Surya namaskar can cure and prevent many diseases and clears the skin, because of forward bends and stress-release poses. Also it comprises 12 positions that can be a complete body work out. It's said that during surya namaskar, almost 97 per cent of your muscles are switched on to active mode."

Ideal time to perform it
This asana is best done at sunrise and on an empty stomach. Avoid jerky motions and do each movement with its accompanying breath. An expert opinion must be taken for people who suffer from back problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, sciatica, slipped disc, women who are pregnant and those who suffer from hyper tension.

1. Pranamasana: Stand straight and keep hands folded at the chest. Inhale and exhale slowly.

2. Hasta Uttasana: Inhale and stretch arms over the head, keeping the palms together. Arch the body backwards keeping your arms above. Tilt the head backward and hold. Keep your knees straight.

3. Padahastasana: Bend forward from the waist and, exhaling, place your hands on the mat besides each foot.

4. Ashwa sanchalanasana: Inhale and put your weight on the hands. Stretch the right leg behind you, bend the knee and place on the floor with the body weight on the left foot. Arch the spine backwards. Lift the head and neck back.

5. Dandasana: Hold your breath and move the left leg back. Shift weight to hands and feet. Your body should be straight.

6. Ashtanga namaskar: Exhale and lower the body to the floor till the feet, knees, and chest touch the floor.

7. Bhujangasana: Move into the cobra pose by lifting the chin and chest off the ground. Keep the elbows close to the body and the face tilted upwards.

8. Adhomukha Svanasana: Also called the parvatasana or the mountain pose. Curl your toes in, lifting your hips off the ground. Exhale. Press down heels, push from the shoulders. Look at the stomach or between the big toes.

9. Ashwa Sanchalanasana: Stretch the left knee outwards and bring the right foot between the hands. Keep the head back. Try and push from the hips so as to deepen the pose and create a curve.

10. Padahastasana: Exhale and draw the left leg ahead to complete the pose, so the legs are together. Let the head hang loose and keep the hands on either side of the legs. Bend the knees if you need to.

11. Ardha chandrasana: Inhale, drawing the hands overhead, keeping the focus on the legs, arms raised above.

12. Pranamasana: Exhale to drop hands at the sides or hold them in a prayer pose at the chest.

Ten steps to a healthier life

Simple lifestyle changes can take you towards a fitter and more beautiful you...


1. Exercise daily and stay active always

Go for the simple ways to stay active - avoid using the lifts and escalators, instead hit the stairs. Do household chores, take your dog for a walk, play with your children, siblings. Even a rigorous dance routine can help you - go clubbing with friends and dance the night away.


The best thing about exercising is that it not only keeps you healthy and fit it also keeps stress at bay.


Working out is essential for everyone. "If you are pregnant, have arthritis, are recovering form an injury or searching for variety in your workout programs, then you can opt for water-exercising."


2. Eat right and stay beautiful
Making healthy choices in your diet is the beginning of a fit body. Skipping meals due to work and opting for unhealthy fast food option later is wrong.Eating smaller helpings is wise and having more than three meals a day is another thing that people should remember.The amount of water you drink in a day is also important. Drinking less water is the big mistake. "It's a misconception that drinking a lot of water causes water-retention."Avoiding fried foods, burgers and processed meats is important. Dairy products such as cheese and cream could be eaten in low fat versions. Staying off mayonnaise, butter and sauces in your sandwiches.


3. Make 'No Smoking' your motto
We all know how harmful smoking is and it is time we started taking it seriously. You don't want cancer and other life-threatening diseases, do you? We know it is tough to give up but then once you make up your mind stick to it. Take it slow. Reduce your intake every single day. Set a goal of 'not more than one a day and then go on to 'not more than one a month' and soon you will see that you are leading a smoke-free life. Smoking, even when it is passive smoking, is enough to harm your health.


4. Break up with stress!

Practicing yoga asanas in our daily lives can help. It not only keeps your body fit and active but it also helps to keep your mind active and alert.".


5. Beware of pollution
This can be a challenge but you can always try and avoid highly polluted areas. Keep your surrounding green.


6. Stay away from binge drinking
Yes, occasional glass of wine can help protect against heart disease but if you keep guzzling bottles and don't know when to stop then you are inviting serious trouble. Have mercy on your liver!


7. Think positive
Having a positive outlook towards life is essential.


8. Spend quality time with friends and family
It is said that when you are spending happy moments with your family and friends then it reflects on your well-being. There is a certain feeling of catharsis.


9. Sleep well
Adequate sleep can work wonders for your physical as well as mental health. Problems like feeling irritated and grumpy to suffering from body ache and restlessness can be due to lack of proper sleep.

CLEAR SKIN = "TOMATO"

Whether you want to cure large pores or reduce acne and rashes or sooth a nasty sunburn or simply to revive the glow on dull skin, tomatoes are beneficial in many homemade beauty treatments.

Not only do tomatoes taste great but they also keep the skin healthy. It is necessary to consume tomatoes as they have lycopene, which is an antioxidant and hence works as a sunscreen from within. These antioxidants make tomato an anti-aging product as they help in fighting cellular damage and reddening of skin. It is recommended to have at least 16 milligrams of lycopene per day as they reduce the number of free radicals in the body and also help to retain the moisture in people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned environs. You don't need to spend your hard-earned money on expensive cosmetic treatments if you follow these simple steps to get healthy-looking skin:

Big pores? Shrink Them
Big pores provide easy access to dirt and grime thus increasing the chances of infecting the pore. Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice. Add two to four drops of fresh lime juice to this. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on your face. Massage it in circular motions. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cool water. Regular application will shrink pores greatly.

Acne healing
The acidity in tomatoes helps in reducing and clearing up your acne. Vitamin A and vitamin C are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines and tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. If you have mild acne, cut a tomato in half and apply the inside on your face. For severe acne mash a fresh tomato and use the pulp as a pack on the face. Leave it on for an hour. Rinse it off and moisturise. Do this on a regular basis or as many times as you can. Your acne is bound to dry off soon.

Astringent
If you have oily skin and struggle to keep your face from shining like a fried papad, tomato is the solution to your agony. Crush a fresh tomato and strain it. Make a little cucumber juice and add it to the tomato juice. Apply this juice with a cotton ball daily to control excessive oiliness and acne.

Good to eat, great to clean
A tomato and avocado mask works wonders on combination skin. This is because tomato works as an astringent as well as a blackhead and oil-reducing agent while avocados have an antiseptic and moisturising effect. A pack of mashed tomatoes and avocados help in soothing and cleansing combination skin (oily and dry), as they are rich in vitamin A, C and E. Apply this pack and wash off after 20 o 30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Burns no more
Summer is fast approaching and with harsh summer comes burnt, inflamed skin. A lot of people's skin gets sunburnt, raw and itchy due to exposure to the sun. Crush half a tomato and mix it with two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply this concoction on face, neck, hands and feet. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Tomato cools the skin and neutralises the surface while yogurt gives it a much needed protein boost while leaving it soft and supple.

Glowing skin
Mix honey with tomato juice until you get a thick paste. Apply this mixture and wash off after 15 minutes for smooth and glowing skin.