“Am I fit?” - The million dollar question

"Am I fit?" How many times would you have asked yourself this question? Self-evaluation on fitness is tough because you never know what you are supposed to be looking for! Even a "slim" woman could be unhealthy. Conversely, a "stout" man could be really fit. So what are the criteria?

Let's reflect just a little bit on fitness and what it means.

Stand in front of a full-length mirror and take a good, hard look at yourself. Do you see a slouching body that needs to stand tall? Pinch your midriff. Are your fingers picking up a roll of fat? Smile. Does your face glow; do you feel energetic; are you in shape?

Remember, your mirror tells you a lot. Often, it is more accurate than the opinions of people around, so pay attention!

These questions tell you where you are right now. But, as you are aware, your fitness status could keep changing. There could be phases in your life where exercise is minimal such as during the monsoon season, or when you are on a vacation. You have to make a conscious decision to get started as soon as possible.

Self-evaluate your score; then use the result as a tool to fine-tune your mindset and daily habits. There is no need to aim for the moon but, believe me, you will know when you reach your goal.

Your body will tell you.

5 Questions: Answer 'Yes' or 'No'

1. Do you start exercise programmes that you are able to stick to?

2. Are you currently doing any form of exercise?

2. Do you know what you want to achieve from your exercise programe? (For example lose weight, get into better shape, improve your stamina or remain fit.)

3. Do you pay attention to correct exercise technique when you workout?

5. Does exercise improve your mood and help you cope better with stress?

If you have answered 'Yes' to at least 4 questions, then you have the right fitness attitude. If not, you need to motivate yourself and get started on a regular fitness regimen. Motivation is a crucial factor in any exercise regimen. Without motivation, it is all too easy to make excuses to slack off. Slacking off for a day can turn into slacking off for a week, a month, and eventually quitting the programme altogether.

Set yourself achievable goals and enjoy your work-outs. Most important is to engage in an activity you enjoy. You should look forward to your work-out sessions. Also is it essential to cultivate the right attitude to exercise. Physical activity can relieve depression and stress, improve work performance and boost your self-esteem.

Do you know?

* Regular physical exercise reduces your chances of getting heart disease.

* Different exercises give you different benefits. So incorporate stretching, strength and aerobic exercises into your fitness programme.

* Exercise improves sleep patterns. You will sleep soundly and restfully after your day's workout.

* Everyone needs exercise. Exercise is not only for those who are out of shape.

* Muscles are a vital part of the human body. Regular exercise will keep you toned, strong and in-shape.

* As you become physically fit, you will find that you have more energy and your levels of fatigue and stress will reduce.

* A strong body improves posture, increases bone density and improves the metabolic rate.

The writer is a certified Clinical Exercise Specialist, Lifestyle and Weight Management Specialist.

Want to see your loved ones quit smoking?

Want to see your loved ones quit smoking? Then, send them motivational text messages, as they double their chances of giving up the habit, scientists say.

A British Medical Research Council study, published in the medical journal The Lancet, found that participants were twice as likely to banish their habit after receiving messages designed to encourage quitting.

Dr. Caroline Free, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who led the "txt2stop" trial, said: "Text messages are a very convenient way for smokers to receive support to quit.

"People described txt2stop as being like having a 'friend' encouraging them or an 'angel on their shoulder'. It helped people resist the temptation to smoke," Dr. Free was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

The trial tested the effects of motivational messages designed to encourage quitting on almost 3,000 smokers.

The messages, designed by experts with the help of smokers, provided encouragement up to "quit day", advice on keeping off weight while quitting, and help with craving.

For example, one message read: "This is it! — QUIT DAY, throw away all your fags. TODAY is the start of being QUIT forever, you can do it!"

Another, focusing on craving, read: "Cravings last less than five minutes on average. To help distract yourself, try sipping a drink slowly until the craving is over."

In the trial, randomly selected smokers received five text messages a day for five weeks, followed by three per week for the next six months.

People were able to receive instant messages at times of need by texting the word "crave" or "lapse".

A similar sized "control" group of smokers were sent texts simply thanking them for their participation, requesting confirmation of contact details, or mentioning a range of topics not connected to smoking.

Saliva tests for a tobacco break-down chemical called cotinine were used to verify that smokers really had quit.

The results showed a 10.7 per cent success rate for those receiving the motivational texts compared with 4.9 per cent for members of the control group.

Dr. Max Parmer, director of the clinical trials unit of the Medical Research Council, said: "Smoking kills more than five million people yearly, and two out of every three smokers have said at some point that they would like to give up.

"By carrying out a large scale trial like this to see whether text messages can help people truly free themselves of their addiction, this research has shown that texting could be a powerful tool to help people to walk away from cigarettes for good.

"The MRC has been tackling the problem of smoking for over half a century, and we're committed to funding research that has the potential to change so many people's lives."

3 Everyday Food Ingredients That Make You Fat

Hidden sources of fat include Monosodium Glutamate, Sugar and sugar substitutes as they act like neurotoxins and cause a surplus of carbohydrates in the body, as well as cause cravings for sugar

There's a lot of ingredients in your food whose name you can't even pronounce. Those chemicals, disguised as food in your nutrition label are the tricky uns worth thinking about - most calorie-loaded loads are always rich in chemical additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients.

However, there's also the simpler everyday villains in your pantry.

Monosodium Glutamate

Known as MSG, or Ajinomoto (the name of the company that produces it), Monosodium Glutamate is described as the "essence of taste". And if your potato chips are flavored, they contain MSG. MSG tells your brain that the food you are eating is tasty by exciting your brain cells. It also enters your brain that is known to correlate to obesity and other disorders (including short height and sexual issues)

Which in turn will makes you fat.

Secondly, it may also increase your pancreatic insulin, another reason behind obesity.

Directly injecting MSG into rats has increased their appetite and induce obesity.

What contains MSG: Maggi Noodles, along with a lot of other packaged noodles. MSG awareness is the reason behind the "MSG-free" you might see on new "Health soups"It's also in your chips, your salad dressing, It goes by names like Accent, 'Aginomoto, 'Natural Meat Tenderiser, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein, and is in ALL your fast food (especially McDonalds and KFC)

Sugar

Sugar, especially of the refined variety is not good for you. It's carbs which you may not burn, and it also spikes your appetite. On nutrition labels, it might be named as flour, corn syrup, dextrose,Carob powder, Dextrose, Fructose, Fruit juice concentrate, Maltose.

"Most people probably have no idea how much sugar they're taking in," said Jo Ann Hattner, a San Francisco registered dietitian who teaches nutrition courses at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Sugar, by itself isn't bad. It's too much of it - more than 12 teaspoons a day. With your nutrition label in front of you, remember that 4 gram = 1 teaspoonful of sugar. This should include your daily consumption of juice, chocolate, lemonade, biscuits, and even your ketchup (yes!). Incidentally, if you eat ketchup everyday, you might be eating close to 200 grams of sugar every week.

Sugar Substitutes

If sugar is bad for you, surely an alternative to sugar won't be? Right?

Wrong!

Aspartame, responsible for "over 75% of adverse reactions reported to the US Food And Drug Administration…" is present in anything that begins with 'Diet' or substitutes sugar, including Diet Pepsi, Diet Coke, Nutrasweet, Equal, Chewing gum, breath mints

Aspartame causes carbohydrate cravings - specifically cravings for the sugar content.

Deal with your in-laws for a blissful marriage

Shyam and Diya got married and started their life in a new city away from their parents. They loved each other very dearly and lead a peaceful life in the beginning days of marriage. However they could not avoid their dear parents' advice and always kept a vigilant distance from their in-laws. As time passed Shyam started to get a mad rage if the Diya's family calls over. Diya will be in her worst moods if; the Shyam's family comes for a visit. They got separated within one year of their marital life. However the separation period did something good for them. They started to miss each other and startled at the unjustifiable allegations against their partners by their parents in the divorce paper. However they could blissfully come to a decision to live together just before their divorce. They enjoy the real marital bliss away from their parents' unwanted suggestions.

This story is only a minor representation of the modern marital life. The modern daughter-in-laws are fortunate in the aspect that the old-fashioned stereotype of nagging mother-in-law has gone the way of lace doilies. However even the modern mother-in-law relationships can be problematic. Many modern daughter-in-laws face the problem from their partner's family comparing them with another successful women. Most of the modern women are infuriated with these criticizing remarks from their in-laws. You can shrug off comments about your cooking or lawn-mowing skills, but decide as a couple that you'll ask them to stop making judgments about your career choices or parenting abilities.

Majority of the modern son-in-laws face the frequent visits of their wife's family and their suggestions as really irksome. He often feels insecure when his in-laws question about the financial status, health issues, family issues or some happenings at his parent' house. He may not want to discuss all his future plans with his in-laws. You must discuss with your wife about which things are OK to talk with your in-laws and which should remain private. You may also decide that some things are OK to discuss with one set of parents, but not the other. Either way, you have to give priority to your and your wife's opinions to avoid any future calamities.

Many of the parents are annoyed with their in-laws for their simple habits. They may often complain that your son/daughter is not keeping enough contact with you due to your in-law's influence. Make a list of the annoying habits that your in-law possesses. You can find out that most of these annoying habits were pointed at you or your partner at an early stage of your own marriage. Give your children and in-laws their own space to live. They will love and admire you for this generous act.

Couples can keep their marriage blissful through some simple commom habits. You can win your in-laws heart by showing some respect to them. You must let your partner to be loyal to his/her family till a time as you come in second. Even if you have minor problems with your in-laws don't criticize them while your partner complain about them. You can be a good listener and express your opinions at apt moments. As your in-laws and parents age, it is important that you discuss practical concerns with them such as their health and financial issues. On the top of these all put your marriage and partner to lead a blissful marital life.

Make your home electrically safe

Make your home electrically safe

Our lifestyle is heavily dependent on electricity and one can't imagine life without it. However, electricity can be dangerous, if we don't "play by the rules". It may cause fire accidents or be hazardous to us. In fact, the current that passes through a bulb in a minute, can be fatal to us.

Buy quality appliances – Cheap electrical appliances may prove costly in the long run. When you scout to buy a new appliance, look for ISI Mark (ISI=Indian Standards Institution), be it for your sleek wet grinder or washing machine! Stick to standard mobiles and chargers. Follow the product instruction manual carefully. If a large plug is recommended to run the equipment, get it installed to avoid any damages to the wiring and other devices in your home.

Don't keep appliances plugged on to a plug point for a long time, especially when you don't use it regularly.

Avoid extension cords – A wire is a wire…whether it's inside the wall or outside….right? Wrong! Extension cords are strictly for temporary usage and are not designed to take heavy load. So, just dial your electrician's number and ask him to wire your home, according to the need. Also, don't put extension cord under the carpet, as it can short circuit.

Plug point and switch care – Switches that make a noise or get heated could indicate short circuit or loose contact. Get it checked/changed if you notice these problems. Also, look for discolouration of plug points and switches. The same goes for all appliances. If you hear any noise or detect smoke, get it checked with a technician. Don't overload the plug point with extensions. The maximum load a circuit can take is 800 watts.

Always buy standard switches and plug points, which have an ISI mark. Also, switch boards should be at a height of at least 5 feet.

Baby proof/Pet proof home – Babies and pets really don't know the difference between an electrical cord and chew-toy. So ensure that switches and wires are out of reach of kids and pets and thus don't run on the floor.

Ensure ground wire is intact – Often ignored but ground wire is very important for a home's electrical safety. It provides a safe exit for fault current, keeping you and your appliances safe from unexpected shocks. Ground wire's thickness should be 2 mm² for Copper wires and 4mm² for Aluminum wires.

Home wiring – If you are looking to buy a home, ensure that all wiring is done as per ISI specifications. You can get a handbook of Indian electricity acts and rules over the net.

If you live in an old home, get the wiring inspected by a qualified electrician. Over time, wires often corrode and may cause fire, so they might need a little repair and changing.

Wiring takes the entire electrical load, thus buy wires of right gauge made by a standard company, which has an ISI mark.

Cords: Make sure cords are in good condition; not frayed or cracked. Make sure they are placed out of traffic areas. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or to other objects and should not have any furniture resting on them.

Plugs: Make sure the proper type plug is in each outlet. If you are using three-prong plugs in a room with two-conductor outlets, do not cut off the ground pin (the third/bottom prong) from the plug; this could lead to an electrical shock hazard. A better solution is to use a two-prong adapter.

NEVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET IF IT DOESN'T FIT. This could lead to fire or shock. Plugs should fit securely into outlets; and outlets should not be overloaded.

Outlets: Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire. Replace any broken wall plates. Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.

Ground Fault Circuit Interupters (GFCIs): GFCIs should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. Test GFCIs regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Light Bulbs: Check the wattage of all bulbs in lighting fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the fixture. Replace bulbs that have higher wattage than recommended; if you don't know the correct wattage, check with the manufacturer of the fixture. Make sure the bulbs are screwed in securely - loose bulbs may overheat.

Circuit Breakers/Fuses: Circuit breakers and fuses should be the correct size for the circuits. If you don't know the correct size fuse, have an electrician identify and label the sizes to be used. Never replace a fuse with anything but the correct size fuse.

WATER AND ELECTRICITY DON'T MIX: Don't place any electrical appliance near water such as a sink or bathtub. Appliances that are used near water should be unplugged when not in use. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, unplug it and don't use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person.

Entertainment/Computer Equipment: Check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly; look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs, cords and connectors.

Electricity always tries to get to the ground. If you get in the way, electricity could go through you to get there! Contact with electricity can cause:

• Electrical shock - this is when electrical current passes through the body. Even a small shock can be frightening and painful.
• Burns - Electric current can burn the skin, nerves, muscles and tissues in the body.
• Death - A severe electrical shock can cause problems with a person's breathing and heartbeat, possibly leading to death.

Remember, electricity is very safe-as long as you are careful.

Outdoors
Never touch any outdoor wires with your body or any object. You should know that:

• Outdoor wires may not be covered with insulating material to protect you. In other cases, the weather may have damaged the insulation.
• Birds can sit on wires because they aren't "grounded" (no part of them is touching the ground). Remember, electricity is always seeking a path to the ground.
• Lineworkers wear special clothing and use special equipment to protect them when working on power lines and other equipment.

Remember these tips when you're playing with kites, model planes or balloons.

• Stay away from electric wires and anything that touches them. Fly your kite or model plane in an open space, such as a field or park.
• Use only nonconducting materials to make a kite. Use plastic, paper, wood and string. Be sure your kite doesn't contain wire, metal or foil.
• Never climb a utility pole or nearby tree if your toy gets caught in power lines. Call your electric utility if you need help.
• Don't fly toys in the rain or in a storm. Wet strings or wires can conduct electricity.
• Don't release metallic balloons outside. They are dangerous conductors of electricity.

More ways to be safe outdoors:

• Watch out for overhead wires when you're around trees, or if you're using a ladder, pool skimmer or any long object.
• Look before you climb any tree to be sure no wires run through it or near it. Even if wires aren't touching the tree, they could touch after your weight is added to the branch.
• Keep electrical appliances and toys away from water, including: rain, wet ground, swimming pools, sprinklers and hoses.
• Make sure tools and appliances are approved for outdoor use. They are made with heavier wiring, special insulating and three-way grounded plugs.
• Be alert for damaged plugs and cords on outdoor electrical appliances and fixtures. Don't touch or use them if they are damaged. Outdoor electrical outlets should have weatherproof covers and GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) to protect against shock.Tell an adult if you notice a problem.
• 
  Stay away from metal fences that are electrified to protect property or keep in animals. (Other metal fences could become electrified by a downed wire. Be very careful, especially after a storm.)

Indoors
Always be careful when you use any electrical appliance or toy inside your home. Remember these tips:

• Never put your finger or anything other than an electrical plug in an outlet.
• Pull by the plug not the cord when unplugging an appliance.
• Don't use an electrical appliance when you're wet, have wet hands or you're standing in water. Be sure outlets near water sources have GFCIs.
• Limit the number of appliances plugged into each outlet.
• Be alert for damaged plugs and cords. Don't touch them! Tell an adult.
• Do not place electric cords so that they run through doorways or under carpets.

Electrical Storms
Lightning is powerful electricity in the air. Knowing what to do during an electrical storm can help keep you safe.

• Get inside a building, if possible. Keep away from windows and open doors.
• Don't use electrical appliances or the telephone. Lightning can follow the wires into your home.
• Stay out of the shower or bathtub. Lightning can travel through the pipes, too.
• Avoid trees, poles and other tall objects. Also avoid large metal objects. These things are targets for lightning.
• Go to low ground and crouch down low if you're caught outdoors.
• Stay out of the water-never go swimming or boating during a storm. If you're in the water, get out as quickly as possible.

What to do in an electrical emergency

Downed Wire
Stay away from all downed wires-even if there are no sparks. Don't touch anything-or anyone-that is touching one. Get help right away.

Downed Wire Touching a Vehicle
If you are inside the vehicle, wait inside for help. If you must get out, jump clear without touching the ground and the vehicle at the same time. Shuffle, don't run away. If you are a witness, stay clear and call for help.

Electrical Fire
Get help right away. Unplug the faulty appliance or turn off the power, if possible. Never throw water on an electrical fire!

Electrical Shock
Never touch a person who is being shocked. Unplug the faulty appliance or turn off the power, if possible. Call for help immediately.

For additional safety information visit the National Safety Council

Customer is always right

Caller : Hi, our printer is not working.

Customer Service : What is wrong with it?

Caller : Mouse is jammed..

Customer Service : Mouse? Printers don't have a mouse you fool!


Caller : Mmmmm??.. Oh really ?... I will send a picture.




Moral: Customer is always right listen him thoroughly and believe what he is saying.

Eat mangoes to lose weight

The summer might be a good time to lose some weight and the king of fruits, mango, helps in losing weight. Interested in going for the lean look?

Head for some fresh mangoes, for the fruit is packed with nutrients and is full of fibre. Experts say that mangoes are fleshy and a snack of fresh mangoes is usually helpful in keeping one full. "Mangoes have a high content of beta carotene and rank among the top providers of beta carotene. However they are also a great source of nutrients in the concentrated form. In order to reduce the consumption of calories, mangoes are a very good choice," said an expert. Beta carotene is also known to reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.

To get the right amount of nutrition not too many mangoes need to be consumed. A single fruit is capable of providing of almost a day's supply of Vitamin C to the body. It also helps in making bones stronger since it contains minerals, calcium and magnesium as well as B vitamins. They are also rich in a carotenoid called lycopene, which is an effective antioxidant. In order to lose weight, mangoes can form an important part of the diet however it has to be coupled with other fruits and a complete meal, only after consultation with a nutritionist. Not only losing weight, daily consumption of mangoes make the skin complexion brighter and makes skin softer.

Activities that may Damage the Brain

The human brain consists of more than 100 billion nerves, each associated with 10 thousand other nerves. Imagine that, with the complexity of the brain like that, then you must love your brain enough to avoid bad habits that are often overlooked.

The brain is a vital organ which is the central control of the central nervous system. Brain organize and coordinated most of the movement, behavior and homeostatic body functions such as heartbeat, blood pressure, body fluid balance and body temperature.

The brain is also responsible for functions such as recognition, emotion. memory, motor learning and all other forms of learning.

These 10 activities that can damage our brains work,

1. Do not want breakfast

Many people underestimate the breakfast, but do not consume food in the morning caused a decline in blood sugar levels. This resulted in a lack of input of nutrients to the brain which finally ended in degeneration of the brain.

2. Overeating

Too much food harden the brain arteries that usually lead to the decline in mental powers.

3. Smoke

Smoking was very horrific result of our brain. Imagine that, our brains may shrink and eventually loses its functions. No doubt we are prone to Alzheimer's at a time when old.

4. Consuming too much sugar

Too much intake of sugar will inhibit the absorption of protein and nutrients that the body's nutritional deficiencies and impaired brain development.

5. Air Pollution

The brain is part of body that absorbs the most air. Too long in the environment with air pollution makes the brain works inefficiently.

6. Sleep deprivation

Sleep gives the brain a chance to rest. Often neglect sleep makes the brain cells actually die of fatigue.

7. Head covered while sleeping

Sleeping with the head covered is a bad habit that is very dangerous because the carbon dioxide produced during sleep the brain is concentrated so polluted. Do not be surprised if over time the brain becomes damaged.

8. Thinking too hard when you're sick

Working hard or studying when the body is not fit also exacerbates the ineffectiveness of the brain.

9. Lack of brain stimulation

Thinking is the best way to train the brain. Less to think it makes the brain shrink and ultimately does not work optimally

10. Rarely speak

Intellectual conversations usually bring a good effect on the brain.

Nobody Knows Who Deserves

Nobody Knows Who Deserves

There was a farmer who collected horses; he only needed one more breed to complete his collection.

One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to him. A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian, who said: "Well, your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine for three days. I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him down. "

Nearby, the pig listened closely to their conversation.

The next day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig approached the horse and said: "Be strong, my friend. Get up or else they're going to put you to sleep!"

On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig came back and said: "Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die! Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two, three... "

On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet said: "Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow. Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses."

After they left, the pig approached the horse and said: "Listen pal, it's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on! Get up! Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three... Good, good. Now faster, come on.... Fantastic! Run, run more! Yes! Yay! Yes! You did it, you're a champion!"

All of a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in the field and began shouting: "It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This deserves a party. Let's kill the pig!"

Moral: This often happens in the workplace. Nobody truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success, or who's actually contributing the necessary support to make things happen.

Why Arranged Marriage Is Not Bad...

Why Arranged Marriage Is Not Bad...

With time, as the society has become westernized and modern, the concept of arranged marriage seems to be fading away even from the countries which strongly believed in it like India. The reason being, independence of thought and choice.

Earlier, children got married at a very young age, when they did not even have the maturity decide a life partner for themselves. Another reason was strong bonding with the family. Unlike present times, children spend their whole life with the family, so they did not even have the complete freedom of thoughts. The main reason was discipline. It was a rule that parents choose a life partner for their children.

With times these concepts have faded away and now arranged marriage seems to be out of trend. The question is why is arranged marriage bad? If marriage is about a relationship bond with love, then what difference does it make whether it is love or arranged. Love is a feeling, a bonding which is unconditional. Here are some other reasons as to why arranged marriage is not bad -

1.Interest Last Longer – In an arranged marriage, the interest retains for a longer time. Unlike love marriage, couples want to spend more time with each other, as they are still discovering the new feeling. In a love marriage, marriage does not bring on any difference. In an arranged marriage, two people wait for the big day. The excitement is unmatched.

2.Taken For Granted – The usual problem in a love marriage is that the couple tend to take each other for granted. In an arranged marriage, as they have just met and they are in the beautiful process of falling in love and they are bond in a commitment, the feeling of taken for granted does not exist.

3.Permanency – It has been statistically proved that love marriages are more prone to divorce than arranged marriages. The main reason stated by marriage counselors is that most of the love marriages happen after two to three years of relationship and for the sake of commitment. In arranged marriage on the other hand, two people marry only when they are sure that they like each other. Then the couple nurture their relationship, have kids and the mingling of love, commitment and family help them to make the bonding stronger.

These three main reasons prove that arranged marriages are not bad. It is also wrong to compare arrange and love marriage. At the end it is a marriage, a commitment and a bond of love is always pure and happy.

Side Effects Of Marriages

Side Effects Of Marriages

Marriage lays the foundation of a family. According to me, getting married is a must! You need to find the right person to get married to. There are two different ways that we generally follow to get married, either arranged marriage or love marriage. The former is the most commonly followed in India. However while considering both, I found out that there are certain side effects related to both the types. Let us consider one at a time.

Side Effects of Arranged Marriages


Each time I hear the phrase "Arranged marriage", I recollect the song of "Apache Indian". He goes on to describe the girl he wants to get married to "me want gal, to look after me, to make me roti..." The concept of arranged marriages is the usual norm followed in India. It is how most of the Indians get married. No matter how westernized India may have become arranged marriages are still preferred in most of the Indian families. The concepts of arranged marriage may sound impractical to the Western world but for Indians it is something they favor. It is a system, which originated when child marriage was a custom in the country.

If we consider the side effects of arranged marriage, the first thing that comes to my mind is that the boy and the girl do not get to know their future spouses before marriage. Two unknown people get married without knowing and understanding each other. I have heard of many cases from my friends that girls even do not get the opportunity to see their bridegroom before marriage. In case of arranged marriages the marriage itself is the beginning. They will have to start from the scratch, know each other, fall in love or rather you have to fall in love, as you have no other choice.

The matching of kundalis (horoscopes) is a must, but does that mean that the partners are compatible mentally, emotionally and also physically. One fine day you will suddenly find a person totally unknown to you and it is decided that you ought to live the rest of your life with him. According to me the rest of the life comes later, at that point of time you feel how to spend a day with him. Everything turns out to be in a haphazard condition. These are some drawbacks that one face in an arranged marriage. I also had an arranged marriage. For me it was like staying with a stranger. I remember the mornings when I used to get up and get baffled as to who was sleeping beside me and at times I used to even get afraid. But then things get all settled and you feel afraid when that person is not there beside you. That is called 'Love', which turns everything at ease.

Side Effects of Love Marriages

Not all the love stories in love marriages have happy endings. In love marriages you come to know each other quite well, as you get to spend time with each other, fall in love, and then decide to get married. Although there is other side of the coin too, which I believe is very true. Staying with a person under the same shelter requires lot of adjustments, patience and understanding from both. Even after you spend hours with each other, situation after marriage is totally different.

In love marriages there is nothing new to discover which at times may end up making your life boring. When two people are in love, they are at their best to impress each other. They behave, they talk and they wear what the other person likes. It is after marriage that you get to know the person behind the mask. On the other hand there are couples who are still discovering each other even after several years of their marriage. This is the actual beauty of a relationship where everyday you discover a new thing about your partner.

Love or arranged both are based on empathy, responsibility, commitment, love and concern. It's not just about initial love and attraction it needs a lot of dedication and effort to sustain a marriage. So there is nothing like an ideal marriage it's all about the way you perceive your marriage. After all you should be happy with your life partner irrespective of love or arranged marriage.

Turn off that TV

Does your child have virtual friends rather than real ones? It may be time to tune into your child.

Vishal appeared tired and his eyes sunken. It was rather obvious he was troubled. His parents and grandparents complained of persistent negligence of studies, carelessness and diffident attitude. According to his mother, Vishal spent most of his time watching TV. At an age when he ought to be talking about his classmates and friends, he spoke only about Ben-10 or Pokemon. At school he spoke only to those classmates who shared this common interest. Evidently, Vishal did not have any real friends. He only had virtual friends. It was beyond addiction; it was obsession.

A study by Dimitri Christakis, a paediatric researcher at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, suggests that TV viewing in very young children contributes to attention problems later in life. According to the study, "each hour of television watched per day at ages 1 through 3 increases the risk of attention problems by almost 10 per cent at age 7. This suggests that those children who watched at least three hours of television per day were 30 per cent more likely to have attention problems at age seven, compared to those who did not watch television at an early age." Over-exposure to TV not only involves issues with visual acuity, but a range of behavioural problems including attention deficit, intolerance to real life situations, abnormal expectations from friends.

Cultivate good TV habits

The first two years of a child's life are considered critical for brain development. Through exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, the child becomes a part of the large social world. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that children under two years should not watch any TV, while those over two years should be strictly restricted to two hours a day.

One of the biggest problems with TV is that it can over stimulate and excite the brain. It has been found that the more TV children watch, the more likely it is for them to be impulsive, restless and have difficulty in concentrating. The reason for this is that, unlike normal life where actions and events have continuity, the rapid scene shifts observed in the TV is not natural. Exposing a baby to such sudden and unnatural shifts can cause changes in the neuronal connections being formed. As a baby sits "mesmerised" in front of the TV, neural paths are just not being created.

TV is NOT a family member: Mealtime should be family time, especially dinner. This is the one meal where the entire family can sit together, discuss events and have a fun time. This interaction is crucial for the psychological development of the child.

Work while you work, watch while you watch: Often parents watch TV during study time thereby distracting the child. It is the parent's responsibility to switch off the TV during study time.

Limit your viewing: Schoolwork, sports, and job responsibilities make it tough to find extra family time during the week. Record weekday shows or save TV time for weekends and you'll have more family time. Set a good example by limiting your own TV viewing.

Provide alternatives: Stock plenty of non-screen entertainment such as books, magazines, toys, puzzles, board games ... Enjoy quality time together, start a game of hide and seek, play outside, read, work on crafts or hobbies, or listen and dance to music.

Get organised: Select programmes your family can watch together. Choose shows that foster interest and learning in hobbies and education. Then, post the schedule in a visible area (on the refrigerator) so that everyone can see it. Turn off the TV when the "scheduled" programme ends.

Watch TV together: If you decide to allow TV viewing make sure you do it together. If you can't sit through the whole programme, at least watch the first few minutes to assess tone and appropriateness, then check in throughout the show.

A privilege to be earned: Establish and enforce family viewing rules, such as TV is allowed only after chores and homework are done.

Lock that channel: Often children view their favourite channels clandestinely and turn down the volume and sit close to the TV (leading to vision-related problems) to escape detection. Make best use of the locking facility.

Children should be provided with opportunities to realise their capabilities along with the information poured in through TV. In essence, the knowledge gained through TV will get stagnant if children are not taught to channelise it properly. TV has its benefits. But early exposure can cause devastating brain development problems. As parents, we should take the higher ground here and, for the sake of our children and their development, turn off that TV.

George Mathew is the CEO of The Wonder Years Preschool, Thiruvananthapuram. E-mail: george.mathew@thewonderyears.co.in Dr. Suja. K. Kunnath is an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing, Thiruvananthapuram.

Instant way to stay healthy

Instant way to stay healthy

OLYMPIA SHILPA GERALD

A quick custom-built session of exercise

We are an impatient generation- there's no denying it! Just look around and from the broadband connection, readymade mixes and tea bags to 24 hour news channels, over-the-counter pills and instant messaging, everything you find reflects an obsession with 'now'.

Exercise too seems to suffer the brunt of this fixation for easy means and quick results. Why do people schedule exercises though they are aware of the importance of fitness? An oft-repeated excuse that many, including this writer, are guilty of, is lack of time! Twenty four hours is never enough and we promise ourselves we'll begin tomorrow, but as the saying goes, 'tomorrow never comes'!

So, while I was looking for an exercise routine that didn't require me to set aside 45 minutes of my ever ticking time, yoga master N.S.Sivakumar, as always, came to my rescue mentioning 'quick yoga'.

"It involves less than 15 minutes of workout everyday and is ideal for those who never find the time for exercise," he grinned. I was hooked- that sounded like me!

Flexibility and strengthening combo

I discovered that quick yoga is custom built and flexible, tailored just to suit fitness needs of the time starved. A combination of strengthening and flexibility training consisting of just three or four exercises, quick yoga can be designed to target tightening of the abdomen, hips and waist while strengthening neck and back muscles.

For the first position, I imitate my mentor and get down on all fours, with palms planted firmly on ground. "Stretch out your right leg and left hand. Now bring in the left hand and the right leg. Ensure your left elbow touches your knee." I feel a tightening in my stomach as I realize this is exactly what the exercise intends- with constant practice, this is your way to a taut stomach.

Quick yoga differs from traditional yoga, primarily in the initiation process. There's no slow drifting and testing the waters- it's a straight plunge! We bypass the slow movements step-by-step and get down to the nitty-gritty of body toning. It is at once more exacting and result- oriented.

With the first exercise being relatively easy, I try the second one, but manage to hold ground only after some dithering and fumbling. Meanwhile Sivakumar demonstrates stretching his right leg and clasps it with his left hand easily. "This strengthens the back," he chimes, following it up with another routine in upright position. "Clasp your hands and crunch them behind your back. This strengthens the neck muscles, which are often neglected."

We arrive at our final stance- supporting total body weight on one hand while attempting a sideways pose. "It is challenging in the beginning, but with practice, this has dual benefits. It increases your flexibility and simultaneously boosts your endurance levels," he points out.

Concentrating on your breathing makes the exercise more effective. Every movement should be accompanied by five seconds inhalation and 10 seconds exhalation. "Breathe in while you stretch out and breathe out while you pull in," chants my guide.

As we wrap up the session, I'm truly enamoured by this quick spell of fitness. If yoga is unchartered territory for you, then quick yoga can give you an insight besides boosting your confidence levels. Recommended for the time-starved, the 'always on-the-toes' and those who like their exercise in nuggets!

Bottomline: Best of total fitness training in limited time

Mr. Sivakumar is the physical education director at Urumu Dhanlakshmi College and can be contacted at 98949-97097

Dishwashers act as breeding ground for potentially killer bugs

A novel study claims that dishwashers act as breeding ground for potentially slayer viruses. The humid and warm environment of dishwashers serves as an ideal habitation for two types of hazardous fungi which can also be found in other kitchen appliances like washing machines and coffee machines.

More than sixty percent of dishwashers contained the fungi called Exophiala dermatitidis and E. phaeomuriformis. The fungi are found on the rubber band in the door and these two black yeasts are known to be hazardous to human health. Bothe species of fungi exhibited notable forbearance to heat, high concentrations of salt and aggressive detergents.

These species are also tolerant to acidic as well as alkaline water. The fungi can survive even in high temperatures between sixty and eighty C. Exophiala dermatitidis is often stumbled upon as an agent of human disease. This fungus is known to colonize in the lungs of the patients suffering cystic fibrosis.

Rarely, it has caused terminal infections in healthy human beings. According to biologist Dr Polona Zalar from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and team, the invention of this extensive presence of extremophilic fungi in some of the common household appliances suggests these organisms have embarked on an extraordinary evolutionary process that could pose a significant risk to human health in the future.

In the case of dishwashers, high temperatures are erratically created and aggressive detergents and high concentrations of salt are used in each washing cycle. The team investigated the presence of fungus in dishwashers in a sample taken from private homes from more than one hundred cities all over the world.

Fortification of fungi that may need specific environmental conditions was observed in dishwashers. They found sixty-two percent of dishwashers were positive for fungi and fifty-six percent of these accommodated Exophiala. Both Exophiala species are known to cause systemic disease in humans and frequently colonize the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis, they added.

They concluded that high temperature, high moisture and alkaline values usually occurring in dishwashers may provide an alternative habitat for species also known to be pathogenic to humans. The study was published in published in Fungal Biology.

Monsoon and Health

Monsoon and Health

After a long spell of hot summer, monsoons are a welcome change. The first shower can make us feel on cloud nine! But one also needs to take a little care to avoid falling sick this season. In this article, we will talk about some common monsoon ailments, its symptoms and prevention.

Diseases caused by impure water

Water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea and dysentery are common in the season. One can also contract more serious diseases such as cholera, typhoid, jaundice, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis.

The reasons are –

1. Drinking water may get contaminated by sewage water due to poor drainage system

2. Germs become active in high humidity.

Signs and Symptoms:

The symptoms depend on the disease, but watch out for

• Nausea, vomiting
• Stomach ache, cramps
• Diarrhoea, loose motion, bloating
• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• Fever, cough or other flu like symptoms
• Rashes or itchy skin
• Yellowish skin or eyes (can indicate jaundice, Hepatitis or any liver related problem)

Prevention –

• Hard boil drinking water for 2-3 minutes
• Avoid outside food, water, ice
• Don't walk in slush, especially if you have a wound.
• Boil water for bathing, as micro-organisms may infect through a wound.

Diseases caused by contaminated food –

Germs thrive in the rainy season due to humidity and favourable temperature. Fungal growth is common in monsoon. Dysentery and food poisoning cases are often seen this season.

Signs and Symptoms –

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramp
• Fever
• Headache

Symptoms depend on the food contaminant.

Prevention –

• Avoid eating raw food, especially green leafy vegetables. Eat only hot food,  which has been heated well
• Keep food covered and refrigerate it whenever necessary
• Avoid sea food and road side snacks.

Diseases caused by mosquitoes

Mosquitoes breed best in the monsoons as there is abundant stagnant water for it to lay eggs. Thus, be cautious of diseases such as malaria, dengue, filariasis, chikungunya, etc.

Signs and Symptoms –

Common symptoms, especially in the initial stage of diseases caused by mosquito bites are

• Fever
• Headache
• Back pain, pain in joints
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting
• Muscle pains

Prevention –

• Keep mosquitoes away from home.
• Always keep surroundings clean
• Keep the doors and windows closed or covered with a net
• Don't let water stagnate near your home. If there is a pool of water, pour a little kerosene on it
• Use a good mosquito repellent. You can also create a mix of castor oil, eucalyptus oil, neem oil, clove oil and rosemary oil to apply on skin

Disease passed on through the air/direct touch –

Flu is one of the most common diseases people suffer from in the monsoons. Asthmatics may also suffer from an attack triggered by fungus in the air.

Signs and Symptoms –

• Wheezing (in asthmatic attacks)
• Fever
• Headache
• Cough and cold

Prevention -

• Keep your home dry, by wiping all furniture dry
• Use a sanitizer to keep your hands clean
• Ventilate your home constantly
• Bathe twice daily in hot water

Follow these little steps to keep diseases away. Remember, prevention is better than cure. We hope you enjoy the rainy season!

Marriage can save you from cancer death

A study has found that marriage boosts the survival odds for both men and women with colon cancer at every stage of the disease.

Researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine and Brigham Young University analysed records of 127,753 patients and found that those married had a 14 per cent lower risk of death.

Similar to studies of other types of cancers, the researchers did find that married people were diagnosed at earlier stages of colon cancer and sought more aggressive treatment.

The researchers took those and other factors into account before calculating the benefit of marriage on survival odds.

"Controlling for the stage that the cancer was detected is key. Without that, it's hard to know whether the analysis is just picking up a diagnosis effect," Sven Wilson, a study co-author and professor at Brigham Young University, said.

Colon cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States for both men and women. Curiously, the marriage benefit seen in the new study was nearly identical for both men and women.

Marriage is a self-selected group, and Wilson is careful to note that the selection process makes it difficult to sort out the root cause.

One intuitive idea is that spouses serve as an important informal caregiver during a critical time, and that extra support may translate into better disease management and, hence, better outcomes.

The study has been published online in the journal Cancer Epidemiology .

3D TV: Things to know

NEW DELHI: Imagine the thrill of 3D technology in your living room. But, currently, to experience this magic, you have to purchase not only a 3D TV set, but also a pair of 3D glasses and a Blu-ray player capable of playing the 3D Blu-ray disc.

3D will soon be a part of life in our living rooms. Over 20 per cent of all movies are expected to be in 3D by 2014. Disney's Tron: Legacy and Tangled are only the beginning and shortly, the studio will release 16 more titles in India, which will include Alice in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol and Bolt. And by 2012, it will release over 35 titles. Sony Pictures will be launching ten movies and a line-up of 3D Blu-ray titles.

K Seshasaye of The Walt Disney Studios, India says, "We continue to leverage technology to provide best in class experiences to our consumers. We are committed to provide them content where, when and how they want it — in this case 3D experience at home."

The 3D phenomenon Avatar has been released in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu in India. But it still hasn't hit the Indian retail market, and is not expected before 2012.

R Zutshi, deputy MD, Samsung India, says, "Going by the interest in 3D films such as Avatar, producers and broadcasters are bringing out more content, movie titles and games that are in 3D. The 3D content too is becoming more readily available."

Besides 3D movies, some key television channels are planning to transmit 3D content. Soon Kwon, MD, LG India, says, "We have introduced cinema 3D TVs, which are backed by cutting-edge technology." Adds Eric Braganza, president, Haier India, "3D technology was introduced much before the availability of 3D content in India. With the three-dimension technology penetrating into India, entertainment providers are jumping the bandwagon."

Sony has an entire spectrum of 3D products and content solutions, including LCD TVs, Blu-ray discs, digital still cameras, projectors, PlayStation, movies and games. Samsung 3D TVs have built-in auto 3D format conversion technology that renders 2D content into 3D with a push of a button.

Panasonic and LG are working on autostereoscopic 3D TVs that would not require the viewer to wear any special glasses for viewing. Masaru Tamagawa, MD, Sony India, says, "The Indian consumer is becoming more receptive to new technology." According to a report, the annual sales of 3D TVs in India will touch 50 million in 2015.

The 3D TV market was estimated at 10 per cent of the LED TV market in India in 2010. Remarks viewer Rajiv Singh of Mumbai, who works for a financial services company, "There have been instances when I missed watching an eagerly awaited 3D movie in the theatre. Now, I can watch it at home. I only wish there were more movies available in 3D format." So, a decade from now, consumers may not need to don goggles anymore to catch their favourite show in 3D!