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We live in a very competitive world where we need to strive very hard round the clock. It has been rightly told that Health is Wealth. If you are not healthy it doesn’t matter how wealthy or successful you are, as you will be unable to enjoy the fruits of your labor with your loved ones in the later part of your life. So it’s very important that you address all your health concerns right away. Here are some suggestions and reflections to help you regain this precious balance in your life.

1. Focus on experiencing the richness in life, and material riches will surely follow.
2. Moderation or balance in life is the universal truth born of the middle path of your yogic tradition. The American Way- Work hard, have fun.
3. Strive for balance in living your life by enjoying time with your family, friends and loved ones. Your success become real when shared with them.
4. It is not possible for everyone to work out for 4 hours every day in the gym. Even if you could, by tightening your muscles and straining your joints, you will usually gain only 5 percent benefit while destroying 95 per cent of your body.
5. Yoga is the only subject in the world where you are the object. He process is natural, scientific and proven. An 80 year old Yogi is usually in better physical condition than a 20 year old athlete.
6. Research indicates that practicing Hatha Yoga regularly can help cure and prevent chronic diseases, considerably reduce stress levels and slow the ageing process.
7. Use the free time on weekends to balance the hectic schedule of your working week. You can play golf, read a book, watch a movie, dine out or take a stroll in the fresh air and relax.

These tips can certainly help you unwind, relax and rejuvenate your life.

A chronic back pain is prevalent among those who sit and work on all their laptops or desktops all day long. There are a few asanas which if duly practiced can cure you back pain in not time. I have just mentioned the names of a few recommended asanas without going into much detail. I request you to google these asanas to learn more about them.

1. Marjari Asasna: Also called as Cat’s Pose, this asana is helpful for strengthening spinal flexibility.
2. Parvat and Bhujangasan: A comibination of Parvat and Bhujangasan is great for improving the strength and flexibility of the Back.
3. Merudandasan: This one is recommended for relieving backache and stress.
4. Salabhasana: The asana strengthens the abdominal muscles as well as the legs and arms, relieves stress, and improves posture.

It is advisable that you practice all the above mentioned asanas under the supervision of a Yoga instructor.

Day temperatures are soaring in many cities this summer with the capital witnessing a high of 41.2 degrees Celsius last week. Isn’t it imperative that you need to take good care of your skin? Let me provide some essential tips to safeguard your skin this summer.

1. Don’t step outside without a sunscreen: The best way to protect the skin is to use a good sunscreen. For Indians, a sun protection factor of 30 or more works well. Dermatologists recommend that brands that offer both UVA( age-causing rays) and UVB(burn and tan causing ones) must be used. Vichy, Neutrogena, L’Oreal and Nivea are some good brands that can be relied upon.
2. Drug Reactions: Antibiotics such as tetracycline and sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics, anti-histamines and anti-depressants can all make your skin super sensitive to the sun causing sunburns, bumps, blotchiness and more. Always check labels of both prescription and non prescription medicines for potential side effects, including warnings about sun exposure.
3. Lip Protection: During hot days we can feel burning sensation on our lips. Petroleum jelly or lip balms don’t provide much relief as your lips bear the brunt of UVA and UVB rays. So the solution is to use lip balms with an in built sunscreen. Neutrogena, Himalaya, Lotus and Clarins have lip balms with SPFs.
4. Did you get your skin burnt…Here is a quick fix: If you still manage to get sun burnt, there is no need to panic for there is an effective solution. Mix 2 teaspoons of curd and 2 teaspoons of honey and apply it on the burn. It will heal and soothe the skin. You can also use aloe vera solution to get instant relief.
5. Stay indoors as far as possible: Did you know that sitting out of the direct sun, in the shade cuts UV exposure by up to 60%. Skin experts strongly suggest staying indoors, away from the sun, between 11.30 am and 4 pm.

Do you hate drinking tea? You better think again. Did you know that drinking tea helps in curing a lot of common ailments?  There are approximately 1500 varieties of tea in his world. Let me just list down a few varieties that are really beneficial and can be easily prepared in your home itself.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint has been long known for its great taste and its medicinal properties. It is also commonly used as mouth freshener. Many people plant peppermint in their gardens to enjoy its fragrance. But if you are growing peppermint for medicinal benefits make sure that you choose the right variety as there are about 20 species of the herb.

How do I prepare it?

Purchase a pack of peppermint tea bags. Peppermint tea bags are commercially sold in the market. If you happen to grow peppermint in your garden you can pick a few peppermint leaves from your garden. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves picked from your garden. Steep for 10 minutes. If you like to add a little flavor you sweeten with honey, brown sugar or maple syrup. Drink a cup of the tea after meals and you have it up to 3 cups per day.

Healing properties

To relieve intestinal cramps

To cure upset stomach

To calm the nerves

Provides quick relief from mild stomach disorders, nausea, vomiting or sore throat

Stimulates digestion and helps in gallstones from forming

Improves concentration and strengthens the immune system

Black Tea

This is by far the most common consumed tea in the world. An important ingredient in black tea is caffeine. However the amount of caffeine in black tea is very less when compared to the high levels of caffeine found in coffee. The lower amounts of caffeine helps in promoting the blood flow in the brain without over stimulating the heart.

How do I prepare it?

To brew the tea, use 1 tablespoon of black tea per 1 cup of hot water.  Let the tea steep for 4-8 minutes. This allows enough time to release most of the soothing tannins. You can also add some lemon juice to the tea for an effective cold remedy.

Healing properties

To lower cholesterol levels

To relieve diarrhea

To sharpen concentration

To prevent tooth decay

Stimulates brain activity and prevents nervousness

Green Tea

Green tea has been very popular in countries like china, Japan and other Asian countries for thousands of years. It is known to possess medicinal as well as therapeutic properties. Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between black and green teas lies in their processing. Black tea is fermented, whereas green tea, which is prepared from steamed, dried leaves, is not allowed to ferment.

How do I prepare it?

Place 1 rounded teaspoon of tea leaves per cup in a teapot. Heat the water until it is simmering. Cool briefly .Boiling for longer periods can destroy the tea’s gentle flavor. Pour the water over the tea leaves and cover the pot. Too much caffeine can increase your heart rate, restlessness and insomnia. To lower the caffeine content of green tea, pour a little water over the leaves prior to infusion and strain the water off after 30 seconds. Then prepare the tea as usual.

Healing Properties

Fluoride found in green tea hardens tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay.

Lowers blood cholesterol levels

Green tea contains no calories and helps in weight loss

Improves concentration and boosts alertness

Prevents heart disease and several forms of cancer

Stress doesn’t mean it always has to be negative. A certain amount of tension is helpful for a productive and interesting. After all, stress can help us to perform better. There are 2 types of stress. The good stress is called the eustress and on the other hand the bad stress is called as distress. Eustress invigorates the mind and body and produces positive effects whereas distress produces tension that can harm your body and cause illness. Research has found that workplace stress has lead to attrition. So it’s important for the employers to see to that the employees find time to de-stress and relax. It’s really important to find out whether you are really stressed out or not? These are some of the common symptoms that are associated with stress.

• You feel very irritated
• You have trouble concentrating
• You can’t rest. A lot of thoughts keep spinning through your head.
• You find it very hard to make important decisions.
• You become very moody and confused.
• You are restless and lack energy to get things done.

Let me suggest some ways through which you can alleviate the effects of stress.
Believe it or not, Yawning can help you relax by stretching the muscles, increasing oxygen intake and releasing tension. Yawn loudly and stretch your arms several times a day. Waling can also help to reduce the stress levels and improve overall quality of life. Walk whenever you can. Laughter lowers blood pressure and reduces hypertension. It also reduces stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins-body’s natural painkillers. Lavender helps you relax. Before drying off after a shower, place 3 drops of lavender essential oil on a damp washcloth and rub it gently over your body. The soothing active agents in the lavender oil will enter your body through your skin and nose. You diet also plays a vital role. A balanced diet is essential to maintain a healthy life. Nuts that are good sources of vitamins and minerals soothe the nerves and aids in combating stress and increasing concentration. Exercise regularly as it can help to beat stress. Take a break. Take some time off and plan a short vacation as it can help you to achieve real relaxation. So guys fight stress to lead a healthy and happier life.