Friday, June 28, 2013

Oddball Indian wedding rituals


Anwesha Mittra, TNN

If you thought wedding ceremonies can't get more bizarre than the groom breaking a wine glass by stepping on it at a Jewish wedding, or the Finnish bride going from door to door with a pillowcase to collect her wedding gifts accompanied by an old man with an umbrella, think again.

Not only are Baltic or Greek wedding traditions peculiar, some of our very own rituals surrounding the wedding can be as off-the-wall. True, a wedding brings happy tidings to the family, but it is after all the eclectic rituals associated with it that make for real memories.

The most common perception of a Hindu wedding is the lighting up of the Vedic fire around which the bride and groom walk seven times while the priest chants mantras. Assumingly for the sake of brevity, almost all television series or cinema dealing with a Hindu wedding conjures up an image similar to this. Then what about the many awkward and flamboyant rituals that precede or succeed it, rituals that are unique to every culture, rituals that are perhaps relevant no more but lovingly adhered to.

With the wedding season upon us, let's vet some truly obscure Indian wedding traditions that evoke emotions ranging from laughter, grimace, scorn, tears, to sheer amusement.

Bengali weddings: That the mother of the bride is not supposed to see the wedding is common knowledge. But did you know that on the day of the wedding, married women from the bride's family rise at the break of dawn and arrange a plate of aarti complete with sweets, twigs and incense, and go over to invite the Ganges to the wedding of their daughter. The holy river is believed to bless the girl in her future life.

Bihari weddings: This could be a rather curious post-wedding ritual performed by any groom's-side-of-the-family on bringing the bride home. Here an eager, expectant bride suddenly finds herself grappling with a huge earthen pot set on her head by her mother-in-law. Without losing time, few more pots are added to the pile while she is expected to bow down and touch the elders' feet. As the dramatic scene is played out, all and sundry gather to see how many pots the new bride actually balances, which is ostensibly an indicator of her skills at striking a balance in the family.

Tribal wedding in UP: Sarsaul, a small town in Kanpur district has given a new dimension to wedding hospitality. In keeping with the tradition, the baaratis here are not greeted with flowers and rose water spray, instead tomatoes and potatoes are hurled at them followed by a round of choicest abuses. Your sides might hurt imaging such a welcome, but the tradition takes root in the belief that a relationship that doesn't begin on a not-so-happy note always culminates in love.

Rabha weddings in Assam: The weddings of the Rabha tribes of Assam is an aesthetic affair. Performed as per Gandharva marriage tradition, the ceremony involves a simple exchange of garlands - no pheras around the fire, and a lavish feast to round it up with. An extremely patriarchal ritual, the newly wed on their first day together at the boy's family home is expected to give a hand in cooking the afternoon meal and serve only to the male, elderly members of the family. For the rest, food is served in subsequent batches by the helpers.

Malayalee weddings: How much the rest of the world frets about keeping the auspicious time for the wedding, tell this to the Nairs of Kerala and you'll manage a wry smile out of them. For them, the auspicious time is when they set out from their homes to marry in a temple or the ancestral home of the girl, and not the actual muhurat of the wedding. Like all Malayalee weddings, this too happens at daytime. A serene white wedding with a generous flash of gold jewellery, the bride and groom walk around the mandapam thrice - not seven times.

Kumaoni weddings: The use of flags in the marriage ceremony sets Himachali weddings apart. Traditionally, a white flag called 'Nishan' leads the marriage procession representing the bridegroom, followed by drummers, pipers and a white palanquin carrying the groom. The last man of the procession carries another flag, of red colour, representing the bride. When the marriage party returns from the girl's home after completing all ceremonies, the red flag takes the lead followed by a red palanquin of the bride, succeeded by the white palanquin of the groom, and the white flag at the tail end of the procession.

Tamil Brahmin weddings: At an Iyer wedding, just as the groom is about to step into the mandapam for the actual wedding ceremony, he has a change of mind and decides to pursue 'sanyaasam' (asceticism). An age-old Brahmin tradition 'Kasi Yaatrai' this, the bride's father too plays his part of a distressed father by reaching out to the groom and convincing him to take up 'Grahastham' (family life) with his daughter who would in turn support him in his spiritual pursuit. Umbrella, Bhagwad Gita, hand fan and sandals are the props used by the bride's father to win his would-be-son-in-law back.




5 Signs You Might Be at Risk for Diabetes

By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

Prediabetes Risk Factors
Incredibly, one in four Americans over age 20 has prediabetes -- and most don't even know it. Being prediabetic means that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but short of being classified as diabetic levels. Studies show that most people with prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they lose weight and make dietary and exercise changes.

Because prediabetes develops gradually over years, it's often said that there are no obvious symptoms. But it's possible to notice certain warning signs of growing insulin resistance, the inability to process the energy in food properly that's a key aspect of prediabetes, says Beth Reardon, director of nutrition for Duke Integrative Medicine at Duke University.

Paying close attention to such warning signs gives you plenty of time to make changes before the situation progresses to type 2 diabetes, she says.

"These symptoms usually occur in tandem with one another; together they create a bigger picture that says insulin resistance is going on," Reardon says. "Some signs can be measured, some we feel, some we can just see."

If you're experiencing the following signs, you should ask your doctor about an insulin response test to measure your insulin and blood sugar levels. If the tests confirm that your body is starting to have trouble managing its glucose, it may be incentive for you to commit to the diet and exercise changes that can help move you away from the path toward diabetes.

What Feeling Tired and Sluggish After Eating Might Mean
Ready to nap right after a big meal? This is a normal response to an influx of carbs (think of that post-Thanksgiving dinner feeling). But if it happens often, your body may be sending a message that your diet is too diabetes-friendly.

After eating, all carbohydrates -- whether in a doughnut or a carrot -- are broken down into the bloodstream as glucose (blood sugar), the body's main energy source. When the blood containing the glucose hits the pancreas, this organ gets the message to release insulin, a hormone it produces to help the cells throughout the body use glucose. Cells have insulin receptors that allow glucose to enter and either be stored as future energy or used right away.

It's a great system. But a diet that's high in simple carbs like sugar, white flour, and sweet beverages -- especially when consumed in large quantities at one sitting -- overwhelms it. According to Reardon, the cells' insulin receptors eventually stop receiving the insulin, which means they can't take in the glucose. The glucose builds up in the blood while the needy cells don't get any. The pancreas, meanwhile, notes the glucose level is still high in the blood that flows through it, and it pumps out still more insulin in response. Net result: You feel sleepy and may find it hard to think, because your brain and body are depleted until the system rights itself.

"Over time, this cycle can cause someone to become chronically insulin resistant. The body simply can't keep up with the demands that all those simple sugars and fats are placing on it," Reardon says.

What helps: Slow your carb load. Choose more complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains (barley, oats, quinoa, spelt, brown rice), vegetables, and whole fruits (not juices) that the body has to work harder to digest. This means blood sugar stays stable longer. Move around right after eating -- take a 15-minute walk; even washing the dishes helps -- rather than plopping in front of the TV. The activity will help your body begin to process the big glucose intake faster and more efficiently. In fact, a Mayo Clinic study presented at the 2011 American Diabetes Association annual meeting reported blood sugar levels rose only half as much after eating in a group that was moderately active after a meal, compared to a control group that ate, then rested.

What Carb Cravings Might Mean
Among the most craved foods: chocolate, chips, and French fries. They're loaded with sugar, salt, and fat -- three substances that taste so good, they light up the reward system of the brain, which begs for more, more, more.

But what happens next in the body can be dangerous, says nutritionist Beth Reardon. Simple carbs such as sugars and white flour break down very quickly, providing a fast hit of energy. Soon, however -- because the insulin-resistant cells essentially ignore this entry of glucose into the blood -- the pancreas overcompensates, releasing more and more insulin to handle the glucose. What follows is a dramatic drop in blood sugar as the extra insulin quickly shuttles the glucose to the cells -- and energy levels plummet. The body is caught in a wave of fatigue. So, naturally, it craves another quick hit of energy to bring blood sugar back up. The brain becomes obsessed with this mission. And before you know it, you're reaching for a pick-me-up guzzle of soda, another handful of pretzels, a second cookie (or three).

People get sucked into a vicious cycle before they realize it, getting hooked on problematic foods they think they're craving -- while gaining weight.

What helps: Kick your food cravings. It's challenging, but one starting place is to avoid triggers that you associate with these foods. Just seeing a fast-food sign or the cookie package in your cupboard can be enough to set off the pleasure system in the brain that fixates on having the craved food.

Instead of quick-hit snacks like candy bars or chips, substitute slower-to-digest choices, like a handful of nuts, a banana, or raw carrots dipped into a tablespoon of peanut butter, which will keep you feeling sated longer. Be persistent: It can take as many as a dozen "successes" in resisting an old craving before your new habit is established.

How Being Overweight Might Put You at Risk for Diabetes
Most prediabetics carry excess weight, says Duke University's Beth Reardon. That fact alone is a major risk factor for diabetes. But especially worrisome is when you try to cut back on calories and still can't see the scale budge. Stubborn weight loss despite best efforts can be the result of mixed messages that our cells are receiving, Reardon says. "The cells are starving because the fuel they need (in the form of glucose) is not being absorbed at the insulin receptor site on the cell. In the face of a perceived fuel shortage, the body will hold tightly onto existing stores of energy -- fat," she says. What little is absorbed also goes straight into storage -- as more fat.

What helps: Incremental change. Don't think, "OMG, I have to lose 50 pounds; I can never do that." Instead, think small. Losing just 5 to 7 percent of body weight prevents or delays diabetes by 60 percent, according to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a major multicenter research study. People over age 60 see even greater benefits, according to the DPP. Five percent of body weight translates to just 10 pounds for a 200-pound person. A combination of lifestyle changes (especially changes in diet) and medication is often needed to address weight loss in these circumstances.

What It Might Mean if You Look More Like an Apple Than a Pear
Weight gain is weight gain, and all of it risks moving you down the path toward diabetes. But added pounds in one particular area -- the midsection -- are especially associated with insulin resistance and prediabetes.

Weight gain around the waist and abdomen (visceral fat) is considered more dangerous than extra padding in the thighs and rear. So-called "belly fat" is linked to a higher rate of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and dangerous cholesterol levels -- all risk factors for diabetes. Having an apple-shaped middle has also been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

For men, the danger point is considered to be a waist circumference of 40 inches or more; for women, the dangerous measurement is a waist of 35 inches or more.

What helps: Diet, weight loss -- and exercise. The third leg of a diabetes-thwarting approach is moving. It's not true that sit-ups and other abdominal exercises will target belly fat. (Though they do build muscles.) Exercise plays a critical role because when you build muscle, you increase the number of enzymes that are able to metabolize glucose as a fuel source for those cells, nutrition expert Beth Reardon says. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise (like a brisk walk) most days of the week.

How High Blood Pressure Might Put You at Risk for Diabetes
High blood pressure is linked to many different conditions. But prediabetes may be the cause when it appears in tandem with excess weight gain (especially around the middle), fatigue, and other negative numbers on a medical workup (abnormal cholesterol levels and high triglycerides). Many people with high blood pressure worry about their heart without recognizing that the presence of hypertension -- along with these other signs -- is a neon red sign for prediabetes.

The numbers to beware: blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/85, an HDL "good" cholesterol level below 40 mg/Dl for men and below 50 mg/Dl for women, and triglycerides of 150 mg/Dl.

Blood pressure elevates in part because of inflammation, a damaging cascade of events in the body that high insulin levels contribute to. "Blood becomes stickier and more viscous, and blood clotting factors increase, making it more difficult for the body to move the blood around," Duke University's Beth Reardon says. "Insulin also has an effect on the pliability of blood vessels, making them less elastic and therefore less able to respond to changes in pressure. This, in combination with blood that doesn't flow as easily, results in elevated blood pressure."

What helps: Losing weight slowly through dietary changes and increased exercise.




Unnecessary Evil: Bras Are No Longer A Girl’s Best Friend

Michael Harper for redOrbit.com — Your Universe Online

Bras, brasseires, over-the-shoulder boulder holders — whatever you call them, they have been a socially accepted clothing standard for the greater part of 100 years. Yet one man believes these garments which are seen as a necessary evil are more evil than necessary.

Professor Jean-Denis Rouillon is a sports medicine specialist from France who believes bras are doing more harm than good to women´s breasts. In fact, Rouillon believes breasts would be healthier and stronger if they never come in contact with a bra at all. Many women feel the need to wear the undergarment to fight the effects of sagging, but according to Rouillon´s extensive research, forgoing the bra will actually help breasts stand up against sagging naturally.

“Our first results confirm the hypothesis that the bra is a false need,” said Rouillon in an interview with FranceInfo explaining his study. “Medically, physiologically, anatomically, the breast does not benefit from being deprived of gravity. Instead, it languishes with a bra.”

The French sports medicine specialist has spent the last 15 years armed with a caliper and ruler, regularly taking measurements of 330 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35. Though it´s slow going, Rouillon observed that women who did not wear a bra saw their breasts lift by as much as 7 millimeters (0.275 inches) each year. The braless women also reported firmer breasts, disappearing stretch marks and reduced back pain. According to Rouillon, women gain no anatomical, medical, or physiological benefit from having their weight supported by a bra.

The French researcher also said wearing a bra can prohibit the growth of supportive tissues under the breast. If a woman wears a bra every day throughout her youth, these tissues could begin to degrade, thereby causing the breasts to sag. When women skip the bra, these tissues and muscles are given a chance to become stronger as evidenced in the lift observed.

Professor Rouillon isn´t suggesting a bra-fueled bonfire, however. His research has found that ditching the bra is best for younger women who haven´t spent much time in the underwear. Older women who have been wearing a bra for many years won´t see any benefit by giving up now.

“It would be dangerous to advise all women to stop wearing their soutien-gorge as the women involved were not a representative sample of the population,“ said Rouille in an interview with Connexion, an English-language French newspaper.

Yet one 28-year old volunteer who has been working with Rouillon throughout this study says she´s been experiencing multiple health benefits by losing the bra.

According to the woman referred to only as “Capucine,“ going braless has helped her stand more upright, relieved her back pain and has even helped her breathe more easily.

Source: Michael Harper for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online

Thursday, June 27, 2013

11 SIMPLE tips to SAVE money

Kripananda Chidambaram

A dummy’s guide to help you become rich. Simple, but effective.

1.    Walk down to the station if it's just 15 minutes. If not, then bus. This can, surprisingly, save you loads of money in long term.

2.    Throw away your credit card. The interest charged is more than 30 percent.

3.    Buy non-perishable items in bulk with friends.

4.    Shop a lot! But only during sale. And look out for discount coupons and codes.

5.    Have three months’ contingency fund in your account. Don't touch unless there is an emergency.

6.    Educate yourself on personal finance basics. It's easy and can have tremendous positive effect in your life.

7.    Skip CCD. Hang out at your nearest chaiwala or a dhabha.

8.    Have a fixed automatic amount transferred to a mutual fund at the start of every month.

9.    Eat light before going to fine dine. Good for your body and wallet.

10.  Take less than five minutes to write down to your expense every day.

11.  Buy generic medicines. It costs 10x less than branded medicines.


How to keep fit by living right and eating right


Fighting The Flab 
I happened to read the news today of Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson - who plays Black Widow in Avengers - saying in an interview that she practiced martial arts exercises and ate six to eight small meals to keep fit. Well, that's one way of doing it. But here are some tips from my time that still hold good today, provided you can include it in your modern lifestyle.

1. Eat Complete Meals, Avoid In-Between Snacking 
In my time, it was the norm to look forward to a mealtime and do it complete justice. But nowadays, people are snacking all through the day, and naturally, don't even realise when lunch hour has come and gone. No wonder, stomachs get confused, leading to acidity. Waiting for a mealtime and eating well, prevents hunger pangs all through the day, which is what make one hog on snacks, which are inevitably fatty foods.

2. Do Mild Exercise Daily 
On a daily basis, exercise your body in some way, be it by simply taking a walk in the park, or walking a certain distance on the footpath, or doing some form of yoga. If you can increase the intensity, the better your body will benefit from the form of exercise.

3. Cook And Eat Your Own Food 
The trend today is to order food the moment one is hungry. But if you peek inside your refrigerator, pick out some fresh vegetables, then cook them yourself, you'll be way ahead on the healthy way. Ordered food is fast food, loaded with calories, and leaving you to experience side-effects such as acidity and bloatedness.

4. Reduce Salt In Your Food 
In our times, we were very careful about how much salt we added to our recipes. But nowadays, I see everyone bringing salt to the table and adding other spices as well...more and more salt. No wonder, even youngsters talk of blood pressure.

5. Bask In The Sun 
Take in the sun. Yes, even though we live in India, where we have too much sun, there are more and more people staying indoors all the time and rushing from one air-conditioned environment to another. But do you know how important it is to be out in the natural weather, feel the sun and the breeze on your face, and find your body heat ebbing away like no air-conditioner can? Vitamin D from the sun helps fight depression and osteoporosis, or reduction of bone density that comes with old age.

6. Include Fruits In Your Diet 
Just as important as vegetables, it is also important to include fruits in your diet. I know people who consume carbohydrates in the form of rice or rotis, but have no space for fruit. I can't imagine how they can manage without fruit. Fruits are our natural dessert. They are not only sweet and juicy, quenching our thirst, they also increase our lifespan.

7. Find A Reason To Smile 
Haste raho! Yes, laughter is a good medicine. No wonder, even yoga classes in the local parks include five minutes of laughing loudly. When you laugh, the good hormones are released, leading to overall health. So, make sure your facial curves are in the right direction!

8. Shop For Beetroot 
When you go shopping for vegetables next time, look out for beetroot, or chukandar. You may not like them, but when you know their huge benefits, you will certainly go for them. They are very healthy because they improve your heamoglobin content, which also lends you a rosy complexion.

9. Drink Lots Of Water 
We used to drink water after every meal, after we reached a destination, when we return home. But I don't see much of that nowadays, people replacing it with juices and cokes, loaded with sugar and artificial tastemakers. But water is water, and nothing can beat it for its benefits. It not only quenches your thirst with no side-effects, it also flushes out toxins from your body.

10. Get Enough Sleep 
It is so important to sleep. But no one gets enough of that nowadays and even when they hit the bed, they are just waiting to get up for another day of hard work, it seems. You can make out by their body language - the leg is usually falling over the bedside. Gosh! If you don't sleep, how can you have the energy to give your best the next day? It is also important for a normal heart rate and to have a happy mood to sleep well.

11. Don't Skip Breakfast And Don't Have Midnight Snacks 
How can people not have time for breakfast? Such are the times we live in. A breakfast is the first meal of the day and the body is just ready for it. If you leave your body starving, you will end up, in the long run, developing ulcer or diabetes. Similarly, don't avoid meal-times, which will make you hungry at late hours. Eating midnight snacks may be exciting but will leave you with a pot-belly for sure!

12. Have A Circle Of Friends 
Having a group of friends who share your lifestyle and interests keeps you happy in more ways than one. It removes your loneliness and stress and also adds more meaning to your life - there's someone to share your experiences, your ups and downs, besides lending you a ear when you have something to say or to listen when you are feeling down and out. This circle of friends may also be a good substitute for family should the need arise.

13. Find Something To Do 
Having a hobby - anything you like - be it reading a book or playing cricket, going for a jog or learning a new musical instrument, even learning a new language - infuses your life with a purpose, and one that's enjoyable. So, don't ever say you are bored: find something to do!

14. Practice Positive Thinking 
Positive thinking sounds like a new funda, but it may have been around for a long time. In my time, we called it will-power and used it to tide over daily problems. Today, more than ever, it becomes imperative that we practice it, so that we are able to use it at the drop of a hat, because surprises and shocks await us around every corner.



Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Hair care: 20 ways to stronger hair

Trina Remedios, Health Me Up

Hair fall or hair loss does not spare age or gender. To be honest hair fall is a natural process of the body, but the problem arises when new hair fails to grow in its place.

Hair loss is a common problem if you do not take care of it in these stressful times. But we give you 20 ways that you may have not thought of to make your hair longer and stronger. Dr. Nipun Jain, Senior Consultant in Dermatology from Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi let's you in on how to maintain, improve and strengthen your hair.

1.    Have a good balanced diet and lots of water.

2.    Iron deficiency causes a lot of hair loss. Thus, consumption of food which contains high iron like green and yellow vegetables, and fruits is recommended.

3.    A high protein diet that includes egg whites, soyabeans, cheese, pulses, milk and curd is good for the hair.

4.    A diet rich in zinc, selenium, biotin and essential fatty acids is necessary for hair growth.

5.    Be gentle with your hair. Always use a wide toothed comb.

6.    Making tight braids and pony tails or pulling your hair can cause hair loss called Traction Alopecia and therefore, should be avoided.

7.    Application of heat on hair through blow drying, ironing or rebonding can damage it, leading to hair fall.

8.    Protecting your hair from sunlight is important since excessive UV rays can cause hair damage and graying.

9.    Chlorine water in swimming pools is harmful for the hair. Thus, wearing a head cap during swimming and taking a shower after a swim is advised.

10.  Avoid exposing your hair to rain water as a lot of environmental chemicals are present in that water that can cause hair loss.

11.  Gentle massaging of the scalp increases the blood circulation and is good for hair growth.

12.  Avoid excessive combing of the hair as it can lead to 'weathering effect' and cause split ends.

13.  Avoid self-medication as some medicines and excess of vitamins like vitamin A can lead to damaged hair.

14.  Do not crash diet or starve to reduce weight as it will have a harmful effect on hair.

15.  If you are suffering from thyroid, control of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is essential.

16.  A good quality mild shampoo and conditioner should be used to clean the scalp and condition the hair.

17.  Avoiding harsh chemicals like those present in hair colors and bleaching agents help in preventing hair fall.

18.  Smoking leads to decreased blood flow resulting in increased hair loss and hence, should be avoided.

19.  Antioxidants like Vitamin C and E and Beta Carotene are good for hair growth.

20.  Meditation and yoga are helpful in reducing stress which is a major cause of hair fall.


How to Study in Six Simple Steps


Space
Make room, mentally and physically, for studying. Usually you’re studying for something specific, such as an exam. This can seem daunting, like a mountain to climb. If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath and pause for a moment before you start.

Think of how you make yourself comfortable when you do something you really enjoy, like watching a favorite television program. How do you settle in for the show? Do you sprawl or curl up? Do you have favourite relaxing clothes? Do you choose a particular drink or something to nibble? Borrow all these favorite things to make your studying a better experience. If you’re in a good space physically, you can improve your mental space.

Place
Create your own personal work zone. It doesn’t have to look like a work-space — that’s what many students find off-putting. Building on what you did in the previous paragraph, make the place your own and somewhere you enjoy.

Pace
Find the right pace for your work. Sprinters work hard and fast in a burst of energy while marathon runners spread the load and build slowly towards the climax. There’s no right or wrong way to pace your studying, except what works for you. Notice the way you like to work, and adjust your pace accordingly. (Just remember, if you study at a slow pace, you'll need to set aside more time for the task.)

Whether you have bags of time or a brief study period, remember that breaks are just as important as active study (10 minutes off for every 30 minutes of study works for many people), and use those breaks to reward yourself with a small treat.

Memory
It helps to know how your memory works. Here is the key to memory: in any sequence, people remember the first and last things best. Whatever you try to remember, you’ll find yourself recalling the beginning and the end, with less clear memories of the middle. You can’t change this — it’s wired in, it's how our brains work — so don’t fight it. Instead, use this fact to your advantage by organizing your study so the most important bits are at the beginning and end of your sessions.

Method
It’s always good to have a plan. However big or complex your task may look at first sight, with a feasible plan you can always find a way to manage it.

When studying, break your biggest goal into smaller chunks or tasks. It’s best if each of these chunks consists of a single topic. Often, you’ll discover one or two key elements that stand out and get fixed in your mind. You can then use those as building blocks.

Classic tricks used by memory professionals include ‘the house of memory’ where you place everything you want to remember in unique locations in the house. It’s also useful to use humor — play with your key-words and make them funny or outrageous. You’ll be surprised at how much easier they are to memorize.

Mind maps
A mind map is rough diagram that you can make to visually outline information. You can create a mind map by starting with the primary word or phrase of a topic in the center, with related, lesser categories branching out from it. Subcategories of these are on smaller branches, still. Your categories can consist of anything you think is important; they can be important terms, ideas, or tasks to complete — whatever you need to help you study or organize the information.

Mind maps are easy to master if you don’t use them already, and you’ll discover they help you remember masses of information much more efficiently than conventional lists. If you're not satisfied with your current note-taking skills, try building a mind map during your next class or lecture and see if you find it more helpful.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Are You Practicing Good Toothbrush Care Habits?

Brushing your teeth is a vital step in effective removal of plaque and good oral hygiene. Proper toothbrush care and replacement is also needed to maintain sound care of your teeth. Why? Your toothbrush can potentially hold bacteria that can lead to infections within the mouth. The oral cavity holds thousands of microorganisms, many of which are transferred to your toothbrush while you are brushing your teeth. Since these bacterial organisms can become established within the brush, your toothbrush should be replaced about every three months.

In order to keep your brush in the best possible state for good oral hygiene there are several toothbrush care steps you should follow, including:
·         Consider rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial rinse before you brush your teeth to reduce the amount of bacteria that could potentially accumulate on your bristles.

·         Keep your toothbrush for yourself and do not share it. Allowing someone else to use your brush can possibly lead to an exchange of microorganisms and put you at an increased risk of developing an oral infection.

·         Be sure to rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after you have brushed your teeth to remove any toothpaste residue. Place your brush upright into a container so that it can dry properly. Keep it separated from any other brush that might be stored in the same container.

·         Keep your toothbrush uncovered in its container. Placing a cover over the container can create a moist environment that could enable an increase of bacterial growth.

·         Throw out your toothbrush every three months and replace it with a new one. The bristles can become worn, leaving the brush much less effective for removing plaque. This may decrease the amount of bacteria to which you are potentially exposed.

·         There is no need to soak your toothbrush in an antibacterial solution after use. In fact this could potentially cause cross-contamination if the solution is used by more than one person.

·         There is also no need to place your toothbrush into a dishwasher or microwave to disinfect the bristles. This procedure could potentially cause the bristles to break down and lose effectiveness prematurely.

·         When you purchase your new toothbrush be sure to choose one that properly fits your mouth. Make sure to pick the correct bristle structure for your teeth as well. If necessary, speak with your dentist about whether you need a soft, medium or hard bristle brush.

By following these simple toothbrush care steps, you will keep your teeth healthier and reduce the potential for developing oral infections.


Use Your Built-in Mammalian Diving Reflex To Quickly Relax

Mihir Patkar

Did you know you have a superpower? The human body is has a built-in mechanism that, when triggered, will help you quickly relax, not matter how much you were freaking out just moments before. It's called the Mammalian Diving Reflex and all you need to use it is a bucket of cold water.

It's a simple three-step process:
1.    First, fill a bucket with ice cold water.

2.    Hold your breath and dunk your face in it, making sure the area under your eyes and above your cheekbones is submerged.

3.    Wait for 30 seconds before resurfacing.

This process kicks in the Mammalian Diving Reflex, which automatically slows your heart rate down by 10 to 30 per cent, and narrows the blood vessels so the oxygen rushes more to the brain and the heart.

About 30 seconds after you emerge, you'll find the effects really kicking in, forcing the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) to calm you down.