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Its Summer makeover time for our sweet home

Summer vacation is a term in and of itself – Indian summers are unfinished without the vacation vibe. Incorporate tropical prints in hand embroidered throws or leafy wallpapers, or nautical sculptures and souvenirs, to create a sense of recreation and travel in the interiors…reports Asian Lite News

The most interesting spaces are those that vibrate with the season. Indian summers, in particular, necessitate a major interior makeover to protect it from the elements while creating an atmosphere that complements the season’s character. All you need is a refresh in the textiles, new prints on the walls, new hints in the materials, and a revitalising summer spirit inspired by the restyling mood boards. Punam Kalra, Creative Director of I’m the Centre for Applied Arts shares some tips

Invest in the Biophilic trend

Summer air carries scents and flavours from the outdoors to the interiors of a space, serving as a reminder to go natural this season. The calming energy that connects the outdoor to the indoor also makes the space feel larger.

The simplest way to accomplish this is to introduce fresh flowers and indoor plants into the interiors. Include eco-friendly material palettes with raw wood, ceramic, or stone in furniture, decor, or even backdrops – solid ceramic vases, seamless wooden tables, rough cut stone backdrops, and more leave a lasting dose of freshness and tranquillity in the space without suffocating it with layers.

Go light and airy

The first desire of the exhausting season is for breathable spaces. Keep your home light and airy by using lighter, preferably semi-sheer fabrics like slub cotton, linen, and so on for your curtains, tapestries, and upholsteries.

Replace heavy winter throws with neat, trimmed finishes in neutral toned upholstered pieces like sofas, armchairs, ottomans, and pouffes. Woven pieces made of rattan, bamboo, wicker, or cane can be used as larger pieces such as recliners, chairs, and consoles, or as smaller accents such as baskets, planters, or even headboards to add a light twist to the furniture.

Summer is all about the sun and its open invitation to the home, which shifts the focus away from the enclosed walls and toward openings such as windows. Examine the window treatments and incorporate more solar shades, such as bamboo/wooden louvres or linen blinds, to filter the incoming heat waves.

For that harsh time of day, a blackout curtain becomes a must. If you have a balcony, decorate it with blooming flowers and revitalising herbs, and set up an island seating area for some evening tea. In the case of open sit-outs or backyards, go big with garden furniture sets under a greenhouse setup or a floral pergola to create an at-home retreat atmosphere.

Reminisce a distant vacation

Summer vacation is a term in and of itself – Indian summers are unfinished without the vacation vibe. Incorporate tropical prints in hand embroidered throws or leafy wallpapers, or nautical sculptures and souvenirs, to create a sense of recreation and travel in the interiors.

Picnic tables in the backyard, cocktail counters near the kitchen, or bar cabinets in a quiet corner of the living room can all add a more experiential element. This necessitates a mix of texture and personality, such as indoor tepees and floor cushions for the picnic scene, a luxurious bar cabinet and barstools for the cocktails, and so on. Try an improvised setup with a versatile colour palette to reflect your mood with each passing day.

Hit or hint with the colours

The season, like the unpredictable weather, takes us up and down the extremes. The colour themes, too, favour the extremes – the delectable sorbet colours and the subtle earthen colours, both of which are appropriate for the summer character. If you want your space to be filled with joy and cheer, try palettes that include mustard, lime, coral, aqua, or even shades of mango. If you want a more calming and tranquillizing atmosphere, choose olive, taupe, fawn, and other colours that soften the tone of the interior.

Avoid chaotic palettes with a mix of both characters and stick to a single choice for a more cohesive overall composition of the space.

Tufted Jewel available at Interior Designer Punam Kalra, Creative Director of I’m the Centre for Applied ArtsTufted Jewel available at Interior Designer Punam Kalra, Creative Director of I’m the Centre for Applied Arts Tufted Jewel available at Interior Designer Punam Kalra, Creative Director of I’m the Centre for Applied Arts Inputs by Anand Ojha and Ankit Ojha, Principal Designers, Anand Atelier Associate.

Indoor plants

Plants are the most adaptable item to have in your home. Plants not only add aesthetic value to the outdoors, but they also look elegant on your window sills, on your dining table, near any doors, on your side tables, or try something big and bold.

Indoor plants will improve your life in both practical and aesthetic ways. Indoor plants have been shown in studies to improve concentration and productivity, reduce stress, and boost mood, making them ideal not only for your home but also for your workplace. They are inexpensive and have the ability to add value to even the most mundane of rooms.

Curtains

How can a curtain increase the value of your home? Curtains can be used to define a room and add character to it in a variety of ways. Curtains can change the feel of a room in addition to making it look nice. Curtains, like mirrors, can create an illusion if they are placed correctly. This is because, like mirrors, high-hung drapes can draw your eye upward, making the room appear taller than it is. The implication is that when given the option, always choose floor-length curtains for living rooms and bedrooms. This will make your room appear larger and more luxurious. Sheer curtains provide natural light while filtering harsh sunlight. We can select from a variety of motifs and patterns to give our home an elegant and charming appearance.

Earthy tones

We are all required to spend more time indoors than ever before, which has accelerated our love affair with soothing greens, blues, and earthy tones. Even when we are indoors, we want to feel connected to nature. The colour palette is very close to what you’d find in nature. Nature has long been a source of inspiration for us.

The use of stone carved bathtubs, natural stones and textures, and Travertine in the space adds depth, soul, and strengthens a connection with the natural beauty of outdoor spaces.

Biophilic design elements such as plants, courtyard houses, and clear glass add transparency and openness to the space.

Curves in spaces

Curves enhance the aesthetics of a space while also making it feel safe, warm, and comforting. Curves aid in the development of a better connection with nature, resulting in a space that is naturally soothing to the eyes.

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Hug means a lot

While self-criticism can be a helpful motivator in some cases, too much of it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and despair…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Whether you’re a kid who just sprained your knee, a 24-year-old going through a mid-life crisis, or a person over 60 looking to start a new inning in life. It is safe to say that enveloping our arms around the body is one of the most widely recognised forms of love.

Touch has that kind of power. Humans are born with a desire for physical affection and are socialised to crave it. It is one of our most basic requirements, along with food and water. And, while much has changed in the way we interact with one another over the years, the need for physical affection has not.

The science behind a hug

A 2013 study found that the act of hugging can change the levels in our endocrine system. “The endocrine system is made up of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. These glands include the pineal gland, pancreas, hypothalamus, ovaries, and others. The study found that hugging can make us feel more comforted by changing the levels of hormones in the body.” said Goldy Nagdev, Managing Director, Hari Darshan Sevashram Pvt. Ltd.

“The hugged person’s hormone levels changed in a way that made them feel more comfortable and relaxed. The researchers believe that this happens because hugging releases oxytocin, which is a hormone that has been shown to reduce stress and promote feelings of happiness and bonding. This research shows that hugging can be a powerful tool for promoting well-being and reducing stress.”

No pain, no gain? False!

No pain, no gain does not stand valid anymore, especially not with the study proving self-hugs to be the cure for it – literally!

The hugs you give yourself may help relieve chronic pain! Researchers found that when people hug themselves, it causes their brains to get mixed up on where the hurt is located. The researchers suggest this outcome relates back to confusion about where exactly feels bad in our bodies-it can be anywhere from the head down low or vice versa depending on how we’re standing at any given moment when giving ourselves a potential embrace-but what really matters here? That there seems some truth behind theories claiming self-love improves moods by making individuals feel more confident and happier.

You got your back

“When you give yourself a hug, it can help you feel more connected to yourself and less alone. When you wrap your arms around your shoulders in an embrace it also triggers your brain to think of this gesture as social support. It offers many benefits such as promoting feelings of safety and security which is especially important during these times, now that we have realised post-Covid how we need ourselves more than any amenity, person or luxury in the world.” added Goldy Nagdev.

Hugs driving self-compassion to new highs

While self-criticism can be a helpful motivator in some cases, too much of it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and despair. On the other hand, self-compassion provides a sense of understanding and support during difficult times. As per renowned self-compassion researcher Kristin Neff, PhD, research has shown that self-compassion can lower cortisol levels, improve overall well-being, and even increase mindful acceptance and self-esteem. So the next time you’re feeling down on yourself, try giving yourself a hug-you just might find it makes a world of difference.

A hug a day keeps doctors away

Who would have thought that a hug a day could keep doctors away? In an interesting study conducted by Dr Sheldon Cohen, Professor of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. Some adults were exposed to the common cold virus and monitored for symptoms- but not only did they get sick less often than others before them; those who had received hugging treatments early on in life showed much fewer signs of illness when infected later on.

The University of North Carolina’s findings shows that hugging can keep us healthier by increasing white blood cells in the body. It is also believed to help with stress relief, which helps fight off infection!

Hugging it out all the way

A warm hug is more than just a gesture of affection. It is also a powerful tool for promoting understanding and reducing judgment. Goldy Nagdev, Managing Director, Hari Darshan Sevashram Pvt. Ltd. said: “When we hug someone, we are physically and emotionally close to them. This proximity encourages communication and positivity. It also helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to greater feelings of hostility and judgment. The release of the joy hormone oxytocin during a hug also induces feelings of love and compassion, furthering the emotional bond between two people. In short, hugging is a classic expression of empathy that can help us to connect with others and build a more compassionate world.”

ALSO READ-Laughter, a simple way to care your heart

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Start meditating now

Over time you will observe a transformation in the amount of stress/anxiety you accumulate within. Simply closing your eyes and steadily breathing has a tremendous effect, especially when you acknowledge stressful situations arising. Meditation is so powerful to reduce anxiety…reports Samiksha Shetty

Contrary to popular belief, Meditation is not about zoning out and emptying your thoughts or mind. It’s about zoning inwards, acknowledging your thoughts, and then detaching from them without judgment.

The most common reactions I get when I talk about meditation are- “I cannot meditate”, “I cannot empty my mind”, “as soon as I empty my mind a thousand thoughts enter my mind”, “sitting for long hours hurts my back and hips” or “mediation makes me more anxious”. Well, all of this can be true if you throw yourself into the deep end of mediation without any experience.

Start from the basics. Preferably start by preparing your body through basic simple asanas (yoga stretches) and breathe through pranayama (breathing techniques). Find a place that is comfortable for you to meditate. Some people use a quiet space at home or in the office. You can meditate outside in nature as well.

. Meditation reduces stress, anxiety, and negative emotions: Meditation is a gift that you should dedicate to yourself every day. Use your breath to help de-stress and become more aware and present at the moment. Stress, anxiety, and negative emotions are unpredictable, they come and go as they please but through meditation, you can control the power they have over you and your mind.

Over time you will observe a transformation in the amount of stress/anxiety you accumulate within. Simply closing your eyes and steadily breathing has a tremendous effect, especially when you acknowledge stressful situations arising. Meditation is so powerful to reduce anxiety.

One of the main reasons people meditate is to help quiet a loud, overactive mind. Daily meditation might be able to help support the treatment and reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is because meditation helps fight stress and anxiety, which are both major triggers for depression.

. It helps increase focus, creativity, and productivity: Want to feel more creative and productive at work? Start meditating now! Meditation can encourage creative thinking and problem-solving. Meditation also helps us separate our emotions from our work, which helps us think more clearly and develop new ideas. Daily meditation can help you perform better at work! It helps increase your focus and attention and improves your ability to multitask. Meditation helps clear our minds and helps us focus on the present moment – which gives you a huge productivity boost.

. Boasts emotional intelligence: Unless you make the effort to observe your thoughts and attempt to understand what the mind is doing, you are never going to learn about your inner self. Many of us have trouble understanding our emotions. Meditation teaches us how to be more aware of our feelings and emotions and helps us process them better. Simply believing every thought that pops in your head and living under your mind’s umbrella is not constructive. Practising meditation changes how you think and helps you learn to understand your emotions without having to act upon them.

. Improves Sleep: A variety of meditation techniques can help you relax and control runaway thoughts that interfere with your sleep cycle. This can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and increase the quality of your sleep.

Helps fight addictions: Meditation develops mental awareness and can help you manage triggers for unwanted impulses. This can help you recover from addiction, manage unhealthy eating habits, and redirect other unwanted habits.

Boosts immunity: Regular meditation has been shown to help boost your immune system. It increases electrical activity in the left side of the brain which is responsible for your immune system. It was also found that those who meditate have higher counts of antibodies in their blood, which helps fight illness.

. Get more out of your workout: Exercise, especially HIIT workouts (High-intensity interval training) and long hours of cardio can do a number on your muscles and your central nervous system. Such workouts could unintentionally cause stress on the body and the mind and cause an increase in your cortisol levels in the body. Meditation allows you to deeply rest your body and mind removing stress from your physiology. With meditation’s ability to reduce our stress levels, we’re able to perform our workouts at an optimal level and at the same time meditation might also help minimize sensitivity to pain.

After reading all these amazing benefits, isn’t mediation worth a try?

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Laughter, a simple way to care your heart

Improved vascular function and circulation can also lower your chances of being diagnosed with heart disease. Your heart will continue to beat at a regular rhythm if blood flow is adequate…reports Asian Lite News

When was the last time you laughed hard? Not just a little guffaw, but the kind of guffaw that makes your stomach hurt or even tears well up in your eyes? Laughter not only makes you feel good, but it has been shown to improve your mental health, immune system, and even vascular function. Laughter alleviates many of the negative symptoms of stress. When you laugh, your body produces endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. These hormones make you feel good and keep negative emotions at bay. It’s no surprise that you feel better after laughing.

Laughter is a simple way to care for your heart. It does not necessitate a drastic change in lifestyle, but it may inspire you to seek happiness in your life.

Laughter is an easy way to take care of your heart. It doesn’t require a huge lifestyle change, but it may encourage you to find the happiness in your life each day.

Here are a few ways that laughter might help your heart health:

Increases the strength of your immune system. Laughing boosts, the number of disease-fighting cells in your body, making you less likely to become ill or infected. If you do fall unwell, your body will be better prepared to deal with it.

Reduces your chances of having a heart attack. Your heart rate rises and you take several deep breaths when you laugh. This improves vascular function by allowing more oxygenated blood to circulate through your body.

Prevents the onset of heart disease. Improved vascular function and circulation can also lower your chances of being diagnosed with heart disease. Your heart will continue to beat at a regular rhythm if blood flow is adequate.

It aids with weight loss. Cortisol, a stress hormone, can rise and have severe consequences on your health if you stress out too much. A high cortisol level in the body might cause fast weight gain. Not only can laughing alleviate stress, but it also burns calories. When combined with a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding future heart problems!

Blood pressure is reduced. Your body relaxes, decreasing your blood pressure, while endorphins are released to counteract the detrimental effects of stress chemicals. The combination of these “feel good” chemicals and reduced blood pressure enhances your mood, reduces anxiety, and relieves heart strain.

Increase your happiness and improve your heart health by adding more laughing to your life. Don’t know where to start? Try these suggestions for enhancing your chances of having a nice time:

If you watch a lot of crime episodes or dramas on Netflix, or if you watch a lot of news or sports on TV, be sure you watch a hilarious movie or stand-up comedy special every now and again. Find some local improv or stand-up comedy gigs and enjoy the experience firsthand.

Spending time with good friends is one of the easiest methods to smile. Organize an entertaining game night, preferably one that does not include Monopoly. Choose games that encourage group engagement, such as charades or Pictionary, to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate.

“Do you recall that one occasion when…” Looking back on amusing recollections or reminiscing about former events may be a wonderful way to share special moments with others. Examine old photographs and try to recollect specific details from that time.

What made you choose that particular hairstyle? What exactly was going on? What were you doing?

When was the last time you all got together as a family? Make plans for a family outing or a quiet family meal. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to spend time with your immediate or extended family. Focus on the present instead than bringing up old family conflicts. This is also a fantastic time to reminisce or convert the evening into a game night!

Consider having a pet if you’re not laughing as much as you used to because you’re lonely.

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Turn the world around with consistency and dedication

Irrespective of the path of life that one is walking on be it the job or relationship, this is something everyone should decide for themselves…reports Asian Lite News

Raj Shamani, a well-known public speaker and podcaster, has struggled with public speaking since he was a child. Today, he has given over 200 speeches on business, branding, growth, and mental health in over 26 countries.

He is one of India’s youngest entrepreneurs, with a Rs 200-crore turnover company and is also the country’s youngest representative to the United Nations. He began by making soaps at home in two buckets and selling them door to door. Here are some significant insights from Raj Shamani’s SeekhoX session, a platform for young people to learn about education, careers, money, and other topics.

Lesson 1 – Be your own decision maker even if it means making tough decisions

Raj says , “What to do, which city to live in, and with whom to live with – these are the three decisions that every individual should make for themselves.”

Irrespective of the path of life that one is walking on be it the job or relationship, this is something everyone should decide for themselves. These are the stepping stones aka the foundation of your journey and if these decisions are influenced by someone, it can later become a sorry story.

Lesson 2 – Consistency is boring but compounds in the long run

He says, “If you work on something for 6 months with consistency and dedication, you can turn the world around.”

He highlighted that people have a ‘go-getter’ attitude on Day 1 of their start. But, the start is the easiest thing to do. It’s the consistency that’s the catch. Consistency is boring but eventually compounds the end results. His advice to youngsters is to give themselves 6 months with consistency and dedication to see things truly turn for the better.

Lesson 3- Forget self doubt when you communicate with others

Raj says to communicate in the way of “I’m here to speak, you’re here to listen.”

He laid focus on the fact that the way one communicates speaks volumes of their knowledge. His tip for young people is to be confident in who they are and own up. Once you make peace with all that you are, the second step is to communicate with the same confidence and body language. No matter who, what and where, you should speak like you are a speaker.

Lesson 4 – If you want to become rich, start doing a business

He added, “Until you are really good at what you do, you cannot become rich.”

He emphasised on the part that if and only if you are in the top 1 percent of people who are good at that particular skill in the world, you are replaceable. He says a 9to5 can give you stability but it’s not going to make you rich. So instead, work on building a business and then look for ways to monetise it.

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Simple skin care hacks for Summer

People should cleanse and moisturise twice a day to get the best results possible. For the daytime, one can go with a lighter moisturiser and for the night a bit heavier on the skin…reports Asian Lite News

When it comes to skincare, people do get conscious, study about it and put their skincare on the priority list. Considering the climate, people should consciously increase their water intake, and stress more upon coconut water, sugarcane juice and other liquids like cucumber-infused water, to stay hydrated from within. Vaishali Sharda, CEO of Mellow Herbals, asks people to use products that are paraben-free, fragrance-free and sulphate-free.

Her three simple skincare hacks are:

Summer leads to irritated and tanned skin. To treat that, people should start using natural products like aloe vera, mint, marigold, rose water, curd, and sandalwood. Applying these ingredients helps soothe the skin, and rejuvenate the skin from within. Curd when applied to the face acts as an exfoliator and clears dead cells.

As it is summer, people can use products found in the home itself. For example, potato starch can be used for tan removal. You can grate the potato, take its juice, and apply it to all body parts to get the desired results. The same goes with grated tomato juice for uneven skin to make it softer.

People should cleanse and moisturise twice a day to get the best results possible. For the daytime, one can go with a lighter moisturiser and for the night a bit heavier on the skin. Wear sunscreen daily, even if you are indoors, working on a phone or a laptop to protect your skin from all types of harmful rays.

Use products that are made for your skin type, for example, use oily skin cleanser if you have oily skin or vice versa. Product knowledge and the right usage are the keys. Also, people can switch to gel-based products instead of using cream-based products in hot weather. Confidence is different when you glow inside-out.

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Tech products to decor your home

With the spread of smart devices and affordable internet connections, the demand for home automation is poised to increase. Using technology will thus further revolutionise the way we live…reports Asian Lite News

Just like smartphone technologies have been around for years and are always developing and improving. Home tech products also utilise computers and other futuristic gadgets to perform a variety of automated tasks that are generally focused on one goal, making our life simpler. This trend has further picked up in the wake of the pandemic wherein homebuyers are now looking for smarter technology such as no-touch features, home automation, and applications that lessen the number of high touch points in homes.

Smart faucets: Equipped with features such as temperature gauges and efficiency sensors, smart faucets are slowly making their way into homes. They make it easier for people to be careful about how much water is used in their homes, and it is possible to design faucets that can save up to 15,000 gallons of water per unit per year. A critical resource such as water can thus be conserved. Using this technology also conserves energy and since no valves need to be touched, smart faucets are hygienic and contamination-free.

Wireless sensors for doors and windows: These are high-tech devices used for monitoring doors and windows that can provide perfect security for homes and offices. It is a cost-effective security system that alerts homeowners of any suspicious activity. It can be easily synced via the help of smartphone apps and can help people keep a track of the safety of their homes all day long.

Smart Air Purifiers: With increasing levels of indoor pollution in our cities, air purifiers have become a must-have for homes. The importance of breathing fresh and clean air has never been greater. A good air purifier can cut down on coughing, irritated eyes, sneezing, headaches, and other symptoms that are caused by tiny pollutants floating around in indoor spaces. As a result of these filters, airborne toxins from the air are removed, especially those that are known to cause significant health problems.

Smart Home Locks: Smart locks can be keyed or keyless, allowing the deadbolt to be engaged by a code or by a key. New technology also provides tools such as burglar protection, requiring a person to enter random numbers before entering the code, automatically locking the door after 30 seconds, and alerting security systems in case of an intruder.

Smart Lighting: A growth in smart city projects and the development of smart buildings are driving the adoption of smart lighting, thereby boosting the market’s growth. Consumers look for features such as dimming, colour change, and mood settings in their lighting systems now. Google Home and Alexa have been leveraging IoT ecosystems to make products that can be controlled via voice assistants.

With the spread of smart devices and affordable internet connections, the demand for home automation is poised to increase. Using technology will thus further revolutionise the way we live. Home appliances today offer smart, connected, and energy-efficient features that enhance customers’ lifestyles. Smart Home systems have seen massive growth and adoption globally in the past 2 to 3 years, and now Indian consumers are also embracing the Smart Home revolution.

ALSO READ-Style your table and liven up the party

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Style your table and liven up the party

Nothing uplifts the ambience of a party more than an exquisite serving platter laden with mouth-watering nibbles…writes Sanjeev Agarwal

You’ve sent out the invitations, planned the menu, bought all the ingredients and readied a playlist. You’re almost set for your lavish dinner party at home except for one important detail – the table decor! It’s probably just as important as the food and is likely to make a lasting impression on your guests.

At any dinner party, the highlight is always the food and drinks. You’ll find your guests milling around the dinner table throughout the night, so it’s probably a good idea to add a statement piece or two to lift the aesthetic around the table. Sanjeev Agrawal, CEO & Founder, Orvi Surfaces suggests a few tableware and decor accessories you can use to liven up your party.

Raku Vase

Raku firing is an ancient Japanese technique of alternating hand firing and rapid cooling on ceramic to reveal intense colours and patterns. Place a Raku-fired vase topped with a bunch of fresh flowers in the centre of your dining table and watch your table transform into the centre of attention at the party.

Tarkashi Serving Platter

Nothing uplifts the ambience of a party more than an exquisite serving platter laden with mouth-watering nibbles. Handcrafted from Acacia wood with intricate floral brass detailing, Tarkashi serving platters may be guilty of drawing attention away from your food! They’re ideal for presenting finger food and appetisers in a sophisticated way. Plus, you contribute towards sustaining the centuries old art of Tarkashi, an intricate art dying a slow death due to lack of awareness.

Pietra Dura Serving Tray with Handles

Inlaid with the semi-precious Mother of Pearl, the Pietra Dura serving tray is the perfect vehicle to ferry food to and from the table, or even to use as a makeshift charcuterie board. It’s sturdy, light and extremely convenient to use, not to mention a superbly striking accessory for any dinner table.

Intarsio Cake Stand

The combination of natural stone and brass inlay makes the Intarsio cake stand a dinner party must-have. This is a multi-functional handmade decor-piece – when you’re welcoming your guests, top it with delicate flower arrangements or use it as a cheese board, and towards the end of the night, use it to serve cakes, cookies and muffins. This piece is available in a contemporary geometric pattern and also in a delicate flower pattern.

Gravure Coasters

If you’re planning an intimate sit-down dinner, a set of Gravure coasters is the perfect addition to your table setting. These hand engraved pieces have an eye-catching print, inspired by the Jaipur block prints and Paisley design that has been carved into the stone to give them a signature quality. A felt back and sealant coating mean you don’t have to worry about drink spills and stains.

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‘I want to make fitness accessible for entire world’

Fitness talks were formed with a basic idea of positively affecting people’s health and lifestyle so they lead a happier, fitter life… Pranit Shilimkar speaks with N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Besides a great body, fitness and working out has amazing benefits and paybacks. It keeps your body conditioned, your mind disciplines and your heart happy. Don’t take out word for it, Pranit Shilimkar Health and Fitness Entrepreneur, Digital content creator and Founder of Fitnesstalks speaks about why fitness is the need of the hour.

Tell us about your journey into fitness? What was the toughest part of your weight loss journey?

Pranit: My fitness journey began during my college days. I was always a chubby kid with more than a few extra pounds, and that led to insecurities and low self-esteem. It was drastically impacting my mental health. When I first started working out I was surprised with the way my body and mind reciprocated. I soon started to develop a passion for looking and feeling good and that was the first major catalyst for my fitness journey. The toughest part has always been the injuries and dealing with them and the time I cannot work out.

How was Fitnesstalks India formed?

Pranit: Ever since I started working on myself, I realized I had a passion for teaching. I wanted people to experience the same happiness and joy which I experienced from being fit. Fitness talks was formed with a basic idea of positively affecting people’s health and lifestyle so they lead a happier, fitter life.

Tell us about your 37 days challenge? How are you combining Mental and Physical Health in the challenge?

Pranit: The #37dayschallenge is a fitness challenge that attempts to get the best out of you through a rigorous fitness regime over 37 days. You’re provided with a nutritionist and a personal trainer who aid you throughout these 37 days. The aim is not just fat loss, but an improvement in the quality of life through better health. This is why we have also started providing our clients with psychologists in order to understand their mental health conditions and what help they require from us in order to deal with stress and other issues.

What is your vision with Fitnesstalks India?

Pranit: I want to make fitness accessible and engaging for the entire world. It’s my way of leaving a positive impact on the planet, by making people aware of their health and its potential.

What do you do on days when you don’t feel like working out?

Pranit: It usually doesn’t happen that I don’t feel like working out, because not only am I a fitness influencer, but also a fitness entrepreneur. I need to be in a good shape not just for my profession but also for my own mental health. I’m also really passionate about working out, so it’s something I actively seek throughout my day. On the days when I’m recovering or taking a break, I usually take some time off for my family and travel or meet friends I cannot usually see due to my congested schedule.

Advice for people who are just starting their fitness journey?

Pranit: Show up every day i.e be consistent. Start with tiny steps, focus more on being disciplined as opposed to following rigorous diet or workout trends. Also, focus on changing your lifestyle – it has a long-term positive effect on your life. The rest are basics that you shouldn’t ignore – daily physical activity, mindful eating, rest and recovery, and hydration.

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Quality sleep, sound mind, happy world

OSA is definitely not the sleep disorder problem that you can put an end to with a sleeping pill…reports Asian Lite News

Do you sleep ‘soundly’ yet feel sluggish throughout the day? Do you wake up often during the night? Do you snore?

If the answer to either of the questions is a yes then you could be suffering from a condition known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), doctors of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) said on World Sleep Day that fall on March 18.

This year’s theme of the say is: “Quality sleep, sound mind, happy world”.

The sudden demise of the iconic Bollywood disco singer Bappi Lahiri has caused a buzz. The pertinent question is, Can a person succumb to death in his/her sleep?

Doctors say yes, if you are suffering from an undiagnosed sleep condition just like the singer.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is perhaps the most feared but untreated condition. It lacks awareness. A bad sleep at night is often sorted out by taking a pill at night. But, the cause often remains undiagnosed and untreated.

OSA is definitely not the sleep disorder problem that you can put an end to with a sleeping pill.

What makes OSA different from the other sleeping disorders? When we say a person is having difficulty to sleep at night, it could be due to two reasons, either the person is unable to fall asleep or the person does fall asleep at night but wakes up several times due to breathlessness.

The two conditions are very different from each other, the first one is a case of insomnia in which you’ll visit a psychiatrist, while the second one is a case of OSA and that is the case of worry.

OSA is the mother of all major cardiac morbidities and other morbidities in adults as well children. Recent studies have placed the prevalence of OSA at a mean of 22 per cent (range, 9-37 per cent) in men and 17 per cent (range, 4-50 per cent) in women.

It has been observed that obesity predisposes to OSA.

Sandeep Bansal, in-charge of the sleep services of ENT Department with the PGIMER, told IANS that they see about 30 new patients of OSA every month and undertakes about 15-20 sleep studies a month.

Even during Covid-19 times around 10 studies were being done in the department.

He said though there can be multiple reasons for sleep apnea but obesity or being overweight is the one of the main causes of OSA and this is treatable.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was identified as an independent risk factor for severe coronavirus disease, resulting in hospitalisation, according to study findings published last week in BMJ Open Respiratory Research.

The importance of OSA becomes all the more important during the pandemic.

“Obstructive Sleep Apnea usually happens because of repetitive narrowing of the airway during sleep despite breathing efforts.”

The person will unknowingly stop breathing repeatedly throughout sleep. Once the airway is opened or the breathing signal is received, the person may snore, take a deep breath, or awaken completely with a sensation of gasping, smothering, or choking.

Naresh Panda, Head, Department of ENT, told untreated sleep apnea can lead to potentially serious health complications, such as heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes and depression.

It can also leave a person feeling drowsy, increasing the risk of accidents while driving or working and loss of concentration at work, subsequently poor productivity, so an early recognition of the problem and getting it treated is of utmost importance.

Here are some key points about sleep apnea:

Around one in five adults have mild symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, while one in 15 have moderate-to-severe symptoms.

Approximately 1 billion people globally have this condition, but only 20 per cent have been diagnosed and treated.

Menopausal and postmenopausal women have an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

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