Would you shop for a man?

A French dating site is promoting the same giving you the option to pick your type and put the man of your choice in a shopping cart.

The male gaze is already facing stiff competition from the female gaze, and a new French dating website is adding to this divide by treating men like products and allowing women to pick from the site and put men in their shopping carts. Men's profiles are featured as 'deals of the day' and have been categorised into slots including nerd, adventurer, beardless and bisexual. Will this tickle a funny bone or should men be appalled? We quiz both the sexes and find out if the sexist scales are tilting in favour of a skewed version of gender equality.

More about the site Called AdopteUnMec, the site allows ladies to pick the kind of man they would like to meet for an evening out. The idea is to give women plenty of choice and a bargain for their money, as you have to subscribe to get on board. How men feel about being treated like a product? Andrew D'Souza, an advertising professional, feels it's a matter of perception and how one wants to position themselves on the dating scene.

"Personally I hate the idea of being objectified and slotted into categories and being treated like an item on display at a supermarket. However, this may not be the case with other men, for some of them have gone ahead and provided testimonies on the site describing what they desire as their USP. From huggable qualities to their sexual status, it's put out there, seeking contact with like-minded women." Harish Seth, a marketing executive, adds, "I see no harm in it. People tend to take things a tad too seriously at times.

Dating is all about having fun while you get to know someone. This concept is a leveller in that sense as it gives women the chance to be in the driver's seat, calling the shots, and it's all done in a playful way. So, I don't see why anyone would have a problem with it." What women think of men being under the female gaze?

Shivani Gade, a working professional believes that objectifying men or women has become a trend of sorts. It's hard to slot it as black or white as it's catering to a demand, and as long as people are okay with it it's fine." Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, Varkha Chulani, agrees with Shivani and adds, "I think women are coming into their own with regards to their sexuality and for the first time accepting that they can enjoy sex without love as much as if not more than sex with love! Now with this new sexual revolution they are willing to let their hair and clothes down and indulge from a basket of varied kinds.

This website helps in the resource availability! Speaks well for a woman's confidence in their sexual prowess and for once it is being stated unapologetically and without guilt or remorse." She goes on to say, "For once 'romance' is being downplayed and the 'real' thing is at the forefront. No problem really except that there are different strokes for different folks and to that extent everyone who treads there needs to know herself well enough and needs to choose whether they can handle what would ensue from this kind of experimentation." Dr Parul Tank, consultant psychiatrist, feels it's an interesting concept as it gives women a chance to screen guys before they decide to meet them. However, it can be dangerous because even though you are choosing men on the basis of personality types you can never be sure if what you see is what you get."

How does addiction affect children

The various addictions people get into, such as alcohol, smoking, drugs including marijuana use, affects children the most. The whole family suffers due to one person's addiction, but the effects of this become quite pronounced in growing up children. These children have to deal with chaos and an unpredictable situation at home, which could lead to problems in their own life in future.

Many researchers are delving into the lives of addicts to study the effects of their addiction on their innocent children, and how it impacts them when they grow up.

How Addiction Affects Children in the Future

Children who have an addicted parent, usually are at an increased risk of the following:

·         Learning Difficulties

·         Physical Illness

·         Mental Illness

·         Abuse

·         Neglect

The Effects in the Behavior of Such Children

The possible ill effects the children of an addicted parent face are:

·         Disruption of a Normal Family Life: The family life of an addict is bound to be far from a normal life. The children of such households will be witness to domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, depression, mental illness, divorce, etc. There is every likelihood for these children to develop depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies. Most of the time, they carry these tendencies outside of their home and find it difficult to connect to their peers. They become withdrawn, secretive, shy away from making friends, so that they can avoid situations where their friends will know about the affairs at home or witness it.

·         Feeling of Neglect: Most of the time, with one addicted parent, both the parents will not be able to give any attention to their children as they are trying to solve their own problems. This results in the child feeling neglected and this may lead to depression or other psychological problems.

·         Risk of Turning Addicts Themselves: The children of addicted parents are always exposed to the object of their parent's addiction (alcohol or drugs whatever may be the case). Therefore, there is always a risk that the child too may try it out on the sly and get addicted to it in due course and may need rehabilitation.

·         Violent Streak: There is every chance of children developing a violent streak, as they may be constantly exposed to their parents' bickering or fights or being subjected to physical or mental abuse. This could lead to a situation where they land up in jail.

·         Misconstrued Value System: Children get their values from their parents. In the circumstance that they grow up, children are usually confused about what is right and what is wrong. When one of the parent is drinking (they say) to overcome stress or joblessness, children think that is the right behavior and behave exactly in the same fashion when they are faced with such a situation in future.

·         Lost Childhood: Sometimes, when the situation is so bad that the parents are least bothered about the basic necessities of the household, children are forced to go fetch for themselves. This way, they could become school dropouts and live without any structure. Sometimes, they become young adults by looking after their families. This way, they lose out on a regular childhood.

·         Low Self Esteem: In a household where one parent is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and very aggressive, children could become quite timid, scared, and lack self esteem. They will be scared of everyone and everything.

·         Lack of Trust: Since they grow up to be very secretive and shy away from friends, they neither trust anyone nor be trusted by others. This lack of trust will also reflect in their future relationships.

·         Guilt Feelings: Sometimes, when a small child is shouted at, he thinks the fault lies in him. This way, he will start blaming himself for whatever bad happens at home. This guilt feeling will come in the way of his future relationships.

·         People Pleasers: Since children of addicted parents are, most of the time, forced to please their parents, they could turn out to be people pleasers. They will try to please everyone around them, especially those in authority positions. Again, they lose their own identity in this way.

·         Their Future Relationships: Some children from such household may develop clingy behavior. For fear of losing their partner, they will go to any extent to keep the relationship going. On the other hand, some children, having seen so much of insecurity in their parent's lives, fear getting into any permanent relationships and sometimes show a tendency towards insecure relationships.

How to Tackle This Harsh Reality?

Children need a secure home to grow and flourish. Once you understand your addictions, try to take action in eradicating the habit. Once you have gotten rid of your habit, try to concentrate on your children's well being. The child may not exhibit very obvious signs of all the aggressive behaviors he has suffered, but take him to a psychologist see if anything needs to be done. May be put him in a rehab where he will slowly open up to the loving behaviors of the rehab authorities, and come back to the "mainstream" normal behaviors.

Effective Living Clinic

B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Smokin' food substitutes

Now that you have decided to finally quit smoking, it's probably the biggest favour you've done your body. However, beware, the battle hasn't ended there.

One of the most common pitfalls of quitting the habit is immediate weight gain. So you might have to bear that in mind and work on a way to circumvent the problem before it gets out of control. The reason for this weight gain is largely because one's appetite, dwarfed by nicotine until now, suddenly spikes and the urge to snack more, raises significantly. Smokers can finally taste and smell food better, something they couldn't do earlier due to the aftertaste of tobacco. Incidentally, the food you consume to tackle the withdrawal also plays a crucial part in your recovery process.

Finger food
Nutritionist Pooja Singhania says, "Smoking essentially is a habit related problem. When you quit, apart from the withdrawal, you also miss holding something constantly. So switch to healthy finger food such as apple slices, carrots, or celery to keep your fingers occupied and that will in turn help you overcome the habit." A non-food related suggestion to ease out of this habit is to improvise holding a pencil or a pen in your hands while you drive or read to take your mind off it.

Time it
More often than not, it's not what you eat or not eat that helps but more about how and when you eat. "So when you have just given up smoking, space out your meals. Have four to six small meals rather than three big ones. This manages your blood sugar levels and keeps you full," says Singhania. Do not to skip breakfast, as you may end up snacking the entire day.

Foods that help
Try to include some form of high fibre starchy carbohydrate food such as wholegrain cereals, wholemeal bread, brown rice, potatoes and lentils, in each meal. This aids weight loss and will make you feel less hungry. Make sure you are eating large portions of vegetables in your diet, as it will fill you up easily without providing too many calories. Have antioxidant rich food such as oranges, grapefruit, spinach and strawberries. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water is also essential since dehydration further worsens withdrawal symptoms.

Foods that don't
Singhania says, "Heavy meals and spicy foods such as mustard, vinegar, pickles, pepper, can increase smoking urges as well as other withdrawal symptoms. The exact scientific reasons for this are not known. Alcohol seems to be associated with the poor ability to think and reason and therefore may result in failure to stick to the decision to quit smoking or cause a relapse. Inadequate, sleep induces more stress and can increase smoking craving." Mentally try and control the things you used to do that were usually accompanied by a smoke. Find healthier substitutes for the same and keep reminding yourself of your resolve to not smoke. Positive affirmation also goes a long way in boosting your morale through this trying period. Likewise, stay away from caffeine, as it is a diuretic and may cause dehydration. Caffeine increases the intensity of some withdrawal symptoms such as nicotine cravings, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Hence, coffee should be avoided completely.

Exercising is a great way to relieve the stress of withdrawal as it helps release feel good hormones called endorphins which will further aid your resolve to curb your urge to smoke. It will also make sure your metabolism is high and you are physically fit.

Effective Living Clinic
B-3/19, 0:1, Sector 3, Vashi
Navi Mumbai 400703
Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310
www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Tips to have a healthy Diwali

With start of festive season party season also kick starts and so is the series of pre diwali parties. Most of these parties are synonymous with  some serious binging on high calorie food like sweets , dry fruits and fried snacks. If you are not careful you may end up putting on few kilos in the span of very short time.

An average healthy adult man requires around 2,000 calories a day, while an adult woman requires 1,700 kcal. . However, during festivals, one often ends up consuming more than 1,500 extra calories every day through constant snacking in between regular meals.
Few traditional food which are consumed on diwali are very high in calories like Burfee  is 250 calories a serving, 50 gms of cashew contain as much as 450 calories, traditional Diwali foods like 4 pc of matthis contain 250 calories. tikkis (350 calories for 2), jalebis and gulab jamuns (140 calories each). Most of these food contain empty calories and saturated fats . While it is traditional to exchange sweets and gifts during festivities choosing your snack is very important for health and diet.

As most of the people are becoming health conscious so healthy snacks are also finding their way on the party table as well. While all the food is not healthy but you can find something which is healthier than others. For instance, having dahi vada is better than eating tikkis as it some of the fat is absorbed while dipping them in water and it is served with yogurt rich in calcium and protein. Take care while you serve your food avoid sweet chutney or sev while serving and you will save as much as100 calories in one plate of dahi vada. A fruit chat is another choice which you will get in any chat party .

here are a few tips from experts on how to avoid these this season...

Plan your meals. When you are partying during night then eat less through the day. But don't go starve yourself. Eat a light snack like a salad, soup, lentils, milk, yoghurt before you go out. Keep a control on your portion size and choose from the food which you absolutely love as lot of variety of food is available so sticking to 2-3 dishes which are your favourite makes sense.

Choose sweets dishes like shrikhand and rice puddings like kheer and phirni. Other less fattening Diwali sweets include sandesh and pedas.

Keep drinking water as it helps to alleviate false hunger

Choose roasted or baked, grilled or barbequed snacks instead of fried ones.

At home, do not accumulate boxes of sweets or chocolates. Chances are you'll end up gorging on these. Get rid of them by gifting these to others.

Avoid drinking more than two medium measures of alcohol or wine. Alcohol is the main source of empty calories also save yourself from empty calories from sugarby avoiding aerated sweet drinks. Choose diet sodas or fruit juice instead of these foods.

Finally, gift healthy this Diwali, Instead of traditional sweets and namkeens try gifting fruit hampers. Don’t limit yourself just to food while gifting  try other gift hampers too. It helps to shift focus from just food.

Diwali is a festival to spend time with friends and family  So go ahead and have a healthy and Happy Diwali this year.

Rejuvenate greets you Happy Dussehra

Dussehra in the north

In North India, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Dussehra is celebrated with Ramlila, that ends with burning an effigy of Ravan, the ten-headed demon. It symbolises the victory of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, Ravan kidnapped Sita, the wife of Ram, the prince of Ayodhya. Ram along with his brother Lakshman conquered Lanka (Ravan’s kingdom) with the help of Sugreeva (king of monkeys) and his army. The prince returned with his brother and wife on the auspicious day of Dussehra

Durga puja in the east
In Indian states like Orrisa, Assam and Bengal, the last four days of Navratri are celebrated as Durga puja. And on the last day, they take idols of durga for visarjan. They celebrate the victory of Maa Durga over the demon Mahisasura who captured Swarglok (heaven).  The married women then play sindoor khela, where they smear each other with sindoor or vermillion powder.

Exchanging gold in the west
In Maharashtra too, Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil. Other than exchanging gifts and sweets, they also exchange leaves of the Aapta tree. The leaves symbolise gold and are meant to bring prosperity. Maharashtrians also think that it is an auspicious day to start new ventures.

Vijayadashami in the south
In the south, Dussehra is more commonly known as Vijayadashami. In Tamil Nadu, bomai kolu or different dolls and statues are placed on miniature platforms/steps. On the last day, the kolu is removed. In most parts of Kerala, the last day is dedicated to Saraswati puja. It is also known as vidyarambham. Three days before Dussehra, students wrap their books in a cloth and keep it in front of Saraswati (Goddess of learning). They are unwrapped on the day of dussehra and are read in front of Saraswati’s idol.  Little children are initiated into education by making them write on rice.

How do you celebrate Dussehra? Leave us a comment and let us know.Diwali, Christmas, New Year... the festive season has only yet begun and we can already feel the excitement. The best part is it's contagious! Keep Smiling and enjoy life. .

http://www.effectivelivingclinic.com/



Women and ADHD

Men and young boys are more aware of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and are known to have researched it more than women. The early signs of ADHD can manifest themselves as impulsive, irrational or irate behavior over trivial matters in women. When a woman complains of psychological problems, it is by default diagnosed as depression or anxiety and the chance of ADHD being the case is rarely reported. When treatment for ADHD is not prescribed, the patient gains only a partial benefit from the medication advised for depression and anxiety.

Ari Tuckman, a clinical psychologist from Pennsylvania suggests that this sort of a diagnosis is due to a general misconception. He says that ADHD affects both men and women, apart from children, but many think that it is the male population who is prone to it and not the females. When a woman exhibits symptoms of ADHD, it is misconstrued as anxiety and depression.

Identifying ADHD in Girls and Women

The signs of ADHD commonly observed in girls include:

·         Daydreaming

·         Lack of attention

·         Talkative nature

Patricia Quinn, Director of the National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD, says that girls diagnosed with ADHD tend to turn into social butterflies. For instance, volunteering as a monitor, assisting the teacher in her tasks, etc. The signs of ADHD are usually overshadowed by their high grades at school.

Lack of care to diagnose this disorder in adolescence leads to it being carried into adulthood. When these women start taking up responsibilities of work and home, an imbalance of the two spheres leads to anxiety and depression. Other symptoms seen are:

·         Lack of focus at work

·         Inability to match schedules

·         Lack of sleep

·         Overspending

·         Inability to finish work at home

When these symptoms start upsetting them, they may turn to:

·         Overeating

·         Abusing drugs

·         Drinking

Although women experience the same symptoms as men, the strain is more intense for a woman.

Women with ADHD tend to attribute their success to external factors. They are emotionally oriented rather than being focused on tasks to resolve their problems. When her child is diagnosed with ADHD, the mother tends to be more stressed than the father since women consider themselves more responsible for whatever happens at home. In addition to this, a study claims that men are less tolerant with their wives who have ADHD than women whose husbands have ADHD.

Stress takes a toll on ADHD-affected women, disturbing them both physically and psychologically. Women who suffer from such chronic stress are at a greater risk of diseases such as fibromyalgia. In this way, improper diagnosis and wrong treatment of ADHD leads to women suffering silently. Some women hide their disorder from others and withdraw into a shell, cutting their social interactions to the bare minimum. Few end up having low self-esteem and get frustrated in their attempt to be at par with women who don't have ADHD.

Treatment Options for ADHD in Women

ADHD involves multiple aspects like mood, behavior, and cognitive ability. An efficient treatment method would involve getting psychiatric help, stress management tactics, meditation, and a life coach to handle ADHD.

Owing to a lower number of experts who are proficient in managing ADHD, women continue to suffer. Clinicians provide an emotional resolution and work out the interpersonal issues for women with ADHD. A treatment plan which relieves them from this lifelong condition is required.

Some adult ADHD treatment plans include:

·         Behavioral Therapy: This helps women in managing time, maintaining their neatness; provides clarity of thought, better organization; and promotes understanding about their professional and social strengths.

·         Medications: Doctors may prescribe medicines such as Strattera or any other non-stimulants. Antidepressants prescribed by doctors may also help in resolving their ADHD problems.

·         A Life Coach: Some women could seek counsel from a life coach who can help resolve their issues with effective advice, emotional support, and encouragement.

Timely diagnosis and a good treatment will help ADHD-affected women gain happiness and success  in both their personal and professional lives, letting them mingle freely with others without any issues.

 

Are you eating too much sugar?

Sugars are the simplest form of carbohydrate – which can be natural such as from milk (lactose) and fruits (fructose) or can be refined such as table sugar (sucrose). Studies have indicated that we are consuming much more added or refined sugar than our grandparents did 40 or 50 years ago. Unfortunately, when it comes to Sugar, the mantra should be "Less is More". It is high in calories and almost devoid of nutrients.

Why is excess of Sugar a bad thing? The Answer is quite simple. When you eat a food, the sugar (in whatever form) is absorbed into the blood stream. The body detects this, and releases insulin. This not only helps the body to process the sugars, but also triggers the production and storage of fat leading to weight gain. Extra weight isn't the only possible consequence of an overload of sugar. Some studies have found that diets high in sugar can quickly boosttriglycerides, fats in the blood that can clog the arteries. Also, sugary drinks and snacks can set the stage for cavities, especially in children, if good oral hygiene is not maintained.

Finding the Hidden Sugar

There is hidden sugar found in so many foods that we are not aware off. These even include baby foods and foods marketed specifically to children. Here is a list of products where you can find hidden sugar:

• Breakfast Cereals: Watch out for the breakfast cereals as they contain a lot of sugar. Even plain cornflakes also contain sugar. Try to always buy the one which has 'sugar free' written on it.
• Fruit Juices: There are lots of drinks out there masquerading as healthy juices when in fact they have spoonfuls of hidden sugar added to sweeten them up. Here too, try to buy the sugar free or 100% natural one.
• Low Fat: We are witnessing a rise of food labels that say that the product is 'Low Fat'. Most brands now offer a reduced-fat version of their product. The problem is anything that has low fat is bland and tasteless. So in order to patch things up, they replace it with Sugar. So make sure you read the food labels correctly before purchasing.
• Soft drinks: You will be surprised to know the amount of sugar added to soft drinks. A 300 ml can of soft drink can contain upto 33 gm of sugar. Studies show that soft drinks account for as much as 33% of all added sugars consumed. Switch to water and save yourself hundreds of calories a day!
• Energy Bars: Same is the story with energy bars because the primary source of energy is glucose which is nothing but sugar. Always use energy bars only after a heavy exercise. This helps the body to absorb better.
• Ketchup: Ketchup can add 20 percent more sugar than you actually need. Not to mention that you'll get excess of your daily sodium allowance in one tablespoon. Look for low-salt, no-sugar brands, or make your own.
• Canned food: Canned vegetables contain sugar. And everyone knows canned fruit has a tremendous amount of sugar added to it as a preservative. Choosing fresh vegetables is the best because it has nothing added to it.
• Bread: Most processed breads, especially buns, can contain a good bit of sugar or corn syrup. That's what gives them the golden-brown crust.

How much sugar do we need on a daily basis?

According to World Health Organization guidelines, no more than 10 percent of your daily calories should come from added sweeteners. This doesn't include naturally occurring sugars like the ones found in milk and fruit. So, in a diet composed of 2,000 calories, sugar would amount to 200 calories (50 grams or 12 teaspoons of sugar).

Tips to Avoid Sugar

Here are a few tips that will help you lead a sugar free life:

• Read the ingredients list and learn to identify terms that mean added sugars. Ingredients are listed in order of predominance, by weight and usually the first five ingredients listed make up the majority of the product. If any of these are among the first four or five ingredients, the food is sugar rich: sucrose, glucose, corn syrup, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, lactose, honey, molasses, maltose, brown sugar, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, fruit juice concentrates.
• Always check on how many servings per container there are. People don't realize that a big container has more than 2-3 servings, but the number of sugar listed in only per serving.
• Do not sprinkle sugar on your breakfast cereal, use chopped fruit or nuts instead.
• If you have sugar in your tea or coffee, try and wean yourself off it until you can manage without.
• Added sugars are primarily in processed foods. So learn to enjoy foods that are naturally sweet, without added sugar. Natural sugars in foods are part of a complex carbohydrate package that provides fuel and energy for your body.
• Use spices and herbs such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger to enhance the flavor of foods naturally.
• Read labels and Choose foods labeled low-sugar, sugar-free, or sugar-reduced.

With a little knowledge, and a bit of self-control, you can remove some of the hidden sources of sugar in your diet. The suggestion mentioned above help you identify the hidden sugar and help you eliminate it from your diet.

Corp to keep a tab on food stalls at Onam fairs

Onam fairs as well as the food stalls, set up at various places in the city to boost the festive mood, will come under the scanner of the Kochi corporation as the officials have decided to start conducting surprise checks from Friday.
Food inspectors and health inspectors will check the food items like 'payasam', chips and other eatables offered at these fairs, said standing committee chairman, Health Committee, T K Ashraf. Four vehicles would be allotted to officials for the purpose.
"It has been brought to our attention that sub-standard food is being sold at road-side eateries and stalls set up for the festival season. There would be regular inspection till September 7," he told ToI. Raids will be conducted at all zones. It is also decided to grade hotels and eateries in the city. "Grading will be based on quality of food and cleanliness practised in hotels and restaurants," he added.

6 super annoying things about men

Source: Times of India - Rejuvenate

Love them, hate them, hate to love them or love to hate them, it doesn't matter. When it comes to the opposite sex, especially when it involves annoying habits that are characteristic of the male species, we women certainly have a list that seems endless. However, here's the pick of the lot. Six habits of men that are so annoying, you either find yourself tearing your hair out or crying in frustration in the privacy of your bathroom...

Ball scratching: In public. Or even in private. The less said the better. Not just gross and embarrassing, but makes you wish that the earth would just open up and swallow you (or him, depending on how mad you are). Farting and burping also fall in this category. Trust us, that's just not the way we want to know what they had for lunch!

Road rage: Especially against women. How is it that the men always assume that a bad driver has to be a woman? Yes, we might have our leverage with traffic policemen, but that doesn't mean that we travel in amoebic speeds on the road. Pay some attention next time; it just might be one of your own behind the wheel.

The male ego: Fragile is the word that can be used to describe the male ego. Other words that you can use for the same are huge, confusing and even downright deplorable. Here are a few examples of what men think are great ego boosters - vrooming on a bike in the middle of a traffic jam that's a mile long, making a woman feel about three inches tall, confusing two diverse terms like possessiveness and protectiveness... the list is quite endless. Annoying as hell isn't it?

Dirty talk: Or even talk in general. What is hilarious is when they tread on tough topics like 'giving each other space' and 'it's not you it's me'. Not only do they not have a clue about what they are saying, it sounds downright made up, to say the least. And please, dirty talking and bad mouthing is just not the way to flirt. We hate to break your bubble. It is absolutely revolting.

Sheer dumbness: Here's a familiar scene. You are arguing like crazy with the guy you are seeing and at the end of what seems like hours, he asks you, "So what is your problem now". What have we been screaming for the last four hours, retard? Sounds familiar? We don't blame you.

Selfishness: An annoying thing about men is that they live in this little world of their own, where they think that the world revolves around their central axis. Breaking news. It doesn't. Though you might think that everything is about you, it unfortunately isn't. Respect the fact that we have a life that is independent of your likes and dislikes - that is all we ask.

Top 25 reasons to get running

Source: Yahoo - Rejuvenate

 

 

 Running is one of the best forms of exercise, not only for getting fit but for weight control too. A 30-minute run, three to four times a week, trims your waistline, strengthens the cardiovascular system, improves muscle tone and definition and helps foster a positive mental attitude. Running can also be a great social activity. Here are the top 25 tips on why you should start running today.

1. Running is the quickest way to cardiovascular fitness. You get fitter faster by running regularly.

2. Running is one of the cheapest forms of exercising. You only need a pair of running shoes and shorts and T-shirt to get started.

3. Running is easy to learn. Most people have run at some point in their life, either competitively or at school/college, so there is no steep learning curve involved.

4. Running makes you feel good, not only physically, but mentally as well.

5. Running is excellent for reducing stress levels. There is nothing better than a run to clear your head and concentrate the mind. Many great ideas have been formulated on training runs.

6. Running is one of the most flexible methods of training around. Wherever you are in the world, it is nearly always possible to get out for a run. You can jog, steady run or sprint depending on how you feel that particular day.

7. Running is good for your heart. It not only strengthens the heart but also reduces the actual resting heart rate.

8. Running is accessible to all. As long as you are physically able, you can go for a run virtually anytime and anywhere. There are no race barriers to running.

9. Running helps you to lose weight and tone muscles. The more your train and run, the more weight you will lose. Also by toning up, you are getting rid of the excess fat and converting it to muscle.

10. Running is for people of all ages. Old or young, everyone can benefit from running.

11. It is good for your sex life! By being more physically active you increase your sex drive.

12. When run training, you can get away with eating chocolate and legitimately say it is part of your training program.

13. Running is a great way to recover from a hangover. A run will help clear your head faster than sitting around feeling terrible.

14. Running is a great safety aid. Being able to run away from people puts you in a much better position if you are chased.

15. You can use running to change other people's lives. Run for a charity and raise money to help the needy or less able.

16. Running with friends gives you time to catch up on gossip and get fit at the same time.

17. Running is a time-efficient way to get fit and lose weight so you have more free time after exercising to enjoy yourself.

18. Running is a challenge that can be motivational and bring great personal satisfaction.

19. Running is a great way to see a new place if you have limited time available for sightseeing. Just think how much more of a place you can see when running around it compared to walking.

20. Running improves your concentration as you are forced to concentrate more when running. This in turn improves your concentration when you have to focus in other areas of life.

21. You nearly always work better after a run because you are still on a runner's high and feel ready for anything.

22. Running is a great way to meet people, especially if you join a club or enter a race.

23. There are no monthly subscriptions with running. You just put your running shoes on and go.

24. Endurance built-up through running can be transferred to other sports.

25. If you drink alcohol you can just run a little bit further the next day to work off the extra calories.

Chocolate healthier than fruit juices

Source: Mayo Clinic

Chocolate is healthier than many fruit juices and is a 'superfood' in its own right, says a new study conducted by a US-based chocolate company.

Superfoods are high in anti-oxidants and compounds that help prevent damage to healthy cells.

Researchers from the Hershey Centre for Health & Nutrition in the US found that powdered dark chocolate had more anti-oxidants and polyphenols, believed to protect us from cancer and cardiac conditions, the Chemistry Central Journal reports.

They compared single servings of dark chocolate, cocoa, and hot chocolate mix with fruit juices including acai berries, cranberries and pomegranates, according to a Hershey statement.

The research showed that both dark chocolate and cocoa had more antioxidant activity and more flavonols than fruit. Debra Millar, who led the study, said chocolate should be labelled a "superfruit".

Control anger before anger controls You

- Dr. Kurien S. Thomas, Effective Living Clinic, Vashi, Navi Mumbai - Rejuvenate

"A man was polishing his new car; his 4 year old son picked up a stone & scratched on the side of the car. In anger, the furious Man took his child's hand & hit it many times, not realizing he was using a wrench. At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.When the child saw his father....with painful eyes he asked 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?' The man was so hurt and speechless. He went back to the car and kicked it many times. Devastated by his own actions... sitting in front of the car he looked at the scratches, His son had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'. It is said, Anger and Love have no limits...Always remember..... "Things are to be used and people are to be loved" but the problem in today's world is.... "People are being USED & Things are being LOVED."In today’s world we are always being judged / scanned / criticized by one and all; at home, at school, at college, at place of work and at all places that we go.Competitions and performance are over –rated. Televisions, internet and other media have been set on high search and follow mode. People today follow others not according to their taste, but by fame, prosperity etc. of others. The result …. They end up with unsatisfactory taste buds in life. This triggers their stress and stress in turn makes them immobile towards anticipated success thus anger triggers in the individual. Who does not get angry? The answer is everybody does? Every human does because that is his/her way of expression on anxiety or dissatisfaction.Anger has many dimensions to it. Some think an angry tone displays maturity. Some feel an angry expression can bring fear; that is the best mode to bring discipline. Some feel angry words can bring hope. Parents get angry due to anxiety. Some Anger has love in it. But only wise men can recognize the element of love in anger.I read about a 19 year old boy who ran away from his house 3 times. The reason; his mother did not buy a motorbike for him. The anxiety that a parent holds while the child rides the bike is unexplainable. Parents got their right to worry and that worry is translated into anxiety and the anxiety is expressed in anger.Marriages are today held is such a way that parents got no say in the lives of their child. We have a notion with us that we know everything and we can deal with it. That is our side of the story. We do give pre-marital counseling to the to-be-bride & the groom where a detailed study is conducted considering the likes & dislikes a crispy consultation is tabled before the to-be couple. In my personal suggestion the entire family if possible must be given counseling. If not possible as an entire family at least the parents of the bride and the groom must also be facilitated with this unique service. There may be contradictions to my say but let me say that many times due to lack of proper understanding, family issues pop up in no seconds. A gulf is bridged in the family. It would look like a torn bedspread when spread on the bed. The charm is gone. Many families today live like strangers under one roof. The newly wed does not interact with the parents or very limited. Or the parents do not interact with the newly wed. Sibling rivalry, the list goes endless… The reason is perhaps small issues which are concreted so well perhaps stronger than a RCC slab. Sometimes it would be stronger when compared to concreted roads. This is stress in the family-relationships. Concern for each other brings understanding and that understanding is real love.The other day I had written on stress during exams and tips to combat it. Stress to some extend is good but when it goes beyond boundaries of tolerance it turns out to be negative. Similarly, expression of anger to an extend is wise beyond that limit is evil sometimes even destructive.A short advice to the newly married or all those in the wedlock Don’t go to bed angry at each other. It will only get worse in the morning. Young husbands & wives sometimes think that their spouse will “get over it” with a good night’s sleep. Take it from one who knows? It doesn’t work. If you don’t solve your problems, both of you will not sleep well and both will have a bad morning when you do wake up.

Quick tips to control anger before anger controls us

Get out of the situation or place where you are when you got angry•

Try to stop the discussion at once and try to think will it benefit you in any way•

Try to channelize the energy in you to do some activities like cleaning, walking, writing down the causes of that particular situation•

Try to analyse which kind of conversation was responsible to trigger anger in you, rather learn to act tactful in similar situations ahead• Try to think of something else that could calm down your anger (about your family, loved ones etc.)•

Try deep breath –inhale/exhale at least 8 times•

Try to listen to some soothing music.•

Still angry… take a pillow; punch it till your anger wades out.You would emerge stronger when you learn the art to control your anger. Remember, it is human to have anger. It is what you do with it that counts!

Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, very slow to anger.

Dr. Kurien S. Thomas is a certified & qualified Clinical  Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Life Coach, Registered Medical Practitioner in Alternative Medicines & YogaTherapist. He has completed M.S, M.D (Doctor of Medicine in Alternative Medicines), certified & qualified Yoga Therapist from University of Mumbai, Founder and Executive Director of EFFECTIVE LIVING CLINIC and creator of K Yoga Therapy. He is registered with Indian Board of Alternative Medicines, which is recognized by the W.H.O (World Health Organisation) and U.N (United Nations).