Spices to Warm Up Your Winter

Spices are a treasure trove of health benefits. Many boast of properties that can keep a host of ailments at bay, and it’s been backed by research! So, better brush up your knowledge on our Indian spices to keep yourself safe from the morning and evening chills.

Turmeric 
This Indian spice is considered a natural antibiotic. A host of medical studies claim its anti-inflammatory action is sometimes better than cortisone and phenylbutazone treatment. Thankfully, Indian cuisine uses turmeric in most of its cooking. We suggest you bring home this season the wet version of turmeric abundantly available. Ground it using a pestle and add it to your food while cooking. Or simply chop and drop a few pieces into milk, boil. Have it to keep cough at bay.

Cardamom
Tea infused with cloves and cardamom is helpful in preventing coughs and cold during this weather. A common grandmother’s remedy is to boil two-three cardamoms in a cup of water and add a teaspoon of honey, and drink it just before going to bed. It’s said to clear nose and chest congestions. Its aroma is known to uplift spirits and veer away depres I- sion, perfect for I this gloomy I weather.

Ginger 
Indian homes often prepare ginger-garlic paste and use it in most of their cooking. Soups are perfect for winters. Add fresh ginger pieces to chicken soups and relish with garlic bread. It has anti-inflammatory capacities, thus it helps fight throat and chest infections.

Cinnamon 
One of the oldest known spices, knowledge about cinnamon has been increasing every day. It’s said to stimulate blood circulation, thus inducing some warmth. It’s the perfect spice for this cold-hot-cold climate in the city, as it helps strengthen the immune system. A pinch of ground cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey in warm water in the morning will keep you protected. Sometimes, it’s also teamed with ginger to tackle common colds.

Cloves 
Ayurvedic medication relies on cloves to treat respiratory issues. Add two or three to soups, tea, dal and curries to keep cough at bay. Chewing a clove is said to help ease irritations in the throat, and chewing a burnt one is said to tackle cough.

Celebrity Fitness: Deepika Padukone

Former model and national level badminton player, 25-year-old Deepika Padukone, one would agree, has an enviably toned and lean body. The leggy actress has a figure that can carry of both Indian and western outfits with equal finesse and grace.

An excruciatingly strong will power makes it easy for her to stick to exercise routines and diets without wavering. Here are a few things she and her trainer Yasmin Karachiwala are clearly getting right.
 Start young
“All throughout school, I would go for badminton practice from 5 to 7 am,” explains Deepika. “After school, I would practise for another two hours. It was a routine I stuck to every single day while growing up.

So that definitely had a large role to play in how my body developed and maintained itself. However, after I stopped playing, I also discontinued exercising for quite a few years. And my initial training tided me over that period.”

Not known to be a chubby kid, she glided through her initial years of college and modelling without much training. It was only once work became more and more camera- centric that she felt the need to focus on her body and start to tone up again.

“I was always slim but I knew my body had the potential to really look defined. I wasn’t fat or out of shape, but I wanted to look a lot better. This is when I started training with Yasmin and she introduced me to Pilates and strength training. It did wonders for my tone and definition. I may have lost maybe a kilo or two at the most in all this time, but have lost inches all around and it shows,” she says.
Mix it up
Not one to enjoy conventional gym routines, Deepika likes to shake up her regimen with a mix of cardio, Pilates and yoga, constantly trying to mentally push the limits of her endurance and physical potential.

“I do a lot of freehand weights and four to five sets of stretching exercises with 10 to 20 reps, in between Pilates or stretching routines. I don’t particularly like running so I don’t do a lot of conventional gym exercises,” she says. “I try and exercise as often as I can, but when I’m travelling or shooting, I tend to skip it for days on end.”

One of the toughest things for Deepika was the effort to break her sweet tooth. “All my teeth are sweet. It’s my weakness. When I was younger, it was only chocolates; I wouldn’t touch any Indian sweets. But now I crave anything sweet, but I try and be good. I treat myself once in a while,” she says.
Trainer talk
Yasmin goes into the details of Deepika’s training routine and emphasises on how important it is to have self-control and will power to control urges that work against you.

“Deepika tries to come in every day for an hour. But currently, for example, she is in South Africa and hasn’t been exercising for over 10 days. This is when she’ll usually work out at home with Pilates or yoga,” she explains.

Pilates has worked wonders on her body and uses a combination of strength and yoga to tighten the core muscles of the body and relax the mind. As a routine, it helps build flexibility and creates endurance in legs, abdominals, back and arms through resistance training.

It also involves a steady control on breathing that helps to relieve stress and allow proper oxygen to reach core muscles. The flexibility helps coordination and balance and adequately trains all the muscle groups in the body.
Break a sweat

Deepika’s typical workout consists of functional training at the gym with a mix of freehand and light weights, depending on what body part is being worked upon.

In addition, the Pilates machine and props such as resistance bands, wunda chair, foam weights etc, are used for an overall workout. This gives her the lean look without making the body look too muscular. “We also have a jumping series of the Pilates, which is a combination of cardio and Pilates,” says Yasmin. “Here we do the jumping squat or walking lunges that may be accompanied by light weights of a kilo or two. I also like to intersperse a minute or two of cardio between other routines.” Since Deepika exercises daily, to prevent soreness in the body, weight training is kept at a minimum.

“If she has a shoot where she is wearing shorts or a short skirt, we emphasize on her legs; if it’s a halter that exposes her back and arms, we’ll focus on push ups or pull ups, and weights are decided accordingly,” says Yasmin. “For example, she has a beach scene in her upcoming movie, Cocktail, where we worked on her entire body’s look. Usually, it’s light weights and low reps and I like using a lot of props to keep the workout engaging and fun.”

As for her diet, Yasmin encourages eating small meals every two hours that contain a combination of carbs and proteins. “We recently discovered Quinoa, a carbohydrate substitute high in fiber, which has worked wonders for Deepika,” she says.
Food for thought
This is what Deepika’s average meal plan looks like:

·         Breakfast: 2 egg whites

·         Two hours later: Fruits

·         Lunch: Proteins; usually fish and grilled vegetables

·         Two hours later: A fruit or vegetable juice

·         Dinner: Lean meat; grilled chicken or fish

Effective Living Clinic

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

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Age-wise facial guide

Here are some things you should know before opting for a facial or a facial routine

The sun, dirt, grime, pollution, stress - they're all taking a toll on your skin. You may not immediately realise it, but over time it shows. Dehydration due to sun causes fine lines and pigmentation. You could also face breakouts and suffer from blackheads. Hence, it's essential to follow a facial routine that's right for you.

Happy 20s
At 20, most men and women are just starting to get rid of teenage acne and working towards clearer skin. A monthly visit to the spa for a clean up can help delay the ageing process. Go for something herbal and light that provides a moisturising treatment to balance the skin. Ingredients like fresh ginger, turmeric, mint leaves along with tangerine, cucumber and honey can help. A fruit moisturiser treatment can also be beneficial and will exfoliate, moisturise and soften the skin. Ensure that you use all organic and natural products.

Trying 30s
This is the age when your skin starts to change. A facial should rebalance the hydration, balance the sebum and moisturise and improve your complexion. Opt for a facial that includes a gentle massage which will relieve tension. An exfoliating substance will help clear out dead skin cells and should be finished off with a hydrating mask.

Essential 40s
Those with mature skin, aged 40 and above, should be careful of what they use. Since Mumbai weather is rather sticky, cleanse your skin thoroughly and then use a light fruit based gel or cream. Steam can be harmful for older skin. Instead, use a face pack of cold milk, cucumber juices, papaya or even mashed banana according to your skin type.

Handy tips
No matter your age, there are certain ingredients that can work wonders. A light skin polishing that uniformly clears dead skin cells is recommended. Try out a de-stressing aloe vera facial massage that removes impurities and rejuvenates the skin. Always go for fresh fruit, rose, marigold and jasmine based masks that add a radiant glow to the skin.

7 beauty secrets you must know!

We all have read thousands of beauty tips and tried hundreds of beauty products. Mind you, only few are worth following. We share some useful beauty tricks!

Secret 1
Drink water: Thinking it's no secret? Well, forget about the eight glass rule. Make sure you drink just enough that you don't feel thirsty. Says freelancer Prachi, "My skin gets all flaky and dry if I am not well hydrated."

Secret 2
Sunscreen is a must: Sunscreen is a guarantee for youthful skin. UV rays is the most common source of skin cancer and ageing. Be it rains or sunshine, make sure your skin is nicely smothered with sunscreen- and you know the rule- apply it 15 minutes prior to walking out so the body absorbs it properly.

Secret 3
Moisturise: Make sure you have a moisturizing body lotion that includes a self-tanner. It helps you hide spider veins on your legs and give a slimming effect all over.

Secret 4
Hands and neck are important too: Treat your hands and neck like your face. Wash, cleanse and moisturize. Apply suitable creams and rub it nicely on your neck and hands to make sure they glow as much as your facial skin.

Secret 5
Exercise! If you want glow on your face, facials are not the only option. Workouts help improve blood circulation and oxygen capacity. So hit the treadmill and enjoy the healthy glow!

Secret 6
Eat right: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Stress a lot on vitamin A, C and E and they help deal with skin issues. Applying antioxidants on the skin also help...

Secret 7
Feel good: Do things that make you feel great about yourself. If you look happy you will automatically feel the glow. So smile and stay cheerful!

Effective Living Clinic

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

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Jet lag disorder

Jet lag, also called jet lag disorder, is a temporary sleep disorder that can affect anyone who quickly travels across multiple time zones. Jet lag is caused by a disruption to your body's internal clock or circadian rhythms — which tell your body when it's time to be awake and when it's time to sleep. The more time zones crossed, the more likely you are to experience jet lag.

Jet lag can cause daytime fatigue, an unwell feeling, difficulty staying alert and gastrointestinal problems. Jet lag is temporary, but it can significantly degrade your vacation or business travel comfort. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent or minimize jet lag.

Symptoms of jet lag can vary. You may experience only one symptom or multiple symptoms. Jet lag symptoms may include:

·         Disturbed sleep — such as insomnia, early waking or excessive sleepiness

·         Daytime fatigue

·         Difficulty concentrating or functioning at your usual level

·         Stomach problems, constipation or diarrhea

·         A general feeling of not being well

·         Muscle soreness

·         Menstrual symptoms in women

Symptoms worse the farther you travel
Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two of travel if you've traveled across at least two time zones. Symptoms are likely to be worse or last longer the more time zones that you've crossed, especially if you travel in an easterly direction. It's estimated to take about a day to recover for each time zone crossed.

When to see a doctor
Jet lag is temporary. But if you are a frequent traveler and continually struggle with jet lag, you may benefit from seeing a sleep specialist.

A disruption to your circadian rhythms
Jet lag can occur anytime you cross two or more time zones. Jet lag occurs because crossing multiple time zones puts your internal clock or circadian rhythms, which regulate your sleep-wake cycle, out of sync with the time in your new locale. For instance, you lose six hours on a typical New York to Paris flight. That means that if you leave New York at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, you arrive in Paris at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday. According to your internal clock, it's 1:00 in the morning, and you're ready for bed, just as Parisians are waking up. And because it takes a few days for your body to adjust, your sleep-wake cycle, along with most other body functions, such as hunger and bowel habits, remains out of step with the rest of Paris.

The influence of sunlight
A key influence on your internal clock is sunlight. That's because the pineal gland, a part of the brain that influences circadian rhythms, responds to darkness and light. Certain cells in your retina — the tissue at the back of your eye — transmit the signal of light to an area of your hypothalamus, a part of your brain. The signal is then sent to your pineal gland. At night, the pineal gland releases the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin. During the day, melatonin production is very low. So you may be able to ease your adjustment to your new time zone by exposing yourself to daylight in that new time zone.

Airline cabin pressure and atmosphere
Some research shows that the changes in cabin pressure associated with air travel may contribute to some symptoms of jet lag, regardless of travel across time zones. A July 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that simulated air travel at cabin pressures equivalent to 7,000 to 8,000 feet of elevation produced symptoms of altitude-related malaise (a feeling of unwellness), muscular discomfort and fatigue. In addition, most airline cabins circulate very dry air, which can be dehydrating. And mild dehydration can contribute to feelings of malaise, headache, and eye and nasal discomfort.

A few basic steps may help prevent jet lag or reduce its effects:

·         Arrive early. If you have an important meeting or conference — anything that requires you to be in top form — try to arrive a few days early to give your body a chance to adjust.

·         Get plenty of rest before your trip. Starting out sleep-deprived makes jet lag worse.

·         Gradually adjust your schedule before you leave. If you're traveling east, try going to bed one hour earlier each night for a few days before your departure. Go to bed one hour later for several nights if you're flying west. If possible, eat meals closer to the time you'll be eating them at your destination.

·         Regulate bright light exposure. Because light exposure is one of the prime influences on your body's circadian rhythm, regulating light exposure may help you adjust to your new location. If you have traveled west, wear sunglasses and avoid bright light in the morning, and then allow as much sunlight as possible in the late afternoon for the first days in your new location. If you have traveled east, bright sun exposure in the morning hours will be the most beneficial to helping your body adjust to the local time.

·         Stay on your new schedule. Set your watch to the new time before you leave. Once you reach your destination, try not to sleep until the local nighttime, no matter how tired you are.

·         Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your flight to counteract the dehydrating effects of dry cabin air. Dehydration can make jet lag symptoms worse. For the same reason, avoid alcohol and caffeine, both of which dehydrate you further.

·         Try to sleep on the plane if it's nighttime at your destination. Earplugs, headphones and eye masks can help block out noise and light. If it's daytime where you're going, resist the urge to sleep.

Effective Living Clinic

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

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

 

Is your jealousy ruining it for you?

Having good friends can be one of the best things in life. Friends accept us just the way we are and we can tell them things about our life that we cannot share with our family.

They are there through our joys and sorrows and offer us support. But sometimes jealousy can creep into the friendship knowingly or unknowingly and can change the whole equation. And it need not be your friend who's jealous, it could be you too!

Jealousy is an emotion that is not restricted only to romantic relationships. When we are friends with someone, almost all the time there is a mutual sharing of feelings and emotional dependency. When the friendship is in the process of being built or when the dependency in the friendship increases, insecurity can develop. For example, we could be jealous of our friend's job or promotion, or jealous of another friend who we think could threaten our friendship.

How to beat it

The first step is admitting that one is jealous. Secondly, one must make a resolve to overcome the jealousy and not let it affect the friendship. Here are some tips.

- Doing a self-analysis is important in order to understand the reasons why one is jealous, from where and why are these feelings of jealousy are coming from?

- Lack of confidence can lead to insecurity about losing the friendship. Speaking about your feelings is a great way to let it out of your system. And for all you know, even your friend may have the same feelings.

- Turn your feelings of jealousy into motivation. If you are jealous that your friend has lost a lot of weight and looks better than you, motivate yourself to lose weight and look better for yourself and not just to compete with him or her.

A jealous friend?

You genuinely like your friend but sometimes you can't help but notice that he or she is jealous of you. Be prepared to deal with nasty comments, possessive behaviour and manipulation but at the same time remember not to be harsh because he or she is your friend after all. Here's some advice to deal with the downside of a jealous friend:

- He/she might be insecure about losing your friendship and thus, is envious of your other friends. Do not give into emotional blackmail.

- Most of the jealousy stems from insecurity. Therefore, compliment your friend on his or her strengths and help them with their weakness. Motivate them to do better in life.

- If your friend's jealous behaviour is steadily increasing to the point that you are distressed, you need to have a straight chat with him or her. Tell him/her how their constant criticism, snide remarks are hurting you. And how you are willing to forgive them because you cherish them but you won't keep quiet for long and want to resolve the situation.

Put your best face forward!

With the wedding season just around the corner, experts tell Zeenia F Baria how you can look your best

It's that time of the year - when you're inundated with invitations for wedding functions, parties and other social engagements. And while you decide what you're going to wear, you also need to take care of your hair, skin and make-up, more so, since the weather has slowly started to change.

Skin care

According to cosmetologist Dr Jamuna Pai, with changes in the weather, increasing pollution and stress levels, your skin is bound to bear the brunt. "Keeping this in mind, your skin care regime should change as per climatic changes. The most common skin problems this time of the year include dry and flaky skin, cracked lips and heels. Treat your skin well by-

Pamper your skin

-Treat chapped lips with a lip balm or petroleum jelly. You could also apply ghee, which locks in moisture. Never lick your lips to wet them, this causes them to dry out even more.

-An oil massage for the body will give your entire body a glow. Use any oil of your preference - olive, coconut or baby oil.

-Mix a moisturiser with your sunscreen and apply it on your face to avoid skin getting dry and flaky.

-Anti-oxidants and Vitamin C taken on a regular basis will help you achieve healthy and glowing skin.

-Drink sufficient water and have juices of deep coloured vegetables. This helps your skin remain fresh.

-Using a sunscreen at least twice a day is a must. Apply it on your face and on all exposed areas of your body.

-Oily skin can benefit from an orange face wash, a gel containing vitamin C, bio sulphur, aloe vera, turmeric, witch hazel and AHA. For dry skin, use a gentle face wash containing vitamin C, milk, soya, sulphur, and aloe vera.

-Use a hydrating herbal mask, (to which you can add cucumber or papaya), a fruit mask, pearl, seaweed or silver mask, to give a glow to your face.

Body care

Dermatologist Dr Bindu Sthalekar says that following a simple skin regimen goes a long way in looking picture perfect. "What you put in your mouth is as important as what you put on your face. Your inner glow will add to your outer glow. Hence, pay attention to both. Drinking enough water, getting adequate sleep, identifying your skin type and using appropraite products, following a skin care routine of cleansing, moisturising, using a sunscreen and exfoliating should be a part of your beauty regimen."

Diet Limit consumption of maida, sugar, colas and oily food to a minimum. These are empty calories, which can cause acne, hormonal imbalances, increase in facial hair and hairfall.

Hands, feet and nail care Use a soapless cleanser for your hands, apply sunscreen, soak your feet in warm water, apply a moisturiser on your feet and nails at night. Avoid using too much nail polish and remover - it results in a yellowish tinge.

You could also opt for treatments in a skin clinic. These include microdermabrasion, chemical peels and hydradermabrasion, which exfoliate skin, improves tone and texture, and reduces pigmentation. Exfoliation of the back is another popular technique, as are chemical peels for dark elbows and knees, cellulite treatment, laser hair removal, etc.

Make-up

This is the time of the year when most social events take place. As a result, some amount of make-up becomes a must. It is important that you take it all off, so as not to end up with breakouts, clogged pores and whiteheads.

-Be gentle while removing make-up around the eyes.

-Take off your make-up or the day's grime with a cleansing milk, which contains milk and honey, and gently exfoliate dry skin with a natural strawberry scrub which contains tiny granules.

Hair care

With the change in weather, you need to pay extra attention to your tresses. Trichologist Dr Apoorva Shah says, "The cold air of winter is more drying and less humid and, therefore more abusive than other times of the year. Since we spend lesser time in the sun, the natural highlights nature paints into our hair become less noticeable and hair loses its healthy shimmering look."

Washing: Hair requires limited amount of washing, enough to cleanse your hair of dirt. Be extra careful so that your natural hair oils are not depleted due to excessive washing.

Moisturise: Apply jaborandi hair oil thrice a week.

Stay hydrated: Ensure a minimum intake of 10 to 12 glasses of water daily.

Conditioning: For healthy hair, a normal conditioner should suffice or for the last rinse, coconut milk can be used. Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair. Don't rinse out all your conditioner, or re-apply a very light coat after towel-drying. For oily air, apply conditioner to the ends to keep hair healthy and prevent frizziness.

Reduce static: Hair static is caused by a lack of hair moisture. Brush with natural instead of plastic bristles.

Hair do's and don'ts:

-Towel dry your hair

-Never brush it when it is wet. This is a good season to eat healthy hair foods like dates, methi, spinach, walnuts and bajra.

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Anti-Aging Treatment with Vinotherapy or Wine Facials

Gold facials, diamond facials, collagen treatment and the lot, are old news. In vogue today are the different concoctions of wine facials for the elite. Wine facials are the next big thing in skin care and a wonderful anti-aging therapy. Lately the whole range of wine - red, white, grape, apple and elderberry - is being used in some form of treatment or facial therapy. Red wine, which was predominantly used to raise a toast to health and wellness, is being used to revive the glow in aging skin. The merlot wine has caught the imagination of the ever-growing upper middle class as a potent therapeutic these days. Although the home-made beauty treatments of yore - the multani mitti or grandmother’s secret fruit facials - might still manage to charm one, it is the pricey wine facial which is hogging the spotlight at the moment.

The virtues of wine facial are improved blood circulation and reduced wrinkles. It is one of the best ways to revitalize skin. Although priced relatively high compared to its counterparts the vinic treatment is justified in visible results. The wine may be used in conjunction with Ayurvedic cream or regular cream depending on one’s skin type. The glow from a wine facial is incomparable and because they have a purely herbal base, they are useful in curing infections. Regular sessions over a period of a few weeks result in a clear, blemish free skin. Its antioxidant properties and grape seed polyphenols coax collagen production back in your sagging skin. The benefits of consuming wine are not hidden. Moderate wine consumption is associated with: reduced cardiovascular health risks, for example, resveratrol in grape skin is known to have cardio protective effects; chemo protective effects; decrease in the risk of lung cancer; and decrease in the risk for Alzheimer''s disease. The therapeutic effects of wine in vinic facials just add to the long list of its benefits. Wine has been a favorite drink throughout history, be it as a ceremonial drink, an ode to camaraderie, and offering to God, an accompaniment to delectable cuisine or the cup of winebibbers. Lately it is big in the beauty business as well. A plethora of wine-based facial products are being promoted these days in order for clients to regain their youthful look. Wine-based products have taken anti-aging treatment to a whole new level. Besides the traditional red wine, wines concocted locally from fruits and herbs like fennel seeds, cardamom, apples and apricots are also used as innovative and alternative wine facial treatment. But the question remains if the wine therapy is suited for all skin types. Not all treatments are suited for every skin type. But ingenuity and innovation are the key words in the business. Wine is especially good for oily and acne prone skin as it reduces chances of acne formation. The therapeutic quality of wine relaxes the skin muscles. Almond may be added to the concoction for dry skin and aloe for oily and acne prone skin. Grape wine is a preferred wine, because it is an excellent anti-oxidant. Wine therapy is also being used in spas in conjunction with ayurvedic therapies to soothe frayed nerves and relax the stressed tissues as a passive form of exercise. The procedure helps in the production of anti-bodies, soothes the nervous system, improves circulation and builds up the immune system. A gamut of vinotherapy offerings will leave you perplexed on what to choose! For example, the combination of wine facial and ayurveda indulges the body and awakens one’s mind and senses. This east-meets-west treatment is formulated with a rich blend of wine and exotic herbs that moisturize the skin and rejuvenate ones senses. This is the ultimate in vinotherapy. The seeds, skin and leaves of grape contain polyphenols and procyanidols which exert antioxidants, so here is what you can consider for yourself in the salon or spa: A wine bath for entire body and muscle relaxation. A full body exfoliant, done with crushed pips for shine. But remember, this spa treatment is for those with deep pockets or for special occasions. A wine facial done with flower essences and a mix of mud massaged with grape oil and exfoliants. In conclusion - A healthy skin program includes cleansing, toning and nourishing. The skin suffers if it is not cared for. The human skin breathes, inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. It needs to absorb sufficient vitamins, minerals and enzymes in order to facilitate breathing. Wine acts as a catalyst that promotes this breathing process. The most beautiful women throughout history have relied on jealously guarded beauty therapies. Some of the most exciting beauty formulas derive their success from wine. Wine is the most common ingredient in natural beauty recipes. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and interacts with specific natural ingredients to help cleanse and beautify the skin, hair and body. If your favorite salon has added a vinic facial to their list, you should definitely indulge in it to benefit from the secret to a youthful skin.

Secrets of longevity

Protect Your DNA

As we age, the ends of our chromosomes -- called telomeres -- become shorter. This makes people more vulnerable to disease. You might think there's nothing you can do, but new research suggests otherwise. In a pilot study, lifestyle changes boosted an enzyme that increases telomere length. Other studies also find diet and exercise can protect telomeres. So healthy habits may slow aging at the cellular level.

Be Conscientious

An 80-year study found one of the best predictors of a long life is a conscientious personality. Researchers measured attributes like attention to detail and persistence. They found that conscientious people do more things to protect their health and make choices that lead to stronger relationships and better careers.

Make Friends

Science has given you one more reason to be grateful for your friends – they might help you live longer. Australian researchers found elderly social butterflies were less likely to die over a 10-year period compared to people with the fewest friends. Another analysis of results from 148 studies supports the link between plentiful social connections and longevity.

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Your friends’ habits rub off on you, so look for companions with healthy lifestyles. Studies indicate obesity is socially “contagious" –  your chance of becoming obese increases by 57% if you have a friend who becomes obese. Smoking is another habit that spreads through social ties, but the good news is that quitting is also contagious.

Quit Smoking

While it's no secret that giving up cigarettes can lengthen your days -- the amount of extra time may surprise you. According to a 50-year British study, quitting at age 30 could increase your lifespan by an entire decade. Kicking the habit at age 40, 50, or 60 boosts life expectancy by 9, 6, or 3 years, respectively. 

Embrace the Siesta

A siesta is standard in many parts of the world, and now there's scientific evidence that napping may help you live longer. A recent study with 24,000 participants suggests that regular nappers are 37% less likely to die from heart disease than occasional nappers. Researchers think naps might help your heart by keeping stress hormones down.

Follow a Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fish. An analysis of 50 studies involving more than half a million people shows the impressive benefits of this diet. The findings show it significantly lowers the risk of metabolic syndrome – a combination of obesity, elevated blood sugar, increased blood pressure, and other factors that raise your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Eat Like an Okinawan

The people of Okinawa, Japan once had the longest life expectancy in the world. Researchers attribute this to the region's traditional diet, which is high in green and yellow vegetables and low in calories. Some Okinawans make a habit of eating only 80% of the food on their plate. As younger generations have veered from these traditions, life expectancy in Okinawa has fallen.

Get Married

Several studies show that married people tend to outlive their single counterparts. Many researchers attribute the difference to the social and economic support marriage provides. While a current marriage offers the greatest benefit, people who are divorced or widowed have lower mortality rates than those who have never been married.

Lose Weight

If you're overweight, slimming down can protect against diabetes, heart disease, and other life-shortening conditions. Belly fat appears to be particularly harmful, so focus on deflating that spare tire. A 5-year study of Hispanics and African-Americans suggests eating more fiber and exercising regularly are effective ways to reduce belly fat.

Keep Moving

The evidence is overwhelming – people who exercise live longer on average than those who don't. According to dozens of studies, regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some forms of cancer, and depression. Exercise may even help you stay mentally sharp in your old age. Ten-minute spurts of activity are fine, as long as they add up to about 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week.

Get Spiritual

Research suggests people who attend religious services tend to live longer than people who never attend. In a 12-year study of people over age 65, those who attended services more than once a week had higher levels of a key immune system protein than their peers who attended no services. They were also significantly less likely to die during the study period. The strong social network that develops among people who worship together may contribute to their overall health.

Forgive

Letting go of grudges has surprising physical health benefits. Chronic anger is linked to decreased lung function, heart disease, stroke, and other ailments. Forgiveness will reduce anxiety, lower your blood pressure, and help you to breathe more easily. These benefits tend to increase as you get older.

Use Safety Gear

Accidents are the fifth most common cause of death in the U.S., and the top cause of death for people ages 1 to 24. Wearing safety gear is a simple way to boost your odds of a long life. In the event of a motor vehicle crash, seatbelts reduce the risk of death or serious injury by 50%. In bike accidents, most deaths are caused by head injuries, so always wear your helmet.

Make Sleep a Priority

Getting enough good quality sleep can lower the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mood disorders. Sufficient sleep will also help you recover from illness faster. Burning the midnight oil, on the other hand, carries serious health risks. Sleeping less than 5 hours per night boosts the risk of premature death, so make sleep a priority.

Manage Stress

Dean Ornish, MD, has published research suggesting that lifestyle changes including stress management not only help prevent heart disease, but may actually reverse it. Although avoiding stress is not a viable option for most people, there are effective ways to control it. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference.

Maintain a Sense of Purpose

Finding hobbies and activities that have meaning for you may contribute to a long life. Japanese researchers found men with a strong sense of purpose were less likely to die from stroke, heart disease, or other causes over a 13-year period compared to those with a low sense of purpose. Another study at Rush University Medical Center indicates that having a greater sense of purpose is linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Look like a diva this winter

Winter makeup doesn't mean you have to look washed out. Here are some trends you can choose from to look like a diva this season.

Bold lips: A statement pout is an evergreen trend. So go ahead, dab on some fiery red lipstick and turn heads. Make sure you line your lips well before the application so that your pout doesn't look smudged. Also, if you are going heavy on the lips, keep the eyes kohl-free. Just dab on some gold eyeshadow to highlight your brows and mascara to open up your eyes.

Pink blush: In winter, the skin often looks dry and pale. Blush is a good way to create the illusion of rosy chheks. To apply the perfect brush of blush, suck your cheeks in and apply blush on the apple of your cheeks. Don't overdo it. Round off with neutral or light pink gloss and dewy eye makeup.

Nature inspired: Nature inspired trends are in this season. Use an eye quartet that has the colours of autumn like gold, browns and beige. Alternatively, if you are bold enough, go for white eye makeup: white liner, white shadow with silver accents.

Go goth: Dark eyes and lips make a gothic combo. But this winter play it up with a twist: use metallic eye shadow instead of the susal opaque black. For the lips, go for a glossy scarlett or deep maroon.

Foods that makes your skin beautiful

Eating a well-balanced diet not only improves your health, but also boosts your beauty too. Your supermarket can be the source of many such food which not only benefit you if you eat them but provides you a healthy glow on your skin if you apply them as a part of your beauty routine.

Avocado

This one is real gem, rich in antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fatty acids; it keeps the skin naturally smooth by replenishing protective layer of fatty acids. This prevents the dehydration. Use it in place of normal mayonnaise, salads, smoothies or dips to enjoy the health benefits.

For a natural anti aging beauty mask mash ¼ of ripe avocado and mix it with ¼ cup of yogurt, spread with the finger and leave for 10-15 minutes rinse off with water. Lactic acid in yogurt helps in exfoliating the skin and fatty acids in avocado stimulate collagen and elastin production to keep it supple and firm.

Tea

Teas are known for their rich antioxidants, green and white tea  contain a special compound known as  EGCG which protects the skin from the damage which is caused due to exposure to sun and pollutants.

Other than drinking it, when applied during final rinse on hair it helps to create natural highlights and shine in hair. Prepare an infusion, let it cool and apply on your hair and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with normal water to reveal shiny and glossy hair.

Strawberries

Strawberries are rich in ellagic acid and vitamin C which is essential for collagen production, higher intake of vitamin C is also associated with prevention of wrinkles and skin dryness. Ellagic acid helps in fading of dark spots and holding moisture in the skin. So enjoy few in the season and keep your skin soft and supple.

To apply them on blend few strawberries with lemon juice in a blender and mix with yogurt, apply the mixture for 15 minutes and rinse off with water.

Cocoa

Many of us chocoholics are aware of rich antioxidants flavanols which provides the chocolate its rich taste and cancer fighting properties. You can apply it on your face to get an instant glow.

Mix 2 tbsp of dark unsweetened cocoa powder with 2 tbsps of non fat milk pwder and use it like a beauty mask.

Coffee

You daily pick me up cup of coffee is great to brighten up your skin too, this prevents the skin from wrinkles and sagging caused by sun damage. But larger doses can cause adverse effect by causing dehydration.

Caffeine also acts as diuretic (takes out water from cells), it helps in removing under eye puffiness and is an important ingredient in anti-cellulite creams.

Used up coffee grounds can be rubbed off on skin on the areas like thighs, upper arms or buttocks where cellulite is generally concentrated.

Eggs

Eggs contain two rich anti-oxidants lutein and zexanthin which provide protection against UV damage , Damage caused by UV rays can result in appearance of fine lines, dark spots. Eating one egg a day can significantly increases the level of these two antioxidants and thus protect from UV rays damage.

Yogurt

A combination of calcium and phosphorus will protect your pearly whites from cavities by strengthening the tooth enamel. Its rich in protein which is required for production of collagen (keeps the skin younger looking).

Apply a thin layer on your skin to remove dead skin and opening up the skin pore by action of lactic acid present in this. Mix a tbsp of honey in ½ cup of plain yogurt  apply as hair mask and wash off after 30 minutes to reveal beautiful lustrous hair.