Gold Medal for Dr. Kurien

Dr. Kurien S. Thomas, Founder - Executive Director of Effective Living Clinic and Chief Editor of Rejuvenate an online health and beauty magazine from Effective Living Clinic received Gold Medal Award from Indian Board of Alternative Medicines for his extra ordinary contributions in the field of Alternative Medicines. Dr. Kurien is an excellent Corporate trainer, Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Yoga therapist, Life Coach, Writer, Orator, Philanthropist, Counsellor and a registered Medical Doctor practicing in Alternative Medicines at Vashi Navi Mumbai. His areas of specialization includes stress management, dilated cardiomyopathy due to stress, life coach, yoga therapy, prescribing exercises, clinical psychology, psychotherapy, building up positive personality, improving inter-personal relationships, counselling, treating various physical ailments with alternate medicines, etc. He has trained numerous executives, managers, students, housewives, retired personnel etc. to become successful in their personal and professional life. He has delivered lectures on various subjects all over India and Abroad. His unique approach blends synergy of the wisdom of the east and transformation technologies in the west.

Effective Living Clinic

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

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Working mums healthier than stay-at-home peers

Working moms are less likely to be depressed and are healthier and happier compared to their counterparts, who prefer to stay at home when their kids are very young, a new study has suggested.

Researchers analysed National Institute for Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development data, beginning in 1991 with interviews of 1,364 mothers shortly after their child's birth and including subsequent interviews and observations spanning more than 10 years.

"In all cases with significant differences in maternal well-being, such as conflict between work and family or parenting, the comparison favoured part-time work over full-time or not working," said lead author Cheryl Buehler, PhD, professor of human development and family studies, at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

"However, in many cases the well-being of moms working part time was no different from moms working full time."

For example, mothers employed part time reported better overall health and fewer symptoms of depression than stay-at-home moms, while there were no reported differences in general health or depressive symptoms between moms employed part time and those who worked full time, the study said.

The part-time and full-time working moms also showed no significant differences when it came to the women's perception that their employment supported family life, including their ability to be a better parent.

The analysis found that mothers employed part time were just as involved in their child's school as stay-at-home moms, and more involved than moms who worked full time. In addition, mothers working part time appeared more sensitive with their pre-school children and they provided more learning opportunities for toddlers than stay-at-home moms and moms working full time.

Particularly in tough economic times, employers looking for cost savings hire part-time employees because they typically do not receive the same level of benefits, such as health insurance, training and career advancement, the authors pointed out.

"Since part-time work seems to contribute to the strength and well-being of families, it would be beneficial to employers if they provide fringe benefits, at least proportionally, to part-time employees as well as offer them career ladders through training and promotion," said study co-author Marion O'Brien, PhD, professor of human development and family studies, also of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Mothers who participated in the study were from 10 locations across the U.S., and included 24 per cent ethnic minorities, 1 per cent without a high school degree, and 14 per cent single parents. The number of mothers employed part time was fairly consistent at about 25 per cent of the total over the span of the study, although mothers moved in and out of part-time work. Part-time employment was defined as between one and 32 hours per week.

The study has been recently published in APA's Journal of Family Psychology.

How long to court before you commit

Your courtship might be a fairy-tale romance and marriage is the next thing that is on your mind.

But do you think you have spent enough time with your would-be partner or know him/her well enough to stay with them forever? If you have the slightest doubt, then hold on because before you realise it you may not even like to be in the same room as that person.

The latest example being of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphery's larger than life wedding. The couple tied the knot after dating for less than a year in a lavish ceremony but their marriage was a 'big mistake' as Kim has been heard quoting. This is not the first time such a thing has happened and there is a awfully long list of famous people who married rather impulsively.

Says psychiatrist, Anjali Chabria, "More than time it is about how realistic you are about the relationship. They do not see the warning signs even if they are right in front of them and just hurry into tying the knot."

An international daily quotes that there is a brain chemical that is responsible for triggering the feeling of love. The chemical called Dopamine makes you feel overly positive which might make you overlook the fact that your union may not last that long.

This positive feeling wears off in about six months and that is when fights start happening and the generally cute habits become irritating.

A lot of times people do not realise that their future plans do not match and issues start cropping up later in the relation, according to marriage counsellar Riddhi Patel. "There have to be common goals with respect to children, money, work etc. And for all this you need to spend time with each other before getting married," she says.

Social networking may promote alcohol use

Social networking may be promoting alcohol use among young people in so subtle a manner that users are not even aware of it.

"It (social networking) is being employed to organise events, communicate with people while out drinking, and enabling participants to share photos of their socialising and drinking online," said Antonia Lyons, associate professor in psychology at Massey University who led the study.

Lyons said the research has also revealed that just as some people saw excessive alcohol use as a way of excusing behaviour, some social networking users were expressing similar attitudes about their Facebook pages, according to a university statement.

Researchers talked with groups of people aged between 18 and 25 years about different aspects of their online behaviour, drinking experiences and exposure to celebrities drinking via pop culture websites.

Lyons said that while the respondents believed the links between social networking and alcohol promotion were pleasurable, fun and exciting, they were not aware of how closely aligned the marketing of alcohol had become with their online usage.

"For example, many participants see themselves as 'savvy' online in respect to alcohol promotion and yet they spend time on alcohol brand sites, 'friend' them on Facebook, and engage in online interactions (such as playing alcohol-centred games or posting photos)."

Drinkify is a website that matches a person's musical tastes to particular drinks. A new iPhone cover has been designed to double as a bottle opener and it comes with a free app that counts how many bottles have been opened, and plays selected music each time it is used, Lyon said.

Is there a best time to exercise?

Not really, say experts. For most people the best time to do exercise is the best convenient time. If you are doing exercise at a particular time daily then you are more likely to see results.

It is often found that those who do exercise in the morning are more disciplined and are unlikely to skip exercise at any cost unlike those who do exercise in the late evening.

Though there are researches on exercise they are still limited. So it is difficult to fix the right time to exercise. "Some people can wake up early in the morning and can easily do exercise without fail. But others are lazy to get up early. So for them it is always better to do it according to their convenience," says Bindu S, a fitness expert.

But some research shows that you have more endurance in the late afternoon as the body temperature is at its highest and so strength and endurance are greater. "Not many can afford to workout when they feel like due to various family and work commitments. So even if you are doing your workouts at a time you despair, don't feel sorry for your body can easily adapt to any circumstance," says George Joseph, a personal trainer. George says more than the physical aspect missing the exercise routine can have psychological impacts. "The guilt feeling that you could not do the exercise can bring forth many negative emotions. This would affect your productivity the whole day.

So, the good news is, whether it is morning or late evening what matters is you do the exercise regularly.

So, happy exercising folks!

Generalized anxiety disorder

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. However, severe, ongoing anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder.

It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or as an adult. Generalized anxiety disorder has similar symptoms as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety, but they're all different conditions.

Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be a long-term challenge. In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or mood disorders. In most cases, generalized anxiety disorder improves with medications or psychological counseling (psychotherapy). Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills and using relaxation techniques also can help.

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. They can include:

·         Constant worrying or obsession about small or large concerns

·         Restlessness and feeling keyed up or on edge

·         Fatigue

·         Difficulty concentrating or your mind "going blank"

·         Irritability

·         Muscle tension or muscle aches

·         Trembling, feeling twitchy or being easily startled

·         Trouble sleeping

·         Sweating, nausea or diarrhea

·         Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat

There may be times when your worries don't completely consume you, but you still feel anxious even when there's no apparent reason. For example, you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones, or you may have a general sense that something bad is about to happen.

Symptoms in children and adolescents
In addition to the symptoms above, children and adolescents may have excessive worries about:

·         Performance at school or sporting events

·         Being on time (punctuality)

·         Earthquakes, nuclear war or other catastrophic events

A child with the disorder may also:

·         Feel overly anxious to fit in

·         Be a perfectionist

·         Lack confidence

·         Redo tasks because they aren't perfect the first time

·         Strive for approval

·         Require a lot of reassurance about performance

When to see a doctor
Some anxiety is normal, but see your doctor if:

·         You feel like you're worrying too much, and it's interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life

·         You feel depressed, have trouble with drinking or drugs, or you have other mental health concerns along with anxiety

·         You have suicidal thoughts or behaviors — seek emergency treatment immediately

Your worries are unlikely to simply go away on their own, and they may actually get worse over time. Try to seek professional help before your anxiety becomes severe — it may be easier to treat early on.

As with many mental health conditions, what causes generalized anxiety disorder isn't fully understood. It may involve naturally occurring brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It's likely that the condition has several causes that may include genetics, your life experiences and stress.

Some physical health conditions are associated with anxiety. Examples include:

·         Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

·         Heart disease

·         Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism

·         Menopause

Things that may increase your risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder include:

·         Being female. More than twice as many women as men are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.

·         Childhood trauma. Children who endured abuse or trauma, including witnessing traumatic events, are at higher risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder at some point in life.

·         Illness. Having a chronic health condition or serious illness, such as cancer, can lead to constant worry about the future, your treatment and your finances.

·         Stress. A big event or a number of smaller stressful life situations may trigger excessive anxiety.

·         Personality. People with some personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders than are others. In addition, some personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, also may be linked to generalized anxiety disorder.

·         Genetics. Generalized anxiety disorder may run in families.

·         Substance abuse. Drug or alcohol abuse can worsen generalized anxiety disorder. Caffeine and nicotine also may increase anxiety.

Generalized anxiety disorder does more than just make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical health conditions, including:

·         Depression

·         Substance abuse

·         Trouble sleeping (insomnia)

·         Digestive or bowel problems

·         Headaches

·         Teeth grinding (bruxism)

·         Substance use disorders

You may start by seeing your family doctor. However, you may need to see a psychiatrist or psychologist if you have severe anxiety or if you also have another mental health condition, such as depression. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. A psychologist and certain other mental health providers can diagnose mental health conditions and provide counseling (psychotherapy).

Because there's often a lot of ground to cover during an initial appointment, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and know what to expect from your doctor or mental health provider.

What you can do
To be prepared for your visit, it can be helpful to think about a few things ahead of time and write down some notes to take with you. Things to write down include:

·         A list of your symptoms. Include when they occur and whether anything seems to make them better or worse. Also note how much they affect your day-to-day activities, such as work, school or relationships.

·         What's causing you stress. Include any major life changes or stressful events you've dealt with recently. Also write down any traumatic experiences you've had in the past.

·         Any health problems you have. Include both physical conditions and mental health issues.

·         A list of all medications you're taking. Be sure to write down the doses, and include any vitamins or supplements you take.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

·         What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?

·         Are there other possible situations, psychological issues or physical health problems that could be causing or worsening my anxiety?

·         Do I need medical tests or other tests?

·         Are there any restrictions or steps I need to follow?

·         Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider?

·         Would medication help? If so, is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?

·         Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

Psychotherapy
Also known as talk therapy and psychological counseling, psychotherapy involves working out underlying life stresses and concerns and making behavior changes. It can be a very effective treatment for anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common types of psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Generally a short-term treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching you specific skills to identify negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with positive ones. Even if an undesirable situation doesn't change, you can reduce stress and gain more control over your life by changing the way you respond.

Effective Living Clinic

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

Navi Mumbai 400703

Tel: 9987223811 / 9969105310

www.effectivelivingclinic.com

Why should I quit smoking

Stop Smoking Tips provides all the information on how to quit smoking

According to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20% of male and female adults in the U.S. smoke cigarettes, while more than 80% of them light up a cigarette every day. The reason why smoking has become such an issue is because the addictive effects of nicotine lead to various types of cancers, strokes, and heart attacks. As such, everyday is the RIGHT TIME to quit smoking.

The main goal of Stop-Smoking-Tips.com is to assist smokers aspiring to quit smoking and prevent smokers from having the urge to start smoking again. Once you quit smoking, you can immediately feel the health benefits of your decision within 24 hours, which could lead you to be free from smoking cigarettes forever.

The information on this website is based on evidence from research on stop smoking programs, stop smoking aids and counseling, which are aimed at helping people to quit smoking for good.

For smokers, to Stop Smoking is really a tough action to take. Majority of smokers want to quit smoking, but find it difficult to do so as nicotine is very addictive and hard to get rid off. We will teach you the easiest, most effective and systematic methods to stop smoking, which are tested by various studies worldwide. We will also provide you with a clear understanding of the dangers of smoking and the benefits of quitting smoking.

There are two factors that will determine your success in quitting smoking for good. They are;

• Will – You must have the desire to give up your habit of smoking and create a strong will to avoid a smoking relapse.
• Mindset – You must learn about the effects of smoking, understand its consequences and face the fact that you need to stop smoking and follow, finish and maintain a quit smoking plan.

In Six straightforward and easy steps, you can stop smoking and live a normal and healthy life same as that of a non-smoker.

Step 1: Think About Quitting

According to a recent survey, around 15 million smokers try to quit smoking each day. However, less than 3% of these people stop smoking successfully for 3 to 12 months. If you’re thinking about quitting or have stopped smoking but failed to quit, don’t lose hope because smokers often try to quit more than once before they actually succeed.

In this section, you will learn about the history of cigarette smoking, facts about smoking, smoking cessation and benefits of quitting smoking. To give you a strong reason to quit smoking, this section will also tackle dangerous diseases – such as lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, etc – caused by smoking cigarettes. In addition, this section will explain the reasons why it is extremely hard to quit smoking, hurdles in quitting and possible nicotine withdrawal symptoms that you may encounter throughout this process.

Step 2: Effects of Smoking

Years of clinical studies have proven that using Tobacco causes people to become sick, disabled or die. Since the first Surgeon General’s Report in 1964, over 12 million smoking-related deaths have occurred. More than 500,000 deaths in the U.S are caused from smoking-related illnesses. Adult smokers reduce their lifespan by an average of 13 to 14 years.

In this section, you will learn about the dangerous effects and health risks of smoking. You will understand the facts about smoking addiction, the hazardous effects of smoking on a pregnant woman, on passive smokers, on your facial charm, on your teeth and on your general well being. You will also learn how stress could play a role in cigarette smoking. This section also deals with the effects on secondhand smoke, effects of smoking on vitamin A and C, dangerous effects of smoking on men and women, as well as the differences between cigar and pipe smoking.

Step 3: Preparing To Quit Smoking

The first key to quitting smoking successfully is planning and preparation. You need to prepare your body and mind before actually quitting. Determine your personal goals, discover your reasons for quitting and get rid of temptations that may become a hindrance to your stop smoking program. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, a drug that is addictive and can make it very hard, but not impossible, to quit.

In this section, you will face the facts about nicotine addiction before your last stick of cigarette. You will learn the most effective steps to be followed when planning to quit smoking. You will also find out about the real reason why it is so hard to quit smoking. To help you plan your quit smoking program, you need to confront your personal reasons to start quitting and understand what you need to do stop smoking. This section also deals with the psychological recovery stages to stop smoking and provides helpful tips to quit smoking.

Step 4: Stop Smoking Tips

Even if you have no idea where to start and what to do, you can quit smoking as long as you have the mindset and commitment to do so. Stop smoking tips can help you create a good stop smoking plan and lifestyle changes that could lead to a healthier, smoke-free life.

In this section, you will learn some of the simplest ways and useful tips to quit smoking for good. You can choose from several psychological areas that can help you to stop smoking based on your lifestyle. This section also deals with stop smoking tips that will help your loved ones quit this deadly habit and tips on how to overcome nicotine withdrawal symptoms using an effective stop smoking plan, attending support groups and establishing a smoking cessation program.

Step 5: Stop Smoking Aids

When smoking cigarettes has played a large part in your life, quitting smoking may not be that simple. Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved seven over-the-counter stop smoking aids – five of these help in managing nicotine withdrawal symptoms, while the other two help in reducing cigarette cravings.

In this section, you will learn about different proven stop smoking methods like Water Therapy (not to be confused with leaky faucets troubleshooting), Psychological Therapy and Nicotine Replacement Therapy. This section also deals with other useful stop smoking aids such as nicotine nasal sprays, nicotine lozenges, nicotine inhalers, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and stop smoking pills.

Step 6: Stay a Quitter

After sometime, some quitters get back to their smoking habit due to temptation and persistent nicotine carving. Some may slip and puff “just one cigarette”, while others experience total relapse. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers who quit are at greater risk of relapsing in the first three months of becoming smoke-free.

In this section, you will learn effective methods in avoiding nicotine carvings, while training how to control urges through breathing exercises. To understand what you are going to experience through this process, you need to learn and manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This section also tackles steps to manage weight gain, discusses FAQ on common frustrations of a quitter, handle traumatic events without a cigarette and other possible solutions for ex-smokers.

Stop Smoking Products

Some people may find it difficult to quit smoking without any aids, nicotine replacements, or an electronic cigarette.  If you’re one of them, you still have hope because there are numerous stop smoking products available in the market today to make quitting an easier journey.

In this section, you will discover the quit smoking products available in the market today, reviews of each product and ranking of the top quit smoking products. To understand what each product can do for your body, the frequently asked questions section about ‘Quit Smoking’ Products can help you understand and choose an appropriate stop smoking product for your program.

Recommended Quit Smoking Products

The following products are the best quit smoking products available in the market and have been proven to help you stop smoking forever. Do try them out and stay smoke free forever.

Buy Chantix - Best recommended quit smoking drug by Pfizer. FDA approved and clinically tested chantix proven to be the best drug for those who want to quit smoking and stay free from the addiction. Chantix is also marketed as champix and you can buy champix in many countries. Varenicline, Chantix and Chantix are different names for the same quit smoking pills produces by Pfizer.

Health Risks of Smoking

Smoking is one of the main causes of serious health diseases, such as cancer, stroke and heart problems. If you have no plans of quitting today, having knowledge of the different types of illnesses that you may experience through years of smoking may change your perception and lead you to stop smoking.

In this section, you will discover how smoking affects various parts of the body including the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, heart, skin, blood, etc. Here are some possible health effects of smoking:

• Lung Cancer
• Heart Diseases
• High Blood Pressure
• Bad Breath
• Gum Disease
• Depression
• Snoring
• Diabetes
• Infertility on men and women
• Thyroid Disease
• Harmful effects on Bones and Joints

This section also includes tips for reducing the health risks of smoking like heart attacks and blood pressure as well as dangers involved in breastfeeding while smoking.

Possible ways to reduce stress

- Dr. Kurien S. Thomas

*Wake up at fixed time everyday and hit for a short workout after your cleansing
routine is over. Never be too late for bed.
*Maintain proper hygiene and dress well to impress you first.
*Have a healthy breakfast without fail.
*Carry only those things that you really need for the day.
*Check your vehicle for right tyre pressure and fuel needed for the day.
*Promise only those things you can deliver. Promises cuts down your flexibility and time.
*Learn to say “NO” to friends and relatives when you cannot make it or do.
*Make a phone call before you leave for an appointment.
*Buy clothes that are easy to maintain and carry while traveling.
*Donate those things you don’t need at home.
*Walk a stroll after meal to make you feel more comfortable.
*Plan holidays and celebrate happy occasions of loved ones as a family.
*Instead of repeatedly instructing children on do’s & don’ts, write them on a board in their room.
*Keep your home neat and tidy.
*Store important things, files organized and at safe locations, so that its easy to reach when needed.
*Plan your actions for the day.
*Pay bills in time. These days you can opt for e-banking.
*Cultivate a habit of saving money. Even little money saved regularly can be seen big accumulation at some point of time.
*Eat at right time and try to avoid junk. Junk only adds calories. You need to have the right food for nutrition.
*Drink enough water to hydrate yourself always.
*Plan some get-together with family or some short travel or something that can bring smile on your face every month.
*Have hand picked trustworthy friends instead of having loads of friends.
*Develop some hobby of your interest.
*Talk to your best friend/ life partner things that you are really concerned about openly. Probably, they can help you out.
*Avoid alcohol, instead opt for fresh juice.
*Balance everything in life to give life a meaning.
Finally, there is no right time to change for the better but NOW.

Effective Living Clinic

                     Bringing Positivism in Life 

We welcome you to Effective Living Clinic at Vashi, Navi Mumbai, India, an unique clinic that caters to psychological as well as physical cure in most scientific and natural way. Effective Living Clinic gives a professional touch to your issues and would bring positivism in your Life. 

We all need right guidance and moral support to excel in life sometimes....real good professional touch to cater to exact needs that you currently face. At Effective Living Clinic, we provide scientific guidance and therapeutic care for relief from pain and suffering, instill confidence and mental peace, mend relationships and help you take right decisions at the right time both in your personal and professional life.

A complete rejuvenating experience awaits a tourist coming to India for wellness tourism as they surrender to the expert services of wellness therapist and age old Ayurvedic therapy.  At Effective Living Clinic we have the unique blend of goodness of age old ayurveda with modern techniques that are believed to counter the effects of stress and pollution from urban lifestyle environment.

Today in India,  Effective Living Clinic is seen as a preferred Wellness destination with Yoga, K Yoga, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Therapeutic and Wellness Massage, etc. together with medication which alleviates stress, removes toxins, tones skin with anti-aging properties, removes unwanted fats in the body, reduces weight, adds vigor along with providing nourishment and pampering the body and mind.

The potential of Wellness tourism is being further explored by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.  Over the years, Medical Tourism has gained momentum and today India is medical tourism hub. More and more tourist are coming to India to avail State-of-the-Art health care services at an affordable cost.

Effective Living Clinic has the advantage of having highly qualified and experienced doctor and medical professionals with world class infrastructure in terms of Clinic and if need be take guidance and treatment from the best hospitals around to take care all of your medical needs. Effective Living Clinic also provides counselling and psychotherapy sessions to those needed during your visit to the Clinic to channelize your mind and relationship that brings positivism in your life.

Visit Effective Living Clinic to enjoy the unique experience of your journey from illness to wellness.