Tuesday 18 October 2022

Don't Panic: You Can Beat The Coronavirus

Don't Panic: You Can Beat The Coronavirus

The virus has reached pandemic proportions, but simple hygiene and food safety practices can defeat it India has seen a sharp rise in cases of coronavirus, with the total number of people infected going up to 28. Union minister for health and family welfare Harsh Vardhan has said that a majority of those confirmed with the virus are tourists from Italy.

But the Indian government is advising precaution—even Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he wouldn’t hold any ‘Holi Milan’ to celebrate the festival, in light of the advice to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, 2020, COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, has affected more than 90,000 people and has claimed more than 3000 lives ever since it was first detected in China, late last year. The novel coronavirus—now named SARS-CoV-2—is a new strain from a family of viruses that includes the one which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SarsSARS), and it is a strain that has not been previously detected in humans. With no cure or vaccine in sight, prevention stands as the best cure for COVID-19.
There is no need to panic, say health experts. Here are the everyday hygiene and food habits to keep in mind and ensure you keep the virus at bay:
  1. Wash your hands frequently, using soap and running water. If soap and water aren’t easily accessible, frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub.
  2. To prevent yourself from falling ill, ensure that you wash your hands after coughing and sneezing, after providing care for the sick, before handling food, and after contact with animals or animal waste.
  3. Avoid close contact with people running a fever or with a persistent cough. If you are sneezing or coughing, ensure that you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a flexed elbow. Make sure you get rid of the tissue immediately and wash your hands.
  4. Seek immediate medical care if you catch a cold or fever, or have trouble breathing. Be sure to share your travel history with your healthcare provider. Also, avoid interaction with those traveling from affected areas.
  5. Avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals, if you are visiting markets in novel coronavirus–affected areas.
  6. Strictly avoid the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. Ensure stringent food safety practices while handling raw meat or other animal products such as dairy, to prevent cross-contamination with uncooked food. Avoid using the same knives and chopping boards for raw and cooked foods.
  7. If you have cold-like symptoms, stay indoors. Avoid close contact with others and frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
Treatment Options
Since there are no specific treatments available for the virus, people admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 infections are treated for the symptoms, while their immune systems rally to fight the virus off. In severe cases, where the virus results in pneumonia, respiratory support may be required and it can result in severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death. 
A few things you can do if you start seeing mild symptoms of the disease, which range from respiratory difficulties, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties are:
  • Take pain and fever medication
  • Take measures such as a hot shower or use a room humidifier to help ease a sore throat and cough
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Stay at home and get supportive care
  • Get medical help if your symptoms persist

Friday 31 July 2020

Sunday 26 July 2020


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCna3aXJ1so

Thursday 5 January 2017

Coconut Oil Works Wonders for Your Face! Know its Beauty Benefits

Coconut Oil Works Wonders for Your Face! Know its Beauty Benefits

Having a flawless complexion and a spotless skin is everybody's dream. Using just a little bit of coconut oil on your face, takes away years from your skin, making it look younger and beautiful. A little bit of coconut oil for your face can make your skin spotless, and prevent it from premature aging.


A coconut tree has countless uses. Every part of the coconut tree is used for a productive cause. For instance, its leaves are used for making mats, the water inside the coconut is the purest form of water and is prescribed for recuperating from various illnesses, the nascent leaf shoots are used in salads, the sap of the tree is used to make a beverage called 'neera', the trunk of the tree is used for making canoes, roofs and hats, and the list of uses of coconut tree goes on. Such is the generosity of the coconut tree, that it came to be called the Kalpavriksha by the Indians. The name translates to a 'wishing tree' in Sanskrit, as it fulfilled every wish of the coastal inhabitants along the Indian coastline. So, for those wishing for beautiful skin, your wish too is granted! Coconut oil is the best natural skin care product that you could have ever stumbled upon!

Benefits of Coconut Oil for the Skin
Coconut oil is known to work the best for acne. Whether they are zits, pimples, blackheads or whiteheads, it has a remedy for all. Coconut oil is a rich source of capric acid and lauric acid. These acids get converted into monocaprin and monolaurin, a type of an acidic shield on the skin formed with the help of good microbes. Coconut oil is a rich source of vitamin E, an important element in keeping your skin healthy and clear.
Make a simple application of a drop of coconut oil on the affected area. Leave it overnight and continue this process till the size of the acne begins to diminish. As coconut oil penetrates quickly, it soothes the inflammation and reduces the chances of scarring. The vitamin E content of the oil promises effective functioning of the sebum glands, thereby reducing blockages and causes of acne.

Softens Skin
Buy a simple bottle of coconut oil meant for topical application and use it like you would use your face cream. Preferably, use it in the night to avoid any settling of dust particles on the skin in the daytime when you are outdoors. The deep-moisturizing and fast-absorbing property of coconut oil keeps the skin hydrated and prevents it from any loss of moisture. It is a promise that your skin will be as soft as feather by the next morning!

Fights Infection
The inherent antifungal and anti-bacterial properties of coconut oil prove to be extremely beneficial for the skin. Regular usage of coconut oil helps in keeping infections away. It also cures the skin-related disorders such as eczema, dermatitis and other rashes. A good facial massage with this oil everyday will help you keep your skin smooth and supple.

Other Applications of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has other uses as well. You can finally end your long suffering with dandruff and frizzy hair with this oil. Apply a cup of warm coconut oil on your hair and leave it overnight. Wash your hair with any normal shampoo and see the difference for yourself the next morning! Your hair will have regained its shine, softness and life once again!

Health Benefits
Coconut oil for your face will bring about positive changes in your complexion and texture of your skin. Other than that, the health benefits of coconut oil are innumerable. Coconut oil is also effective for hair growth. It helps to relieve stress, maintain cholesterol levels, increase immunity, improve digestion and metabolism, provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, dental problems and builds bone strength. Coconut oil can also assist weight loss. The lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid present in the coconut oil make antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial in nature.
Before you apply coconut oil on the face, make sure that you've cleaned your face properly. Avoid using the oil in day time, as it will attract dust particles and pollutants, blocking the pores and increasing the chances of acne. Do a small patch test with the coconut oil before you begin using it on the face, to know whether it's meant for you or not. Beauty does not lie skin deep, which makes it mandatory to change your eating habits a little for glowing, healthy skin. So, get your bottle of coconut oil and begin the change today!

Dry Skin Around the Nose and Great Ways to Fix It

Dry Skin Around the Nose and Great Ways to Fix It

The most common cause for dry skin around nose is exposure to such environmental conditions as high heat and low humidity. In addition to this, dry skin could also be the result of allergies, acne and a number of skin problems.



Dry skin around nose may be due to harsh weather conditions, or it could also be a sign of an unnoticed medical problem. Winter, when it arrives, brings along with it the persistent problem of dry skin - dry hands, dry feet, and dry skin around nose, mouth and all over the face. However, there are many causes of dry skin around the nose, even apart from winter.


Winter Itch

Cold weather wrecks havoc on the skin. As your skin is robbed of its moisture, it becomes more prone to dryness and itching. To relieve yourself of the problem, make sure that you do not wash your face excessively, or with very hot water. You may opt for a face wash instead of soap; usually they are milder and specially designed to protect the delicate skin of your face. Also don't forget to moisturize your face daily with a suitable winter face-cream.

Self Care Measures

~ Keep yourself hydrated. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day helps eliminate the problem of dry skin in general, be it on your hands and feet or your facial skin.

~ Stress and lack of sleep can also trigger peeling of the skin around your nose. Meditation and light exercises can help resolve this problem.

~ If you have dry skin that flakes, then it might cause blackheads and dark spots as the dead cells clog your facial pores. Regular exfoliation is a must to keep dry skin at bay. A light facial exfoliator, shower loofah or even a wash cloth can help you remove the dead skin off your nose.

~ If you have dry skin, then you must keep it moisturized. Vitamin E enriched skin creams and natural moisturizers like aloe vera and olive oil can help reduce the skin peeling and dry skin.

~ Wash your face with lukewarm water and mild cleansers instead of harsh soaps.

~ In addition to this, use cosmetic and other products formulated for your skin type. If you observe constant problems of dry skin around nose despite these measures, then you should consult a dermatologist for proper advice.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.

Harmless Factors That Affect Your Dreams

Harmless Factors That Affect Your Dreams

There are many factors that affect our dreams. If you were exposed to black and white television as a child, your chances of having a monochrome dream increase. Yeah! Many people who are 60 and above claim to get black and white dreams. Now that's a really strong influence.

Now That's Cheesy!
Think again before going for that big slab of blue cheese, you may get nightmares at night. It's unbelievable, but totally true. Consumption of different cheese types affects your dreaming differently. According to a study by the British Cheese Board, eating blue cheese before going to bed results in more nightmares, whereas eating cheddar leads to pleasant dreams. In fact, cheddar cheese also makes you dream about celebrities. It's time to gorge on some cheddar!

Movies
Remember watching that super-romantic movie and getting mushy dreams of your partner? Scary movies means nightmares for the next few nights for most of us. Movies influence our dreams, more so if you watch one immediately before going to bed. So, the next time you wake up screaming in the middle of the night, you know what to blame!

Pregnant
Many pregnant women get dreams related to pregnancy and babies. This is pretty natural, considering how much they keep thinking about their yet-to-be born little darling. Some women also get dreams of losing their child in a forest, which probably happens because of anxiety. Lack of sleep, fluctuating hormone levels, and stress are responsible for such dreams. But there's nothing to worry, it's just a little nervousness about entering an important phase of life.

Sounds
You dream that your apartment has caught fire and the fire alarm is ringing, only to wake up and find that it's nothing but your own irritating alarm clock. Sounds do shape dreams more than you think. Soothing music calms the brain and results in relaxing dreams. You may dream that you are a rock star or attending a concert if some rock music is going on in the background as you nap. The volume matters, as very loud sounds will wake you up, whereas the soft ones won't really make a difference.

Abstinence
Quit smoking a year ago, yet dream about taking a drag? You're not alone. Studies have shown that 63% of those who quit continued getting dreams about smoking even after a year. Nicotine withdrawal enhances brain activity, which is why dreams become vivider. Abstaining from alcohol or dieting can also affect dreaming. Basically, what our body craves, our mind fantasizes about.

Medications
Certain medications and drugs can also affect the way you dream. Vitamin B6 is said to encourage lucid dreaming. Of course, that doesn't mean you take too much of it, as it may damage your nerves. Certain drugs suppress the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which means less dreams, whereas others stimulate it to make you dream more. If you are getting too many nightmares, your antidepressants could be the culprit.


Hunger
Dreaming of chocolate cake or French fries too often? You probably just need to eat a light snack before bed. Going to bed hungry leads to food dreams (no surprises there). Expect dreams of comfort foods or things you've been craving for, as they're constantly in your mind. Dieters tend to dream about food too often. Wonder why!

Mood
Our psychological state affecting our dreams shouldn't really come as a surprise. Our dreams are like a reflection of our subconscious, so they are shaped according to our state of mind. If something has been bugging you for a while, there's a possibility you may dream about it. Whether good or bad, your state of mind will impact your dreams.

Scents
Mom baking yummy chocolate chip cookies, and you getting pleasant dreams when you nap is not just a coincidence. The scent of flowers, perfumes, or freshly baked goodies will lead to happy or positive dreams. Expect some bad dreams when you smell garbage or smoke. You can dream of fire when something is burning. Basically, our mind will associate smell to the events in our life.

Importance of Communication Skills Needed for Success

Importance of Communication Skills Needed for Success

Good communication skills are an indispensable asset without which the goals -- be it in any field -- may not be realized. For communication to be effective, keep your message simple, short, and succinct.

 Communication refers to the exchange of thoughts and ideas with the intention of conveying information. Communication is a two-way street that includes vocalization as well as gesticulation. The purpose of communication is to convey one's beliefs, ideas, thoughts, or needs with clarity so as to reach a consensus or a mutually acceptable solution.

Modes of Communication
Communication, simply suggests the command to express the self with complete justification to thought. The mode of communication may be written or verbal. However, what overrides mode is the manner in which a message is communicated.

Written Mode
What matters in the written mode of communication is the manner in which you frame your sentences.

The reader ought to understand your piece of writing verbatim. Unless you plan to pen a piece, where you would be glad to entertain multiple perspectives, let your write-up stay pat without the diktat of distich words or sentences.
Constructing the text in a way that it is lucid and sticky is a virtuous art few master with consistency. Writing for an audience means catering to every strata and serving different degrees of understanding.
Using technical jargon and dual-drumming words only contribute to confusing the reader. Short sentences containing 15 to 17 words work well and curb the opacity creep in the write-up.
For the audience to absorb the crux of your write-up, communicate with consistency and subtlety. If you are keen to use a new word from the dictionary, do so; just avoid overdoing it. A succinct and concrete writing style brings forth a transparency of sorts.

Verbal Mode
A misconception: Majority believe that the verbal mode is far better than the written mode of communication. However, this is not the case.

Your tone, intonation, expressions, choice of words, and punctuating the sentence to control its fluidity are components that well govern the verbal mode of communication.
Effective communication is possible, when you are bone hard with the subject at hand. If you are not aware about the nuances of the subject, better not put the audience through the agony of getting garbled with the concept.
Know the facts; there are times, when a member from the audience poses a dicey question. It would do a good turn to your reputation, if you are well acquainted with the relativity of the subject. However, if you are unable to answer the question, be subtle, and decline the opportunity politely.

The power of listening comes into play, when one ought to touch base with effective communication. Being attentive and listening to what is being said, facilitates comprehension. Be it a conversation or a presentation, heed it for clarity of meaning. Catnapping, more often than not, is blatantly visible, and comes across as a rude shock to the speaker with two-fold embarrassment for the listener.

The Importance
The importance of communication skills cannot be underestimated. Good communication skills are necessary in all walks of life. The lack of effective communication skills have a negative impact on the personal as well as professional life of a person.

- Good communication skills are a prerequisite for healthcare providers. -- Ineffective communication, rather than incompetence, precludes the doctor from conveying to the patient that the former has the best interests of the patient in mind. For instance, a doctor may be knowledgeable and may have considerable expertise in his area of work. However, a patient may feel neglected or ignored if the doctor is not particularly good at communicating. The disillusioned patient may also consider getting a second opinion. A simple miscommunication, especially, when a one is ill, makes one feel awful. A good health care provider, who is able to put patients at ease with a few comforting gestures and words, will definitely be an asset to any hospital.

- A teacher, who is able to communicate well with students, can inspire them to learn and participate in class. -- Workplace communication can improve by participating in a facilitated workshop. A workshop facilitator needs to be able to communicate. Without effective communication, the goal of workshop facilitation cannot be realized. The facilitator needs to be able to identity dormant participants, and encourage them to come forth with their views without seeming overly patronizing. All this is impossible unless the facilitator has astounding communication abilities coupled with a natural empathy toward fellow beings.

- Good communication skills are an invaluable asset to a salesperson since he/she is entrusted with the task of convincing the prospective buyer about the wisdom of investing in a product. -- This is done by assessing the needs of the buyer and suggesting a product that would meet the buyer's requirements. The product may offer a vast array of easy-to-use features that would definitely help in improving the quality of life of the user. Who better to convince the buyer about the multitude of features that the product has on offer, than a salesperson with a flair for words!

- While the importance of verbal communication cannot be underestimated, one cannot do away or ignore written communication. -- A simple billboard, carrying a well-written message, manages to hold our attention at a crossing. Authors have been mesmerizing voracious readers by the power of their words. The enthralled reader flips through the pages, reading well into the night, without giving much thought to the mode of communication. The aforementioned examples would have clearly illustrated the importance of communication skills.

Communication does not refer only to articulating words. Using sign language and the sense of touch to express and feel are also important modes of communication. Ultimately, communication should be effective. As long as there is clarity in communication, the goal of communication will be accomplished.

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