PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH WOES,PET CAN BE INVALUABLE

Pets Can Help To Manage Mental Disorder

Cats, dogs, birds and other pets can help people manage their mental disorders, a new study says.

Researchers from the United Kingdom asked more than 50 adults with long-term mental conditions about the role pets play in their social networks.

Sixty percent placed pets in the central and most important circle -- above family, friends and hobbies. Another 20 percent placed pets in the second circle.

Many said the constant presence and close proximity of their pets provide an immediate source of calm. For some, a pet helps distract them from symptoms and upsetting experiences such as hearing voices or suicidal thoughts.

"You just want to sink into a pit... the cats force me to sort of still be involved with the world," one patient said.

Another patient said: "I'm not thinking of the voices, I'm just thinking of the birds singing."

The findings were published Dec. 8 in the journal BMC Psychiatry.

"The people we spoke to through the course of this study felt their pet played a range of positive roles, such as helping them to manage stigma associated with their mental health by providing acceptance without judgment," said study lead author Helen Brooks, from the University of Manchester.

"Pets were also considered particularly useful during times of crisis," Brooks said in a journal news release.

"Pets provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which [the patients] were often not receiving from other family or social relationships," she said.

Despite this, pets weren't considered in the individual care plans for any of the people in the study, Brooks said.

The results suggest pets should be considered a main source of support in the management of long-term mental health problems, Brooks and her colleagues concluded.

Through open discussion of what works best for individual patients, the mental health community might better involve people in their own mental health care, she said.

REASONS OF TRAVELLING SOLO IS GOOD FOR A GIRL WITH A BROKEN HEART

5 reasons why travelling solo is good for a girl with a broken heart

Any break-up is sure to bring about a sudden rush of sad emotions, especially for women who abruptly encounter body-image issues or a dip in overall self-efficacy. Your self-esteem, too can take a hit if you were keen to give the relationship a second chance.

Well-wishers may rally around to give that much needed support, but many women who are reeling under the impact of a break-up just want to get away from it all. At such times, travelling alone to spend some quality time with yourself helps you rediscover yourself. If you are game totravel solo, it is a sign that you are ready to leave the past behind and move forward to start afresh. Here are few reasons why a solo trip might be the best thing that will do you good, mentally and emotionally...

Helps boost self-esteem

It is quite possible that a break-up may affect your self-worth to the point that you end up wondering whether it was all your fault. When you are at this stage, getting away helps you rebuild your confidence. You will like being in control and taking charge of yourself as you plan to explore places and tackle issues, if any, on your own as you travel. This makes you an independent person at the end of the trip. It ensures you are ready to face realities when you return to your routine life.

It's better to stay away from familiar company

When you are stuck in a daily routine, you will end up meeting some common friends of your ex, while familiar locations will bring back painful memories. However, when you travel, you can switch off from everything that has become a habit. You will get to meet new people and if you are comfortable, you can get talking about your break-up without being judged. However, do not divulge too much of personal information which you may regret later.

Gives you a chance to make new friends

Travelling to unfamiliar locations means meeting new people — both fellow travellers and local residents. Keep a friendly attitude towards all you meet on your trip. You will encounter people from different countries, who might want to regale you with their stories. Listening to their life encounters will make you feel less lonely and maybe also realise that others too have similar or much bigger struggles. You never know, you might also stumble upon a solution to your problems.

You get time to decide your future

Travelling solo helps you get enough time to delve into your thoughts and decide on the future course of action. It helps you focus on yourself and understand what you want in life. Your senses are clear and you know what exactly you are feeling at the moment. You can listen to what your mind wants. It is possible that you discover a new skill and get a chance to learn it while on your trip, and it might interest you enough to take it up as a profession when you get back home. In short, travelling solo helps you focus and widen your horizons.

You can enjoy doing all things you love

In a relationship, there are times when you have to make plans according to your partner's preferences. Travelling solo introduces you to the fun of being single again. Go ahead and be utterly 'selfish' about your needs on your solo trip. It reminds you that it is OK to do and want what you want and teaches you to love yourself unconditionally.

WAYS YOU ARE HARMING YOUR TEETH

Shocking ways you are harming your teeth

8 shocking ways you are harming your teeth

Who doesn't desire to have a sparkling white smile? But even after brushing your teeth twice a day and taking care of your pearly whites like babies, you end up with dull and yellow teeth. And that's why you refrain to guffaw in front of your peers. Ever wondered what reasons are coming in your way of acheiving that *insert you 

Drinking green tea too often?

There are no second thoughts to the fact that green tea does miracle to your body. But have you ever thought that this super-drink can actually harm your teeth? Well, it shockingly does. In order to prevent your teeth from the after effects of green tea, brush your teeth post 30 minutes of its consumption. 

Love that blissful summer drink called lemonade?

A glass of lemonade can simply help you survive that scorching summer day. But lemon's high acidic content can ruin your enamel. Enamel is the layer that gives your teeth that white sparkling shine. So beware. (Image courtesy- Shutter

Sipping a whole lot of sports drinks?

It's a myth that sports drinks only do good to your body. Because of its whopping sugar content, these drinks encourage the growth of bacteria inside your mouth. This way it actually decays your teeth. 

White Wine fan, are you?

We all know that red wine (for obvious reasons) is good for your smile. But have you thought that the yellow-gold coloured white wine can do harm to your teeth as well? Well yes, it can. And eating a tomato pasta post that glass of white wine can make it worse.

Fond of green juices or smoothies?

With people becoming all the way more health conscious these days, green juices and smoothies are big in business. These juices and smoothies are loaded with fruits besides green leafy vegetables. And when these fruits overpower the vegetables, due to their high acidic content, they can harm your enamel. 

Love berries?

Berries are blessed with amazing antioxidant qualities. But there can be no denial to its stain game. Once your favourite dress/shirt has its stain on it, it's gone. It does very much similar to your teeth and leave your teeth all tainted.

Are you a swimmer?

If you are spending more than 6 hours a week in your pool, this one's for you. When your teeth gets in touch with that chemically treated water, it ruins your grin. Thus, avoid spending too much time in water in one go. (Image courtesy- Pixabay)

Are you using too much mouthwashes?

Did you ever think that the mouthwash you use for cleaning your mouth can actually harm your teeth? Due to the presence of chlorhexidine gluconate, these mouthwashes react with the left over food particles in your mouth and leave a not-so-cute yellowish colour on your teeth. 

THING TO KNOW ABOUT ORGASMS

7 things you didn’t know about Orgasms



7 interesting facts about Orgasms

Orgasms denotes intense pleasure during the act of lovemaking and if you’ve been taking these pleasure trips too casually, then you don’t know the benefits of orgasm. And here we are enlisting 7 interesting facts about the ‘Big O’.

They get better with age!

Believe it or not, orgasms get better with age. In fact, most of the women experience better orgasms in their 30s instead of their prime 20s. So don’t fret and get down to work.

Women can experience multiple orgasms but men can’t

And you thought men had all the fun? Well, it would rather be interesting to note that while men take a while to get back into action after a thrilling sex session, women can experience orgasms right after a hot sex session.

Most of the women masturbate to achieve orgasm

Well, hypothetically couples have all the fun, but according to a research, most of the women achieve an orgasm while masturbating!

Cure your headache with an orgasm

As per a recent study, nearly 48% of common headaches can be cured by orgasms. Yes, the next time you have a headache you know what to do.

Orgasms have a duration

The usual orgasm a woman witnesses lasts between 6 and 10 seconds.


Straight women can achieve an orgasm while watching same sex films


It might sound strange but as per a study, straight women can even orgasm while watching gay films, while straight men can only get aroused watching films featuring females.


Male orgasms are like drugs

Well, yes! As per scientists, male orgasms have the same impact on a man’s brain as heroin will have on an addict’s mind.

WHY SHOULD ADD TURMERIC TO YOUR DIET

5 reasons why you should add turmeric to your diet

Turmeric is one of the many spices in our kitchen that creates wonders. It belongs to the ginger family and is commonly used in Asia. Although people use it commonly as a spice that adds colour to the variety of Indian curries, that is not all about the spice. 

Turmeric is known to have medicinal properties that can help combat weak immunity and arthritis to even depression and cancer. The humble turmeric, thus, not only infuses flavour and colour to our foods, but also helps in maintaining our physical and mental well-being.Other than being an effective antioxidant, it is believed to contain high quantities of iron, potassium and manganese.

Here are five health benefits that including a spoonful of turmeric in your daily diet will bring

Turmeric is known to shrink the density of fat tissues by lowering levels of glucose, liver fat, cholesterol and triglycerides. With that, it slows down the development of fat cells and speeds up the process of thermogenesis, or the production of heat to burn body fat.

Higher cortisol levels in the body leads to retention of fat. The herb also lowers cortisol levels,which is a stress hormone.

COMBATS DEPRESSION

The medicinal herb is known to have the kind of properties to combat depression. It is known to increase the levels of chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Dopamine is known to increase pleasure, norepinephrine increases learning, sleeping and alertness and serotonin is known to improve retention and attention. A spoon of turmeric every day could do wonders for your mental well-being as well.

REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE

Regular intake of the spice helps the body get rid of excess liquid and sodium. Turmeric contains blood-thinning properties that help in relieving hypertension and stress. Turmeric contains a pigment called curcumin, the levels of which improve circulation and ease the load on the heart.

REDUCES CANCER RISKS

The curcumin content in the spice is known to be effective in fighting cancer-spreading cells in the body. It is effective in combating the cancer of the breast, colon, liver, prostrate, oesophagus and lungs. It is known to destroy the blood vessels that feed tumors.

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Curcumin in turmeric is effective in relieving swelling, pain and stiffness in joints. With that, it also improves mobility and flexibility of the body. Many reports have found curcumin to be potent as natural anti-inflammatory drugs devoid of steroids. Curcumin also doesn’t involve the harmful effects that the consumption of other prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs have, like nausea, dizziness, liver damage, headache, internal bleeding, ulcers and vomiting.

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HOW TO TEST YOUR EGGS ARE FRESH OR ROTTEN!

Try these tests at home to find your egg is Good or bad

We have all heard ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’ for different situations. But what if we practically do this and get a rotten egg that spoils the rest.

The correct temperature to store eggs is 7 degree Celsius. However, if you’re buying from the supermarket or even using eggs which have been kept in your refrigerator for a while, these eggs maybe rotten because of storage issues.

The most commonly known of them all are:- 

Take a bowl of water, pick any egg from the basket and dip it into the water. If the egg floats on top, then it is old and chances are high that it will soon be rotten, if it is not already. If the egg dips to the bottom, it is fresh.

Take the egg in your hand. Shake it a little. If you can hear a sloshing sound, chances are that the egg is rotten. If there is no sound, then the egg is fresh and ready to be used.

There are three things that can happen if you break the egg to check its freshness:-

a. If the egg is rotten, the yolk will be flat and mix with the white immediately on breaking.
b. If the egg is old but not rotten, the yolk will break easily.

c. If the egg is rotten, a foul odor will come.If the egg is fresh, you will not get any smell.

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TEN FOOD VARIATIONS TO HELP YOU FIT

Ten food variations to help you fit into that treasured 'hope' couture:

1. Water your flab away: Drinking water is the easiest way to put your body in the weight losing mode. It boosts your metabolism, and higher metabolism helps you lose weight even while you sleep. Water acts as a natural appetite suppressant and replaces false sensation of hunger. Drink a good amount of water during the day, especially in the evening to raise your metabolism while you sleep.



2. Let high-calorie foods be moderated: Want to eat fruit cream or fruit salad with ice cream? Let a spoonful of ice cream be the jewel and a bowl of fruit the crown. In case of salad, make veggies the crown and cheese the jewel. When munching on chips, pair each bite with veggie dip and fresh salsa.



3. Instead of three, eat five or six small meals: Distributing the same number of calories into six meals keeps you full through out the day.



4. Go for restaurant eating even at home: Keep those bowls off and stick only to the plate and as the plate goes empty, don't reach for second round.



5. Most calories before noon: Go heavy in the morning so that you don't crave for food at night. Following this routine will help you ensure that the body consumes the morning calories rather than working on the evening ones.



6. Fruit instead of fruit juice: Eating whole fruits not only keeps you satisfied for longer hours than a mere glass of milk but also adds fiber to your diet.


7. Go for loads of vegetables: Another way to include water in your diet is to gorge on water-rich veggies. Start eating tomatoes, soups, salads and cucumbers during meals to reduce your overall calorie consumption.

8. Don't eat by time, but by feeling the hunger: Eating should be induced by actual hunger rather than boredom, nervousness, habit or frustration. So, the next time you plan on eating wait until your stomach is growling.

9. Avoid white foods: Chuck the white flour, white breads, white rice and sugar from your diet and indulge in plenty of whole grain breads and brown rice.

10. Carry a notebook: Do this for 10 days. Write down every single thing that you eat or drink - even water in your diary. By the end of ten days you'll know why you are putting on weight.

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SHOULD YOU REFRIGERATE THE FOOD PRODUCT EGGS?

SHOULD YOU STERILIZE THE EGGS TO ENSURE SAFE TO EAT?

A popular slogan used by the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) tricked us all into eating eggs at anytime of the week. While egg remains a favourite breakfast/lunch/dinner option for most of us, the question whether we store it right has always intrigued us. Does refrigerating eggs destroys their nutritional value? Will keeping them at room temperature lead to bacterial growth? How to store them to ensure they are safe to eat?

The dilemma needs a fix!

Why they need to be preserved

Why does it matter, whether you keep your eggs in the refrigerator or on the food rack? Salmonella, a bacteria that is found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, is what enters the eggs. This bacteria is a common cause of food borne diseases.
Salmonella is safe till the time it is in the intestinal tract of the animal. Once it enters into food supply, it can lay foundation to serious illnesses.
How different countries treat salmonella is the biggest question, as this varies across the continent depending on their weather conditions.

What does refrigeration do?

Refrigeration is the most common method known. However, many countries continue to argue about the usefulness of this method. For American and Asian countries, refrigeration is the best way to store them.Three reasons are cited behind it:-

A) Refrigeration does not kill this bacteria, it reduces the likelihood of you becoming sick. This is because this method limits the number of bacteria.
B) Refrigeration also makes it difficult for bacteria to penetrate into the eggshell.
C) Refrigeration also increases the shelf life of an egg.

However, this needs to be done only if the eggs have been sterilized.

In India, we do not sterilize our eggs. According to Sandeep Mehta, national vice chairman, NECC, We do not need to sterilize our eggs, "In layer farming, all hens are unfertilized as there are no males. That is why the entry of salmonella bacteria is almost 0.1%". He further adds that if there is the slightest chance of salmonella in the Indian commercial bird, the best method is to boil the egg to kill the harmful bacteria.

Room temperature

Many European countries support this method of refrigeration. Storing eggs at room temperature is considered to be feasible. In EU countries, eggs are not sterilized and left with the cuticle (An outer covering that seals the egg and helping prevent bacteria from entering). Therefore, storing eggs at room temperature is considered to be the best option

Disadvantages, either way

Cross-contamination due to coming in contact with other food products is a common drawback when it comes to refrigerating eggs.

Since most refrigerators have an egg rack right at the opening of the door, temperature fluctuation due to frequent opening causes bacteria to enter. Thus, eggs should be stored somewhere deep inside the refrigerator.

On the other hand, storing eggs at room temperature can decrease its shell life. This restricts the consumer as the egg will have to be consumed within 1-3 weeks.

Storage options

Refrigeration in India is the best way of storing eggs according to Mehta, "During winters if you store the eggs at room temperature, they will last for 7-10 days. However, during summer, this should limit to 3-4 days."

In summers, the quality of egg starts deteriorating after 4 days as the temperature can rise up to 48 degree Celsius, which is not suitable.

FOOD MUST EAT FOR BETTER SEX LIFE

7 foods men must eat for better sex life

Food plays a major role in not just keeping a number of diseases at bay but also in taking care of several physical issues. Sometimes ailments can even be addressed by including the right foods in your diet.


According to nutritionist Karnika S, " You can not just improve your sperm count, but also the quality of your sperm if you eat foods that contain phytosterols, zinc, L-Arginine etc, that lead to the production of better quality sperms."


Celebrity nutritionist Sandhya Gugnani says, "Diet impacts fertility, especially sperm count and quality. Having diet rich in anti-oxidants like vitamins A,C,E, Selenium and carotene, helps in improving sex life."


Here is a list of foods which, when consumed on a daily basis, are said to improve sexual performance in men are:-


Ginseng: It is an ancient remedy to enhance virility in men. It is said to contain micro-ingredients that not just increase the sexual ability in men but also help in improving the quality of sperms.


Pumpkin seeds: Rich in phytosterols that are said to balance testosterone production in body, it contributes in increasing sperm count as well as semen volume. Anti-oxidants and fatty acids found in them contribute in increasing sexual ability.


Amla or Gooseberries : Known as youth and longevity mantra in Ayurveda, amla helps in uplifting the overall stamina and mood.It increases immunity and sexual desire. It also helps in maintaining optimum temperature in scrotum.


Garlic: If you think garlic is effective only against cold and heart disease, you will be surprised to know that it has been used as an aphrodisiac since centuries. It contains allicin which helps in blood flow towards male sexual organs and also in increasing the quality of sperm.

Chocolate: Chocolate contains both a sedative which relaxes and lowers inhibitions and a stimulant to increase activity and the desire for physical contact. It also contains an amino acid- L-Arginine which is known to increase semen volume.

Bananas: Suggestively shaped, bananas reduce blood pressure and we all know that there's nothing quite like excessively high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) to cause erectile dysfunction. Due not only to its shape, but also its creamy, lush texture, some studies show its enzyme bromelain enhances male performance.

Oysters: Oysters have been on the list of libido lifters for centuries now. Casanova reportedly had dozens every morning before setting out on his amorous quests. Research shows that bivalve molluscs are actually rich in zinc, essential for testosterone production, and hence can boost sexual performance in men and women.