HEALTH: EASE EYESTRAIN

HELLO READERS!!!

EASE THE STRAIN

As you age , you lose the power to focus your eyes, a problem commonly known as eyestrain. It’s a gradual process that happens to everyone, says expert. And younger people who spend long hours in front of the computer aren’t immune warns doctor.

To ease the strain:

• Take a break

After about 45 to 60 minutes in front of the computer, you should take a rest. Relax for a few minutes and efocus you eyes on distant objects.

• Keep it bright

Hold your reading material 30 to 40 centimetres from your eyes and have enough soft lighting coming from a source behind or beside your shoulder.

• Try reading glasses

If you have good distance vision but have trouble seeing up close, reading glasses are sometimes  enough to cure eyestrain.

• Get some shut eye

Close your eyes for a few minutes to refocus and help them relax.

Regards,

Mekala Sathasivam

HEALTH: YOGA

HELLO READERS!

SAY  “OM” AND GOODNIGHT

Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Illinois found that insomniacs who learnt Kriya Yoga – a form of meditation that helps focus and calm the mind – slept more soundly and woke less often after two months than those who didn’t get the training.
Another recent study showed about 50% less tossing and turning when people used a technique called mindfulness meditation along with cognitive behavioural therapy.
Meditation is simple to do – though it takes commitment. Most volunteers fell short of the requested 30 minutes daily. Still, it holds promise as a drug – free way to tackle chronic sleep woes.  

Regards,

Mekala Sathasivam

MOVIE REVIEW: LIFE OF PI

LIFE OF PI    
                                                         

‘’Life  Of Pi’’  is an adventurous and fantasy novel by the author yann martell which published in the year 2001. The protagonist, Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry, explores issues of spirituality and practicality from an early age. He survives 227 days after a shipwreck while stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
A man named Pi tells a story that occurred when he was 16. When his family decides to move their zoo from India to Canada, Pi winds up as the only human survivor of the tragic sinking of a cargo ship.

On the sea in a lifeboat, he's accompanied by the other survivors—a zebra, a hyena, a female orangutan and a 450-pound aggressive Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Pi tries catching fish to feed the tiger so he won't get eaten himself.
When officials from the Maritime department don't believe his story, Pi tells them another one but this time with a slightly different angle.

Suraj Sharma, an eighteen-year-old newcomer, is excellent as Pi- who's portrayed as somewhat naive in his enthusiastic embrace of all religion (being a Hindu-catholic-muslim), prompting a memorable admonishment from his pragmatic father- where he says, “I'd rather you believe in something I don't than just follow everything blindly.” Once on his own on the open sea- with the very hungry Richard Parker, Sharma makes his evolution into a surprisingly self-reliant, and ingenious survivor truly inspiring.

 LIFE OF PI was a pretty great film, and certainly something that needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible at the most technically advanced theater you can find. I'd also say that it's an excellent film for kids- although the shipwreck (an amazing setpiece) is intense, and some of the animals meet rather untimely ends. That said, this is really one the whole family can enjoy- and hopefully it'll be successful. It certainly deserves to be.

Regards,

Mekala Sathasivam

HEALTH: GETTING OUT OF SLEEP OF DEBT

HELLO READERS!

GETTING OUT OF SLEEP OF DEBT

Its possible to pay back those sleep hours you’ve lost! If you’ve got a run of parties and functions over several nights, you’ll probably have to forfeit at least a few of the recommended seven or eight hours sleep a night. The problem is, a few late nights in a row can lead to ‘’sleep debt’’ , leaving us fatigued , irritatible and unfocused. The good news is that sleep debt can be repaid . firstly, if you know you have a few big nights ahead, try to tack an extra hour onto your nightly sleep pattern so that you have some sleeps hour in the bank. Once the merry-go-round has stopped , make sure you get some catch-up sleep again, by getting a couple of early nights in row and making sure you get a minimum of seven to eight hours in the nights following.

Regards,

Mekala Sathasivam

HEALTH: FRESHEN YOUR BREATH

HELLO READERS!

FRESHEN YOUR BREATH

Forget fancy mouthwashes and mini-mints. Keep your mouth clean with a clean with a healthy diet that will reduce the bacteria and plaque that cause bad breath. 

‘’Pineapple’’ contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that acts as a natural cleanser.

‘’yoghurt’’ reduces plaque and gingivitis as well as stinky hydrogen sulphide. Choose sugar-free options.

‘’cranberries’’ prevent plaque and bacteria from sticking to the surface of teeth.

Munching on raw vegetables increases saliva production, which helps wash foods particles and acid from teeth.

Regards,

Mekala Sathasivam

HEALTH: EAT FRUITS TO EASE ARTERIES

HELLO READERS!

EAT FRUIT TO EASE ARTERIES 

Healthy fruits for healthy life

Researchers found that they’ve discovered why a diet rich in fruit and vegetables helps reduce blood pressure. Bacteria in the mouth convert the nitrates found in these foods into nitric oxide, which helps to protect the blood vessels.

This was tested in one London study, where people who drank half a litre of beetroot juice experienced a substantial drop in blood pressure within hours. Other dietary tips if you have high blood pressure, reduce the salt intake, lower your weight and avoid alcohol- even moderate drinking may raise blood pressure more than previously thought.

Researchers also shows that previously that people with a diet rich in low-fat dairy foods have less chance of developing high blood pressure.

Regards,
Mekala Sathasivam

HEALTH: CHERRIES BLOSSOM

HELLO READERS!

CHERRIES BLOSSOM

Cherries have anti-inflammatory compounds that can soothe arthritis and gout, and new research now suggests they may also be the answer to a good night’s sleep.

Sour cherries are one of the few foods known to have naturally occurring melatonin, the chemical that regulates the body’s circadian rhythm and sleep patterns.

‘’very few foods have been tested for melatonin content’’, says Dr Russell. ‘’ He also added that sour cherries have substantial amounts. They are on the high end of the scale.’’

For late-night snack, try cherry jam on toast. Research suggests melatonin works best when consumed in the hour before bedtime.

Cherry Blossom

Regards,

Mekala Sathaisivam