What do people think about when they go to sleep?

Melinda Jackson, Monash University and Hailey Meaklim, The University of Melbourne

You’re lying in bed, trying to fall asleep but the racing thoughts won’t stop. Instead, your brain is busy making detailed plans for the next day, replaying embarrassing moments (“why did I say that?”), or producing seemingly random thoughts (“where is my birth certificate?”).

Many social media users have shared videos on how to fall asleep faster by conjuring up “fake scenarios”, such as a romance storyline where you’re the main character.

But what does the research say? Does what we think about before bed influence how we sleep?

How you think in bed affects how you sleep

It turns out people who sleep well and those who sleep poorly have different kinds of thoughts before bed.

Good sleepers report experiencing mostly visual sensory images as they drift to sleep – seeing people and objects, and having dream-like experiences.

They may have less ordered thoughts and more hallucinatory experiences, such as imagining you’re participating in events in the real world.

For people with insomnia, pre-sleep thoughts tend to be less visual and more focused on planning and problem-solving. These thoughts are also generally more unpleasant and less random than those of good sleepers.

People with insomnia are also more likely to stress about sleep as they’re trying to sleep, leading to a vicious cycle; putting effort into sleep actually wakes you up more.

People with insomnia often report worrying, planning, or thinking about important things at bedtime, or focusing on problems or noises in the environment and having a general preoccupation with not sleeping.

Unfortunately, all this pre-sleep mental activity can prevent you drifting off.

One study found even people who are normally good sleepers can have sleep problems if they’re stressed about something at bedtime (such as the prospect of having to give a speech when they wake up). Even moderate levels of stress at bedtime could affect sleep that night.

Another study of 400 young adults looked at how binge viewing might affect sleep. The researchers found higher levels of binge viewing were associated with poorer sleep quality, more fatigue, and increased insomnia symptoms. “Cognitive arousal”, or mental activation, caused by an interesting narrative and identifying with characters, could play a role.

The good news is there are techniques you can use to change the style and content of your pre-sleep thoughts. They could help reduce nighttime cognitive arousal or to replace unwanted thoughts with more pleasant ones. These techniques are called “cognitive refocusing”.

What is cognitive refocusing?

Cognitive refocusing, developed by US psychology researcher Les Gellis, involves distracting yourself with pleasant thoughts before bed. It’s like the “fake scenarios” social media users post about – but the trick is to think of a scenario that’s not too interesting.

Decide before you go to bed what you’ll focus on as you lie there waiting for sleep to come.

Pick an engaging cognitive task with enough scope and breadth to maintain your interest and attention – without causing emotional or physical arousal. So, nothing too scary, thrilling or stressful.

For example, if you like interior decorating, you might imagine redesigning a room in your house.

If you’re a football fan, you might mentally replay a passage of play or imagine a game plan.

A music fan might mentally recite lyrics from their favourite album. A knitter might imagine knitting a blanket.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s suited to you and your interests. The task needs to feel pleasant, without being overstimulating.

Cognitive refocusing is not a silver bullet, but it can help.

One study of people with insomnia found those who tried cognitive refocusing had significant improvements in insomnia symptoms compared to a control group.

How ancient wisdom can help us sleep

Another age-old technique is mindfulness meditation.

Meditation practice can increase our self-awareness and make us more aware of our thoughts. This can be useful for helping with rumination; often when we try to block or stop thoughts, it can make matters worse.

Mindfulness training can help us recognise when we’re getting into a rumination spiral and allow us to sit back, almost like a passive observer.

Try just watching the thoughts, without judgement. You might even like to say “hello” to your thoughts and just let them come and go. Allow them to be there and see them for what they are: just thoughts, nothing more.

Research from our group has shown mindfulness-based therapies can help people with insomnia. It may also help people with psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia get more sleep.

What can help ease your pre-sleep thoughts?

Good sleep starts the moment you wake up. To give yourself your best shot at a good night’s sleep, start by getting up at the same time each day and getting some morning light exposure (regardless of how much sleep you had the night before).

Have a consistent bedtime, reduce technology use in the evening, and do regular exercise during the day.

If your mind is busy at bedtime, try cognitive refocusing. Pick a “fake scenario” that will hold your attention but not be too scary or exciting. Rehearse this scenario in your mind at bedtime and enjoy the experience.

You might also like to try:

• keeping a consistent bedtime routine, so your brain can wind down

• writing down worries earlier in the day (so you don’t think about them at bedtime)

• adopting a more self-compassionate mindset (don’t beat yourself up at bedtime over your imagined shortcomings!).

Melinda Jackson, Associate Professor at Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University and Hailey Meaklim, Sleep Psychologist and Researcher, The University of Melbourne

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Women are less happy than men – a psychologist on why and four things you can do about it

Carve out time for yourself to avoid getting overwhelmed. pexels/liza summer, CC BY-SA Lowri Dowthwaite-Walsh, University of Central Lancashire

Something strange is going on in women’s happiness research. Because despite having more freedom and employment opportunities than ever before, women have higher levels of anxiety and more mental health challenges, such as depression, anger, loneliness and more restless sleep. And these results are seen across many countries and different age groups.

A recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association may hold some clues as to why. The results found that most US women are unhappy with how society treats them.

Many women are still the main caregivers for children and elderly relatives. Most also have the double burden of managing the home and family arrangements on top of paid work responsibilities. And within the workplace three in five women have experienced bullying, sexual harassment or verbal abuse.

The gender gap in wellbeing was notably documented during the pandemic, as many women took on more domestic and caregiving responsibilities on top of work. But it was also noted that although women took a bigger hit to their wellbeing they were quicker to recover, which seems to indicate thatwomen are more emotionally resilient than men.

This article is part of Women’s Health Matters, a series about the health and wellbeing of women and girls around the world. From menopause to miscarriage, pleasure to pain the articles in this series will delve into the full spectrum of women’s health issues to provide valuable information, insights and resources for women of all ages.

One of the factors that may contribute towards women’s resilience is social connection. In one 2019 study, researchers found that women scored higher than men for positive relationships with others as well as capacity for personal growth. In essence, women tend to be better than men at getting support. They ask for help sooner and so are more likely to overcome adversity quicker.

Women have also been found to place greater value on social connections than men. Studies have found that women’s friendships are more intimate – women favour face-to-face interactions that enable more self-disclosure and emotional support. Whereas men’s friendships tend to be more side by side, pursuing shared activities. Think catching up watching a football match versus catching up over coffee. Again this may explain the buffer to women’s mental health.

Happiness versus purpose

Although women may not be as happy in the moment as men and face greater social inequality, a recent study suggests that women report having more purpose in their lives. And having meaning and purpose in life is associated with better health and living longer.

Women are more likely to take on caregiving roles as well as volunteer to help other people. pexels/andrea piacquadio, CC BY

The study found that women tend to engage in more altruistic endeavours, such as supporting others and charity volunteering which leads to a greater sense of meaning and purpose.

However, the researchers also point out that this is likely linked to cultural norms of women being encouraged to put the needs of others first. While putting others first does not necessarily make you happier, having a sense of meaning in life definitely contributes towards happiness.

Given all this, women need to make time for themselves to protect their wellbeing. Here are four evidence-based ways to help you do this:

1. Try therapy

Having a place just for you, where you can talk about how you feel and express your emotions is important for your psychological wellbeing. Art-based therapies are particularly beneficial for women as are group-based interventions that allow women to speak openly with other women – which can reduce feelings of stigma and shame.

2. Connect with nature

Spending time outdoors in natural settings can be very comforting. A recent study found that nature-based interventions are particularly healing for women who have experienced trauma or illness . Indeed, as women, our biology and values often align with the natural world. The term “Mother Earth” reflects the feminine tendency to be life-giving and nurturing.

So make sure you factor some time outside in nature into your daily or weekly plans. A walk on the beach, a run through the woods or reading a book in the park, it all helps.

3. Move yourself

Studies show that when women engage in regular physical activity it increases self-acceptance and personal growth. Aerobic exercise is particularly helpful for cognitive health as women age. High impact, weight-bearing exercise such as jumping and running improve bone health for women in middle age and regular moderate exercise, such as walking has been shown to improve symptoms of the menopause.

4. Cut down on alcohol

Women face gender-specific risks related to alcohol, including a greater risk of being a victim of violence and more health-related issues such as heart disease and breast cancer. Women also become intoxicated quicker than men which can make them more vulnerable.

Given that women are twice as likely as men to experience anxiety, reducing or eliminating alcohol may be sensible. Indeed, research shows quitting alcohol can significantly improve women’s health and happiness.

Lowri Dowthwaite-Walsh, Senior Lecturer in Psychological Interventions, University of Central Lancashire

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Australian women are more educated than men, but gender divides remain at work

Michael Coelli, The University of Melbourne

The Bureau of Statistics has just released a new set of data from the 2021 census. The first set – released in June 2022 – covered topics including age, sex, religion, unpaid work and country of birth.

The second set, released on Wednesday, provides insights into the kinds of jobs Australians have (and if they have a job), how Australians travel to work (and if they still do), and their educational qualifications.

There is plenty to digest. I’ll focus on a couple of interesting outcomes:

differences in the types of jobs held by men and women,

differences in the educational qualifications of men and women.

The most male and female jobs

Men accounted for around 99% of Australia’s bricklayers and stonemasons, plumbers, sheetmetal trades workers, carpenters and joiners, roof tilers and concreters in 2021.

Women accounted for 97% or more of Australia’s midwives, early childhood teachers, dental assistants, personal assistants and beauty therapists.

But the segregation is becoming weaker over time.

One common measure is the Duncan index of dissimilarity. It records the proportion of female workers who would have to change their occupations in order for female representation to be even across all occupations.

I have calculated this measure using census data from 1966 up to 2021, updating work I completed with Jeff Borland up to 2011.

The encouraging news is that segregation is declining, and declined further in the past two censuses. Having said that, the occupational differences are still large.

Back in 1966, nearly two-thirds of women would have had to change occupations in order to be spread across occupations as men are. By 2021, the proportion had fallen to close to half.

As women joined the workforce in greater numbers from 1966 to 2021, the proportion of women in most broad occupational groups grew.

But the growth has differed by the type of job. The proportion of women in managerial occupations grew from around 18% in 1966 to nearly 40% in 2021.

The proportion in professional occupations grew from 35 to 56%. In technical and trades occupations, it only grew from 8 to 17%.

Some recent increases (from 2006 to 2021) in the proportion of women in specific manager and professional occupations stand out. These include vets (from 46% to 66%), dentists (31% to 47%), barristers (22% to 38%), school principals (50% to 65%) and internal medical specialists (32% to 47%).

But some professional occupations have gone the other way. The proportion of women working as financial dealers fell from 41% to 31%. The proportion of women working as physiotherapists fell from 71% to 64%.

Highly educated young women

The increasing shares of women in professional occupations is matched by increasing education attainment.

The proportion of females aged in their 30s with a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification was one half in 2021. This is strikingly higher than both the proportion of males in that age group with a bachelor’s degree or higher (about 38%) and the proportion of older females with degrees, which was 11% for females over 75.

This difference indicates how rapidly female university education has grown.

Female university graduates now outnumber male university graduates in every age group below 70.

But the proportion of males with certificates and diplomas is higher than the proportion of females across all age groups from 20 up.

This is reflected in the still-low proportion of females in technical and trades occupations.

More to explore

Gender differences in jobs and education are just two of the many ways the census can help us understand Australia.

Every five years it presents researchers and the curious with a lot to explore, including changes over time.

A few years back the five-yearly census was facing the axe. It would be great if it continued to provide these insights for decades to come.

Michael Coelli, Associate professor, The University of Melbourne

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Learn to break free

Childhood experiences might put you on a path of negativity, self love is the key to break the pattern

• Renee Singh: Most of us invest a lot of time in suppressing our emotions that leads to stress. Our behaviour patterns get designed pretty much at an early age. Beliefs which we acquire during our childhood days last forever. For instance, if right from our prime in our childhood we have conditioned our minds to believe life is tough then it does seem to be like this our whole lives.
• Stress patterns: We create these patterns in our lives through low self esteem. When parents have been comparing children with each other then every action becomes a challenge. We need to constantly prove our self worth even to our own selves. People who live in constant self doubt live in fear.
• Struggle for approval: Acceptance is a very vital factor in the lives of people. It is social acceptability we are looking for and constant approval by people around us. It is just because they have never been fully accepted by the parents they are insecure, fearful and develop negative patterns of behaviour. We all have within us: 1. Critical parent,  2. Criticized child There is a constant battle between the two. We need to draw upon our wisest self so that we can come to terms with our own sparring personality.
• Break negative patterns: Visualise a loving companion who fulfils your every emotional need. Imagine this deeply caring person is touching you in a very reassuring way and is encouraging you by listening to your woes. You know they will always be there for you with love and emotional support any time you require it.
• Quieten the self critic: Childhood experiences sometimes tend to make us feel unlovable and inadequate. We make some negative tapes within us. There are repetitive negative suggestions which automatically take over the moment the trigger appears. We need to forgive ourselves, stop being critical of ourselves. Learn to let go of our negative belief system.
• Self love: We need self love as it is very nourishing, helps us thrive and grow stronger. We humans thrive in approval and wither in its absence. Mother and child is the closest bond. Smiles, care and approval for the child from the parent helps both parties to thrive.
• Self acceptance: It can be defined as the willingness to support, care for and appreciate the person you are. It is very vital to give love to yourself, 1. Think of your positive qualities, 2. Give yourself appreciation for a job well done, 3. Give yourself love: We need to convince our own selves that life can be very good. If we live our lives in an  adequately balanced emotional state, it is very possible for us to be stress free and very happy. To step into a level of joy in our own lives we need to: 1. Value our own strengths and virtues, 2. Counter our tendency to put ourselves down, 3. Feed our self esteem with concrete positive statements.
• Express your emotions: Temporarily blocking emotions maybe all right but doing this for a long time isn't healthy. A lot of emotional tension builds up. Instead of making life a struggle for achievements and rewards we need to let go of chasing. Learning to enjoy is our key to happiness. (Singh is a Chandigarh-basedpsychotherapist). Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/

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Advanced Hair Studio "A Grand Solution For The World Cricketing Icons

Jacques Kallis launches Advanced Hair Studio’s latest technology in Mumbai: Ace South-African cricket player Jacques Kallis launched the Advanced Hair Studio’s newly launched technology in Hair replacement, ‘Elite NSG’ in Mumbai recently. The event was held at Trident Hotel, Nariman Point. Kallis, who is also the brand ambassador for AHS claims to have benefited majorly from this technology. For the bald spots and patches where your scalp has gone smooth and shiny, that’s a sign that the follicles

beneath  that particular area are more or less dead. And for that area unfortunately, as of today there is no treatment invented anywhere in the world where they can revive your dead follicles and naturally grow your hair back. So for this area AHS performs world’s most advanced and sophisticated hair replacement procedure. Many other celebrities and sport stars like Ricky Ponting, Michael Vaughn, Martin Crowe have benefited with the Hair Replacement technology. Virender Sehwag too, has undergone the therapy. (Dr. Arihant Surana): So, it was no  surprise that Sahil Madan, now 28, decided, to do something about his receding hairline. He spent Rs.81,000 for the treatment and says he is satisfied with the result. Customers such as Madan—young, urban, well-heeled and just that little bit vain about how they look—are the reason why newspaper s and magazines are replete with before-after ads for hair clinics that offer anything from a treatment to a complete transplant. “Today, we’re not just dealing with extreme cases of baldness. We are seeing a number of young people coming to us to improve the quality and thickness of their hair, so they can

experiment with different  styles and looks,” says Sanket Shah, chief executive officer at Advanced Hair Studio that has branches in India and the Middle East. The company boasts a clientele that includes Warne (who appears in an ad for it wearing a T-shirt saying “No Hair, No Life”), Sourav Ganguly and Jacques Kallis (surely, there must be a connection between cricket and hair?). Not everyone who wants a transplant is necessarily going bald, says Arihant Surana, who has been in the business of implanting hair

for half a decade. “Earlier transplants were linked to baldness; now (people go in for them because) looks also play an important role,” adds Surana, currently medical director (India) at Alvi Armani International, an American chain of hair transplant clinics that claims to have re-maned some of the biggest names in Bollywood and Hollywood, a member of a royal family, a famous football player, and executives at Fortune 500 companies. Indeed, in recent years, grooming has becoming important, even to men, and a mini-boom for everything from beauty salons to cosmetics to hair weaving and hair transplant centres is the result. “India is passing through a phase where grooming is big business. Looking good is considered very important, and more people are spending money on products that do that, especially men. Over 75% of this market is dominated by men. Younger men, as young as

23-24 years old, are increasingly looking at getting hair transplants  done,” says Gaurav Marya, chairman of Franchise India Holdings Ltd, a company that specializes in franchising, which has clients such as Dr A, ADHI India and DHI India. In 2010, the global hair restoration industry was worth $1.9 billion (around Rs.10,260 crore today) and India contributed 14% of that, according to a 2012 report by Francorp, an arm of Franchise India. The market grew at an average rate of 22% over the past three years and is expected to grow by 37% between 2012 and 2015, it said. Analysts said hair care treatment is much more expensive in the West compared with India. The average cost of transplantation in the US is about $4.5 per follicle against just $1.75 per follicle in India, the Francorp report said. And it no

longer appears to be about a mid-life crisis. From 35-40, five years ago, the average age of his patients has fallen to 25-30, claims Surana. Men looking to get married or promoted form the majority of the patients. It isn’t just men. According to Advanced Hair Studio’s Shah, the hair loss problem that was predominantly a “male” issue now also brings in a fair number of women. “Socially, in a country like India, it is perfectly acceptable for a man to be bald. However, this does not hold true for women. Six years ago, 85% of our clients were men and 15% of our clients were women. Today, that percentage of women walking through our doors with hair-related issues has risen to 40%,” he says. The result is a market that is slowly moving towards being more affordable. Arpit Goel, head of marketing at New Delhi-based Berkowits Hair and Skin Clinic, says that pricing has declined with more companies entering the business and better technology. “It’s not for the super rich any more; the upper-middle class, too, can afford it now,” adds Goel who offers services at Rs.1-1.5 lakh, with a facility of equated monthly instalments thrown in. That demand has encouraged hair clinics to

sprout. Advanced Hair Studio, which is present in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad, plans to invest Rs.250 crore over the next three years to expand its footprint to 15 cities. Rich Feel Health and Beauty Pvt. Ltd has 58 outlets across 27 cities today, and plans to ramp that up to 250 outlets over the next two years, with a capital expenditure of Rs.50 lakh per clinic. A treatment would cost anywhere between Rs.49,000 and Rs.1.99 lakh. And the competition has resulted in a flurry of ads by rival companies. “If you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind,” says Apoorva Shah, the person behind Rich Feel Health, referring to the crowded market for such treatments, which includes a multitude of fly-by-night operators. “You need firepower for expansion, and in that sense, the private treaty has worked well for us. We had a topline of Rs.1.5 crore five years ago. Today, we have a topline of Rs.60 crores.” Shah’s reference is to an arrangement with Brand Capital, a firm that is part of the Times Group. In return for a stake in the company, Shah gets advertising and promotion space in publications run by the group and also claims to author a column on (what else) hair for the group. The Times Group, which publishes The Times of India and The Economic Times, competes with HT Media Ltd, publisher of theHindustan Times and Mint. The preferred method of advertising is the before-after one, says Marya, with most companies preferring to use celebrities. “They are paid well, so they don’t mind appearing in the ads,” he adds. Then, it’s not as if they can hide the transformation in their appearance. Source: Article1, Article2, Open Images In New Tab Or Window To Find Its Source Of Sharing.

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4 Benefits of Soaking Bath

Rain and cold weather make you crave hot chocolate and a hug. But, if they 're not in range, a warm water bath can be a better substitute. Why ? Because five reasons abstracted from huffingtonpost below : calm In addition to cleansing the body, a warm water bath also has calming benefits. Steam coming out of the shower to make your body relax, but it can also make the water hot muscle flexing. In short, perceived fatigue was away all day. Improve Brain Performance: Yes, not only soothing, bath turns positive effect on the brain. The warmth of the water, making the body more quiet overall and triggers the brain to rid itself of the " junk " that accumulates day. Few tips, mix a few drops of aromatherapy oils in the bath water to get maximum relaxation. reduce stress: Fatigue or stress after working all day and immediately disappeared when the whole body submerged in warm water and soft foam. Additional eucalyptus or lavender oil can speed up the body to reduce stress while bathing. Sleeping More Soundly: It is no secret if a warm water bath can help you sleep more soundly. The reason, in the bath, hot water helps to improve the body temperature and when out of the tub, along with decreased body temperature, brain also releases the hormone melatonin which triggers sleepiness. Overcoming Symptoms of Flu: Hot steam when you breathe bath would relieve respiratory tract and relieve headaches. In addition, the warm water also helps relieve sore muscles. Source: Article

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Italian man with two hearts suffers a double heart attack - and lives

In what can be called a medical miracle, doctors have managed to save the life of a 71-year-old Italian man who had two hearts and suffered double heart attacks at the same time. At first, doctors thought they had a typical case of cardiac arrest – the man wasshort of breath, sweating profusely and his blood pressure was low. However, they were in for a surprise when upon closer inspection it was found that the patient had been walking around with two hearts and had now suffered a dueling attack. According to medical reports, the man wasn't born with two hearts but had undergone a rare heart transplant (called a heterotopic transplant) years ago in which a new organ was paired with the diseased one. "You can develop two independent heart rhythms, especially in a scenario where one heart gets a little better," Rade Vukmir, professor of emergency medicine at Temple Universityand a spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians told MSNBC. This is apparently exactly what happened to the Italian patient. After being admitted to the hospital, doctors administered drug therapy in an attempt to correct his dysrhythmia, only to have the medicine shut down both of his hearts. Doctors then were able to successfully use a defibrillator to revive both hearts simultaneously. He's now reportedly doing well with his two functioning hearts. Source: Ananta-Tec

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Japanese scientists succeed in generating kidney tissue from stem cells

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Japanese scientists have made “a very significant step” that gives hope to millions of those who have to undergo regular dialysis treatment because of their organs’ dysfunction. For the first time human kidney tissue has been generated from stem cells.

Kenji Osafune of Kyoto University said their experiment aimed at  generating
kidney cells from the “blank slates” – stem cells capable to become any type of cell – had proved to be a success. Scientists say that a human kidney has a complex structure, and not any damage to it is fixable. According to Osafune, his team successfully generated intermediate mesoderm tissue, which can be regarded as an intermediate stage between the blank slate and the finished kidney tissue. The intermediate mesoderm tissue can be grown separately in a tube or a living host into specific kidney cells. Osafune said he hoped their success would contribute to the development of regenerative therapy. Source: Voice of Russia

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15 Creative Alternatives to Coffee

Green Tea

Can't make it through the morning without your daily java? Try brewing some green tea, which has slightly less caffeine than a cup of Joe but enough to give you a boost without any of the coffee jitters. The refreshing drink is also packed with health benefits, says Nadine Taylor, registered dietitian and author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret to a Healthier Life. “Catechins are powerful antioxidants and potent disease fighters that are found primarily in green tea,” she says.

Nutty Smoothies

Nuts, which are high in protein and fiber, make a healthy afternoon snack, but they're also nourishing whipped into a smoothie. According to certified nutritionist Angela Pifer, smoothies made using ingredients like cashew milk, protein powder, and nut butter help elevate your blood sugar levels. “A 3 p.m. slump is not innate to us,” Pifer says. “Since food gives us energy, it’s more of a problem with our blood sugar dropping.”. 

Licorice Tea

Even if you didn’t like licorice candy as a child, you’ll appreciate the benefits of sweet, spicy licorice tea. The bold-tasting brew is actually caffeine-free, but supports overburdened adrenal glands, which are organs that respond to stress. “Licorice is an adrenal tonic and increases energy. It adds a pleasant taste to tea blends and can also be taken in tincture form,” explain Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster, authors of The Herbal Drugstore.

Wheatgrass Juice

This natural energizer is known as a liquid shot of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some people don’t mind the taste and others do, but all agree that wheatgrass is one of the most nourishing juices. “Because of its easy digestibility and rapid assimilation, it’s a natural energy supplement, whether alone or added to a protein-type supplement drink,” says Gloria Gilbère, doctor of natural health.

Siberian Ginseng Tea

Siberian ginseng tea gets its kick from the slightly bitter ginseng root, but if you can’t down the brew on its own, sweeten it with a dollop of honey. The herbal drink is supposed to stimulate your concentration, according to White and Foster. “This favorite, tried-and-true fatigue-buster is safe for long-term use in most people.'

Reishi Mushroom Tea

You've devoured mushrooms enfolded in tasty omelets or sprinkled atop your favorite pastas, but if you’re looking for a unique coffee alternative, try mushrooms in the form of tea. A staple in traditional Chinese medicine, the soft, flat reishi mushroom makes for one invigorating (and healthy) libation. White and Foster recommend combining 1/3 ounce of chopped or powdered reishi mushroom with 3 cups of water, then bringing the tea to a boil and simmering for 30 minutes before drinking in doses.

Chai

Native to India, this soothing beverage is commonly made with rich black tea, milk, and a variety of spices, like cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom. A steaming hot mug of chai tea will help you get over an afternoon hump. An added bonus? Though you're automatically cutting your caffeine intake by drinking chai, the tea’s smooth, creamy flavor tricks your mind into thinking that it’s coffee!

Carob Powder

If a post-lunch slump has you running to the nearest Starbucks for an espresso shot, you may want to think about keeping a stash of caffeine-free carob powder in your desk drawer. Similar to cocoa, naturally sweet carob powder tastes just as yummy mixed with warm milk and a touch of honey, and prevents you from experiencing a nasty energy crash later on.

Lemon Water

Creamy coffee drinks offer an instant jolt of energy, but you may find yourself feeling sluggish as the caffeine wears off later in the afternoon. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that will stimulate your senses. “I find that the best waker-upper is water with lemon zest and lemon juice,” says Lisa Rinna, television host and author of Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever. She suggests adding the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of freshly grated zest to your H2O.

Pomegranate Juice

Sweet and tangy, pure pomegranate juice is a delicious energy booster and easily incorporated into other beverage recipes. Sip the juice on its own, or blend it with other fruit juices or in a smoothie. “Pomegranate juice is full of antioxidants and energizers,” Rinna says. For a tasty pick-me-up, Rinna’s super energy drink recipe calls for a fusion of pomegranate juice, soy milk, a banana, spirulina, berries, and yogurt.

Green Smoothies

Introduce more greens into your diet with a fresh veggie and fruit smoothie. Experiment with different combinations of your favorites, like spinach, kale, mango, blueberries, and bananas, then put your blender to work. A chilled smoothie in the morning is a quick way to wake up! “Some people get a quick energy lift from nutrient-rich green drinks containing blue-green algae, spirulina, chlorella, or barley greens,” White and Foster say.

Schizandra Tea

The name may be difficult to pronounce, but schizandra herbal tea is an easy replacement for your daily java fix. Brimming with health benefits, the tea is brewed from schizandra berries, which are native to East Asia and popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine. “It has a subtle calming effect, improves sleep, balances blood sugar, is good for the liver, and may increase memory,” White and Foster say.

Flaxseed Shake

Adding flaxseeds and flaxseed oil to a morning shake will have you up and running in the a.m. For an icy beverage both high in fiber and energy, blend flaxseeds with yogurt, soy milk, ice, and the frozen fruit of your choice. Subtly nutty flaxseeds also add a deliciously satisfying crunch to any smoothie. 

Prune Juice

With sugar and cream stirred in, coffee is one enticing morning treat. But next time you reach for your thermos, fill it with prune juice! The thick, crisp juice helps regulate the proper level of electrolytes in your body, which in turn leads to increased stamina, according to Staci Nix, author of Williams’ Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy. If the flavor of prune juice is overpowering, try diluting it with water or apple juice for a thinner blend. 

Peppermint Tea

Perk up with peppermint tea! As well as freshening your breath and calming your stomach after a meal, the cooling sensation of this minty drink is an instant revitalizer. “[Peppermint stimulates] the same nerve that’s activated when you revive someone with smelling salts,” says Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.Via Shape.com, Source: Workofbeauty

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Retail Therapy: New ways for better consumer connect

According   to   a   recent   study,   ‘The   World   of    Retail:   How    Employee

Engagement Can Help the Registers Ring’ released by Kenexa High Performance Institute, examined employee engagement trends in the retail sector since 2007 in the US, Brazil, China, Germany, India and the United Kingdom. The study reveals that employee engagement has a direct correlation with customer satisfaction and organizational performance. No wonder then that companies like Mahindra Group, Shoppers Stop, Pantaloon Retail and Reliance are either hiring specialists on board or grooming existing talent to establish a better connect with their

customers. For instance, Mahindra invites on board, ‘super moms and dads’, whenever they launch a store for their specialty mother and child retail venture Mom & Me chain. These experienced parents or grandparents offer customers, especially first-time parents, advice on choosing the right product and its usage. At last count, Mahindra had appointed more than 60 super moms and dads across India, at a much higher salary than what its customer care executives earn per month. Hiring specialists help them to influence customers positively, especially at time when slow economy has affected consumer buying sentiment. Many retailers have also tied up with grooming schools to train their employees or are hunting for specialised graduates or domain experts as a part of their shop floors. The best example of this trend is diamond jewellery chain, Orra, which has appointed designers on shop floors to help customers in making their purchase decisions. The company has also started an extensive training programme for such designers on various types of jewellery, gold and other precious stones. Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India (TRRAIN), a non-profit organization founded by Shoppers Stop’s vice-chairman B S Nagesh has tied up with Aptech for training people working in the retail sector and Future Learning, an education and training arm of the Kishore Biyani-led Future Group, formed a partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development to train young people from poor families for employment in the organized retail industry. Reliance Retail too has been hiring specialised talent from fashion institutes to run its chain of 55 premium stores for global brands like Diesel, Timberland , Ermenegildo Zegna, Paul & Shark and Steve Madden. And this year, Reliance Brands hired 32 people from National Institute of Fashion Technology and three to four designers from London College of Fashion. While retailers’ efforts are paying off with their sales showing positive results, with much higher pay-packages and great career opportunities, employees of course are not complaining. The new trend is either boosting their existing career or opening up new doors to further growth. Source: Fashion United

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Stem cell therapy may cure glaucoma

Indian Express,  Agencies :  London, Scientists  claim  to  have  successfully

healed the damage caused to glaucoma in rats, a breakthrough they say could lead to an effective treatment for one of the most common causes of blindness in humans in just a few years. Researchers at University College London who carried out this landmark research hoped that their new stem cell therapy could be tested on humans by 2015 and in widespread use four years later.

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Glaucoma affects about 70 million people around the world and one in 10 sufferers go blind because of late diagnosis, drugs not working or the disease being particularly severe at present, the Daily Mail reported. In the study, the researchers took healthy stem cells – "master" cells capable of turning into other types of cell and widely seen as a repair kit for the body -- from human eyes. Using a cocktail of chemicals, they turned them into retinal ganglion cells that die in glaucoma and then injected those into the eyes of rats with glaucoma-like damage. After just four weeks, the cells had connected with existing nerve cells, and the animals' eyes worked 50 per cent better, the researches reported in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Study author Dr Astrid Limb said: "Although this research is still a long way from the clinic, it is a significant step towards our ultimate goal of finding a cure for glaucoma and other related conditions. "The human eye is actually very efficient. We can still have fairly good vision with very few functioning retinal nerve cells, which is why many glaucoma patients don't show symptoms until it is too late to treat the underlying cause of their vision loss. Source: Indian Express

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Ayurveda Music Therapy

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Music in musical therapy: Music is a universal language. It influences all levels of human existence. It is a medium for communication, which can be both a pleasant and healing experience. Modern science and medicine are now rediscovering the healing powers of music. And music therapy -- the specialized use of music in treating persons with special needs in mental and physical health, rehabilitation and special education -- is gaining ground. In the West it is now an accepted form of treatment even within orthodox medical practice. Music is an age-old part of Ayurveda, the holistic science which promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle. From time immemorial, music has been a part of Indian culture. In the Vedas too, music has an important place. The 'Samveda' is full of music. The doshas

like Vata, Pitta and Kapha can be controlled effectively by Music Therapy. Great composers of Indian classical music have attempted music therapy down the years. Legend has it that classical music maestro Thyagaraja brought a dead person back to life with his composition. It is believed that music stimulates the pituitary gland, whose secretions affect the nervous system and the flow of blood. It is believed that for healing with music, it is necessary to vibrate the cells of the body, for it is through these vibrations that the diseased person's consciousness can be changed effectively to promote health. The right kind of music helps one relax and refresh. Even during the course of working, light music improves efficiency. Listening to music helps control negative aspects of our personalities like worry, 
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bias and anger. In addition, it can help cure headache, abdominal pain and tension. Music therapy is one of the most effective ways of controlling emotions, blood pressure and restoring the functioning of the liver. The Raga Research Centre in Chennai,India. is currently making a comprehensive study of Indian ragas and evaluating their therapeutic potential with the help of musicians, doctors and psychiatrists. It is believed that classical Indian ragas can benefit a whole host of conditions ranging from insomnia, high and low blood pressure to schizophrenia and epilepsy. It is believed that there are other ragas that can help fight ageing
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and pain, too. Music is capable of improving happiness, peace, health and concentration. It is however important to know the method and duration for which Music Therapy is to be administered. This knowledge can be obtained through regular experiments and experience. The first step towards this is the correct diagnosis of the disease and then the selection of the precise raga that will be helpful. Procedure, discipline and a systematic method will help achieve this goal.Source: Music in musical therapy

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Stem cell therapy could bolster kidney transplant success

BioEdge, By Jared Yee: A kidney transplant patient’s own stem cells could replace anti-rejection medications, a new study suggests. Six months after a kidney transplant, only around 8% of people given their own mesenchymal stem cells faced organ rejection compared with 22% of people on standard anti-rejection drugs. “Mesenchymal stem cells are stem cells that can be differentiated into a variety of cells,” explained author of the study Dr Camillo Ricordi, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “If you infuse mesenchymal stem cells at the time of the transplant, you could replace the use of powerful anti-rejection drugs, and maybe replace immunosuppressants altogether,” he said. Results of the study appeared in the the Journal of the American Medical Association. The technique could be used in the transplantation of islet cells (in the pancreas) for people with type 1 diabetes, and for other organ transplants, such as the liver. Source: BioEdge, Image: flickr.com

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Yuvraj Singh's chemotherapy almost over

News Bullet, Press Trust of India, New Delhi: Cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who  is undergoing chemotherapy in Boston for a rare germ cell cancer, is in the last leg of his treatment and is eagerly waiting for it to end in the next four days. The flamboyant left-hander has said that only four days are left for his chemotherapy. "My last stretch 4 mor dys to go Can't wait fr it to end Set me free dear lord," Yuvraj tweeted. Yuvraj had last month stated that the tumour between his lungs is almost out of his system. Yuvraj, who has been in Boston since last month, is expected to be back on the field in the first week of May, according to his doctor. The 30-year-old has gone bald during the treatment, which will go on till the last week of March before the process of rehabilitation starts in April. After being diagnosed with the illness, Yuvraj has not played competitive cricket since taking part in two of three home Tests against the West Indies in November. He has so far scored 8,051 runs in 274 one-dayers and 1,775 runs in 37 Tests since making his international debut in 2000. He was named Player of the Tournament in the World Cup for scoring 362 runs and grabbing 15 wickets in nine matches. During the treatment, Yuvraj had been paid a visit by legendary former Indian spinner Anil Kumble. Source: News Bullet

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Yuvraj has cancer, undergoing chemotherapy in US

Yuvraj Singh,  who  played  a stellar role in India's ODI World Cup triumph last year, has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy in the United States. The 30-year-old left-hander has been in US since last month being treated for what was earlier claimed to be a tumour in the lungs by his family. But it has now been diagnosed as malignant and Yuvraj is currently undergoing chemotherapy in the Cancer Research Institute in Boston. His physiotherapist Dr Jatin Chaudhary, however, assured that the ailment is curable and the batsman would be fit to resume cricket in May. His mother Shabnam Singh could not be reached for her comments. "It is a rare tumour and is cancerous but it has been detected in stage one itself. Doctors had to decide whether to continue medication or go for chemotherapy but since parts of the tumour are just above the artery of his heart, there was a danger that while running it could burst. But it is 100 per cent curable," Chaudhary said. "The doctors decided that he would have to undergo chemotherapy and he travelled to the US on January 26. End of March, he would undergo a CT scan and should recover by then. After that it is just some rehabilitation in April before he is fit to be back on the field in May," he added. Yuvraj, who was Player of the Tournament in the World Cup last year with 362 runs, 15 wickets and four Man-of-the-Match awards, has also been taking ayurvedic medicines to battle the disease. "After ayurvedic treatment only three cycles of chemotherapy are required. Initially when the cancer was diagnosed after a biopsy in October end, doctors feared that the treatment would be six cycles of chemotherapy," Chaudhary said. "Thankfully no surgery is required, he is already a lot better than what he was and can't wait to be back on the cricket field," he said. Chaudhary said the detection of cancer was delayed by wrong diagnosis by an Indian hospital. "His first biopsy report was stolen from his car and the second from a hospital, I don't want to name, did not give the correct diagnosis. It was a Russian doctor who detected the cancer and after consultations with doctors in US, it was decided that Yuvraj would undergo chemotherapy," he said. "Once he is done with chemo in March, his rehabilitation would be complete by April end and he would be perfectly fit to play in May," he added.Source: Deccan Chronicle

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Horse therapy helps wounded soldiers

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By: Andrew Hiller, 3.12.2011, 10:48, In the early 1990’s, Lt Col. Samantha Nerove was injured in Desert Storm. She returned to combat in Iraq in 2008 only to return with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The condition has left her vulnerable to flashbacks and at times leaves her in an almost catatonic state. In the early 1990’s, Lt Col. Samantha Nerove was injured in Desert Storm. She returned to combat in Iraq in 2008 only to return with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The condition has left her vulnerable to flashbacks and at times leaves her in an almost catatonic state. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, over 20,000 servicemen and women who have served in Iraq have been diagnosed with the psychological disorder. Andrew Hiller traveled to the Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Program to find out how animal therapy is being used to aid our servicemen's recovery. According to retired Army Command Sergeant Major Larry Pence, one important step for recovery for returning soldiers is being productive and escaping the hospital mindset. Pence has been working with soldiers, marines and sailors since he founded the Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Program in 2006. Читать далее, Source: Voice of Russia, Tags: therapy, Health, animals, World, Commentary

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