Managing Jetlag
April 28, 2008
There are many adventures that we want to partake in our lives and make them memorable. But to fulfill these dreams, we need to leave the comfort of our homes and travel.
Traveling is enjoyable if the itinerary is well-planned, tickets and hotel reservations are pre-booked. You feel that nothing can come in between you and your well-deserved holiday. Here is where you are wrong.
Jetlag is one such hindrance which many people face across the globe but never give any importance to its do’s and don’ts. People traveling red-eye flights have to be even more aware of the possibilities so that they can revitalize themselves the moment they step out of their aircraft.
10 Tips To Minimize Jetlag
1) Have a good meal before you get to the airport. People are so stressed getting stuck in traffic, queuing for check-in, getting paperwork and boarding pass set that by the time they are about to board the flight, they are starving. It takes a while for the meal to get served on flight.
2) It is good to catch up on your sleep. The best way is to get a good seat, preferably a window seat. This helps as you can rest without getting disturbed by your fellow passengers. Ask for a pillow, blanket and eye mask and get ready for your snooze.
3) Eat and drink wisely on the flight. Avoid too much caffeine rich products like coffee, chocolates, colas and alcohol. Salted foods make you thirsty and cause a rise in blood pressure so watch out for them.
4) Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water.
5) Wear loose and light clothing because many people experience swelling of the body and feet.
6) Set your alarm to wake up half an hour before the plane touches down. This will provide enough time to use the bathroom, gather possessions and acclimatize to the new day
7) Learn some simple stretches that you can do without disturbing people around. This is great for circulation. Even few minutes of walking down the isle to get a glass of water is good.
8) After you land, make sure you walk around, to improve your mobility and circulation.
9) When you arrive at your destination, take a shower and you will feel rejuvenated.
10) Consult your doctor before long haul flights. Take the prescribed medicine on time to avoid health risk and complications.
Bon Voyage…
©Nayna, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Flat Abs, Six Packs-Breaking Myths And Understanding Reality
April 25, 2008
Fitness industry is a booming enterprise with thousands of trainers selling e-books, DVDs and exercise videos explaining how to get washboard abs. Equipments like ab crunchers, ab burners, sauna belts, belt vibrators, ab workouts balls, mats and numerous products are created just so that we can all flaunt flat abs. There are shakes, pills, supplements all promoting the concept of flat abs. But do they really work?
What is the definition of a flat ab?
A stomach which has no fat layers or tyres as many call them, no bulging, wobbly, jiggly stuff that moves with you.
How To Develop Flat Abs?
1) Get realistic. Six packs will not develop in two weeks.
2) Understand your need to lose weight before desiring a body that resembles celebrities and movie stars.
3) List the foods that you eat.
4) Cut down on fatty foods, junk food and sweets.
5) Cutting down on your calories will help you lose weight and in turn reduce fat deposits around your waistline.
6) Drink plenty of water.
7) Aerobic exercise is needed to speed up your metabolism.
8) Eating five to six meals a day keeps the metabolic rate at a good pace.
9) Best workout for flat abs is a combination of cardiovascular exercise, free weights and floor exercises. A combination of exercises helps in toning the body as well as in developing core strength.
10) Healthy eating, proper rest and regular workout are three essential things needed for developing flat abs.
Flat Abs-Myths Busted:
Myth: Doing ab crunches daily will give flat abs.
Truth: This causes a strain on the muscles and you will injure yourself. You have give ab muscles a rest. Do ab workouts every alternate day.
Myth: Supplements help is developing 6 packs.
Truth: Find out the ingredients of the supplements. Protein supplements help you when your diet is insufficient in providing the recommended protein intake. Proteins help in developing muscles but not exclusive just for abs but for the whole body.
Myth: Crash dieting speeds up ab toning.
Truth: Crash dieting will lead to fatigue, muscle loss and dehydration.
It is essential to understand your body and find out what works for you. Don’t follow diet fads, celebrity diets and trends mentioned in magazines. Be regular in your workout and most of all be patient.
©Nayna, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Lord Ganesh Unites Lord Karthikeyan And Valli
April 21, 2008
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati had two sons- Lord Ganesh and Lord Skanda. Lord Skanda has many forms. In one of them, he is depicted with six faces and is known as Lord Shanmukha. His other popular names are Kartik, Karthikeyan/Kartikeyan, Murugan and Subrahmanya, the one who bestows his devotees with the knowledge of Brahman.
The king of Kuravas (The Hill Tribes) Nambirajan ruled the ghat (Terrain) of Tamilnadu (Located in the southern part of India). King Nambirajan desired to have a daughter and prayed earnestly to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased with his sincerity and said that he would find his baby in the forest. As predicted, the king found his daughter and named her Vallinayaki.
Vallinayaki or Valli blossomed into beautiful woman. Lord Karthikeyan was fascinated with her beauty and approached her, disguised as a bangle seller. She was delighted with the wide array of bangles and bought some from him. He didn’t take any money but instead exchanged the bangles for a local delicacy–corn flour soaked in honey. They were busy in a conversation when they were interrupted by Valli’s brothers.
Brothers are known to be possessive of their sisters and they too shared the same instinct. Lord Karthikeyan did not want to fight so he quickly changed his form into a Vengai Maram (A stump. This form is depicted in the Velimalai temple situated in southern part of Tamilnadu.)
Few days later, the Lord again disguised as a tribal king asked for Valli’s hand in marriage. But her brothers appeared again. He had no choice but to change his form. This time he decided to be an old ascetic from the Himalayas. Seeing an old man, the brothers left.
Lord Karthikeya was disturbed with these constant interruptions and went to his brother Lord Vinayaka for guidance. Lord Ganesh assured him that the next time he met Valli, there would not be any problems and he would be united with his soul mate.
When Valli and Lord Karthikeyan met again, Lord Vinayaka appeared as a wild elephant. Valli was petrified and embraced him. Frightened, she said that she would offer him anything if he protected her from this wild creature. The Lord asked her hand in marriage. She willingly agreed. Later, she found out that her husband was none other than Lord Subramanya whom she and her tribe members prayed and had a high regard.
Legends like this form the bases of many folk and classical dances in Tamilnadu. Lord Ganesh as the loving brother made sure that there were no difficulties in his brother’s marriage. Thus Vighnaharta proved that he removes all the obstacles in the path of those who revere him with their pure heart and soul.
©Nayna, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
