Perspective Taking

What does “Perspective-Taking” mean? Development of Children and Empathy. Help your youngster develop the ability to identify with others and consider other points of view in social circumstances.

Empathy is essential to connect with others and participating in a connected and caring society. One of the critical components of meaningful interaction with other people is the capacity to put one’s sense of self aside to comprehend what another person is going through. It has a profoundly positive impact on one’s own life. So how can you impart this crucial ability to kids?

Empathy is a skill that is developed through guidance and lessons from life. One step in teaching empathy is Perspective-Taking, which is comprehending something from someone else’s perspective. Children who imagine situations from the viewpoint of others are better able to understand the intentions or motives of other people. They can also change their actions to prevent hurting or offending others.

Familiarize children with emotions

Adults far too frequently assume that knowing emotions comes effortlessly. Kids have feelings, but they can’t express them clearly if they don’t have the words to convey them. Children cannot frequently discern their emotions, let alone those around them. In the same way, you would teach colours, numbers, or letters, make a concentrated effort to teach feelings. Practice sketching and labeling faces with various expressions representing emotions, being straightforward about your feelings, pointing out the emotions that fictional people in movies and novels experience, and being honest about your feelings. Children can recognize similar emotions in themselves and others by talking about their feelings.

Detective in perspective

A child’s social and emotional development is a complex area of growth that affects many aspects of their life and future. For example, seeing things from different points of view is a social skill that can help people get along better, feel better about themselves, and avoid making careless mistakes. Kids who don’t understand how their actions affect others often have trouble making friends, making them feel less good about themselves. Because of this, the ability to understand perspectives is vital. The following suggestions and activities can assist you in teaching your kids to consider other people.

Settling Disputes

Please encourage your child to resolve conflict by urging them to pause and see the problem from each participant’s perspective once they have the vocabulary and experience to understand how their actions impact others. For example, how will each child feel if they don’t get their way if they all want to play with the same toy? Asking your youngster how they could compromise will help them realize that their wants aren’t as essential as those of others. Sharing, taking turns, or opting to move on to another activity are all considered reasonable solutions. To connect with people and have genuine relationships with them, you have to be able to relate to them, make them feel appreciated and at ease, and positively affect them. Educate the kids in your life with lessons that will enable them to develop Perspective-Taking abilities and lay the groundwork for a fulfilling future.

Real-life experience

Your child will recognize how their actions affect others once they have a basic concept of feelings. For example, point out to your child when they make another youngster happy or upset and ask them why they think the other child behaved that way. Likewise, ask your youngster how they would feel if they were in another person’s shoes. For example, how would you have felt if he had taken the toy away from you while you were playing with it? What alternative would have been preferable? Your youngster can use books and movies as conversation starters to determine how and why a particular character feels.

Perspective-Taking is the ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes and understand their thoughts, feelings, and experiences from their point of view. It involves imagining how someone else sees, feels, or thinks about a situation and considering their perspective when making decisions or judgments. Perspective-Taking is a crucial aspect of empathy, as it allows individuals to connect with others on a deeper level and to understand their emotions and motivations. It can be a valuable skill in many areas of life, including personal relationships, communication, and conflict resolution.

7 Tips to help you better yourself in Empathy

  1. Listen Actively
    When someone is talking to you, try to give them your full attention. Listen to their words, tone, and body language to understand what they say.

  2. Practice Perspective-Taking
    Try to put yourself in other people’s shoes and imagine how they may feel or think about a situation. Consider their point of view when making decisions or judgments.

  3. Be Open-minded
    Consider new ideas and perspectives, even if they differ from yours. Avoid making assumptions and jumping to conclusions.

  4. Show Compassion
    Try to understand and acknowledge other people’s emotions and express empathy and support.

  5. Practice Reflective Listening
    Reflective listening involves repeating to someone what they said in your own words to confirm your understanding and show that you are actively listening.

  6. Seek Out Diverse perspectives
    Expose yourself to different cultures, opinions, and experiences to broaden your perspective and understanding of the world.

  7. Practice Self-reflection
    Reflect on your emotions and experiences and how they may impact your ability to empathize with others.

Empathy is not just a skill but also a mindset and a way of being in the world. You can cultivate greater empathy and understanding of others with practice and effort. 

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“Saral hu Saadharn nhi” (Simplicity is not Ordinary). This phrase encapsulates her entire existence. A woman of few words, a daydreamer, who is certain that there is life beyond stars. An HR professional who began her writing journey when corona knocked on our doors. A Content Writer, Screenplay Writer, and published Author. She is die-hard romantic and that reflects in her quotes, poems and short stories and currently working on her first book. She enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, travelling, and is a huge Bollywood enthusiast. She is a wife, a mother and a friend you can most certainly rely on.

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Skidamarink Daisy

Cocomelon has taken over too much space in this generation’s musical kid’s rhymes in most houses worldwide. But there is something to it that grabs the child’s attention instantly. It is more magical than mysterious… The world’s biggest children’s entertainment production company must be doing something truly in the spirit of goodwill that their videos are viewed billions of times – and not just by kids!

For those still unaware, Cocomelon is a popular YouTube channel that produces educational and entertaining content for young children. It features animated nursery rhymes and songs that help children learn and develop various skills such as counting, colours, shapes, and more.

This global success has multiple benefits for children’s growth and development; yes, I noticed something else. There are love songs in Cocomelon, rhymes, and songs where the animated mom and dad characters show their children how to be intimate and affectionate in a family unit together! They also show the importance of having “couple time,” date nights, day offs, and peaceful rest time.

Cocomelon has positively impacted many families by providing a fun and educational resource for young children and helping parents navigate childcare challenges. While it is difficult to quantify the exact impact that Cocomelon has had on individual lives, it is clear that the channel has become a significant part of many children’s early development and entertainment. The channel’s engaging and educational content has helped young children learn essential skills and concepts in a fun and entertaining way. Cocomelon has also provided parents and caregivers with valuable resources for entertaining and educating their children. In addition, as many parents struggle to balance work, household chores, and childcare, Cocomelon has become a helpful tool for keeping young children occupied and engaged while parents attend to other tasks.

How many mothers and fathers would have noticed these videos while playing and sitting around their kids watching Cocomelon?

It sure rings a bell in me to focus on something that started differently. It is as essential as being wonderful parents to be wonderful spouses too. It is as crucial as being amazing parents to be a fantastic couple too! It is vital to show our children that true love is family and true love is home: and that true love exists. I thank Cocomelon company for being mindful of such intricate details of parenthood and husband-wife relationships that most couples forget about. Let’s keep that light shining!

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Aakanksha Dinah, a passionate writer, orator, communicator focused on establishing a Training institution centered on creativity and innovation. Aakanksha is a true believer in loving the work we do and strongly believes in smart-work, the reason why creativity works better for her. Aakanksha is enormously focused on making a career in professional writing and publishing. She loves writing poems, self-help articles, and essays. An enthusiast when it comes to learning languages and in short, Aakanksha is a wanderer, an explorer, a mom, a dog-mom, a poet, a cook, a writer, and an influencer.

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How Are Needs and Wants Distinct from One Another

The degree to which something is required for our continued existence is the primary determinant of whether or not it can be categorized as a need or a want. Therefore, we must fulfill the requirements necessary to carry out everyday activities.

On the other hand, we don’t always have to give in to our whims because desires are less important than needs. At most, we experience disappointment because we cannot fulfill our aspirations. Nevertheless, this is a minor obstacle.

When making decisions affecting our day-to-day lives, we must have a firm grasp on the distinction between our requirements and desires. By differentiating between the two, as customers, we can better prioritize the use of the currently available resources. For instance, we do not spend money on things we want but instead on things we need.

Assume for the moment that you are the proprietor of a company. The first step toward achieving your goals is understanding your target market’s requirements and preferences. After you have determined the requirements and priorities of the customers in your target market, the next step is to create an effective marketing blend. Last but not least, your offering needs to be able to fulfill their requirements. And once you have reached the point where you are required to do it better than your rivals, continued financial success will find its way into your company.

Needs are necessary for our continued existence. When they are satisfied, our lives become more steady, healthy, and secure. For instance, we require food to maintain the vitality necessary to carry out the tasks that make up our typical day. Wants and needs are different. The latter alludes to the things that we have hopes or desires for. Instability or death can result from insufficient money to satisfy our basic needs, but not out of want. The fulfillment of our requirements is more important than meeting our desires.

Understanding the difference between requirements and desires is critical for several reasons. I will approach this from two different angles: the consumers and the business owners. As customers, we can maximize our resources (money). We can put it to the most beneficial use. Meanwhile, companies have a more significant opportunity to increase their earnings by catering to the requirements and preferences of customers. And this necessitates that they perform the task at a higher level than their rivals.

We possess limited assets. For example, our financial resources are fixed and cannot cover our requirements and desires. Therefore, we must decide how to allocate it. Identifying requirements and desires is the first step in prudent financial management. It becomes even more critical, especially in challenging circumstances such as a recession. Therefore, spending money wisely allows us to endure.

Especially when shopping, we may find it difficult to distinguish between obligations and wants. As a result, we purchase an item that we do not require. Occasionally, we buy a new item despite possessing a comparable item with the same function. As a result, we eventually need more money to purchase things we desire but do not need. Thus, distinguishing between requirements and desires is essential when making daily decisions. It allows us to prioritize our expenditures. And ultimately, it’s accessible when we need it most. Then, the resource we have is more comprehensive than money alone. Our time is of equal worth. Spending more time having pleasure costs us money that we could earn by working. In the future, when we can no longer work, we may experience the effects.

Our requirements must be met because they are essential to our daily existence. We do so by purchasing products and services. Our need for sustenance, water, and shelter is one example. The inability to make ends can have dire consequences, including deteriorating health or even mortality. For example, consider what happens if we go days without eating. In contrast, a desire is less vital to our survival. It refers to our desire to obtain or acquire something in the near or distant future. Getting it improves our quality of existence. For instance, dining has become necessary because it enables us to sustain daily activities. However, dining at a fine restaurant may be a pipe dream. This is because we can still consume even without going there.

Not satisfying a desire is not significant. It resulted in disappointment at most. Indeed, gratifying desires allow us to appreciate life and have fun. Vacations are an excellent illustration. It can make us understand joyful moments, but we can still be content without it. Wants are not limited in nature, unlike needs. As humans, we are inherently dissatisfied with what already exists. When we have something, we desire another item.

Depending on the available resources, desires are frequently in perpetual flux. For example, as our income increases, we prefer automobiles over motorcycles. Similarly, owning a private jet and luxury vehicle is optimal as we become more affluent because it enhances our reputation. Considering how to satisfy our needs typically compels us to think objectively. Without external influences, we believe what we genuinely require more. We are more concerned with their benefits when purchasing goods or services to satisfy requirements. On the other hand, external factors significantly influence our desires. For instance, if a friend acquires a new car, we may desire one even if it’s not what we need most.

Additionally, a desire is more subjective because each individual has unique preferences. For instance, you favor red automobiles. Nonetheless, your friend may select black.

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“Saral hu Saadharn nhi” (Simplicity is not Ordinary). This phrase encapsulates her entire existence. A woman of few words, a daydreamer, who is certain that there is life beyond stars. An HR professional who began her writing journey when corona knocked on our doors. A Content Writer, Screenplay Writer, and published Author. She is die-hard romantic and that reflects in her quotes, poems and short stories and currently working on her first book. She enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, travelling, and is a huge Bollywood enthusiast. She is a wife, a mother and a friend you can most certainly rely on.

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The Sudden Empty Nest

Dealing with the Empty Nest
Life after your brood has grown and flown into life.

Empty Nesters India refers to the population of adults who are over 50 and have no dependents living with them. This demographic is increasing in India as the country’s population ages and traditional family structures are declining. Empty Nesters in India often face unique challenges due to needing more support networks and social safety nets. They may need help finding meaningful employment and accessing affordable housing and health care. Additionally, they may experience loneliness and isolation due to the lack of social connections and activities. While this demographic is often overlooked, Empty Nesters in India have a valuable societal role. They have life experience and knowledge to share and often become mentors and role models to younger generations. They can also become active community volunteers, providing valuable services and support. It is essential to recognize this population’s challenges and provide them with the resources and support they need to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Empty nester’s to-do list 

1. Explore New Hobbies
Take up a recent activity like painting, gardening, or writing to fill your newfound free time. 

2. Travel
Take advantage of your newfound freedom to travel to places you’ve always wanted to visit. 

3. Spend Time With Friends
Get together with old friends or make new ones. 

4. Pamper Yourself
Take time to relax and enjoy the little things. Get a massage, take a spa day, or find other ways to care for yourself. 

5. Make Your Home A Sanctuary
Use the time to make your home a place you truly love and feel comfortable in. Then, Declutter, redecorate, and make it your own. 

6. Get Involved In Your Community
Join a local organization or volunteer to stay connected and make a difference. 

7. Take A Class
Enroll in a course to learn something new and challenge yourself. 

8. Get Active
Take up a new sport or activity to stay active and healthy. 

9. Spend Time With Family
Visit family members or even chat with them on the phone or via video call. 

10. Pursue A Passion
Use the time to focus and build a hobby or passion you were unable to when the nest was full or your brood was in the house.

Ode to the Empty Nesters

Empty nest, a place once full of joy,
Now feels so still and empty with no child,
The laughter and noise that filled all the days,
Now have been replaced with moments of pause .
Memories of childhood years that seem so far,
Return to us now as echoes of past days start, 
The empty nest that was once so full.

Is now a reminder of a life that was, 
But what once was is never forgotten, 
The love that was shared will remain unspoken. 
A new chapter, a different kind of life, 
A journey of discovery, joy, and strife, 
An empty nest is a place of endless possibilities, 
A chance to open new doors and explore life's mysteries.

Take heart, empty nesters, in that you can enjoy more time and freedom as your children become more independent. This time can be used to cultivate new hobbies, deepen existing relationships, pursue a career change, or take up a new volunteer role. Embracing a new chapter in life can be an exciting opportunity to explore new passions and find joy in the little moments.

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Ignatius Deepak Stanley is an experienced business coach, trainer, educational consultant and full time dad. He has worked with several well known corporates before deciding to take time out and be a full time dad to his 3 year old son. Beside being a consultant, he has written and published books. Deepak enjoys riding and driving, reading, writing and travelling.

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Fasting Is Healthy

Is it healthy to “starve” yourself every day or only a few days a week? Well, a ton of evidence suggests that timed fasting intervals are beneficial. In addition, short-term or intermittent fasting may have some health benefits.

Over time, fasting has gained popularity, particularly within the health community. However, when utilized responsibly, the great benefits of fasting remain unaffected, despite the stigma that prevents most health professionals from recommending eating less.

10 unexpected benefits of fasting
how you can use them in your life?

1. Fasting Increases Lifespan

If you believe it, the fewer calories you consume daily, the longer you will live. According to several studies, the foods common in different societies were a big part of why their people lived longer. On the other hand, we do not have to live in a foreign community to experience the positive effects of fasting. A slowing metabolism is one of the most noticeable signs of aging; generally speaking, the younger your body is, the quicker and more effective your metabolism will be. When you cut back on how much you eat, your digestive system won’t have to work as hard. 

2. Fasting Quickens Metabolism

When you fast, your digestive system is given a break, which can rev up your metabolism and help you burn calories more effectively. Poor digestion might interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize meals and burn fat. Intermittent fasting can improve metabolic health by regulating digestion and encouraging regular bowel movements.

3. Fasting Breaks Down Stored Fat

Studies have shown that controlled fasting within a certain number of hours, also called intermittent fasting, helps the body burn fat cells more effectively than just dieting. Therefore, fasting can be a healthy way to lose weight. In addition, when you engage in intermittent fasting, the body might use fat as its primary energy source instead of sugar. Nowadays, many athletes fast to reach low body fat percentages for contests.

4. Improved Insulin Sensitivity after Fasting

It has been demonstrated that fasting has a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity, making it possible for you to tolerate carbs (sugar) better than you would be able to if you did not fast. In addition, a study found that following periods of fasting, insulin becomes more effective at directing cells to take up glucose from the blood. It occurs because insulin levels drop during fasting periods.

5. Fasting Improves Appetite

Can you truly feel hungry if you eat every three to four hours? You cannot, of course. In reality, it could take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours to truly feel the effects of hunger. To feel actual desire, fasting can help your body’s hormones function more normally. We are aware that due to their excessive eating habits, obese people do not receive the proper cues when they are full. Therefore, consider fasting as a reset button: the longer you fast, the better your body will be able to control the release of the proper chemicals, allowing you to feel hunger. Not to mention that you feel fuller more quickly when your hormones function correctly.

6. Fasting Enhances Cognitive Function

Because it increases the creation of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein, fasting has been demonstrated to enhance mental performance. In addition to stimulating several other substances that support neural health, BDNF stimulates brain stem cells to differentiate into new neurons. Additionally, these protein guards against the alterations brought on by Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease in your brain cells.

7. Your Eating Patterns Get Better After Fasting

Fasting can benefit those who struggle with binge eating disorders and those who find it challenging to develop a healthy eating pattern due to work and other commitments. Going without food for the entire day is OK when you are fasting, and you can schedule your meals to meet your schedule. Additionally, if you want to avoid binge eating, set out a time when you’re allowed to consume all of your recommended daily caloric intakes in one sitting and then skip meals the rest of the day.

8. Fasting Leads To Self-Realization 

People have said that after fasting, they feel more alive when doing things like reading, meditating, yoga, martial arts, etc. Since the digestive system is one of the body systems that absorbs the most energy, having less food in it allows for the body to use more power. When we fast for self-enlightenment, we feel better mentally and physically. We become more aware of and appreciative of the things around us when our bodies and minds are lighter and more transparent.

9. Fasting boosts Your Immune System

Fasting strengthens the immune system by reducing the effects of free radicals, stopping the body from reacting to inflammation, and stopping cancer cells from growing. Animals in nature cease eating when ill and instead concentrate on resting. Reducing internal tension so that the body can fight off infection is an essential tendency. Unfortunately, humans are the only species that search for food when it is unnecessary.

10. Fasting Aids in Clear Skin & Acne Prevention

During a fast, the body is temporarily freed from digestion, so it can focus on healing other systems. For example, it can make the skin look clearer. In addition, it has been demonstrated that abstaining from food for just one day can help the body eliminate toxins and maintain the proper operation of other bodily organs, including the liver, kidneys, and different sections.

“Saral hu Saadharn nhi” (Simplicity is not Ordinary). This phrase encapsulates her entire existence. A woman of few words, a daydreamer, who is certain that there is life beyond stars. An HR professional who began her writing journey when corona knocked on our doors. A Content Writer, Screenplay Writer, and published Author. She is die-hard romantic and that reflects in her quotes, poems and short stories and currently working on her first book. She enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, travelling, and is a huge Bollywood enthusiast. She is a wife, a mother and a friend you can most certainly rely on.

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Dealing With Post-Covid Loneliness

Loneliness is a common experience for many people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This blog post could discuss the impact of loneliness on mental health and provide strategies for coping with feelings of isolation and disconnection.

Post covid reconnection Post-COVID reconnection refers to reconnecting with people, places, and activities after the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. It could involve resuming social activities with friends, returning to work or school, or re-engaging in hobbies. Remembering to practice social distancing, hygiene, and other safety precautions is critical. Additionally, it is essential to take time to process and reflect on the experiences of the pandemic before jumping back into life as if nothing has changed. It is also necessary to be patient with yourself and those around you.

Lessons from Covid to beat disconnection or Loneliness

  1. Prioritize Social Connections
    Keep up with your friends and family, even if only through virtual means. Don’t forget to contact those who may not be as connected and offer your support.
  2. Join Virtual Communities
    Many online communities can help you connect with others with similar interests. For example, you can find groups on social media or even join a virtual book club.
  3. Utilize Technology
    Take advantage of all available technologies, such as video calls, messaging, and streaming services.
  4. Practice Self-Care
    Spend time alone doing activities that make you feel relaxed and fulfilled, like yoga, reading, or journaling.
  5. Connect With Nature
    Go for walks in nature or find other ways to connect with the outdoors. Nature can provide comfort and help you feel less alone.
  6. Volunteer
    Participate in virtual volunteer opportunities or find ways to help your local community. This can help you feel like you’re making a difference and can also help you connect with others.

Beating disconnection & loneliness as a family

Disconnection & Loneliness can be difficult for any family,
but a few steps can help bridge the gap.

  1. Make Time For Connection
    Have a weekly family dinner or game night. Make sure everyone is present and actively participating in the activity.
  2. Practice Active Listening
    Ensure each family member is heard and understood. Take turns speaking and listening without interruption.
  3. Show Affection
    Physical touch can help foster a sense of connection. Show appreciation through hugs, hand-holding, or other physical contacts.
  4. Spend Quality Time Together
    Go for walks, picnic, or do something fun together. Make sure everyone is participating and enjoying the activity.
  5. Talk about feelings
    Make sure to ask how each family member is feeling. Listen and validate one another’s feelings, even if they differ from yours.
  6. Reach Out
    If necessary, seek help and support from a mental health professional. They can help the family build healthier communication patterns and foster connection.

fun family activities

  1. Have A Backyard Picnic.
    Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a meal in your backyard.
  2. Host A Movie Night.
    Set up a projector or big-screen TV and have a family movie night.
  3. Plant A Vegetable Garden.
    Plant a vegetable garden and have fun tending to it together.
  4. Have A Family Game Night.
    Gather your favorite board games and have a family game night.
  5. Go For A Bike Ride.
    Go for a bike ride in a nearby park or along a bike path.
  6. Have A Water Balloon Fight.
    Have a water balloon fight in your backyard.
  7. Build A Fort.
    Build a fort in your living room or backyard.
  8. Take A Hike.
    Explore the outdoors by taking a family hike.
  9. Have A Scavenger Hunt.
    Create a scavenger hunt for your family to enjoy.
  10. Have A Campout In Your Backyard.
    Pitch a tent and have a campout.

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Augustus Manohar Stanley is now serving his life’s calling as a full-time Educator and works in Karnataka. He loves creating short academic videos and is also a music enthusiast.

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Music To My Ears

The easiest and most effective relaxation method is to engage in music therapy. Expressing thoughts and feelings through music is an art form that can take on various beautiful structures, such as rhythm, melody, tones, harmony, humming, and so on. Everyone cherishes the sensation that music evokes in them. Therefore, there is always music playing that is relevant to your mindset. Melody doesn’t need to be topical for it to affect your mind; rather, listening to instrumental music can be an extremely beneficial experience.

When you think about how researchers think music can help people heal, incredibly when feeling stressed or vulnerable, it is surprising that music has such a significant impact. Neuroscientists have made the exciting discovery that listening to music causes an increase in dopamine levels, which in turn can make us experience positive emotions. The psyche of the listener is generally altered when they listen to music.

Music is part of our daily lives and, much like oxygen, can be found everywhere. Music can rescue you and make you feel better whenever you are overwhelmed by intense feelings. Music therapy is not given the credit it deserves; it can speed up healing. Music can affect our health and contentment, resulting in the healing process.

7 ways music Can assist In the healing process

1. Listening to music can alleviate tension and anxiety

Listening to music with a slow tempo or instrumentation can help put people at ease and settle them down, even during highly stressful or painful events, according to research conducted on the topic. In addition, music has been shown to reduce nervousness while increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

2. Listening to music can reduce the intensity of pain

Music possesses an extraordinary power that makes it an effective tool in treating pain. The National Center for Biotechnology Information conducted a study in which patients experiencing spine surgery were instructed to listen to the music of their choice beginning a few hours before their procedure and continuing until the following day, one day after their procedure. When the group’s post-surgery pain levels were compared to those of another group, the group that listened to music had substantially lower pain levels.

3. There is some evidence that listening to music can boost one’s immune system

Immunoglobulin A, also known as IgA, is an essential antibody for our immune system’s first line of defense. According to the research findings, a sample of individuals played a wide variety of music over the course of some time. Those who played the soothing music experienced a more significant increase in IgA than the others. Therefore, exposure to calming music might boost one’s resilience.

4. Music helps us exercise

Many of us enjoy listening to various musical genres. In contrast, we exercise, and one-way music encourages us to stay active. Listening to music helps us to concentrate on the activity at hand, which prevents us from continually checking the time on our watches. In addition, listening to music with a fast tempo and lots of energy can help you take in more oxygen when working out.

5. Reduce medical anxiety

Are you getting anxious about a medical treatment that you have coming up? You can find relief from those nerves by listening to some music. For example, putting in your earbuds and listening to some of your favorite music while waiting for a medical procedure, such as a dental procedure, an MRI, or an injection, can help alleviate the anxiety associated with the anticipation of the process. Also, inquire with your health care practitioner about the availability of music to be played in the room during specific procedures, such as a colonoscopy, mammogram, or even a cavity filling, if you would like some background noise. When you’re in one of these situations, listening to music can help you forget about it, give you a good time, and even enhance your medical treatment.

6. The soothing sounds of music put us to slumber at night

Listening to music can also help you unwind because it calms the autonomic nervous system, which controls processes that occur automatically or unconsciously. Music helps people get a better night’s slumber by promoting shallower breathing, a faster heart rate, and lower blood pressure through its soothing effect on the autonomic nervous system. You can find a variety of musical styles on YouTube that will put you at ease and help you have a restful night’s slumber. There are a few instances of this, including ocean waves, flutes, cascading waterfalls, falling leaves, and birds chirping.

7. Familiarize your mind to be more competent

Learning to play an instrument can improve how your brain functions. Playing music can assist in various ways, including accelerating response times, improving long-term memory, and even enhancing alertness. In addition, numerous studies have demonstrated that children participating in musical training are more successful in mathematics and linguistic development.

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“Saral hu Saadharn nhi” (Simplicity is not Ordinary). This phrase encapsulates her entire existence. A woman of few words, a daydreamer, who is certain that there is life beyond stars. An HR professional who began her writing journey when corona knocked on our doors. A Content Writer, Screenplay Writer, and published Author. She is die-hard romantic and that reflects in her quotes, poems and short stories and currently working on her first book. She enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, travelling, and is a huge Bollywood enthusiast. She is a wife, a mother and a friend you can most certainly rely on.

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6 Tips To Get More Sleep


For your health, getting a decent night’s sleep is crucial. It’s equally important to eat healthy and exercise. Although everyone’s rest requirements differ, most adults need between 7 and 9 hours each night. However, around the globe, up to 35% of adults need more sleep.

Every day, you must prioritize and protect sleep because insufficient sleep can risk your health and safety. You can read this piece for some justifications for why you should sleep more.

Short sleep, defined as sleeping for fewer than 7 hours each night, has been linked to a higher chance of weight gain and a lower body mass index. (BMI).

Why We Need More Sleep?

  1. Can increase efficiency and focus: 
    Different parts of brain function depend on sleep. Lack of sleep has a detrimental impact on cognition, concentration, productivity, and performance. A specific study on overworked doctors serves as a helpful illustration. It was discovered that physicians who reported clinically significant medical errors were 54%, 96%, and 97% more likely to have a moderate, high, or very high sleep-related impairment. Similarly, children, adolescents, and young people who get enough sleep perform better in school. Finally, studies on children and adults demonstrate that getting enough sleep improves problem-solving abilities and memory performance.

  2. Can improve performance and concentration: 
    Sports ability is enhanced by sleep. Numerous studies have demonstrated that getting enough sleep improves problem-solving abilities, muscular strength, endurance, and fine motor skills. Additionally, being rest-deprived may make you more prone to accidents and less motivated to work out. Therefore, having enough sleep might be all you need to improve your performance.

  3. May strengthen your heart: 
    Your risk of heart disease may increase if you get poor quality or insufficient sleep. Compared to 7 hours, each hour less sleep is linked with a 6% higher risk of heart disease and all-cause mortality. Furthermore, those with obstructive sleep pane, marked by disrupted breathing while they sleep, appear more susceptible to high blood pressure when they get little sleep. Compared to those who slept for seven hours or more each night, people who snoozed for fewer than five hours had a 61% higher chance of developing high blood pressure. Interestingly, adults who sleep too much—more than 9 hours—have a higher chance of developing heart disease and high blood pressure.

  4. Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and sugar metabolism: 
    Short sleep is linked to a higher chance of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, in which your body has trouble utilising the hormone insulin. It is hypothesised that lack of sleep can lead to behavioural changes like poor decision-making, increased food consumption, and physiological changes like decreased insulin sensitivity, increased inflammation, and changes in hunger hormones. Additionally, a lack of sleep increases the chance of developing metabolic syndrome, obesity, and heart disease. These elements also raise your chance of developing diabetes.

  5. Affects social interactions and feelings: 
    Losing sleep makes it harder to control your emotions and communicate with others. We struggle more when we are exhausted to regulate our public displays of emotion and behaviour. For example, we may be less able to react to humour and demonstrate empathy when tired. Additionally, those who consistently lack slumber are more likely to avoid social gatherings and experience loneliness. Making sleep a priority can help you become more social and better your relationships with others. Never hesitate to ask a friend, family member, or healthcare provider for support if you experience loneliness or emotional outbursts. 

  6. May aid in weight loss or upkeep: 
    Adults who slept for fewer than 7 hours a night were found to have a staggering 41% higher chance of becoming obese. While sleeping more hours did not raise the possibility. Numerous factors, including hormones and the desire to exercise, impact how much sleep contributes to weight increase. For instance, a lack of shuteye causes ghrelin levels to rise while leptin levels fall. Leptin and ghrelin are two hormones that affect how hungry or satiated we feel. Therefore, it could make us feel more famished and overdo it.

Lack of sleep may make you desire foods that are higher in sugar and fat due to their higher calorie content to make up for lack of energy. To make things worse, feeling exhausted after a night of insufficient sleep might make you lack the motivation to work out, walk, or engage in physical activity. Therefore, putting slumber first will help maintain a healthy life.

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“Saral hu Saadharn nhi” (Simplicity is not Ordinary). This phrase encapsulates her entire existence. A woman of few words, a daydreamer, who is certain that there is life beyond stars. An HR professional who began her writing journey when corona knocked on our doors. A Content Writer, Screenplay Writer, and published Author. She is die-hard romantic and that reflects in her quotes, poems and short stories and currently working on her first book. She enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, travelling, and is a huge Bollywood enthusiast. She is a wife, a mother and a friend you can most certainly rely on.

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Partnering For Progress

Relationships are beautiful – when you share a bond with someone that knows every part of who you are, and you know someone for who they are and what they do, relationships are mutual effort and commitment from two individuals to make life better together! Relationships are partnerships – where two adults who know each other’s flaws, likes, and dislikes come together to build something worth their time and effort.

The partnership comes when two people recognize that life is hard work and intelligent work combined with understanding and acknowledging each other’s perspectives and visions. Only if you partner with your spouse will you move towards success together – hand-in-hand. Yes, fallouts and breakdowns are shared between two people – how it is handled at the end of the day is what matters.

Falling in love with someone is easy – may I dare to say? However, staying rooted in that love and building on that love is what is difficult in this fast-moving world full of people who believe true love no longer exists. Today, people are more selfish in love than in giving. People have forgotten that staying committed to that relationship takes effort and continued work. They forget that relationships are all about sharing and caring. Taking care of each other and trying to stay connected to each other’s inner selves has much to do with how successful the commitment will be. Mutual respect, appreciation, intimacy deeper than sex, absolute faith, loyalty, and good communication are all keys to healthy relationships.

The success of a relationship is not in the number of years two people have stayed together – two people can very well stay together without an iota of love left between them; well, bitter truth alert! Instead, the success of a relationship depends on how the couple talks to each other, how they resolve conflicts, how they handle finances, how they handle arguments, and how they depict themselves and each other to the outer world – outside of the relationship.

Partnering for progress is hearty in a relationship because it helps both partners work together towards achieving common goals and growing together as a couple. When both partners are committed to supporting each other’s personal growth and the growth of the relationship, they are more likely to have a successful and fulfilling relationship.

5 reasons why Partnering for Progress is essential

1. Increases Communication

Partnering for Progress encourages open and honest communication between partners. It helps to build trust, deepen understanding, and foster intimacy in the relationship.

2. Promotes Mutual Support

By working together towards shared goals, partners can provide each other with the support they need to achieve their individual and collective aspirations. In addition, it can lead to tremendous mutual respect, trust, and appreciation.

3. Strengthens the Relationship

Partnering for Progress helps partners develop a shared vision for their future, which can improve their connection and deepen their commitment to each other. When both partners are invested in each other’s success, they are more likely to weather the ups and downs of life together.

4. Encourages Growth

Partnering for Progress can also promote personal growth for each partner. By working towards goals together, partners can learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses and develop new skills and perspectives to benefit themselves and the relationship.

5. Navigate challenges & overcome obstacles

Partnering for progress can help partners navigate and overcome obstacles. When both partners are committed to working together towards a shared goal, they are more likely to find creative solutions to problems and support each other during difficult times. This can build resilience and deepen the sense of connection and trust between partners, which can be crucial for maintaining a healthy and happy relationship over the long term.

A healthy relationship is a wholesome partnership to build a future foolproof of dilemma and confusion. It is healthy competition, hearty and wholesome thoughts for each other, healthy disagreements, and everything worldly that, at times, is confusing, but looking at each other’s eyes gives so much clarity. A healthy relationship with your partner is like holding a torchlight in the darkness – it shows you the path even when you cannot see it. It is like looking for water underground- you must keep the faith and dig deeper. It is all there lying in front of you with arms wide open – your soul knows if something is incorrect, and when things are just how they ought to be – you know!

Partnering for Progress is essential because it helps partners build a strong foundation for their relationship and work towards a shared vision for their future together. Therefore, validating one another and ensuring you relate, acknowledge, and communicate wholly is imperative. Freedom from disputes is a myth – life is an amalgam of tragedies and comedies – you have to choose how you want to respond and react to them all. Remember, it is a partnership and not a one-person army. It is teamwork and not “which is the boss here.” It is a mutual effort and not a one-sided trial-and-error method. Life is too short to experiment. Live life to the fullest – together!

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Aakanksha Dinah, a passionate writer, orator, communicator focused on establishing a Training institution centered on creativity and innovation. Aakanksha is a true believer in loving the work we do and strongly believes in smart-work, the reason why creativity works better for her. Aakanksha is enormously focused on making a career in professional writing and publishing. She loves writing poems, self-help articles, and essays. An enthusiast when it comes to learning languages and in short, Aakanksha is a wanderer, an explorer, a mom, a dog-mom, a poet, a cook, a writer, and an influencer.

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Paramaguru Sisters-Books Are Us

Thank you for taking the time for the interview. Excited about your Community Library Project. First, tell me, who are Ridhi and Sara? Describe yourselves.

Ridhi: Hello I am Ridhi Paramaguru. I am studying in 8th grade. I am a curious girl with artistic views and expressions. I value the knowledge and wisdom I get from books. My favourite book genres are mystery and fantasy. I love trying new things; my favourite hobbies are drawing and reading.
Sara: Hello, I am Sara Paramaguru, a 4th grader. I am very conversational with friends. Sometimes, I am shy and need to be more open with new people. I love to try different food and read comics and fantasy books. I am enthusiastic and confident in what I do.

Paramaguru Sisters Ridhi & Sara On Their Journey
From Home To Community Library

Pic by Paramaguru Thangavelu

1. It Looks like both of you are book enthusiasts. Who introduced you to reading?

Ridhi: Our parents introduced us to books, especially many popular children’s authors. We always went to the library as children, which is how our love for books began. 
Sara: Yes, our parents. They are the people behind our interests. Going to the library as a kid impacted me a lot. 

2. The next question will not surprise you. Who are your favourite authors?

Ridhi: Roald Dahl
Sara: Geronimo Stilton

3. Who is your favourite character from a book, and why? 

Ridhi: My favourite character is Luna from the book “The Girl who drank the Moon” by Kelly Barnhill. I love Luna’s viewpoints and how she formulates matters and looks at nature. It is inspiring to me. Another book I have just begun reading is “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd. It is about the perspective of a 13-year-old girl, and it explains the world of racism. She is in a world of racists as a white girl and her viewpoints about how it is not fair to segregate people are pretty reasonable. She also learned about motherhood. 
Sara: Since my favourite book is Geronimo Stilton, my favourite character is Geronimo Stilton, a cute mouse.

4. What inspired you to start a community library, and how did you get started?

Ridhi : When we shifted to India five years ago from the USA, our dad got us a lot of books to read. We had a home library in the first house we shifted to. We both finished reading all the books and wanted to begin a library. But it did not happen. Then, a few years later, my school recently asked us to do a community project on something we liked to do or share with our community. I realized the place (where we live) needed a library for kids who enjoy reading, and I also love reading books. 

Another thing that I have noticed is a lot of children read books on the screen or on the internet. One thing we cannot vouch for is that the internet is not the right place to look for books since it may only provide age-appropriate books sometimes. A library is always the best 'go-to place' for readers since books are appropriately catalogued and segregated by age. Children must read books meant for their age.
Pic by Paramaguru Thangavelu

5. How can we encourage kids to read books?

Ridhi: By bringing in the current favourite authors whom children love reading and letting them read books of their choice.
Sara: We also thought of rewarding them with prizes so that they would get motivated to read more books. 
Ridhi: Oh Yeah, to begin with, for instance, if they read five books, they would get a gift or a prize. After that, the number could increase to 10 or more. Another point we thought of was weekly quizzes. Quiz topics or themes would be based on books in the library, and questions would be based on those topics. Till now, we have had History, Geography, Politics, Sports, Food, and culture, and the next coming up is Space. Teams have been created with unique names, motivating children to ace the quizzes for their teams and motivating them to work harder each week. Points are given and marked on the whiteboard.

6. What are the current popular teen titles?

Ridhi:Harry Potter and Geronimo Stilton are the most popular and sought-after titles being read. I am not aware of the others. These days, many teens are watching series and hence not reading. It was also one of the reasons to begin the library; to bring them back to print.

7. What difference do you find in the behaviour of children coming to read books in the community library now vis a vis to when you began it?

Ridhi: All kids have become inquisitive and are learning to ask questions. There is more participation in the weekly quizzes we conduct in the library.
Pic by Paramaguru Thangavelu

8. Do you think this project must be taken up by other communities, too, and why?

Ridhi : We lived in the USA, where there were libraries everywhere. Reading habit in children is inculcated quite early on. So, when we came to India, we struggled to find a library here. Libraries are incredibly resourceful, especially if you have to do a lot of research. It becomes easy if you have one near you. The distance in our city makes it challenging for parents to drive children to a library regularly. So, we thought, why not begin one in our area?   
Sara: Our teacher had once told us how she often struggled to get books and had to travel a lot to procure books. This was because there were no libraries in her vicinity.
Ridhi: There must be libraries in other communities. I believe it helps develop children’s minds and helps them grow into more responsible and knowledgeable citizens in the future. 

9. What is your dream? Any message that you have for parents and children?

Ridhi: I want to become like my dad, a software engineer working in an IT company. A message for all parents is that a good book is enough to change the children. Do give age-appropriate stories to children to read and maturity levels. 
Sara: Either a scientist or a software engineer. Like my dad.

10. Thankyou for this fantastic chat. I hope the Community Library will continue to bring all kids in your area together.

Ridhi: Thank you for having us.
Sara: Thank you.

Pictures clicked by Paramaguru Thangavelu

Priya is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet, and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is the single parent of an 8.5-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a freelance Content Consultant. Priya is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author of a book and maybe the scriptwriter of a film someday!

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