Inspirational

Perspective Taking

/ Naveeta Shokeen / Leave a comment

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. 

——

“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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Nodi, Nodi, Akka

/ ksyamala1954 / Leave a comment

As summer sets in, daily life and work wrangle people of their stamina. There is no trace of rain, wind, or chill. The UV index will increase these days, and the sun’s vertical glares will cause more discomfort. The annual experience of the horrible summer makes the children weary, and the only happiness during summer is having the mid-summer vacation. Recreation felt good, being away from schooling and examination. I had ample time but couldn’t enjoy it fully as outdoor games are unsafe. The villains, like allergies, prickly heat, sunburns, etc., made the situation more horrible.

In those olden days, the means of transportation were minimal. People usually prefer walking or going by hiring bullocks carts for long distances. As a gesture of benevolence, Nani (Grandma) usually made buttermilk, adding crushed ginger, green chili, and curry leaves, and poured it into a big jar with a glass tumbler placed next to it under the big jackfruit tree around 10 am daily till the end of the season. The passersby mainly were people riding bullock carts. They halted under the apparition and quenched their thirst by tying the bulls near the shadow.

I curiously scanned the people who visited my Nana’s (Grandpa’s) workshop to fix the iron shoes called Laadam (animal shoes) for the poor animals. Seeing the pain these poor animals endured while repairing it was terrifying. The legs were tied, and I was wondering and questioning my Nana about the purpose of the cruel masquerade.

Nana explained to me the benefits of fixing Laadam. Otherwise, walking on a hard surface took a lot of work. However, the pain would subside gradually, the Laadam would become like permanent shoes to them, and their journey became comfortable.

Nana playfully told me they couldn’t go and buy a chapel to wear, so we made one for lifelong use. Anyway, I decided not to go near the place or gaze at it again. The unbearable crying sound, the flowing saliva as foam from the mouth, and the tearful stares were like nightmares for me. The men stayed in the courtyard and prepared their meals, mostly rice gruel with jackfruit or tapioca curry, which they collected from our compound. The aroma of the masala and seasonings were stimulating, but we were used to something else in our home. They dug small pits in the ground and placed folded vatta leaves collected from the enclosure, and served kanji and curry, munching comfortably. Not far away, my watchful eyes followed every tiny fragment of their act. Although, after seeing me, they sometimes offered a share of their banquet, which I was dying to have, I knew my Nani didn’t like the idea of accepting anything from strangers, so I rejected their offer as if I didn’t want it.

As days pass-through, one day, a group of barely clad gypsies comprising women, children, and animals arrived with huge sacks on their shoulders. They sought permission to make a temporary shed and a place nearby to prepare an elixir made of black langur for business purposes. They claimed the potion is a delicious Rasayanam for health, and the ingredients include dried plant medicines, jaggary, ghee, etc., including the flesh of a black monkey.

The children were holding two restless monkeys tied to their legs. I was afraid of the animals having glossy black fur and golden brown on their heads. Their frightening sounds and the long sharp tooth were a cause of concern to me. After much discussion and the repeated plea of the men, my grandparents allowed them to stay in the backyard for a while, subject to certain conditions. Within no time, the place was turned into a visual treat for the onlookers. They gathered thatched coconut leaves, bamboo ply, logs, etc., and made a temporary shed for sleeping and keeping their things. While watching the monkeys, fear started creeping into my mind. I wanted to clarify it, so I asked my Nana, do they kill the monkey? Nana pacified me. No, dear, these are all their business tricks. I was thrilled to watch the men at work.

Even though my Nani wanted to keep me away from those people, I used to visit the place secretly whenever I got a chance. I liked seeing the small child with them, he was almost naked, and the only luxury was a black thread tied to his waist with a metal Elas fixed in it. He held a metal toy with a head and tail that produced a giggling sound while jerking, and he laughed upon hearing the sound. At first, he was reluctant to come near me but told his mother, “Nodi, nodi Akka” whenever he saw me. I didn’t know what he tried to say, but his mother told me he happily acknowledged my presence to her.

Slowly we became friends. I often shared the sweet snacks prepared by my nani with the child secretly. I saw Nani gave old clothes to those people, so I asked her to provide a pair of clothes for the baby too. But she was unhappy with me befriending them, which made me sad.
I noticed the small boy ate whatever was given to him with both his hands. I saw hunger and poverty in their eyes. Yet, even though they lacked basic amenities, moving from place to place for a living, they were always happy. I found out that those children seldom bathe. I followed them and saw the children scooped and dived like fishes into the nearby muddy water of the small stream, which I was not particularly eager to tread in.

As days passed, the atmosphere was filled with the smell of jaggery, ayurvedic medicines, ghee, etc. The elixir was in the enormous vessels under preparation. On seeing me near the place, they told me to give a bottle of the product for free as a token of gratitude. Hearing this, I felt thrilled.

But fate had in store some strange and unfortunate incident that shattered the whole lineage. One fateful night everything went upside down. A massive fire engulfed the shed. Smoke and blaze and frantic wailing of the people awakened me at midnight. I was trembling with fear and couldn’t understand anything. Help was not visible nearby. When people gathered, everything was over. With much compulsion on my part, after a couple of days, Nani took me to the accident site. Above a heap of ashes, I saw the orphaned metal toy.

After a while, I understood the painful truth. A feeble child, a weeping woman, the screaming men hung out in my dreams for several years. The sufferings of the victims and the unbelievable cruelty of nature made my holidays look like a horror movie that ravaged the innocent smile of the sweet baby forever. Those broken pieces never mended, but I could still listen to “Nodi, nodi, Akka” and the sweet giggling voice not far away from my memories.

——

Contributing Writer & Poet, Art Of How To,

Retired Finance Officer, Kerala State Electricity Board

Daydreamer, Traveller, Freelance Writer

Home Chef, Mother & Wife

An over-thinker who finds solace in the cathartic effect of writing.

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How Are Needs and Wants Distinct from One Another

/ Naveeta Shokeen / Leave a comment

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.

——

“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

/ Silverback GRP / Leave a comment

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.

——

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

/ Naveeta Shokeen / Leave a comment

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

/ augustusstanley / Leave a comment

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.

——

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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Strange World

/ dinah1995 / Leave a comment

We are living in a very strange world – or so it seems from all the years that have gone by and all the generations that have lived; we are today in a time where things are so different from what they used to be. People, opportunities, priorities, professions, values, morals, ideas, understanding of things, and relevancy have changed. Children are growing up differently from how they used to. Education is evolving. Science is advancing. The human race is witnessing a transition so varied and fast-paced.

It is scary to reckon such vast change in how the world advances with each passing year. From when I was a kid, the world is so different today – it is as if I am suddenly outdated and nearing expiration from this extremely modern world!

This so-called “modern world” is quite a strange word or, instead, a phrase. We are in a time and place where sex is free, but love is expensive. Losing our phones is much more painful than losing our virginity. People have started to live off the internet – earning handsome money through social media doing almost anything random! No one has a genuine connection anymore – maybe millions of virtual admirers, which is not even close to as worthy as one true friend. The importance of quality education is honestly being eradicated, and people are beginning to believe that you do not need education and degrees to make money. Money and sex are the driving forces of life today. Drugs are sold and consumed by more youngsters than before. Selfies and photographs have more relevance and importance than actual people and experiences. Modernity, sadly, is related to nudity and profanity today, may I dare to say! Drinking and smoking are considered dope, and the ones who stay clear are bullied (most often). Boys stay boys and never want to be men, while girls become men to control themselves and the world – so they feel. As they do so, they wonder why they can’t find suitable men! There is immense pressure on everything and everyone today!


Scientists are looking for a new planet to continue life! The world is trying to move the world to someplace else! Men and women compete like rats in a race, and no one knows why! While God sits there silently witnessing all that man is doing to this world, He smiles and says, “What have you made this world to be” …

A strange world indeed we have made it to be – from withering concepts of love, happiness, satisfaction, contentment, creativity, and life at large, the world is heading towards something we are unprepared for! People have started losing that bond with one another, paving the way for AI partners! What a scary world it would be when men and women decide to get married to Artificial Intelligence so that they don’t have to deal with anything human. It has become a scary world where kids are silenced with mobile phones and are not given basic life lessons that we once understood. Imagine this advancing world in another fifty years – the fact that it looks scary and unreal proves that we need to start being more mindful of how we live in this changing world. We are responsible for imparting the good in us to society and teaching our kids the importance of staying HUMAN!

This might be a scary place to live, but it is worth the effort for a future that will remember us for what we did for the – end of the day, little efforts matter! So maybe it’s time to stop complaining and start living – the best way we can and be morally accountable for what we contribute to making this world better for us and our future generations.

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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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Looking For Your Body Double

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment



Hey, by any chance, did you visualize a stunt artist when you read Body Double? I did, too, when I came across the term. There is another meaning to this term as well. Welcome to the virtual world terminology.

A body double is your partner/buddy helping you complete your work just by being around you. For example, in the corporate world, a buddy is assigned to you when you join a company. This person will have similar job skills and resembles your job profile too. They will pair up with you for work or projects. This concept has been used for ADHD (Attention deficit/Hyperactive) individuals as well, who are unable to focus on one task for too long and often get bored with work routines. A buddy helps motivate them to work harder and be on time for work too. 

Post the pandemic, we all have gone into shells and walls in the virtual world and working on targets and deadlines isolated. So body doubling has also been a great initiative in boosting work productivity and morale. So, are you the one to procrastinate on your work? Do you need more motivation to finish daily work tasks? Then you need a body double to help you out.

When I first heard about the term, my first image was of a stunt artist who doubles up for an actor on screen. In this case, the body double will have your physique and even resemble you, so the audience will think it is the actor doing the stunts. But can we have a Body Double in real life too? The answer is yes, you can!

Though there is a difference here, a body double in the reel world or celluloid does stunts for you, whereas in real life, your partner, a.k.a Body Double, will do their tasks on their own, but make sure you complete your deadlines too, sitting next to you – in another screen and different part of the globe. 

Honestly, the virtual world does not cease to surprise me. I loved the idea of me working with another stranger in a different time zone. All you need to do is chalk out your tasks and deadlines. Your partner will not even talk to you. They will be simply there in the same chat room quietly. I found a website for Body Doubling, registered there, and booked a session. The website usually matches you with a person available at the time. I got a partner from Australia. We both worked for 25 minutes together. At the end of the session, we exchanged notes on how much we had completed and parted ways. It was so simple. After that, I re-booked another session for a longer duration this time. 

Body doubling is a boon for those working from home who need daily motivation to work. It has also benefited people with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). So, a Body Double can help people re-center their focus whenever their minds gravitate elsewhere. It is like having your best friend or buddy next to you in the same room. The only rule of websites hosting Body Doubling services is that you will not socialize or talk. Just do your work and exit the chat window after the session. It makes your work time extremely productive, and you do not feel sad at the end of the day. A few registered users on websites and apps for body doubling have given reviews, saying how it has helped their business immensely and completing daily tasks flawlessly. 

This is the online world. You can also choose to go offline and have body doubles in the real world. 

Most big metros and cities are witnessing a sudden trend of co-working spaces in various parts of the city. Many are willing to rent out or lease out spaces of their houses/apartments for people who want to work from outside office settings. Many may not want to work from home, and such spaces are a welcome change from the usual dull ambiance. You share work spaces with people you may or may not know from different walks of life and professions. It’s fun to interact with them and complete your work as well. Experts have said this is the best way to improve morale and work productivity; hence, companies are now open to the hybrid work model. It is a win-win for both employers and employees. Work getting completed on time and happy employees who can be more relaxed finishing targets and daily deadlines. Body Doubles can be anywhere if you don’t get busy socializing or dating during work hours!

Perks of Body Doubling

1. Improved Focus and Concentration

Having a partner ensures you will keep your mobile away and focus only on the work and the clock!

2. Accountability

By the end of the day, you can proudly tick off your completed deadlines and targets. But the best part is you can be accountable only to yourself.

3. Boosts Productivity

When you improve your deadlines and target time, productivity gets boosted, and you also complete more work. But, of course, the disclaimer is not to overwork as well ‘coz “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

4. Collaboration

Co-working sometimes leads you to get a work buddy and a future professional collaboration. Once you know the person well enough and they are from the same field as you, then you can even work on projects jointly!

5. Better Zeal To Work

Once you know another person is working as well with you, you tend to work better. 

Historically, there is evidence for the practice of Body Doubling. Interestingly, one of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, is known to have used this technique to improve his work productivity. He would set a timer and work with a friend. He had a rule not to take any breaks in the time set for work. Initially begun for people suffering from attention difficulties, this is now useful for all those who are into target-based or deadline work and are working from home. 

You do not need to go online to find work partners or Body Doubles. You can go offline too. Find your work buddies in your area, and share the rent for a co-working space and work. Thanks to the pandemic, virtual co-working has become a blessing in disguise for everyone. But, unfortunately, it has shrunken the world a wee bit more than earlier.

As Benjamin Franklin said: “Lost Time is never found again,” so I say, ‘Go find your Body Double now!’

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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 and maybe a scriptwriter someday!

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Human Or Pets Grieve The Loss

/ msriddhijadhav / Leave a comment


I started understanding grief and realised the different stages of grieving after losing someone from my immediate family. But that did not mean I had not grieved before.

Growing up as a pet-owning family, we raised over eight dogs. The death of every pet we had over the years made me feel lost and angry. I could understand it better because people around me did not seem so affected, and I had to keep up. When you lose a person, you find a lot of support from family and friends, but if you lose a pet, people, unfortunately, do not know what it is. They even quip, So what? It was going to die someday! It was very matter-of-factly presented to me that pets do not live forever and have a shorter life span than humans.

I recall losing my first dog when I was a 14-year-old. I cried. But a few days later, it was my then-best friend’s birthday, so I even forgot about my grief. As another dog entered my life, my love for it grew stronger and stronger. I did not realise that someday I would bid goodbye to this one too. And I did. The cycle continued with six more pets, and I somehow overcame it. Some days, I would cry to bed, looking at their old photos and wishing how tall they had grown today. But I knew that as my parents grew older, I would not have been able to take care of everything with work all by myself.

It was until my last dog, who lived her whole life of 13 years with us, chose to depart at the same time that my father was admitted for the final time to the hospital. Our hopes were vanishing, and her death felt like she was preparing us for what was coming next. Coming to
terms with her did not feel right because she managed to take her Master (my father) precisely a week later.

The loss of a pet is so undermined that grieving for it feels weird. Since not every second person is a pet owner, they do not understand the attachment you share with a non-human. About a decade ago, having pets meant privilege in some families. Not everybody was comfortable with the idea that a dog is your family. Thankfully, that has changed for good. So when a pet passed away, the kind of treatment meted out was like, Sorry for your loss; it will happen someday.

In such situations, acceptance comes naturally, even if you want to resist it. However, the lows post losing a pet are more profound and longer because few people understand your feelings. If someone cannot relate to your situation, they cannot console you. The loss of a pet is thus more of a lone battle. You miss their presence around. You look at their chewy toy and wonder if you throw it, will they somehow come back to fetch it? You want to hear their sound but need help to. When I was growing up, I did not have a lot of photos of my pets to look back at. Phones with cameras did not exist.

Thankfully, in current times, you will have many memories occupying the space on your smartphones. You can always look back on them. You have funny videos of their tactics and some doing nothing at all. It all sparks such joy until you realise it is only what you have left of them.

Grieving a pet is very similar to grieving a person. The stages and the feelings do not discriminate if it is an animal or a human. There is nothing to be ashamed of it. But, unfortunately, today, not all relationships can help you develop that sense of trust, comfort, and loyalty you can experience with a pet.

There is enough research to prove how pets help people’s mental well-being by keeping them in a comfortable, upbeat mood. So when you do not have them around anymore, it is bound to trigger intense reactions of sadness.

One thing that can help you move forward is keeping people from telling you how to feel about it. It was just a cat/dog. You can get a new one is the most dismissive approach that can come your way. We are now a society that is more accepting of pets as family members and have thus progressed to sharing the loss with comfort.

Today, I do not own a pet, but I still have a particular attachment to pets on social media. So I watch these dog and cat videos whenever I force myself to smile.

Back of my mind, what if I see a sombre post from their owner about their demise? I am going to cry again, too, probably. But this time, I will be reminded of grief and why it is valid to feel it – for a human or a four-legged creature. To all my beloved pets I have lost over the years – we have a sticker over the kitchen wall and named the birds after my dogs. It again may sound silly to many, but you know what? It gives me a little comfort to have it around.

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Writer by day, an overthinker by night. I let my thoughts flow through my writing. As a definite misfit, I let my words speak louder than my actions. Welcome to my journey of sailing through emotions and experiences, with words as my paddles.

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6 Tips To Get More Sleep

/ Naveeta Shokeen / Leave a comment


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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