Increased screen time, lack of physical activity, increased sugary, fatty, and processed foods are all causes of the decline in children’s health.

Change this with a balanced diet. It helps fine-tune your body as well as your mind.

When 6-year-old Clare was seen uninterested in food and always sitting quietly in the corner of her room, her mum Lauren, decided she needed to find out the underlying cause. On investigation, she realized that the extended periods of screen time affected Clare. She was dazed and not in the mood to eat her meals.

With Lauren’s timely intervention, she was able to help Clare maintain a healthy lifestyle again.

Would you like to know how you can change the health of your kids?

Then follow these simple steps and find a marked improvement in the health and behavior of your child.

Healthy eating

Make food stimulating exciting for kids. Colorful, vibrant fruits and vegetables are agreat ways of providing your kids with the essential vitamins and minerals they need. Kids are at different stages of growth, and fresh produce is the best way to help them.

• A colorful diet of fresh fruits and vegetables will increase their interest.
• Green leafy vegetables are a much-needed source of vitamins.
• Choose low-fat dairy or non-dairy products. Check for food intolerances here.
• Choose fresh fish with omega-3 fatty acids as well as lean meat.
• Try various Lentils and beans that are sources of minerals.
• Water is the right kind of hydration for kids.
• It is always best to reduce sugar and fats from the diet.

Reduce screen time

Yes, the pandemic has caused havoc with children’s daily activities, and screen time has drastically increased. But, there are still ways in which you can help them. Limiting the use of phones, television, video games, etc. will help your child stay more active.

Be sure to introduce something creative and physically demanding so that they do not miss the screen time. Play indoor games, have a family storytime, or start a DIY project.

Increase physical activity

Physical activities help to strengthen bones and reduce anxiety in kids. It alleviates the mood and increases their self-esteem too. Physical activity also helps reduce obesity. Try to get your child to do at least 2 hours of activities like yoga, aerobic, bone, and muscle strengthening. Join your kids in this routine, and you gain the benefits as well. You will find that family bonding strengthens with this process.

Quality sleep

Kids of different age groups need anywhere between 6-10 hours of sleep. We find that the general rule of 8 hours is always a good idea. Research has shown that lack of sleep results in mood swings and also obesity. When a child does not sleep well, he tends to snack on foods at odd times.

Your child will be irritable and can cause tantrums if there is no quality sleep. Make sure you close all gadgets at least an hour before bedtime. Read a bedtime story. It helps most kids to sleep well. You can also try and increase physical activities before bedtime so that they are tired out and will fall asleep sooner.

Mental health

A healthy lifestyle does not always mean food intake and physical activity. It also entails a healthy mind. Kids are always seeking attention and love it when praised for their efforts.

As parents, we must include hugs, words of praise, and encouragement in our daily routine. You build confidence in your child through this. Positive thoughts are always the perfect tools for a healthy child.

Establish a routine

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A sedentary lifestyle is the root of all problems. If you are interested in building your child’s health through a healthy lifestyle, then a routine needs to be introduced.

Following a routine is one way to bring about discipline in a child. It helps your child stay focused. A child diligently follows the timetable set by their school. In the same way, you can introduce a routine that your child needs to follow at home.

Be strict about this routine and help them see the benefits. Time management and a sharper mind are the positives.

You want what is best for your child. It is possible by helping your child lead healthy lives.

The present generation of kids lacks a healthy lifestyle. Obesity, loneliness, anger, and irritability are all results of this poor lifestyle choice.

Take control of their lives and choose the above simple and effective ways to better health. You can help your child succeed in life!

This is the reason more than 15 million people across the world practice this ancient tradition. According to a survey, over the last few years, there has been 50% growth in the number of Americans doing yoga and this number is continuously increasing.

Every yoga asana (pose) has a unique name. It includes standing postures, backbends, inversions, core holds, seated twists, and arm balances. In this post, we are going to talk about the different types of ancient yoga poses and their health benefits.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India thousands of years back. The word ‘Yoga’ derived from a Sanskrit word ‘Yug,’ which means unite or yoke. Yoga is both an art and science. It is an art because it is practised sensitively and intuitively. It is a science because it offers practical methods for controlling the mind and body.

Yoga works mainly with body energy through the science of energy control or pranayama. Prana means breath. Yoga teaches us how to control our breath and mind to attain a higher state of awareness.

Yoga has been designed to achieve a positive outlook on life and a permanent sense of peace and serenity.

Different Types of Yoga

1. Hatha Yoga

The word Hatha means force. A force that lengthens the muscles and refreshes your mind. This style of yoga is best if you are starting out slower. It includes the physical practice of yoga than breathing exercises. It includes styles like Iyengar, and Ashtanga but not karma, Raja, and Kriya. The practice involves holding a pose and focuses on correct breathing, posture and a lot of meditation.

2. Kundalini Yoga

This form of yoga is both spiritual and physical. It is mentally challenging and physically demanding and requires a lot of mudras, chanting, meditation, and breathing exercises. The main point is to release the kundalini energy in the lower spine.

3. Ashtanga yoga

Also known as “eight limb path, and Power Yoga” this yoga style is physically demanding. It includes multiple Surya namaskars, along with floor and standing postures. There are 6 series of postures to be repeated. Also, known as Power Yoga, it also uses a breathing technique that helps to control the flow of your breath in the body.

4. Kripalu Yoga

This yoga is perfect for those who are looking for spirituality through yoga. The main focus of this form of Yoga is on pranayama, meditation, deep relaxation, and self-reflection. The main aim is to destress the body and mind for self-awareness and better health.

5. Yin Yoga

This slow-paced yoga style lets you hold poses from 45 seconds to 2 minutes. By holding poses for a longer time, you will not only stretch your connective tissue but make it more flexible. It also helps in improving your blood circulation along with the qi energy in your body. This style is practised in a heated room, helping your muscles to become more elastic.

Health Benefits of Yoga

There are more than 100 different types of yoga sessions available. Most sessions include meditation, assuming postures that stretch and breathing exercises. Yoga offers several mental and physical health benefits. Let’s have a look at them.

Physical Benefits

• Tone and Increase muscle strength
• Increased Flexibility
• Improve vitality, respiration and energy
• Weight loss
• Circulatory and cardio health
• Injury protection
• Improve athletic performance

Mental Benefits

Other than the physical benefits, yoga offers mental benefits as well. It helps in managing different types of stress, including neck pain, back pain, headaches, drug abuse, sleeping problems and more. Regular yoga practice creates calmness and mental clarity, relaxes mind, relieves chronic stress patterns, and self-awareness.

Yoga for all

Yoga can be stress-relieving, invigorating form of exercise that offers various physical and psychological benefits. In simple words, it is not just a physical practice, but also an exercise of mind. Whether you are a young or an old, a fit or an overweight, yoga has the power to strengthen your mind and calm your body. The beauty of yoga is not about doing flash backends and burning calories, but bringing movement to your body to help you create mindfulness and intention to your day. Perhaps, yoga is for all and it helps you to become the best version of yourself.

Conclusion

Practising different Yoga postures, meditation, and breathing makes your body, mind and spirit healthier. The benefits of yoga offer both lasting transformation and instant gratification.  It lets you shape up, chill out and tune in at the same time. Whether you pursue yoga for its psycho-physiological benefits or as a spiritual path, this methodology helps in developing a deeper experience, making you feel really good.

We are said to be happy when we experience frequent positive emotions such as joy, pride and fulfillment and infrequent negative emotions such as anger and sadness. Happiness is an elusive concept because there is no exact recipe for it, and it means different things to different people and generations.

Some people attribute happiness to wealth. While there is a strong correlation between wealth and happiness, wealth does not guarantee happiness. The mass media has always perpetuated the idea that being wealthy makes you happy. Money makes it easier for you to achieve your goals, acquire the things you love, and make your life more enjoyable.

However, money does not guarantee satisfaction. Money can’t make you happy as increased income or wealth comes with raised expectations. If you crave to accumulate more wealth, you will never be content, and you will be caught up in a rat race. We tend to forget that happiness does not come from buying something we did not have but appreciating what we have.

People who lack the support of a close-knit social circle may find happiness elusive. Having close friends, family, and colleagues can act as a buffer from the mysteries of the cold world we inhabit. Relationships don’t need to be perfect, but with confidence and mutual trust in one another, they can help connect us to the world around us. Most people go wrong by trying to seek happiness from external sources. It is worthwhile to consider where happiness comes from.

Real happiness comes from within. Your emotions are as a result of your thoughts, and you are in charge of your thoughts. Therefore, it is imperative that you select your own thoughts. We tend to make decisions based on how we feel. If you are angry and something happens, there is a chance that you will react negatively. The outcome would be different if you were happy. So, if most of the time you think negatively, you will create a negative state of mind which perpetuates negative emotions.

In helping others rather than pursuing our own gains, we find great fulfillment and freedom. Mark Twain once said that the best way to cheer yourself is to cheer someone else up. We all love to see another person smile and appreciate what we have done for them. Look around you. There are people everywhere who may need your help.

The most important step is to notice such people. Do something to help alleviate their situation. Even if you don’t have the answers and resources, jump in and give it your best shot. Avoid giving excuses when someone approaches you for help. When helping others, do not expect anything in return. Your actions will be repaid in joy and fulfillment in many other ways.

A balanced life is essential for peace of mind, fulfillment and personal effectiveness. It is important to achieve a balance between our physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and financial dimensions of life. When or more of these dimensions are overlooked, your happiness can be compromised.

Whether you attend school, go to work or are retired, each one of us has responsibilities that must be fulfilled. The challenge is to balance our responsibilities with what we enjoy. Failure to live a well balanced life can take a toll on your emotional well-being and make you unhappy. You cannot accomplish your goals if you are unhealthy. Take care of yourself by attending to your physical, emotional and social needs.

Allow yourself to unwind after a long day of work by setting time aside for a fun activity you enjoy. The secret to happiness is maintaining a positive mental state. We should prepare for the worst and expect the best from life.

Prepare for uncertainty, adversity, and unforeseen events. Learning how to savor good moments in life is an effective way to increase your happiness and quality of life. Savoring the moment with loved ones can help create a strong bond, bring a sense of connection and appreciation. As you go through the day, notice the positive details of what is going on around you.

Expressing gratitude is a great way of savoring the moment. Notice when someone goes out of their way to do something good for you and appreciate them whenever possible. Most importantly, do what you enjoy. If you dread certain days of the week, try adding fun activities that you enjoy into your schedule.

Pursuing hobbies and gratifications can help ease the pressure from your regular responsibilities and help you live a well-balanced and fulfilling life. Have fun, and savor life’s good moments!

Many people, especially the beginners often experience a hard time focusing during the practice. This is a common problem as most of them don’t know what to focus on. In this post, we will read about the benefits of meditation and what to focus on while practicing.

Benefits of Meditation

Ten minutes of meditation can help in slashing down your stress level, lowering blood pressure and getting rid of anxiety. According to several research published, regular practice of meditation can help you achieve sound sleep.

The benefits of meditation are diverse. It is a perfect blend of heavenly art and science. It helps in the clarity of perception, getting a calm mind, improving communication, good concentration, relaxation, and in getting inner strength. Apart from these, meditation also helps in:

• Decreasing blood pressure
• Controlling anxiety
• Faster healing
• Lowering cholesterol
• Fighting addiction
• Enhancing self-awareness

What to Focus on During Meditation?

Various types of meditation include focusing on your mind and tenderly taking your focus back to the chosen focal point if your mind wanders. When you finally decide to start with daily meditation, your mind and body should be ready. Many people often get nervous because they don’t know what to focus on. If you are among them, then take a deep breath as now we will be talking about the aspects you need to focus on during meditation.

• Get Into a Comfortable Position

The first step is to get into a comfortable position and relax your body. Breathe from your belly and loosen your shoulders. A comfortable position enables you to focus better. Either cross your legs or sit in any comfortable position, just be fully relaxed without falling asleep.

• Keep a Watch on Your Breathing

Breathing is the most essential part of meditation. You need to focus on your breath. If your mind is not clear, breathing can help you to focus. If your mind is wandering, make sure that your breathing is under control.

• Focus on Your Body

If you are a beginner, it is important to focus on your body while you are meditating. When you start, pay attention to your body’s sensations. Listen to your body by feeling the physical sensations. Start from your head and go all the way down to your toes and repeat. Doing this for a few times daily, it will help you get connected with your body. You will soon feel that your body is now relaxed and calm.

• Think About the Present Moment

During meditation, many people often think about everything except the present moment. So, rather focusing on past and future, focus all your attention on the present moment. Live the moment and you will see a new light in your life.

• Forgive and Show Compassion

These are the two most beautiful feelings you need to focus on while meditating. Think about all those people you care about. Soon, you will feel that these feelings will grow over time. Also, think about someone who has cheated or hurt you in the past. Analyze if you can forgive them? When you complete your meditation session, let them know you have forgiven them. This will help you to start a new way to your relationship and make you feel positive about it.

• Listen to Soothing Music

Listening to soothing music can relax your mind and body. It helps in reducing stress and helps you get connected with inner peace. Meditating while listening to music makes you feel peace within. Listening to relaxing music assists to calm your mind and it also allows you to enter a place of inner peace and deep stillness.

• Be Easy on Yourself

When the mind wanders, it is common that you might feel frustrated at times, but don’t. Meditation will be more productive when you are easy on yourself. If you keep on pushing yourself, it will become a chore.

Wrapping The Post

For beginners, five minutes of meditation practice is more than enough in the beginning. Slowly and steadily, you can practice it for longer sessions of around 30 minutes. When you practice like this, meditation becomes more effective and easier.

Many people find that meditation is a great way to start their day. A morning session can do wonders keeping you calm and mindful throughout the day. Moreover, it reduces the stress level as well.

There is no doubt that meditation is a perfect practice that will change your life for good. This is the time that you spend just on yourself.

The ways mentioned above on ‘what to focus on during meditation’ are the sure shot ways to focus on your meditation sessions and reap potential results. And we sincerely hope that these methods will help you to have a more focused meditation session next time.

According to the study by researchers of Imperial College London, attending musical performances decreases the level of cortisol and other stress hormones.”The physiologic result [of attending a concert] is a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate,” says Dr. Nirav N. Mehta, a cardiologist at Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia, who was not involved in the study.

Most people have this opinion that only soothing and slow music can calm our mind and gives us a feeling of relaxation. But researchers have discovered that rock and roll music concerts also contribute to our happiness and inner peace. They have a different kind of impact on our lives, and we can understand them in the best way only by experiencing it.

Here I am listing down a few points on how attending music concerts contribute to our happiness:

Reduces Stress: Music has soothing power. Many Mental health organizations are using music as their stress management tool for their patients. It relaxes our mind and calms our body. Music has various effects on our psychological functions such as it lowers the blood pressure, pulse rate and decreases the release of stress hormones.

Relieves the Pain: All of us are familiar with the notion that music can grab our attention very quickly. Music is the best therapy to get distracted from pain and suffering, and it works well to divert our mind by giving a chance on exploring our emotions.When we are listening to any band in a concert, it completely distracts our mind from daily life tensions, and we can feel a completely different world around us. Hundreds of people gathered have a great time by singing altogether. It is a fantastic therapy to give your mind a chance to cheer up and overcome all the sorrows of your life.

Connection with the Community: Loneliness is a sign of upcoming depression, so getting connected with people helps a lot. It is also recommended by doctors to have better mental health; you should keep yourself socially active. Going to a concert and meeting people out there is the best way to connect with people who have the same interest as yours. It brings out the positivity inside of us, and we can enjoy our life in a better way.

Good Exercise: When you are enjoying your favorite music show, dancing on the beats, jumping up and down, then you are unknowingly exercising, which you might not appreciate that much if you were on a treadmill. You are burning calories without even realizing. Physical fitness is a bonus point for attending rock music concerts.

Feels Better: According to research at Deakin University in Australia, people who attend musical performances have a higher positive feeling of themselves than people who don’t attend these. Meeting with new people, cheering up on your favorite music tones and forgetting about the rest of the world for a few hours is one of the best nourishment you can provide to your mind.

It is a wonderful feeling to lose yourself in the music without caring about what other people might think about you. You want to talk to band musicians, go straight away and bang, sing your music tones loudly, nobody cares! Loosen up and feel those vibes, which vibrate your body and widen up your world. It’s about time you have a fun time. Life is indeed very short, go to some good places and enjoy yourself.

Well,  I hope you have a clear understanding of how attending concerts are beneficial for us. But everything has its positives and negatives. Many people have feelings of fear and nervousness when they are in a crowd or large gatherings. Trust me, if you have such feelings you are not alone. There are hundreds of people who feel uncomfortable at social gatherings. In such cases, anxiety tends to increases. To overcome this fear, you can try various techniques mentioned below:

• You should go with your circle of friends to feel safe.
• Focus on your breathing and practice how to inhale and exhale long breathes, to keep your mind and body in sync.
• Arrive early at the venue and make yourself comfortable at the location before the place gets crowded.

However, some people like rock and roll while others like soft and calm music tones. Going to a concert and meeting new people won’t help everyone out in reducing their stress and anxiety. There is a term called ‘concert anxiety’ where people mostly start feeling anxious they can’t feel quietness around them in those loud music concerts. Concert anxiety occurs in those people who have a feeling of nervousness and the fear of large social gatherings and crowds. These kinds of people can’t enjoy music concerts that much. But, they can use music as a weapon to fight anxiety and stress in their everyday life. For that, I would share my views on how it can help you out the other way round.

If music concerts are not your cup of tea, you can enjoy the calmness of music with soft music tones because the sounds we hear all day affects us physically, mentally and emotionally. So to lift your mood, listen to good music and cheer up to be in a happy mood. The exotic beats at musical concerts can excite our senses by changing our emotions. You can even create a playlist for your daily activities like soothing tones for yoga, beats for the gym and motivational songs for the workplace. Music is a great tool to boost your mood and maintain your emotional and mental health simultaneously. One thing that matters is to maintain a balance for everything.