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WHAT ARE “Every human being is the author of his own health and disease.” BUDDHA 03 LIFESTYLE FOOD UP Are these mats actually so dirty? Yoga mats are highly susceptible to bac- teria and germs present in the yoga stu- dio. And these can linger for long even after your class has ended. Bacteria can survive on the surface of the mat from hours to days, while viruses can sur- vive even longer than this. However, the good news is that you can minimise your exposure to these germs and keep your mats clean and hygienic. CLEAN THEM WELL Get your own mat Instead of using the mats provided by the yoga studio, invest in a good mat and bring it with you for every session. You don’t have any idea about how of- ten the mats given by the studios are cleaned. If someone has flu and he uses a studio mat, chances are the virus will be lingering on the mat, and you will end up using it. So, get yours. Disinfect every time Always disinfect the mat after every use and that goes for your own mat too. You don’t know how clean the floor is – and it may pick up germs from there. Use disinfectant wipes, sprays or any non-toxic cleaners. TNN PET CARE FITNESS ACCESSORIES Kate Hudson loves cycling and incorporates it in her workouts World’s fastest man Usain Bolt loves listen- ing to reggae, hip hop and pop music I t’s not your body that needs exercise to stay fit. Your mind also needs to do few things to stay healthy and happy. Here are some tips to boost your mood and happiness. Bloom with blooms Flowers can help tackle a frazzled mind. A Japanese University study in the ‘Journal of Physiological Anthropology’ found that office workers who looked at a vase of roses for four minutes showed enhanced activity of relaxation and felt more com- fortable than those who hadn’t been exposed to the roses. Run in green space A study in the journal ‘Environmental Science and Technology’ says that just a short burst of exercise in a green space can improve mood and boost self-esteem. Bathe in warm water Not only can warm water relax your body and ease aching muscles, but a study from the University of Freiberg in Germany found taking regular dips for 30 minutes helped alleviate depression in participants. It’s about time you follow these steps to lift your spirits Gratitude is the key Studies have found that practising gratitude can ease depression and boost positive emotions and sleep. Before bed, take three minutes to think of three good things that happened during each day and jot them down. Being empathetic is healing A study by Iowa State University found that asking students to walk around campus extending ‘loving kindness’ to people for 12 minutes helped them feel happier, connected, caring and empathetic, as well as less anxious. Sing along German University researchers found that participants who took part in choir singing for 20 minutes showed high- er levels of happiness and lower levels of sadness and worry, as well as a reduction of the stress hormone – cortisol. Can’t sing in choir? Just sing. Read to feel better In a University of Sussex study, people were given stressful tasks and told to do one ‘relaxing’ activ- ity: reading, listening to music, others. When stress-inducing cor- tisol in individuals’ blood was measured, it was noted that read- ers’ levels had dropped the most. Say hello to nature Spending time in natural set- tings can be good for your well-being. Quality time, alone or with friends in the great outdoors can help you get a better perspective on life’s problems. Research led by the University of Exeter, UK, found out that the time needed is two hours. Team sports rock Take out your tennis racket for a game of doubles. A study in ‘The Lancet Psychiatry’ journal found that physical activity for 45 minutes, three to five times a week, can improve mental well-being. And taking part in a team sport has the great- est effect on mental health. Loukoumades? S hedding is a natural process in which your pet gets rid of old and dead hair to get a shiny new coat. Some breeds shed more as compared to oth- ers; it depends on various factors – season, over- all health, medical conditions, etc. Pet parents can control shedding in these easy and effective ways. HEALTHY DIET: Be it overall development or mainte- nance, a healthy diet is cru- cial. Nutrients will also help in healthy growth of hair and will prevent hair breakage and hair loss. Supplements enriched with omega-3 fatty acids are great for a pet’s hair and coat. HYDRATION IS IMPERATIVE: Keep a keen eye on your pet’s water in- take. Experts recommend that a dog should drink around 30 ml of water per pound of body weight every day. DE-SHEDDING TREATMENTS: Regular bathing cleans your pet’s coat. Use a good quality de-shedding shampoo and conditioner while bathing your pet to tackle the shedding menace. GET THE RIGHT BRUSH: The bris- tle brush can be used on all breeds but is most suitable for the ones with short hair and smooth coats.This brush helps to remove the dead hair and makes the coat soft and shiny Read up about your dog’s hair type and invest in a good brush. By Anand Pittie, TNN Focus on breathing Mindfulness meditation, being in the present, usually by focusing on your breathing – has been shown to improve mental health. In fact, 25 minutes of mindfulness practice for three days in a week helps ease stress. How to clean yoga mat A ll the people who have tak- en a yoga class know that it can get warm and sweaty really quickly. And though yoga classes have a lot of health benefits, have you ever wondered about all the germs that thrive in gyms and fitness studios? Germs, viruses and bacteria are found aplenty in the moist environment of yoga mats and exercise equipment. To know how to keep your mats clean and germ free, read on... WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T CARRY YOUR MAT If you forget to bring your own yoga mat and have to borrow one, make sure to use a disinfectant to clean it before and after you use it. You can also lay your towel on the mat; try not to touch your face in between the yoga session as it contributes to the passing of germs back and forth. After each yoga class, take a shower. If you have to wait for long to get a shower, do wash your hands before you leave the class in order to get rid of any hidden germs, sweat, dirt and bacteria. They are among the most ancient pastries in the world – popular the world over as Greek doughnuts. Loukoumades are made of deep-fried dough that is soaked in sugar syrup or honey. There are multiple Greek tales of how these sweet delights were offered to celebrated athletes. This dessert today is available in multi- ple toppings and is fast emerging as a popular pick across the globe. There are outlets in India as well that specialise in serving innovative loukoumades preparations to the delight of food lovers. Decadent dessert Loukoumades are traditionally served soaked in hot honey syrup, sprinkled with cinnamon and gar- nished with chopped walnuts or toasted sesame seeds. They look similar to Indian gulab jamun. The Olympics connection In Greece, louk- oumades are con- sidered the oldest recorded dessert and can be traced back to the first Olympic Games of 776 BC, where this sugary dessert was served to the winners as “honey tokens” Tackle your pooch’s hair shedding When to consult a vet? Certain medical conditions such as fungal infections, parasites, stress, or sunburn also cause excess shedding. Hormonal issues like thyroid may also lead to hair loss. If you notice any unusual signs of hair loss or sudden hair fall in your pet, it is recommend- ed you should con- sult your vet immediately. HEALTH Daily Mirror MUST SEE ■ WORLD OF THE WILD, ANIMAL PLANET, 3.00 PM: Freshwater bodies including streams, rivers and lakes are home to countless animal species that in- clude reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and mammals. ■ RITUALS, SONY BBC EARTH HD, 5.00 PM: In Papua New Guinea, boys endure brutal skin cutting to become men; in India, a girl gives up her family and has all her hair plucked out to become a Jain nun. ■ FOOD TECH, HISTORY TV18, 7.00 PM: Bobby explores the popularity of Mex- ican food among citizens of the USA and helps an old artist create a classic Mexican dish using volcanic rock. ■ SNAKES IN THE CITY, NAT GEO WILD HD, 8.00 PM: Simon and Siouxsie rush to capture a huge black mamba that is terrorising a neighbourhood. ■ ARABIA WITH LEVISON WOOD, DISCOV- ERY, 9.00 PM: Explorer Levison Wood ventures to the remotest corners of the Middle East and shares the unique cus- toms, hopes and dreams of the Arabian people. 1817: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Indian Muslim educationist, scholar and social activist, was born. 1915: Arthur Miller, American play- wright (“Death of a Salesman”), was born in New York. 1933: Dr Albert Einstein moved to Princeton, New Jersey in the US after leaving Germany. 1956: Mae Jemison, first African American woman in space (STS 47), was born in Decatur, Alabama, US. 1961: NY Museum of Modern Art hung Henri Matisse's "Le Bateau" upside-down It wasn't corrected until December 3. 1979: Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 1994: The Angolan government and rebels agreed to a peace treaty that ended their 19 years of civil war. 1994: Kapil Dev played his final one- day international match (against West Indies). 1997: The remains of revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara were laid to rest in his adopted Cuba, 30 years after his execution in Bolivia. THIS DAY THAT YEAR TELEVISION ■ JUMANJI, &FLIX, 3.40 PM: Two chil- dren come across a magical board game. While playing it, they meet Alan, a man who was trapped in the game, and attempt to free him while facing different kinds of danger. ■ EVOLUTION, MOVIES NOW, 4.30 PM: When a meteor crashes on Earth, it brings with it single-celled organisms which evolve rapidly. However, four professionals stumble upon these aliens and must stop their growth to avoid an invasion. ■ RUSH HOUR 2, SONY PIX, 6.59 PM: Detective James Carter and Inspector Lee are vacationing in Hong Kong. Things take a turn when a bomb ex- plosion at the US Consulate kills two undercover customs agents and Lee is assigned to the case. ■ THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, MNX, 9.00 PM: Sam Chisolm, a warrant officer, is requested by the citizens of the town of Rose Creek to apprehend Bartholomew Bogue, a corrupt industrialist, and his ruthless gang who are terrorising them. MOVIES ON TV MUST DO OCTOBER 17, 2019
