Solitude

There are plenty of reasons for us to invoke the power of positive thinking in ourselves, but most of the benefits of a positive attitude can be sized into one of these more prominent "Big Three Lesses" below: 1. Less Stress   Imagine all the times you were complaining about somebody or something - chances are those negative feelings were leaving their mark on you in the form of stress.A lot of times, an occasional complaint may seem like an instant stress reliever. But what about such an attitude in the long run? Getting into the habit of constant grousing, particularly over trivialities or things not directly in our control (like other people's attitude, for instance), is a sure fire way to invite the negative power of stress into our being. Since stress feeds on negativity, reducing stress is a good reason to eliminate negativity and stay positive in life.  "Attitude is everything. Instead of thinking about what you're missing, try thinking ab...

Negative people are an unfortunate fact of life. Whether it’s the coworker who is always complaining about the company or the sister whose judgmental remarks make every visit an ordeal, they drive us nuts. Here’s the bad news: we’re not going to change them. But we can learn to react to them in ways that protect our self-esteem as well as our sanity. So we’ve gathered some great tips for you: Steer the conversation in a neutral direction. Talk about books, movies, celebrities  — anything that will stop the complaining or snarking. If a person is talking about a specific problem  (the high cost of medical care, the amount of work she has to do), just listen to her and try to understand how she feels. If you want, ask if there’s anything you can do to help, but only if it won’t drain you. Don’t argue.  That just draws you into the cycle of negativity. Complainers are likely to think that you’re trying to talk them out of feeling angry, and that can make them even angrier...

Meditation has been established as a powerful tool for ushering in peace of mind and putting an end to stress and related maladies like tension headaches, premature ageing and chronic fatigue syndrome If there is one thing that can travel faster than the speed of light, it is the human mind. From dawn to dusk, a jumble of chaotic thoughts crowd our subconscious, demanding our time and attention. This can affect the health and peace of mind. Promoting healing In simplistic terms, meditation is a kind of conscious relaxation—an inner journey towards calmness and tranquillity. According to information released by the Meditation Society of America, regular sessions can improve one’s I.Q., foster creativity and imagination; reduce blood pressure while promoting clear thinking and healing emotional scars and balance. Meditation does not have to have spiritual or religious implications, nor even any rigid rules. Though there are different techniques, the American  Journal of Health Prom...

The weight loss industry grows at six per cent a year and yet the incidence of obesity also increases by six per cent every year! Obviously something is not working. To make matters worse, we are deafened by a cacophony of conflicting dietary advice from the Cookie Diet to the Cabbage Soup Diet and everything in between. If you’ve found it hard to maintain or lose weight, you need to go beyond the familiar “diet and exercise” mantra. There are three hidden causes for the obesity epidemic. 1. The “Overfed / Undernourished” Syndrome Depleted soil conditions and refining give us nutritionally bankrupt foods which fill us without nourishing us. This leads to constant hunger at the cellular level. Solution: Turn to “superfoods” such as wheat grass and alfalfa sprouts to satisfy your ‘cellular’ hunger. Voila! You will eat less and feel more satisfied without dieting! 2. The “Craving-for-Refined-Foods” Syndrome It is not the lack of will power, but undiagnosed food allergies that make you...

Do you remember the first time you tried to stand on your little feet? You stumbled and fell down immediately. Your mom rushed to you seeing you cry out aloud, wrapped her arms around, pulled you close and kissed on your cheek. You felt her warmth and love and those drops of tears disappeared from your eyes even before you realized . Do you remember the first time you crossed a street with your father? He lifted you up in his arms and with very cautious steps he carried you across. You felt so secured. Yes that's how our parents are; an eternal source of care and affection, an indomitable sense of security and so much more. But, when this endless love tends to be overbearing, when the security of their arms chain down our dreams, where do we look up to? We get drowned in an awkward feeling of disgust which we all hate to acknowledge. Superficial life Beginning from the days of our school we are nurtured to be the best among the rest wherever we go and in whatever we do. And, neve...

I think I am too fat', ‘too short', ‘my hair's too straight'… if you are the type who never tires of self-assessment, then get ready for a mental makeover. Self-image is how you see yourself which reflects on how you feel. Today's youngster often suffers from poor self-image. It's a young people's ‘thing'. Sometimes even something as simple as walking across a room may be traumatic, as the person feels like all eyes are on him/her, judging and analysing. Ask any person how they feel about their looks and you will probably get something like, “I'm too fat” or “I could've been a little taller” or “Maybe if I had straight hair, I'd look better” or “I'm a shade too dark” ... Very few actually say they feel perfect, inside out. It's nobody's fault, really. All in the mind In today's world, with so many ‘beautiful' people around, one who is different from the conventional perception of beauty may actually feel awkward. “I rem...

“Am I fit?” How many times would you have asked yourself this question? Self-evaluation on fitness is tough because you never know what you are supposed to be looking for! Even a “slim” woman could be unhealthy. Conversely, a “stout” man could be really fit. So what are the criteria? Let's reflect just a little bit on fitness and what it means. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and take a good, hard look at yourself. Do you see a slouching body that needs to stand tall? Pinch your midriff. Are your fingers picking up a roll of fat? Smile. Does your face glow; do you feel energetic; are you in shape? Remember, your mirror tells you a lot. Often, it is more accurate than the opinions of people around, so pay attention! These questions tell you where you are right now. But, as you are aware, your fitness status could keep changing. There could be phases in your life where exercise is minimal such as during the monsoon season, or when you are on a vacation. You have to make a co...

In this fitness-obsessed world; where gym is home, treadmill your pal and the staircase your daily mission, your exercise regime tops the priority list. But, really, how long can you keep doing the same old routine season after season; even the dedicated ones will need a change. Once the raindrops start and the overcast sky opens up, motivation slowly and steadily moves to zilch. Our metabolic rate also takes a lazy turn but your body needs serious movement now. Also since the cold has been proved to aid weight-loss; do just that, only with a twist. Nothing shakes up that stubborn cellulite like a change in routine. With the fitness world offering a variety of vigorous, yet fun, fitness fundas, ditch the regulars and introduce some zing while you continue with those workouts. Kayaking Don't we all love those row-boat rides in our misty hill stations? Even all those weights with multiple sets and counts aren't as effective as a session of swift kayaking. Basically a lean, row ...

                                                                                      Kick Start Your Day The way we start our day can strongly influence how the rest of the day goes. Whether we are concerned in making that first hour of the day   the one that sets the tone or use the morning to create a great day throughout, we need to take the early part of the day to set up success for the rest of the day. Here are seven tried and tested ways that I use to kick start my day. 1. Wake Up Early Leaving yourself enough time before work helps you to feel more in control of your time and less rushed. Personally I really like my sleep, so I am not suggesting you have to get up really early if that doesn’t appeal to you — but getting up in plenty of time before you leave...

1. It’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes and failures are there to teach us. If we learn from them and correct the way on our path, better things will result from it. 2. We create our own reality. We have the power to break mental patterns that no longer serve us, and we have the power to consciously choose thoughts that empower us. It’s only a matter of breaking old habits and creating new ones. 3. Finding validation and seeking love from another person through relationships is a self-destructive path. Those types of relationships never last, and when they end, they burn in heartache. You must love and respect yourself first. When you wholeheartedly love who you are, the world will fall in love with you, and the right relationship will fall into place. Until I fully accept, love and respect myself, I will continue to attract those relationships rooted in fear, insecurities and disempowerment. 4. A few moments of silence each day will broaden your horizon, strengthen your self-a...