Smartphone-Yuga is here!

The other day I was travelling in a local train in Mumbai, I happened to observe that most of the people were engrossed in their Smartphones, some were checking out social networking sites, some others were busy playing games on their phones, few were on calls, few others were just exploring the various features available on their smart phones. Only a handful of them had their phones tucked in their bags or should I presume that they were not owning one 😉. But do such individuals exist in this era? Yes they do, there is still a small group of people out there who are reluctant to use the mobile phone and no money is definitely not the issue here they simply do not want to get indulged in it for various personal reasons like they find it cumbersome to handle or they feel that they are unable to take care and will end up losing it, some elderly people find it too complicated and are simply incorrigible. Have just discovered one more reason of not carrying a mobile phone, was taken aback to know that a few don’t want to be accessible so they don’t have one.

But most of the janta today does own a mobile phone these days...I still recollect when mobile phones were just introduced in india a few years back only a few affluent people could afford it, in our family one of my uncles had bought it and showed off his priced possession to everyone. All were so very amazed and impressed after seeing this piece of technology.. they were really going ga ga over it.

A few years later after the introduction of smartphones the game plan become totally different, it literally bought the world at your fingertips. The smartphone has become a significant gadget in our lives to the extent that it has become absolutely indispensable! The old, simpler mobile phone which was just used to make phone calls and send sms got a new fresh sleek look just not externally but internally too.. it has actually became a substitute for a computer in more than one way! As the name suggests it is truly smart what with the ability to perform many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, Internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded apps. It has easily substituted your physical diary, alarm clock, phone book, music sytem, calculator,camera,calender etc. etc.

With the availability of the various health applications available like the one which reminds you to drink water after every one hour , another which computes your calories intake by assimilating your diet, to the one that records your waking steps to reckon the level of activity undertaken are simple and easy tools to measure your health parameter.

But one also has to keep in mind that in this electronic age, time is quickly soaked up by the gizmos. Checking out the phone to see your new Whtsapp messages/videos, glancing through Facebook eats up your valuable productive time and you realise the clock has ticked quickly whilst you were busy on the phone. But at the same time it also helps us to stay connected with friends and family that we do not happen to see regularly.

Kids today are exposed to smartphone at an early age in life, a 2 year old exactly knows how to access Youtube in the phone and play their favourite carton films. The parents today are so busy that they find it convenient to handover the smartphones to kids so that they are kept busy for some time while they go about finishing their daily chores. A couple of years of usage & then the inevitable happens , the kids become so addicted to their smartphones that the same parents are now looking out for various solution to keep the children away from smartphones.

In the malls, gardens, roads, beaches everywhere else, whenever and wherever there is an opportunity people are seen to have an urge to take selfies freely. I recollect once my girls gang decided to have a reunion after a hiatus, the first thirty to forty minutes after we met up we were just clicking pictures. Soon someone wiser in the group realised that we haven’t even exchanged pleasantries, so then we quickly sat down after safely tucking our phones away and started chatting animatedly. Then it was such a beautiful evening in the company of friends we were thoroughly having such a good time.

There have been instances where people have taken the risk of taking a selfie at places which are unsafe/restricted/prohibited thereby putting themselves and others in danger. This has also proved to be fatal where young lives are lost just for the sake of clicking a selfie and impressing others.

So one will actually have to exercise quite a wise restrain over the usage so that it enhances the quality and value of life. Smartphone is at our hands to make our fast paced life easy and convenient, let us all soak in its goodness😊.

Self-Vow to Health and Fitness

Season’s Greetings to all!

Many of my family and friends who are receiving my daily health snippet have acknowledged the fact that staying healthy is indeed a way of life , especially in today’s times where people are health and diet conscious and fitness is the mantra for Good Life!

I strongly believe that if you must be happy and successful in life than health must be your topmost priority. If one is hale and hearty than half the battle is already won, isn’t it? Good health sails you over the challenges of life!

Health is important for every individual be it a new-born baby or a 60 plus individual. If your health is right everything falls in place. The mornings look so bright and beautiful, you are full of energy, vigour and enthusiasm and start your day on a happy-happy note.  All set to take on the world read tasks for the day that you have set in your minds and have to be accomplished by the end of the day.

Staying healthy does not merely mean staying fit physically but it also means being mentally and emotionally strong. Both physical and mental health goes hand-in-hand, one needs to have a tab on both to have an overall healthy Body and Mind. The 4 most important factors that lead to Health and Fitness are Physical health, Diet, Rest and Mental Health.

But unfortunately, my observation says that only a few people take good care of your health. This may be due to various factors like paucity of time, laziness, sheer ignorance or lack of determination.

One should seriously combat these frivolous excuses and stay focussed and pick up any physical exercise of your choice be it walking, cycling, swimming, gymming, yoga or indulging into your favourite sports and do follow it regularly for 45 minutes to an hour daily, a day or two off within a week is just fine, but no miss in the rest 5 days. Having a discipline is utmost important here, do keep a written record of the number of days that you been able to accomplish so that you are aware about where you stand at the end of the month. Some people also opt for a combo of two or more activities to cut out the boredom that erupts out of being monotonous. By taking up any of the physical exercise one is bound to get satiated with the feeling of wellness throughout the day, it also has a strong positive impact on your mental health. In fact the workouts can be made more interesting if you can also tag your friend or family along. Try as much to have your workouts outdoor as it offers stronger perks than when done indoors. When you are outdoors you stay connected with nature and can inhale fresh morning air under the sun. Exercise makes your heart stronger, which helps it pump more blood with each heartbeat. This delivers more oxygen to your body, which helps it to function more efficiently.

It has also been believed that exercise when done in the mornings has a greater and deeper effective impact on us. So, make a habit of hitting the bed early so that you avail your 7-8 hours of sleep which acts as an elixir for your mental health which makes you think/feel in a positive way and can benefit your health, weight and mind. A good night’s sleep plays a vital role in building your body’s capacity to heal and repair and enhances your immunity. Sufficient sleep will also aid in helping you wake up at the desired time in the morning, as per the old saying early to bed early to rise.

With regular physical exercise please also have a check and control over what you consume. If after a hard workout you come back home to gulp down the ghee-laden parathas or gorge on handful of sweets or have restaurant food on regular basis than all the workout goes down the drain, this is neither acceptable nor will yield the desired results. It will simply zeroise the effect of your workout & leave you where you were. Oily-greasy, high caloried, junk and sweets are very good to taste however have a bad effect on our heart and our overall health. Whilst you may indulge into your favourite unhealthy food occasionally to satiate your taste buds, but must strongly restrain yourself for your own betterment. This self-control over the diet is completely mind-driven, you will attain this with great determination. Choose healthier alternatives like boil, bake, grill, steam and microwave or stir- fry instead of deep frying. Some people abruptly plan to go for strict/crash dieting without any consultation which personally is not a way of life as we should have all types of food be it proteins, carbohydrates, fats but in moderation, so the key here is moderation.

Along with physical health possessing a sound mental health is equally important. The basic nature of the mind is to keep wandering. Your mind first thinks and lets you know what it desires, here is where the first sapling of an idea or productivity is sown then we keep nurturing the same so that it blossoms and bears the fruits in form of love, happiness, success and accomplishments. Mind can be kept calm, positive and in control with meditation and various yoga breathing techniques(Pranayam). You must have encountered anxiety, sadness, frustration, fear, envy at some point of time in life, Mediation and Pranayam are effective in eradicating these negative traits out of your mental system. Keeping this in mind , we should set aside a few minutes of our time to practice Pranayam. It helps reduce the effects of stress on your body, encourages relaxation. It increases enthusiasm, vitality and work efficiency, improve your heart rate and increase your overall endurance.

You will feel rejuvenated, positive and have a great zeal in whatever you do.

What are you waiting for? Do take a self-vow to good health so that you live an enriched, happy and joyous life which is full of energy!