An Insight On Eyesight

 “WE ARE ONLY BLIND, AS WE WANT TO BE”-

The name of this topic is a well-known quote made by American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. Although the quote was made with a different thought in mind, it also applies to us, common people who don’t pay proper heed to instructions or methods when it comes to taking care of our eyes. Don’t worry, as CUREYA is here to debunk some of the myths regarding treating our eyes the right way, as well as providing proper methods for the same.

HOW TO TAKE PROPER CARE OF EYES? :-

Eyes form one of the most, if not the most vital sensory organ when it comes to the human body. It helps us to navigate and often it’s the eyes that show early symptoms of anything wrong happening in our body, both physically and mentally. Taking care of eyes is not simply wearing Sunglasses when going out on an extra sunny day or simply, getting a pair of corrective lenses to improve vision. It’s much more than that.

You can fight back against eye diseases employing the following methods-

• Proper Sleeping- When it comes to taking care of eyes, nothing beats proper sleep, i.e., giving our eyes proper amount of rest. Also, we must keep in mind that resting eyes doesn’t necessarily mean sleeping for 16 hours straight, or going into hibernation mode, as 8 hours sleep is enough for our body. We can rest our eyes by lowering our exposures to high U-V radiations (Computer, Mobile Screens, etc), whenever we can.

• Choosing Proper Eyewear- Wearing protective sunglasses on an extra sunny day or wearing specialized glasses with U-V protective coating while going out in the sun, helps to a certain extent to keep our eyes safe and eyesight sound. It's equally important, as in the cases where we need to wear goggles and special protective coverings on our eyes when dealing with chemicals or working with harmful radiations. So all the budding chemists do take some notes!

• Following A Healthy Diet- Having foods rich in Vitamin A (such as carrots) can help to a much larger extent than we think it does! Sticking to a healthy and nutritious diet sure helps in treating the eyes well.

• Avoid Harmful Habits Like Smoking- Ever wondered that smoking not only affects the lungs but also the eyes? Several research papers have established this fact that smoking increases the risk of getting eye diseases like glaucoma, dry eye syndrome and such incurable diseases. Also, smokers are three- times more likely to be affected by diseases like cataract than non-smokers.

• Eye Check-Ups- In our daily busy schedule we often tend not to follow the above guidelines. So, it is advisable to pay a visit to an ophthalmologist, at least once every six months.

MYTHS REGARDING EYE-CARE: -

Coming to this, one quote seems to come to my mind, “All that glitters is not gold, and all the statements are not facts, as some are MYTHS too!” Here’s some of those myths (Some are hilarious by the way!):

• People who are colour blind, see no colours at all! – Just imagine this, the people who are colour blind are seeing this world in a retro fashion. No, this is simply a myth as colour-blind people often have problems distinguishing the colours between red and green.

• Reading in dim-light may cause loss of eye-sight! – No! Not at all! Its true that reading under improper light conditions may cause eye-strain (only if you are reading for long hours), but that can simply be relieved by taking a break in between. However, it will not cause any sort of blindness.

• Reading small-lettered writings very closely can harm your eyes greatly- It's similar to the earlier case where it can cause a mild eye strain but wont damage your eyesight extensively.

• No need for checking your eyes until you are 40- This is also a myth as one can have eye-sight issues right from birth (generally congenital) or can occur at any age (generally acquired). So, as stated earlier, regular visits to an ophthalmologist is advisable at any age.

• If you are wearing specs which are poorly fit, you will face serious eye-problems- Poorly fit spectacles won’t cause any harm to your eyes, but also won't lead to proper vision too, so get that fixed, without believing in this myth.

So, as long you take proper diet and follow some of the mentioned guidelines and stay away from the myths you are good to go! So cheers to a healthy lifestyle!

Visit Cureya's Website to know more. Free consultation services with top medical and health professionals. 

Check out www.cureya.in and www.cureya.in/shop

Credit Author Ranit Laha

All photos credited and designed by Unsplash

GOOD FOOD, GOOD MOOD!

Food is the essence of life. Having good nutrition can help you to deal with stress and mood disorders quite effectively. The fact that good food (nutrition) is directly proportional to good mood is not a mere statement but a well-proven certitude. Researchers recommend “fixing the food before anything else”, when dealing with anxiety or feeling low; as there’s always a connection between our gut and our brain. 

CONNECTION BETWEEN FOOD AND MENTAL HEALTH:

Generally, we associate eating habits with our physical health rather than our mental health. Hypoglycemia, commonly known as “low-blood sugar”, is often the cause of our anxiety or and confusion.  We do not relate these emotional changes with food, however it is in fact strongly related.

    Suppose you’ve not had your food for a long duration of time due to work pressure and when you have a break you go have some junk/unhealthy food. This can cause disruption in the balance between the good and bad bacteria in your gut, and cause gradual mood disorders. Now you'd blame your bad mood or irritation on your job or work, while the main reason is your afternoon lunch, not anything else. A poor diet can worsen such symptoms of mood disorders, leading to depression.

You, may have also noticed that what or how much you eat, depends on your mood. Some foods can uplift your mood and concentration, while others might have the opposite effect for the same food.

SEROTONIN-THE MOOD REGULATOR:

Serotonin is the hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings and happiness, which in turn affects the entire body. The anti-depressants we take, work by controlling this hormone/neurotransmitter. Serotonin helps in sleep regulation, helping to cause ‘quality sleep’. Our body converts serotonin to melatonin while going to sleep and hence having enough serotonin in the brain is necessary to fall asleep.

Now, how is the secretion of serotonin related to the food we eat? 90% of the serotonin in our body is produced in the gut and thus the health of the gut and balance of bacteria within our gut, impacts our resilience towards stress and anxiety. When stressed, the body’s ANS (Autonomic Nervous System), which controls the involuntary organs in our body like the heart, lungs, stomach, etc. behaves abnormally and we tend to feel disgust, irritation, anger and various such emotions. Serotonin helps regulate these ANS functions and cause us to remain stress free. So, “When our stomachs are happy, so are we”.

HOW IMPORTANT IS A HEALTHY DIET FOR MENTAL DISORDERS? :

A study conducted in the year 2019 examining the diets of older adults, found a direct relationship between anxiety and high-carb diet. While a similar study conducted in the year 2017 found that, for treatment of depression more often than not, dietary counselling was far more effective.

Researchers say that, besides our brain affecting how our stomach feels, the stomach health too in turn affects the functions of the brain. It can cause a sense of calmness as well as cause alarm, sending suitable nervous signals up towards the brain. So, while uncovering all these relationships between gut health and mood disorders a new field of science, known as nutritional psychology came into existence.

According to this study, it’s found that having healthy foods can make us feel better and stress-free and hence more concentrated in our day-to-day activities. Certain foods contain Vit. B12, tryptophan etc. which increase synthesis of serotonin. These foods are called brain foods and examples of such are: -

• Pineapples

• Salmon Fish

• Cheese

• Soy, nuts, seeds

• Kiwis

• Tomatoes

• Bananas

• Whole Grains

• Poultry

There are certain categories of food items which you should avoid at all circumstances to improve your gut health and they are the quite obvious ones and are as follows,

• Processed foods/Junk Foods- The foods that contain preservatives and such chemicals can tamper with your gut health to a really larger extent.

• Inflammatory foods- Certain high-sodium foods are more likely to cause an inflammatory response in your system, and if you have any underlying food sensitivities (foods which might cause allergic reactions), such foods are supposed to be avoided.

One thing to remember however is "Don’t be too strict". : Most importantly don’t be too harsh on yourself regarding your food choices. It’s not necessary to eat right all the time. Your day should be 75 percent right choices regarding food while the remaining 25 percent should be the choices which your stomach or brain craves for, as nothing can pacify your stressful mind more than food!

Eating well helps you feel more energetic and hence cleanses your head of all negativity. With increased serotonin secretion, you’ll sleep better and these several scientific, and emotional factors that connect nutrition and brain health if followed will give you more energy to do and achieve your dreams. So, happy eating!

Visit Cureya's Website to know more. Free consultation services with top medical and health professionals. 

Check out www.cureya.in and www.cureya.in/shop

Credit Author Ranit Laha

All photos credited and designed by Unsplash

Stop Binge Eating!

One of the essential activities that we do to survive is eat. With the evolution of civilization, technology, and many things around us- we also have binge eating evolved from normal eating. Hop in to know about binge eating, its ill effects, and ways to avoid it.

Binge eating is the intake of a large amount of food in a short span of time. Overeating even if you are not hungry. All around social media, we could see colorful cakes, spicy pasta, cheese pizzas, and a variety of food from around the world. Wanting to have a taste, we end up trying them out and end up getting addicted to them over a period of time. Many people also binge eat to cool down negative emotions, like anger, pain, etc. However it is to note that in the long run, binge eating, may end up as a disorder.

Do you Wolf food down? , long term binge eating is injurious to health and might have these ill effects on your body,

(i) Diabetes

Binge eating disorder (BDE) is more likely to cause type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM can result in adverse effects like high body mass index (BMI) and a few other depressive symptoms. Continued binge eating makes it hard to blood sugar levels and T2DM might become a lifelong disease.

(ii) Obesity

By eating a lot of food in a relatively short span of time you tend to gain more weight. Especially when your intake includes a lot of fat and sugar more physical activity is required to burn it. If you don't work out regularly to burn those calories down, the surplus energy tends to get stored in your body as fat. Being obese increases the chances for

(a) Heart disease

(b) Type 2 diabetes

(c) High blood pressure

(iii) Damage to skin and hair

As a part of binge eating, you are naturally attracted to colorful, non-nutrient, oily, and spicy junk foods more than healthy food. This results in glow-less, dry, damaged, and acne-prone skin and also leaves your hair lifeless and brittle.

(iv)Gastrointestinal damage

With binge eating comes many kinds of gastrointestinal problems like

(a) Bloating

(b) Cramping

(c)Diarrhea

(d) Pain in the abdomen

(e) Nausea

In addition to these, excessive calories, sugar, fat, and carbs lead to constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

(v)Depression

You might feel bad, guilty, stressed after a binge episode thinking about weight again. Sometimes you may be depressed/ashamed about eating a lot of food. The ugly truth is, you can get rid of the physical effects of binge eating soon than the emotional damage. Mental distress may take a very long time to heal.

Alternatives to binge eating

If you want to dump binge eating, never skip a meal as it might increase the cravings and you might end up eating more again. Below are the other list of tips that can help you eliminate the habit of binging

1. Drink more water

Stay hydrated all through the day to cut down on carbohydrates. At the same time, this improves your metabolism too. You could try Ginger water! Ginger water is a super healthy tonic that is extremely good for your digestive system. Drinking ginger water makes you full in between meals thus helping you to combat binge eating.

2. Plan a workout routine

Practice yoga or exercise to distract yourself and also to move one step ahead towards a healthy life.

3. Take Fiber and Protein-rich food

Fiber-rich food like veggies, fruits, and whole grains makes you feel full and you might end up eating less. Similarly, protein-rich intake like nuts, meat, and seeds can also reduce appetite.

4. Declutter home

Clean your kitchen or throw away unnecessary things from your room. Declutter and keep your home look neat, this is a way to divert yourself from binge eating. 

Final thoughts

Binge eating is increasing across the world, without considering its ill effects. Stay healthy both in physical and emotional aspects by reducing binge eating gradually with these tips.

Visit Cureya's Website to know more. Free consultation services with top medical and health professionals. 

Check out www.cureya.in and www.cureya.in/shop

Credit Author: Janani Chandrasekar 

All photos credited and designed by Freepik

5 Yoga Asanas that can change your life!

Yoga is the best exercise one can do to stay fit and healthy. If you are the type of person who isn't comfortable exercising in gyms and don't really like walking or other intense activities, then yoga can be your ultimate savior. Yoga has multiple benefits that are scientifically proven. It is tried and tested, so you need to get on board and make it a routine in your daily life. All you need is a quick session of morning yoga, and you are all set to take over the day like a pro!

Yoga a day will keep the doctor away!

Yoga has both physical and mental benefits. It helps improve body posture and increases flexibility. It gives strength to our body and makes it lighter at the same time. A person who, on average, regularly does yoga experiences better digestion which can help eliminate constipation and other related diseases. For women who experience severe menstrual cramps, yoga is a go-to activity because it not only reduces pain but also gives the body the energy it needs during this time.

People who have resorted to yoga as a means to a better life, have experienced a reduction of pain in various areas of the body, especially the back. It also helps reduce body weight and belly fat. In all, yoga has motivated people to start living a healthy and sustainable life without compromising on anything.

Apart from the many physical benefits mentioned, people have also incorporated yoga into their lifestyle for better mental health. The meditation activities are said to reduce stress and counter anxiety which is equally crucial in today’s world. It helps in releasing tension. With so much going on around, a session of yoga with meditation can give an immense amount of mental peace. This in turn makes one sleep better at night. 87% of people feel better after their yoga class which is undeniably also quite evident worldwide.

With yoga coming into the limelight worldwide with proven benefits, almost 300 million all over the world practice yoga. In India, Rishikesh being the world capital of yoga, thousands of people from across the globe come to the town every year to experience yoga in its purest forms.

While there are different asanas for different purposes, these 5 asanas are the ones that can change your life completely and flip it 360 degrees. They can take you from feeling lethargic and lazy to being healthy and active. Patience and consistency are key on your journey. You have to commit to waking up early every morning, reaching out for the yoga mat and you over time, will be ready to bring in more sunlight and more positive change in your lifestyle.

1.   Surya-Namaskar – A Series of Asanas

 

Surya Namaskar is the most sought-after and the best exercise one can practice staying fit and healthy. It has thirteen poses in total with almost seven different asanas, all in one. It is advised to practice in the morning; as the name suggests, to garner more benefits. This makes one more mindful and is considered to be one of the most powerful techniques in yoga to boost immunity and energy. This can also be seen as a full-body workout that can help in losing body weight. It also improves blood circulation. The most important part here is to maintain focus on breathing. Focus on the breath by feeling every bit of it.

2.   Vajrasana

Vajrasana in Sanskrit means thunderbolt. It is a simple sitting pose in yoga in which one kneels and sits back on their legs. This is done to take the body weight off the knees. This asana has proved to improve, lower back pains and is beneficial during hypertension. It helps with constipation improving the digestive tract. It provides strength to the pelvic and thigh muscles. The main focus here again is breathing. Focus on the breath is important to experience the benefits of yoga to the fullest. Breathing in and out slowly while pushing the tailbone towards the floor and the head upwards will help in strengthening the body on the whole.

3.   Alternate Bidalasana and Bitilasana (Cat-Cow Pose)

Bidalasana is the cat pose whereas Bitilasana is the cow pose. Alternating between the two makes one set of the exercise. The asana helps us strengthen the back, core abs, knees, hips, arms, and shoulders. It opens up the entire spine by removing blockages and making the body more flexible. It constantly expands and contracts neck muscles making it more flexible too. This pose can be highly helpful during menstruation in easing the pain. With the proper focus on breathing, Vajrasana helps in combating insomnia by improving blood circulation and relaxing the mind. As the body aligns in this pose, the body posture improves simultaneously with time.

4.   Ushtrasana (Camel Pose)

Ushtrasana is very easy to do. It is essentially backward bending of the spine that helps in lowering blood pressure during hypertension. It helps in stretching chest muscles and improves the cardiovascular system. This asana is known for reducing fat from the difficult parts of the body from where fats do not shed off easily, such as the stomach, thighs, hips, and arms. It also helps in improving the respiratory system by stimulating it and comes in useful to asthma patients. One more added benefit is the proper stimulation of the thyroid gland to secrete an adequate amount of thyroxine.

5.   Paschimottanasana

Paschimottanasana is the asana wherein you sit with your legs straight and touch your feet with your hands bending forward. While doing the asana, one might feel pressure on the calf, the lower back, and the knees. All these parts get toned and shaped with time. The pressure on the stomach and the pelvic area improves the system underneath. This asana largely affects the abdomen hence recommended for women more. It also helps diabetic patients and patients who have weak kidneys and liver. Not just these, but it also helps in relaxing the mind by releasing stress and calming anxiety.

Visit Cureya's Website to know more. Free consultation services with top medical and health professionals. 

Check out www.cureya.in and www.cureya.in/shop

Credit Author: Jahnavi Bedia

All photos credited and designed by Freepik