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Archives for May 2021

May 31, 2021 By GOQii 2 Comments

11 Real Reasons Why Tobacco is Bad!

no smoking

LUNG CANCER! MOUTH CANCER! THROAT CANCER!

When we talk about smoking or chewing tobacco, the only thing that pops up is cancer. And now, we also have COVID-19 on this list which directly attacks your lungs! Apart from all of this, we have also heard about tobacco use causing COPD, heart disease, strokes and what not! Yet, smokers and tobacco chewers seem almost immune, if not indestructible as they continue to use tobacco day after day.

Maybe these conditions are extremes that arise after addictive, prolonged use of the substance. After all, we have all heard of that one grandpa who lived his entire life disease-free despite burning through a packet a day or that one aunt who is healthy despite smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Just because the effects aren’t immediate, doesn’t mean they are nonexistent.

While no amount of reasoning will help a tobacco user quit unless they choose to, here are some very real reasons why quitting tobacco today will be the best health move you can make!

1. It Cripples Your Sense of Smell and Taste

Tobacco consumption damages the sense of smell and the taste buds. Smell and Taste are connected to each other by a channel present at the roof of the throat to the nose. Without the sense of Smell, your food may turn tasteless. Blood vessels of Taste buds are also affected making your food less palatable. Quitting may help you enjoy your meals more!

2. Baldness

Toxins present in tobacco harm hair follicles, causing hair loss. It may also damage melanin, resulting in premature greying. Quitting tobacco reduces hair damage or hair loss to a very large extent.

3. Eye Problems and Blindness

Did you know that tobacco consumption can cause blindness? The nicotine present in tobacco causes AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) where a person loses central vision making it difficult to see and read things. Cataract is also common in people who consume tobacco. The retina is also affected which results in blindness.

4. Fertility Issues

This is a big one! Both men and women who consume tobacco may face fertility issues. Men’s sperm and Women’s egg get damaged due to the harmful chemicals present in tobacco. The DNA present in the sperm and the egg also get affected, resulting in an unhealthy baby or a baby with cleft lips or cleft palate. If you are trying to conceive, quitting 3 months prior will help a lot!

5. Buerger’s Disease

This disease is common in people using tobacco products. In the beginning, the arms and legs tend to become cold followed by pain in the legs, ankles and feet due to the thickening of blood vessels. In severe cases, ulcers are also noticed on the hands and feet. If infection due to the ulcers spread inside the arms and feet, doctors may advise amputation. There is no cure for this disease, and the only way to prevent this is by quitting tobacco products. Ouch!

6. Problems with Immunity

Consuming tobacco makes you more prone to infections by reducing immunity and depressing antibodies that fight infections. This results in body aches, pains and in severe cases, may result in rheumatoid arthritis.

7. Effect on Skin, Nails and Teeth

The harmful chemicals present in tobacco stain fingernails and the teeth of a user making them look yellowish. It is also an enemy of the skin as it makes you look older than your age. Quitting may help you look younger and retain the brighter side of your teeth and nails.

8. Loss of Hearing

Tobacco consumers are more likely to face hearing problems like tinnitus (ringing in ears) as nicotine results in narrowing of blood vessels present in the body. It also affects nerves  present in the inner ear and also the neurotransmitter responsible for identifying noises. This makes you more sensitive to loud noises and more prone to noise related hearing loss.

9. Digestive Disorders

The digestive system converts food into nutrients which are supplied to various parts of your body. This ability is hindered upon tobacco consumption. A person may experience digestive issues such as heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, crohn’s disease (inflammation of the intestines) and may even form gallstones. Quitting will improve digestive health drastically!

10. Disturbed Sleep

Consuming tobacco products affects one’s sleep cycle causing sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea or wakefulness. Quitting will improve your sleep quality and reduce sleeping disorders.

11. Wound Healing

Nicotine causes constriction of blood vessels. As a result, blood supply to body parts decrease and makes it difficult for a wound to heal.

Apart from these reasons, your social life can get affected too as many people find the smell of chewing tobacco and cigarette smoke very repulsive! Clear the smoke and wipe the stains of an unhealthy lifestyle to breathe the freshness of a healthy one!

Was this article helpful? Did we miss out on anything? Let us know in the comments below! If you have trouble quitting, reach out to your GOQii Coach by subscribing to personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

#BeTheForce

May 28, 2021 By Geetika Patni Leave a Comment

COVID Care: Home Remedies For A Sore Throat

sore throat

A sore throat is one of the earliest symptoms of COVID-19 infection in the majority of the cases. It manifests as scratchiness and irritation to the throat lining that worsens with swallowing. A sore throat can make it painful to eat, swallow and even talk!

If you have a sore throat associated with COVID-19, below are some of the remedies that might help you. These remedies do not cure the viral disease, but they can make you more comfortable. If your symptom of sore throat worsen, causing difficulty in breathing, please seek emergency medical assistance without wasting any time.

Some of these emergency symptoms include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extremely high temperature, 103 F or above
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Confusion
  • Severe cough with choking
  • Blue lips or face

Remedies For Soothing A Sore Throat

  1. Ginger Chips: Ingredients required – ginger root and honey. Wash an inch long piece of ginger root (Hindi name- Adrak) thoroughly, chop it into thin slices and pour a spoonful of honey to marinate them. Ginger chips are ready to be used. Keep one or two ginger chips in your mouth, upto maximum 6-8 in a day. Do not chew, just allow your salivary enzymes to dissolve the chip in your mouth slowly. 
  2. Clove water: Boil a jug of water and turn off the stove, put 3 whole cloves (Hindi name- Loung) in it. Drink this clove water throughout the day. For faster relief, keep 2 cloves in your mouth, do not chew or nibble, just let them stay in your mouth for salivary enzymes to work their magic. (If you have lost your taste due to COVID-19. clove can dramatically help you with taste too)
  3. Salt water gargle: Gargling with warm saline solution for soothing a sore throat is a well known, tried and tested remedy, before over the counter medicines became a norm. So, even if you feel gross about it, give it a try! In a glass of warm water, add 1/4th tsp salt and gargle with this water in your throat. For added benefit, add a pinch of turmeric or a dash of lemon or Apple cider vinegar in it. Make sure not to drink/swallow the salt water.

Please make sure that you do not ignore worsening symptoms and connect with your treating doctor at the earliest. We hope this article helps you. For more COVID-19 related articles and tips to boost your immunity, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. 

For further queries and to get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to GOQii now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu  

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce 

May 27, 2021 By Dr. Naina Sudarshan 4 Comments

Healthy Ayurvedic Concoctions To Boost Immunity

ayurvedic concoctionsAyurveda, the “Science of Life” is an invaluable treasure to India from our ancestors which is trending even in the second wave of the current pandemic. According to classical texts, the aim of Ayurveda is “To maintain the health of a healthy person through prevention and to treat the health issues of a sick person”. Our body needs to maintain good metabolism and immunity to fight against foreign invaders like germs and other external disease-causing factors. So, it is critical for us to maintain and boost our immunity on a regular basis to maintain our health. Ayurvedic concoctions are the best and easy choice to make at home yourself and have it frequently.

Ayurvedic Concoctions can be basically made with dry herbs, or dry herb powders or some of the fresh herbs too. As the herbs are boiled in water, the water absorbs all the therapeutic properties from the herbs making it better for digestion and absorption into our body.

5 Varieties of Ayurvedic Concoctions For Immunity 

1. Turmeric-Pepper Concoction

Ingredients:

  • Turmeric powder –  ¼ tsp
  • Black pepper Powder –  ¼ tsp
  • Jeera –  ¼ tsp
  • Water – 1 glass
  • Lemon – 1 tsp 
  • Himalayan Pink salt/Sea salt/Rock salt  –  ¼ tsp

Method: Mix turmeric, pepper and jeera in water and boil it for 3-5 mins to bring it down to 1 cup of concoction. Add lemon and salt before you sip the warm concoction.

Benefits: 

  • The Cucumin in Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and has an immune modulatory effect which enhances metabolism and boosts immunity.
  • Piperine in Black Pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin making it a good combination with Turmeric. It is a rich antioxidant that prevents cell damage, increases  the absorption of essential nutrients like calcium and selenium, helps in easy digestion, and controls blood sugar levels.
  • Jeera is a great source of iron besides potassium, helps in building immune system
  • Lemon, high in Vitamin C can fight against bacterial and viral infections by enhancing immune system

2. Fenugreek-Coriander Concoction

Ingredients:  

  • Fenugreek/Methi seeds – ½ tsp
  • Coriander/Dhaniya seeds – ½ tsp
  • Water – 1.5 glass
  • Milk (Optional) – ¼ cup
  • Jaggery –  ¼ – ½ tsp 

Method: Soak Methi and Coriander seeds in 1.5 glass of water for 30-60 mins. Boil it for 5-8 mins to reduce it to ¾ cup. You can add milk at this stage and boil it for 1 more minute. Turn the heat off and add jaggery just before drinking.

Benefits:

  • Methi/Fenugreek may help to reduce the risk of bacterial fungal and viral infections. It generates heat in the body and is excellent for Kapha dominant people with weaker immunity.
  • Coriander has powerful antioxidants that prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals.
  • Jaggery is a natural sweetener rich in iron, zinc, and selenium.

3. Pomegranate Peel Concoction

Ingredients:

  • Peel of half pomegranate
  • Raw Honey – 1 tsp 
  • Water – 1 glass

Method: Boil a glass of water. Put the pomegranate peel in the boiling water. Let it boil for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover it for 15 minutes. Add 1 tsp of honey to the concoction, before you sip it warm.

Benefits:

  • Pomegranate peels help in restoring overall health. It acts as a liver detox. It soothes sore throat and stomach infections. It helps in dental hygiene and promotes healthy cell growth.
  • Pomegranate peels can be dried and stored as a powder or peel to use it for a long time.
  • Raw honey has healing, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Phytonutrients in honey can boost the immunity.

4. Licorice-Ginger Concoction 

Ingredients:

  • 1 inch Licorice root or ¼ tsp of licorice powder
  • 2-3 slices of ginger or ¼ tsp of ginger powder / ginger paste
  • Water – 1 glass
  • Raw Honey – 1 tsp 

Method: Heat 1 glass of water. Add ginger powder and licorice powder. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Add 1 tsp of honey before you enjoy this concoction.

Benefits: 

  • Licorice Cleanses respiratory system as it is a strong decongestant, a natural remedy for cold, cough, sore throat, and flu
  • Ginger is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory in nature and helpful in reducing cough. It also enhances the immune response and is good for digestion

5. Onion-Cinnamon Concoction

Ingredients:

  • Onion – 1 small (diced) 
  • Cardamom Powder – ½ tsp
  • Cinnamon Powder – ¼ tsp
  • Water – 2 cups 
  • Jaggery – 1 tsp 

Method: Bring 2 glasses of water to boil, add all the ingredients and bring it down to 1 cup of liquid.  Simmer for 15 mins and sip it while it is warm.

Benefits:

  • Onions are rich in flavonoids that help in fighting infections and inflammation. It is extremely useful in strengthening the capillary walls of the lungs and prevents the damage of bronchial tubes in any respiratory infections
  • Cardamom and Cinnamon are anti-inflammatory and effective remedies for cold, and flu as they impart warmth to our body. Both spices are among the ingredients in most commonly used Ayurvedic cough medicines like Sitopaladi churna and Thaleesapatradi churna.  

These Ayurvedic Concoctions can be consumed once at any time of the day for about 2-3 days in a week preferably with a gap to maintain the metabolism and boost the immunity. Children under the age of 12 can have ½ a cup of any of these. People with diabetes should be cautious about the amount of honey and jaggery that they add – lesser the better. These are just preventive remedies and effective with mild symptoms of flu or cough and cold. Medical advice is always suggested with moderate to severe symptoms.

Before trying any of these, do consult your doctor in case you have any allergies. Try these Ayurvedic Concoctions at home and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more Ayurvedic Remedies or immunity boosting tips, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to GOQii Play. 

To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

Stay home, stay safe, boost your immunity and #BeTheForce

May 26, 2021 By Neha Goyal Leave a Comment

All About Digital Detox: Part 2

digital detoxYou might have understood the basic idea about digital detox in the first part of this article. In this part, I’ll be sharing how you can actually digitally detox! I promise, after reading this, you will definitely want to give it a try. 

What Happens To Your Brain and Body During a Detox? 

Here are some good things that you can expect during a digital detox:

  • Spending some time away from your phone that regularly beeps can result in a calmer state of mind.
  • Staying away from social media can make you more productive and your memory power may improve.
  • Your mind will be more clear & focused.
  • You may have lower anxiety & stress levels.
  • Growing awareness about how you use technology.
  • Improvement in sleep quality.
  • Better posture & reduced tech neck.
  • Improved social life as you connect with people in reality & eye contact will become a thing again.
  • Better engagement with yourself and the world around you.

Challenges You Might Face 

  • It will be uncomfortable at first as you might feel alone or disconnected.
  • The thought of quitting the digital detox will fill your mind recurrently, but it will lessen over time.
  • You may feel you are missing out even if there is nothing to miss out on other than pictures & gossips.
  • Boredom will try to deter you as you might feel uncomfortable without having something to do.
  • You might feel unproductive at first.
  • Other people may directly or indirectly pressure you to quit.
  • You might find it challenging to go out without a phone.

Easy Steps To Do A Digital Detox 

For many of us, quitting gadgets completely is not at all possible. But here are few practical and easy ways you can try to have a taste of digital detox.

  1. First step in your digital detox journey can be observation of your daily digital involvement time. This will reinforce you to make a change and unplug.
  2. Clean your device. Delete old apps and social media accounts.
  3. Have a device free morning. Do not check your phone as soon as you wake up. In fact, keep your phone away during bedtime.
  4. Choose a day in a week when you will stay away from gadgets. On this day, focus more on health, meditation and spend time with family.
  5. Turn off notifications as they distract you constantly. Set a time for checking messages, emails and notifications.
  6. While reading, eating and doing some work when you need to focus, keep your phone out of sight in another room, or turn it on silent or vibration mode.

How Do You Ensure Digital Detox Success? 

  • Consider doing it during vacation or start with weekends if you have a technology focused job.
  • Commit loudly: Let your family & friends know that you will not be available on social media during a particular period of time & ask for their help & support.
  • Fill the void: Plan, in advance, some ways to stay distracted and some other activities/ hobbies in hand to keep you busy.
  • To reduce temptation and easy access, delete social media apps from your phone.
  • Keep a track of your progress and write down your thoughts & experiences.
  • Plan for real meetings with your friends and family or simply go for a walk when you feel most tempted to use your gadgets.

Going device free might be a bit uncomfortable at first, but if you can just start doing it, you will find it much more rewarding. So try this detox over the coming weekend and share your feedback in the comments below! 

For more tips on improving mental health, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, sign up for our personal coaching service now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

#BeTheForce 

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