Beauty and Personal Grooming

Discover science-backed cooling techniques that go way beyond the usual summer advice. Summer has arrived with all its glory—the longer days, the vacation vibes, and yes, that relentless heat that seems to sap every ounce of energy from us and leaves us grumpy by noon! We've all heard the standard advice a million times: drink water, wear cotton, find some shade. But what if I told you there are some fascinating, unconventional ways to beat the heat that go beyond the obvious? From ancient breathing techniques to the surprising power of our own minds, there's a whole world of cooling strategies that most of us have never even considered. Let me share some discoveries that might just change how you think about staying cool this summer. The Mind Trick That Started It All I love skimming through the Sunday Edition of Times of India supplement to read Vinita Dawra Nangia articles. She always has some wonderful insights to share in her column O-Zone. In one of her Sunday articles,...

In this scorching summer heat, our parched throats yearn for cool water to quench our thirsts. This liking for cold fluids and beverages could well be evolutionary in origin if we go by this PubMed study . While the Internet is replete with articles about how drinking cold water is bad for your health, interferes with digestion ,  causes dreaded diseases such as cancer , there seems to be little truth in this statement. Unless a person is in a state of hypothermia (low body temperature) or severe dehydration, there is no reason to believe that drinking cold water could harm a person. So go ahead and consume cool, chilled drinks without any guilt. Also cold foods and beverages do not harm any of our internal organs, so no need to worry. However consumption of  too much of water / fluids after an intense workout or after spending several hours in hot sun should be avoided. [Refer to this study ]

A Very Happy Mother's Day to All. A particular day dedicated to a mother is never enough to let her know how special she is. But then in our busy schedule we hardly get to spend time with the family. So at least on special occasions like these we must make a point to let her know how much we depend on her and love her. No need of showering her with expensive gifts; just do your bit to make her feel special!

Bina asks: On every hair-removing cream container, there is a warning that, it should not be used near the eyes. However I find it very convenient to shape my eyebrows by removing the extra hairs with the cream. Will it affect my skin, later on?

Do you use your smartphone for hours together? Are you always busy texting, playing games or watching videos on your cellphone? If yes, then there is some worrying news for you.  Not only does your productivity gets affected with excessive smartphone usage; your addiction to this gadget could lead to a host of psychological as well as physical health issues.  I know it's very difficult to wean yourself from the smartphone since it has become a part and parcel of your life, almost like another organ of your body.  And that is the very reason why you should try your level best to escape from its clutches and concentrate on more productive things in life. More so, for the sake of your health!

I am a 22 year old unmarried girl. I keep myself clean and wash my private parts regularly while bathing. Sometimes I notice a whitish sticky discharge from my private parts. It does not pain or itch. I am very worried. Please advise. Response: Some vaginal secretions are normally present which are meant to lubricate the vaginal walls. It’s absolutely normal for your vagina or cervix to produce these clear or white secretions.

There's a pattern in my life I can't ignore: a few days before my period, my dreams take a bizarre, vivid turn . They're not always nightmares, but they're definitely unsettling.  I might find myself wandering naked in a crowded place , desperately searching for something I can't name, or being chased through a maze of unfamiliar streets.  Sometimes, it’s the wrenching grief of losing a loved one , so real it leaves me shaken even after I wake.  Other times, the dreams are just a bizarre, hazy mishmash of images and emotions , leaving me feeling disoriented and confused. It's like my brain decides to throw a surreal movie marathon, and I'm the unwilling audience.