Things to note before buying your backpack for school

As school approaches, many children are excited to pick up their backpacks.

However when you choose a wrong type of backpack that can cause back and shoulder pain and even headaches.

Here are 5 backpacks safety guidelines you should follow.

1. Check straps and backpack size

When buying a backpack look at the straps. You should buy one which should be large and padded straps to distribute the weight and if possible one which has a waist or chest strap to provide additional support.

Please don't buy an oversized backpack. Always get an appropriate size bag for your child.

2. Adjust

A low backpack can cause strain in the shoulders. Please adjust the straps at the bottom of the backpack no more than 4 inches below the waist.

3. Wear it right

If you see your child is not carrying their backpack the right way it causes a lot of stress on the spine and this will affect how the spine grows. Encourage your child to use both shoulder straps. This helps to distribute the weight evenly and keeps their shoulders straight.

4. Pack Smart

A backpack should weigh no more than 10% of your child’s body weight based on the current studies.

Every pupil at CBSE school Kerala is issued with a school diary which includes the class timetable. Use this to pack only the books your child needs for the day. When packing those books put the heaviest ones in first so it closes the back.

5. Brighter is better

Buy a backpack which is bright in colour which is made of reflective material.

Why?

Because you want to ensure your child is visible when they walk home. A brighter back with reflective material helps your child stay visible and ensures their safety.

Ayurvedic Nutrition

As per Ayurvedic nutrition even two healthy foods when taken together can turn unhealthy and here are some food combinations you must avoid at all cost.

Milk shouldn’t be combined with any other food

Milk is never supposed to be combined with any other food. Milk is a concentrated and complete food in itself. The full digestive process is required of its own kind for milk. It is a totally different protein than other concentrated proteins like eggs, meat, nuts etc

Milk doesn't digest in the stomach but in the duodenum, hence in the presence of milk stomach doesn't respond with its secretion.

Liquids and Solids

As per Ayurvedic law, no liquid should be taken along with solids. Liquid tent to pass away immediately into the intestines taking away all the digestive enzymes thus inhibiting the digestion.

Thus liquids should be taken at least 20 mins prior to the meal and not immediately after or along with meal but can be taken one hour after the meal.

Bananas and milk

Ayurveda lists this combination as one of the heaviest and toxin-forming. It is set to create heaviness in the body and slow down the mind.

If you are a fan of milk paste bananas smoothie make sure banana is very ripe and add cardamom and nutmeg to stimulate digestion.

Cold Drinks

Avoid cold or ice drinks directly after or during a meal. The cold diminishes digestive power called Agni and causes a host of digestive problems and allergies.

The same goes for frozen yoghurt or ice cream.

Green tea or black tea and milk

Flavonoids called catechins are contained in tea which has many beneficial effects on the heart. When we add milk to tea then a group of proteins in milk called caseins interact with the tea to reduce the concentration of catechins. So avoid tea and milk together.

Drink warm water

To help aid digestion always drink small sips of warm water during a meal.. Extremely cold water is very harmful to drink as the body uses too much effort to move it through the digestive tract. This should be saved to digest your meal.

Curd should not be consumed in the night

Buttermilk help in digestion whereas curds to the contrary are heavy to digest. It can be best digested at lunchtime. This is the time when the digestive abilities are the strongest.

The curd is acidic in nature. It aggravates Kapha and Pitta as it produces a lot of heat in the stomach. Curds can be constipating. They are heavy and very slow to digest. People with weak digestion should avoid its consumption.

Olive Oil and Nuts

Olive oil and nuts are always used as the best combination for pesto and salad dressings. Olive oil is a Fat and nuts are protein. The raw fact has an inhibiting effect of the digestion of the protein.

Be a tourist in your City!

Everyone dreams of visiting amazing places and will have some kind of travel bucket list that’s packed with unforgettable life-changing trips all over the globe. Due to some commitments or maybe your bank account isn't ready to go with you, we fail to make those dreams a reality. Still, that doesn’t mean that you cannot go out and see those wonders as a tourist. Then I realized that why I can't be a tourist in my own city?
There must be some ‘must-see’ attractions in your place. You’ll be excited and surprised by just how enjoyable it can be to get out and explore your own town. Obviously, there will be still something in your town which you haven’t seen and yet when you’re looking for a way to spend your free time. So I've found 5 ways to rediscover your city and to be a tourist in your own town.

Make a bucket list
The first thing you must do is to get out of the daily routine. For that to do you need a plan. Do unique things outside of your daily routine. Get help from the local tourist office and collect information and recommendations as possible! Make a bucket list of fun adventures and pick your favourite activities that you can have in your own town. Without a firm plan, you cannot do this. So pull out your diary and create a schedule of those new and interesting places you can see an do.

Explore areas you’ve never been before
Try to rediscover each and every corner of your town. You might have passed by those places in your town but have never stopped. So explore those places first and try to get it to know better.  Go take a walk and take the time to explore those narrow streets or try out that new restaurant.  Take mini-road trips to a town or city close by.

Take tours
When you travel to a nearby city, you will find different tours you can go on. Do on your trip and find some fun tours you can do in your own city. Spend some money on this. It’ll be worth it if it’s something you’ve never done before.

Arrange a Stay
To make things feel new and interesting, stay in a hotel. By staying opposite to your usual place will definitely set the mood for exploring. If you live in the countryside then head to the city to explore. Or if you’re staying in a city, spend the weekend in the countryside. This arrangement will add a little extra fun.

Go Back to Where it all Started
Do you know the history of your place? You must be knowing the names of the place and old buildings but not the story of how your city was founded.  No matter how long you've lived there in a town there will always be things you don't know about it. So use that time off to learn and gain some knowledge of your local history. For that Go to museums, read books or talk to the old generation people!

Capture the Moment
Create long-lasting memories that can remember for a lifetime. Take a camera when you head out to explore and capture special moments and beautiful places. These pictures will definitely make you fall in love with your city all over again and will remind you of a special moment on this trip.


Attend events and festivals
Find the events and festivals happening around you. There will likely be several local events happening in your city especially during the high seasons. For that research and refer some local calendar and get out there to attend some of these! Even the lamest sounding events can often be a blast, plus it’s a great way to interact with tourists that may be travelling from other places!

My Ideas to Escape from Exam stress

It is quite natural that every student will experience stress during exams. It is an unavoidable part of every student life even if it is school or college. Stress results in our brain to release high levels of cortisol which clouds the way we think and gets in the way of rational thoughts. When exam pressure is upon you don't waste your precious time thinking about how you could reduce your stress levels, Instead just read and make use of these tips. Always remember stress exists for a reason and you can choose to let it be your downfall or use it to drive you to improve your work.

Explained below are some unexpected ways that you can put the stress to one side and concentrate on your learning goals. If you reduce your stress it increases your productivity, helps you absorb more of the information you take in and stop you from having a breakdown. I would like to share some tips that are proven to help you overcome exam stress. I promise you that if you apply the tips, you’ll become a calmer, happier and more successful student.

Let’s get started!

Plan your Study Routine

Creating a personal study plan will always give good results. By taking an initial effort, you can become more productive and motivated each day you approach your study by understanding your learning progress. Creating a study plan, prioritising your time and subjects will help reduce your stress levels, as you'll be able to ensure that the really important stuff is covered at the right time. Prioritising your time will give a clear idea of how much time you need to dedicate to each exam topic and when you need to get started on your revision. If this goes as planned then it will give you a small sense of achievement, knowing that you've finished something and are making your way to the finish line.

Exercise and eat well

Exercising during times of high stress feels like the last thing you want to do, but we guarantee that you will feel better afterwards. When you exercise it results in blood flowing and your heart pumping. Once it is done you feel so refreshing. For that get out for a run or just do a short work out in your bedroom. Do exercise that’s enjoyable for you because it is a stress buster that fills your brain with endorphins, which are basically happy hormones. Eating right foods during stressful times can also reduce stress to an extent and absolutely crucial for mental health. There are some healthy snacks been proven to reduce stress, but they also increase brain power!

Avoid social media

A Study reveals that the overuse of mobile phones not only causes stress but can also have a negative impact on your mental health. This decision will be a tough one for many students. Browsing through Facebook during the revision period is the worst type of procrastination possible, as we all know how quickly the time disappears when you're snooping on your news feed. If you use the phone at regular intervals there will be a tendency to contact your friends and to discuss with them how much they're studying or not studying. This will stress you out even more, or at least influence how much time you're spending revising. So it is better to avoid social media and reduce your phone usage.

Listen to music

Singing can help to reduce exam stress so as listening to music especially slow and soothing classical music. Music is an effective stress management tool. It has got a power to comfort our mind. There are many benefits while listening to music such as it has a relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, slowing our pulse, lowering our blood pressure, and decreasing our levels of stress hormones. So listen to music 10 minutes a day to tune out your exam stress.

Get enough sleep

Research shows us that studying for long hours without getting enough sleep can increase stress levels. Stress and sleep are interconnected. Stress leads to sleep disorders that is it can make it more difficult to fall asleep. Same time, getting a good sleep can reduce the effects of stress. Try to go to sleep early and get up early in the morning every day. If you are sitting late at night then try to take a short nap the following day, rather than sleeping in.

The Most Overlooked places in Kottayam

Kottayam is blessed with many beautiful tourist places. Kottayam is not one of most famous towns but is no less beautiful than the likes of Munnar, Alleppey or Kanyakumari. Kottayam is filled with beautiful churches, charming nearby hill stations, significant temples, and refreshing waterfalls.  All these factors make it as one of the must-visit destinations in Kerala. Here is a list of quaint and charming places to visit in and around Kottayam.

Vaikom 
One of the popular place in Kottayam famous for its variety of tourist attractions. This place got most scenic backwaters of Kerala like Kumarakom and is famous for rich historical places and heritage temples that add an old-world charm to it. This place serenity and simplistic beauty are unbeatable.

Elaveezhapoonchira
Elaveezhapoonchira is a must visit tourist place in Kottayam, surrounded by three hills Mankunnu, Kodayathoormala and Thonippara. The name of the place is derived from two words meaning valley where leaves do not fall because the place has no trees. This place is famous for its magnificent views and lush greenery. Elaveezhapoonchira is also well known for amazing waterfalls and secret alcoves. It is the perfect picnic spot and famous among trekkers. This place is hardly an hour away from the main Kottayam town. This hill station is gaining tourist importance nowadays. One of the specialities of this place is that, can witness both the sunrise and sunset.


Bay Island Driftwood Museum

The famous underwater sculpture museum showcases driftwood sculptures. They store and present a large unique collection of superior driftwood sculptures of various shapes and design. Sculptures found here was collected from the shores of Andaman and Nicobar.  Sculptures are made from twisted trunks of the trees, roots and stumps and some sculptures resemble animals, fish and birds. Bay Island Museums is one of the best unique Museums in Kerala.

St Mary's Church, Cheriapally
St Mary's Church is a famous church of Kumarakom which is located at Cheriapally and is located around 12 km from the main city of Kottayam. This church was built by Thekkumkoor Maharaja in 1579. The architecture of the church architecture displays a unique fusion of Portuguese and traditional Kerala architecture. The church wall is filled with beautiful murals that have been designed in both western and oriental architectural styles.


Nadukani
A major picnic spot in Kottayam which is ethereally beautiful. This most popular hill station is near Kottayam and is a major picnic spot. This place offers wonderful views of the landscapes covered in dense forests, Nilgiri mountains, Muvattupuzha river, mystical valleys, and colourful flora. This place also emerges as a new go-to spot for youngsters and couples looking for refuge.

Illikkal kallu
Illikkal kallu, One of the most beautiful high range spot in Kottayam. This amazing spot offers you a most adventurous hill climb and an amazing view of 3 districts. But at the same time, this place is dangerous too. People died here while climbing the rock. So please be careful while you visit this place and stay back from the rock. Because it is very dangerous to climb up, only a narrow path to walk for at least one person. You can reach this place from Kottayam via Ettumanoor - Erattupetta - Poonjar Road.

What is the Right Treatment for Vitiligo!!!

Vitiligo is a disorder that causes pigment loss in the skin and other parts of the body. It is a long-term problem in which growing patches of skin lose their colour. That is the cells that are responsible for your skin colour are destroyed. Melanocytes give skin its colour and protect it from the sun's UV rays. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing the skin pigment will no longer produce skin pigment, called melanin and the patches appear when melanocytes within the skin die off. Once the cells no longer produce melanin, areas of your skin will lose colour or turn white.

Vitiligo can be affected by people of any age, gender, or ethnic group. Vitiligo is not contagious Even though it can affect many different parts of the body. Vitiligo is not a disease which transmits from one to someone else. Vitiligo is not usually painful or itchy, but receiving a diagnosis could bring you peace of mind and help you understand what’s happening to your skin.

Treatment
Treatments for vitiligo aim to restore colour balance to your skin.  Treatments mainly aim to add pigment otherwise remove it. Medical, surgical, or a combination of both these are the treatments. It is not necessary that all treatments work for everyone and some treatments may cause unwanted side effects too. Consult with your doctor if you start experiencing side effects due to a treatment.

Medications
There is no specific medicine which can stop the process of vitiligo. With some medicines or with light therapy it can help to restore some skin tone. Creams can control inflammation especially applying corticosteroid cream to the affected skin may help return colour, particularly if you start using it early in the disease. You may not see a change in your skin's colour for several months. These creams are effective and easy to use but at the same time, it can cause side effects, such as skin thinning or the appearance of streaks or lines on your skin.

Therapies
Psoralen and light therapy are used to cure Vitiligo. With this treatment, it returns colour to the light patches. You can take this treatment either by mouth or apply it to the affected skin, then you're exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA), UVB light or excimer light. These treatments have better results than just medication or just light. Repeat this treatment up to three times a week for six to 12 months. Drawbacks are it can include redness, swelling, itching and dry skin.

Surgery
If light therapy doesn't work, surgery may be an option for you. Surgery can also be used with those therapies. The goal of the following techniques is to even out your skin tone by restoring colour.

Skin grafting is another way in which it removes very small sections of your normal, pigmented skin and attaches them to areas that have lost pigment.  If you have small patches of vitiligo this procedure is sometimes used.

Blister grafting is the process in which your doctor creates blisters on your pigmented skin, usually with suction. After that removes the tops of the blisters and transplants them to an area of discoloured skin.

Tattooing or micro pigmentation. Here the doctor uses a special surgical instrument to implant pigment into your skin.

How to know your Dosha in Ayurveda?

How to know your Dosha in Ayurveda?

We often hear that diseases are because of our lifestyle or living out of harmony with one's own constitution. This constitution is what decides us from the basis of our fundamental level which is the emotional, physical and mental levels.

There are these three energies as per Ayurveda that is the Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The balance of this is said to be healthy and imbalance in any one of these leads to what we call the disease condition.

So when we are talking about these three, the predominance of this is seen in every individual. For example, a person can be predominant in Vata so he will be categorised as Vata Prakriti person and if it is Pitta and Kapha and so forth.

Based on this there will be certain characters also in particular. For Example, if it is Vata Prakriti personality physically their basic elements will be the hair. The qualities of hair will always be seen in this person. For example, it can be light, it can be dry and cool. So all the qualities of this will be actually reflected on the personality. Physically they will be said to be lean or the underweight individuals. They can have dry skin, dry hair with very prominent ways.

This will make up their physical status and when it comes to digestive capacity, they have very bad digestive capacities. Not able to eat full or they prefer to eat in portions. They usually suffer from flatulence or constipation.

Mentally Vata Prakriti of a person predominant with Vata dosha, they are fickle minded personality usually restless and sometimes even they make impulsive decisions and not able to stick to them.

They usually suffer from anxiety or depression or even sometimes panic attacks. They have sleep disorders or insomnia or they will be able to sleep only for few hours and very disturbed sleep patterns.

These personalities suffer from various digestive disorders like flatulence, constipation or even certain neurological conditions like the numbness or neuropathy or even tremors. These are some of the conditions where they usually can suffer from.

Coming about Pitta, Pitta based personalities are usually moderate in weight and they have sharp eyes and they are quite firm. Mentally speaking they are very focused, highly intelligent, and they are quick in making decisions and they are hot-tempered. Because of this hot temper, they can create a lot of enmity between people but they are usually good in public speaking and their leadership qualities are more and they tend to suffer from certain conditions like bleeding disorders, gastritis. It can even have certain other conditions like you can see a lot of balding and even tendency of a premature brain is seen in piths personality.

When it comes to Kapha, Kapha people are usually obese personalities, heavyweight and they have sluggish in their activities. They are very weak when it comes to responses. They make the appropriate decision and they stick to it. They are very lethargic and lazy but they are highly intelligent. The IQ levels are really good. So these are certain conditions or predominance of this is what we see as characters.

Individually to see a Vata predominant personality is very less because usually what we see is a combination of dosas. It can be Vata-Pitta, Vata-Kapha. This understanding is very important when it comes to treatment to decide what kind of treatment you require, how to change someone's lifestyle or what kind of disorders you can predict when coming to certain personalities. So this is the basics of Ayurveda and this is how an Ayurvedic physician decides the treatment.

Ready to School on time Tips for Parents

Ready to School on time Tips for Parents

Getting their children ready for school is a big challenge for many parents. To prevent those stressful mornings, here are five tips to get your child ready for school on time.

Tip1: Establish a bedtime routine

Have a set time your child goes to bed and wakes up. Now you need to ensure your child is getting enough sleep.Pupils in pre-primary need around 12 hours of sleep and pupils in primary school need anywhere between 10-11 hours of sleep. So if you have a 3-year-old child and if they need to be awake by 7am they should be in bed by 7pm.

Tip2: Use a hanging shelf

Before the week begins, put a week's worth of school uniform into a hanging shelf. Each shelf is designated for a day in a week. Check the school diary so you know which day is PE and place their sports uniform on the appropriate shelf. This will save time in the morning and avoid any hassles.

Tip3: Have a food plan

Know in advance exactly what you’re going to make for breakfast and pack for school lunch.
Creating a breakfast and lunch menu works well. If you want to be even more efficient in the kitchen there are plenty of helpful tips and articles online.

Tip4: Remove all distractions

Make sure the TV is off and there are no toys around to prevent your child from being distracted
especially during breakfast.

Tip5: School Bag should be packed the night before

Have your child pack their school bag and leave it by the front door the night before. It will be one less thing for them to do in the morning and it is a great way to teach them to be responsible and organized. If you feel it will save even more time have your child leave their school shoes by the front door also. It's funny how shoes always go missing in the mornings.

So there you have it, parents. Follow these tips to make your child Up, Dressed, Fed and Out
the door ON TIME Every day.