Hours Of Sleep Does Your Child Really Need

Summer is just around the corner! As the weather gets warmer and the sun shines brighter, it is also the time to shake up your skincare routine a little bit. After all, the heat and the humidity will warrant some extra love to your skin to keep it healthy and glowing. It will become important to protect, nourish and hydrate your skin as the heat can really be unforgiving. This is the right time to start the transition to your summer routine, so it becomes all the easier for you to maintain skin health. Here are five important tips that will help you get (and keep!) that summer glow. Sunscreen is your Best Friend We cannot stress this enough! Sunscreen is your skin's best friend. It is a must-have all year round but becomes especially important when you are going out during the peak summer months. UV rays can damage the skin causing premature aging, tanning, and hyperpigmentation. It is important that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily. Make sure you apply your sunscreen a good 15 minutes before stepping out and keep reapplying throughout the day. In fact, dermatologists suggest replying every 2-3 hours during the day when you are exposed to the sun. A good investment here will be a sunscreen stick that can be used to easily touch up, even on your make-up. Also, do not forget your body; apply a decent amount to protect your body as well, along with your face. Switch to a Lighter Skincare Routine Summers mean that you can swap out your heavier cleansers and moisturizing creams (which worked great in dry winters) for lighter products. Go for gentler cleansing and moisturizing options which will not clog your pores while also keeping you hydrated and your skin nourished. The same goes for your makeup, instead of full-coverage heavy foundations, go for lighter ones and you can opt for a bit more concealer for your problem areas. Always take a closer look at your makeup and choose products that are noncomedogenic and will not occlude your skin. Make Sure to Moisturize and Lock that in Did you think you can skip moisturizing in the sultry heat, even when your face feels oily? Absolutely not! Moisturizing your skin daily is as important in summer as it is in winter. Your skin needs hydration for that plumpness and radiance. Choose a light moisturizer that can team well with your cleanser and toner. Apart from moisturizing skin externally, it is also extremely important to not use products that strip the skin of its natural oils as they can eventually disrupt the skin barrier and weaken it. Using harsh soaps is one of the biggest culprits which can cause loss of moisture and make the skin dry and irritated. The best way to prevent this is to use a soap with a humectant such as Glycerine which will ensure that the skin's own moisture is not lost. A great option is the Savlon Glycerine soap with natural origin glycerine which makes the skin soft and protects it from 100 disease-causing germs. This translucent soap is dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types. With a fresh, citrusy fragrance, it will also make you feel refreshed and the creamy lather will make bathing all the more enjoyable. Exfoliation is Essential Exfoliation has been one of the most important skincare tips since way before TikTok made it popular. Exfoliating your skin once a week helps to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores which can lead to breakouts and dull-looking skin. It is also important to choose the right chemical exfoliant based on your skin type and your skin needs. It is best to consult your dermatologist for the right one and the adequate frequency of usage. Exfoliants can make your summer-stressed skin feel nice, and fresh giving you a soothing feeling. Remember, exfoliated skin is more prone to sun damage, so skipping on sunscreen while you are also using chemical exfoliants is blasphemous! Sunscreen application becomes all the more important for exfoliated skin. Add Antioxidants to your Regime Antioxidants for your skin are what mimosas are to your beach holiday. They will definitely up your skincare game. Antioxidants fight free radicals which damage your skin causing aging and dullness. While you ought to include foods like carrots, spinach, berries, etc, in your diet which are natural sources of antioxidants, you can also incorporate topical products to give your skin additional benefits. Using an antioxidant serum with Vit C can be beneficial but consult with your dermatologist for usage and frequency based on your skin type and your problem areas. And lastly, hydrate, hydrate hydrate. Drinking plenty of water (at least 8-10 glasses) will keep your skin hydrated from within. Incorporate foods with high water content such as watermelon, cucumber, and celery in your diet. Keep up with your daily movement and exercise regularly. Taking care of your skin in summer isn't as hard as it seems to be. Follow these tips and embrace the sunshine to flaunt that naturally plumpy, healthy summer glow. (Agency) Read More►5 Natural Herbs That Help You Sleep

Sleep is your body's natural way of healing itself. Good quality sleep prepares you for a productive day ahead. You need 7 to 9 hours of sleep to feel relaxed and rejuvenated, but sometimes getting quality sleep can be difficult. Sleep experts at Eachnight.com have revealed how natural herbs can help those who may struggle to drift off at night. This research has been medically reviewed by Dr. Nayantara Santhi. How Can Herbs Promote Sleep? Natural herbs contain powerful sleep-enhancing properties for a night of restful sleep. They can calm your nerves and soothe your senses, providing adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation is often due to a hectic lifestyle, anxiety, and stress. Stress affects the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, but taking some herbal supplements can compensate for this loss. Some natural herbs are high in tryptophan, an amino acid improving the synthesis of serotonin. Increasing serotonin levels offsets the chemical imbalance causing the most common sleep disorder, insomnia. 5 Best Herbs to Try Lavender The anti-depressive, sedative, and calming properties of lavender help you sleep better. Studies show lavender herbs can relax your nerves, reduce anxiety levels, and stabilize mood disorders. Reduced stress, anxiety, and a positive mood promote daytime wakefulness and more sustained sleep at night. Typically, lavender is used via sprays or inhaled. Chamomile Chamomile is an ancient medicinal herb known for its relaxing effects. Modern-day studies prove the efficacy of chamomile. It reduces anxiety, soothes your nerves, and eases insomnia. One study, for example, found that women who had given birth and struggled to sleep experienced less sleep inefficiency and depression when drinking chamomile tea at night for two weeks. The presence of nerve-relaxing flavonoids in chamomile tea makes it a popular tranquilizing drink. You can feel chamomile's soothing effect even by inhaling its aroma. Valerian The roots of the valerian herb are often used to treat insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety in patients. Valerenic acid in the valerian roots inhibits the breakdown of the neurotransmitter GABA. This induces better quality sleep. Valerian works on the principles of anti-anxiety medicines, promoting deep sleep. Valerian is available in many stores and usually comes in the form of tablets. Passionflower Passionflower contains nerve-relaxing flavonoids, which help you to de-stress and sleep better. This tropical flower tastes good and is commonly used in many herbal, over-the-counter sedatives. Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb commonly used to combat insomnia, as studies have shown it's effective at improving sleep onset latency and quality of rest. The real sleep-promoting compounds of Ashwagandha are found in the leaves of this plant-tri ethylene glycol works to eliminate feelings of stress or anxiety, induce calmness, and help you fall asleep easily. Ashwagandha ultimately acts like a sedative, so it's a great alternative to anxiety medications or OTC sleep aids since it works with your body to naturally bolster your sleeping habits. Ashwagandha can be bought as capsules that are ingested. How to Use Herbs for Sleep Herbal Tea Make some herbal tea by adding 1 tsp of herbs to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 20 minutes, then strain and drink it. You can drink two to three cups of herbal tea in a day. Essential Oils Add herb-flavored essential oils to your warm water bath at bedtime to feel a calming effect, inducing sleep. Massage herb-infused oil mixed with olive, grapeseed, or coconut oil on certain parts of your body such as your forehead, neck, chest, wrist, chest, hands, or feet. Your skin may be sensitive to an undiluted essential oil, so diluting it reduces the chances of a reaction. Aromatherapy Inhale the fragrance of natural herbs through aromatherapy candles. Supplements Consume herbal extract supplements, available over the counter in pharmacy stores. Read the dosage instructions on the label to know how much to take per day. A spokesperson from Eachnight.com commented, "Sleep disturbances occur when the normal processes of waking and/or initiating sleep do not happen. This can occur because of a combination of genetic, environmental, sleep habits, and other psychobiological factors. If the pattern of sleep disturbances continues over time, these factors can create a vicious cycle of ongoing sleep problems with consequences in our waking lives. As they say, sleep health is as important as diet and exercise for our well-being. Most natural herbs have a long history of use for the treatment of insomnia. These herbal medicines were being prescribed by physicians since ancient times as natural sleep aids. Modern-day studies and research have supported the efficacy of taking these herbs for a great night's sleep, so any of these options can be a good fit. Although many herbs are harmless and have no side effects it is worth talking to your doctor before making any drastic changes." (agency). Read more►Quick Fix Your Congestion and Sore Throat with Ayurveda

One of the central principles of Ayurveda is that no two people are alike, and no two people have exactly the same nutritional demands. There is no "one-size-fits-all" Ayurvedic diet because of this. The optimum diet is determined by a person's constitution, sometimes referred to as their "dosha type" or "mind-body type", according to Ayurveda. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three types of doshas. The doshas are mind-body forces that control all aspects of how our bodies operate, including how our bodies seem, how powerful our digestion is, and how our thoughts and words flow. Eat Unprocessed and Whole Foods The Ayurvedic diet states that increasing prana is the best way to raise ojas, the source of life force in the body. Foods that are rich in prana come directly from the earth. Their prana is the result of the fusion of the energies of the sun, the water, and the earth. One of the whole foods you can include is almonds. Ayurveda holds almonds in high regard for their nutritional value and ability to balance vata. When used in food preparation, almonds are well known as a rejuvenator, tonic, and nourishing nutraceutical product (functional food). It was also mentioned in many compound medicinal formulations with pharmacological effects in the ancient Indian medical systems. Almonds may be beneficial for prameha conditions. Ayurveda classifies obesity, prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome as clinical disorders that together make up the Prameha syndrome. Almonds may be consumed to treat diabetes complications like weakness and frailty. Make Dinner Your Lightest Meal and Lunch the Heaviest Your digestive fire is at its peak at midday when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. As a result, according to Ayurveda, you should eat your biggest meal of the day at midday, when your inner fire is blazing and you are more likely to be able to digest and assimilate food. Eat a lighter, well-prepared supper at least three hours prior to going to bed, and aim to get to bed at or before 10:00 p.m. Eating a large, filling meal late at night might tax your body as it goes through its night-time "rest and repair" cycles. Follow the 70-30 Rule In our families, we have been taught to finish everything on our plate, but according to Ayurvedic wisdom, one should only eat until you are satisfied. That would be about enough when you start to burp! Be careful not to overeat or consume meager portions that leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied. Always consume between 70 percent and 8 percent of your appetite to allow the food to mix properly and continue to be digested. The 70-30 rule, which states that 70 percent of your stomach should be filled and 30 percent should be empty, should always be followed. (Dr. Nitika Kohli, Ayurveda Expert) Read more►4 Mistakes You Make While Eating Fruit

Winter is here and with temperature dipping every single day, it is getting harder for people to manage bone and joint pain. This increased joint pain during winter is due to the increased inflammation in one or more joints. It is also because there is less supply of blood to the peripheral regions in the body due to which one's joints become stiff, causing pain in the joints and bones.   Joint pains are especially common in the winter season, making life difficult especially for arthritis patients. Not tackling them effectively could have a detrimental effect on your daily productivity and overall well-being. Here's what you can do to avoid excessive pain in the joints.   Joint pains are common in the winter season, as the cold weather can reduce blood circulation to fingers and toes which could worsen joint pains. Muscles also become tighter at lower temperatures resulting in stiffness and pain. Besides, people tend to stay indoors during winter which could mean limited exposure to sunlight and may result in Vitamin D deficiency.   Here are a few tips to deal with bone and joint pain in winter: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and reduce inflammation and further reduce the friction between joint surfaces Keep yourself warm in winter clothing, home heating, and other necessities Regular exercise will help keep your joints supple and maintain flexibility. It could also help with the lubrication of the joints and improve blood flow Enough exposure to the sun (Vitamin D) will help in building and improving the bones A balanced diet with a rich amount of Vitamin D, and Vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acids, ginger, soya bean, fatty fish, green vegetables, nuts and seeds, plenty of water, and other collagen supplements will be helpful in joint and bone care during the winter season Regular movements in the body will promote flexibility in your joints   People who are overweight have more chances of getting arthritis. One should maintain his/her weight in order to keep their knees healthy (Dr Harish Ghoota, Additional Director-Orthopedics, Fortis Escorts Hospital) Read More► Five Actions to Safeguard Vision During Diabetes