As winter descends, its chill often seeps into our spirits as much as it does our surroundings. The barren trees, the shortened days, and the biting cold can evoke a sense of melancholy known as the "winter blues." Yet, this season of stillness and introspection holds an invitation to journey within, to cultivate practices that warm our hearts and brighten our minds.

In the quiet hush of winter, we find an opportunity to deepen our connection with ourselves. The ancients often saw winter as a time for turning inward, for reflecting and nurturing our inner light. Through mind-body practices, we can embrace this time of the year not as a bleak, lifeless stretch but as a canvas for personal growth and transformation.

Winter can often bring with it feelings of sadness, lethargy, and lack of motivation, commonly known as the "winter blues." But you can beat these blues by engaging in mind-body practices that help boost your mood, increase energy levels, and promote overall well-being.

Here are some effective ways to keep the winter blues at bay:

- Exposure to natural light especially the early morning sunshine is crucial during the winter months when daylight is limited. Try to spend at least 30 minutes outside each day which inturn helps regulate your circadian rhythms.

- Regular exercise or any form of physical activity such as swimming, walking, cycling etc. is a powerful way to combat the winter blues. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Activities like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or even indoor workouts like yoga or dance can be incredibly effective.

- Yoga and Stretching combines physical movement, breathing exercises, and meditation to create a holistic approach to well-being. Poses like the Sun Salutation can invigorate the body, while restorative poses like Child's Pose can help reduce stress. Regular yoga practice can improve flexibility, strength, and mental clarity.

- Mindfulness practices such as meditation can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Spend a few minutes each day focusing on your breath and staying present.You can use apps that provide guided meditation sessions to help you get started.

- Essential oils can have a powerful effect on your mood and mental state. Scents like lavender, peppermint, and citrus are known to uplift the spirit and reduce feelings of anxiety. Use a diffuser to spread these scents throughout your home, or add a few drops to your bath for a relaxing experience.

- A balanced diet and nutrition plays a vital role in mental health. Ensure you're consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseeds, vitamin D supplements, complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, herbal teas like ginger, chamomile etc.can improve brain function and mood. Don't forget to stay hydrated, as dehydration can exacerbate feelings of fatigue.

- Maintaining social connections is essential for emotional well-being. Schedule regular catch-ups with friends and family, either in person or virtually. Social interactions can provide support, laughter, and a sense of belonging, which are critical during the colder months.

- Engaging in creative activities like painting, writing, or playing an instrument can be a great way to express yourself and lift your spirits. Creativity stimulates the brain and provides a sense of accomplishment.

- Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy mind and body. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Establish a consistent sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, and create a relaxing bedtime ritual to help you wind down.

- Practicing positive affirmations can help shift your mindset and improve your mood. Start your day with positive statements about yourself and your life. This can foster a more optimistic outlook and reduce feelings of negativity.

One can incorporate a daily routine booster of morning sunlight exposure, midday stretching or yoga, evening meditation or reading,warm baths or showers and cozy sleep environment.

By harnessing the gentle power of light, movement, mindfulness, and nutrition, we can foster a vibrant inner life that defies the exterior cold. These practices remind us that even in the depths of winter, there is potential for growth and renewal. They help us to stay connected to the rhythms of nature, to find balance and harmony within ourselves, and to emerge from winter's embrace with newfound clarity and strength.

Remember, small, consistent efforts can lead to significant improvements in your mood and overall health. So stay active, stay connected, and take care of both your physical and mental well being.

While medications are made to have a certain effect on one’s body, everyone’s body is built differently. What may work on one person may not have the same effect on others. Different eating habits, lifestyle choices and other factors can enhance or decline the effect of medication.

One such anomaly that researchers have found is a particular spice. A new study found that consuming this spice can change the way medication reacts to your body. Published in the Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences journal, researchers have found that cinnamon is a key ingredient in the way one’s body processes medicine. While some cinnamon is good for your body, a lot of it could stop your body from using certain drugs properly.

How Does Cinnamon Impact Medication In The Body?

Researchers in this study wanted to understand exactly how cinnamon and the important parts of it affect the way our bodies break down medicines. To do this, they did experiments that copied how our stomachs digest food. They looked closely at cinnamon oil and two main things it contains: cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid. The study showed that both of these things can turn on special sensors in our bodies called xenobiotic receptors. These sensors are important for controlling how we deal with drugs.

Researchers explained the activation of these receptors by excessive cinnamon intake could lead the body to eliminate some drugs too rapidly, meaning, it could make our bodies get rid of some medicines too quickly. If this happens, the medicines might not stay in our bodies long enough to do their job properly, making them less effective. So, while a little cinnamon might be good for you, using too much could actually make some of your medications not work as well as they should.

How Much Cinnamon Poses Risk?

The researchers pointed out that even though a small amount of cinnamon in your food is probably okay, using a lot of it regularly or in strong forms could be a problem. They specifically warned that cinnamon supplements, which have a much higher amount of cinnamon in them, might be more likely to cause these issues with your medicines. Because of this, the researchers strongly advise people to talk to their doctors before they start taking any cinnamon supplements or similar products to be safe.

As the popularity of cinnamon grew researchers wanted to bring this issue to the forefront. A lot of people like type 2 diabetes patients who benefit from cinnamon. According to a study published in the American Diabetes Association 2003, one three and six grans if cinnamon per day reduced the amount of serum glucose, LDL or bad cholesterol and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, effectively lowering risk of cardiovascular diseases and other conditions linked with diabetes.

As many people become aware of the health benefits of cinnamon and start incorporating it in their diet, it is important to do more research to find out what side effects it could have and how it could potentially affect our health. While this new study gives us some important information, the researchers say we still need to do more research, especially studies with people, to really understand how cinnamon might interact with different medications.

Showering every day has been a matter of discussion. But you will always find someone who has gone a day or two without a shower. While it is generally not considered unhygienic, dermatologists have now raised concerns about this habit.

There are always red flags which are sent by your skin if you miss bathing. Some of you may experience scaly patches or discoloured parts. It may even start to look dirty because of hyperpigmented spots. It's not dirt, though. If you reach that point, you might want to see a dermatologist right away, who can determine if you have dermatitis neglecta.

Understanding This Condition

Dermatitis neglecta, as the name suggests, is caused by neglecting the skin. While it might look like dirt, it is just neglecting the skin. Besides discolouration, it is also reflective of significant inflammation and irritation caused by a lack of personal hygiene.

Why Does It Happen?

The answer lies in how your skin sheds. Every few weeks, all dead cells are removed. Cells slough off. Showering helps this process along, even if you don't use an exfoliant. Therefore, when you aren't showering, those cells are likely to remain on the upper layer of your skin or epidermis. If left for days, it will naturally combine with all the bacteria, sweat, oils, and grime your skin encounters. And a layer of tough buildup will begin to appear.

How Long Can It Take For A Person To Get Dermatitis Neglecta?

Dermatitis neglecta does not happen overnight or even in a couple of weeks. A 2015 study in the Journal of Dermatology explored three cases. In one of the cases, the affected individual had not cleaned a part of her body for no less than three to four months. (As a side note, the woman had gone through surgery and was worried about causing an infection in the area, which is why she stopped washing it.) Fortunately, the skin treatment for dermatitis neglecta is fairly simple. Most people can resolve skin issues that are related to dermatitis neglecta with regular cleaning and, in stubborn or severe cases, alcohol-based wipe-downs or administration of topical agents.

There are many conditions that can affect a woman’s reproductive health. Certain medications or conditions that need hysterectomy can cause early menopause in women. There are many likely reasons why this happens. According to Office on Women’s Health (OASH) family history, smoking, chemotherapy or pelvic radiation or autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis, could be some of the reasons why some women go through early menopause.

However, a new study shows that endometriosis could also be a reason for early menopause in women. The study published in the Human Reproduction journal found that women with endometriosis are seven times more likely to undergo surgical menopause, which involves the removal of both ovaries, compared to women without the condition. Furthermore, they are twice as likely to have this surgical procedure before the age of 40.

Women with endometriosis face a greater risk of experiencing natural menopause earlier than others. They are 1.4 times more likely to enter natural menopause before the age of 40, a stage defined as premature menopause. These women also have an elevated risk of early menopause, occurring between the ages of 40 and 44.

What Is Endometriosis?

It is a persistent condition affecting approximately one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. According to the NHS, it involves tissue similar to the womb lining appearing in other parts of the body. Previous research has shown a significant delay of nearly nine years in receiving an endometriosis diagnosis, potentially leading to missed treatment opportunities and irreversible organ damage due to the continued growth of this misplaced tissue.

According to the World Health Organization, 190 million women throughout the globe have endometriosis, which is roughly 10% of people. Not only does it cause pain during periods, issues in bowel movements, urination etc., but also causes bloating nausea, fatigue and mental health issues like depression, anxiety and infertility.

What Does Early Menopause Mean For Women?

It's crucial for women with endometriosis to be aware not only of the wide range of debilitating menopause symptoms they might experience earlier in life but also of the broader health risks associated with premature menopause, whether it occurs naturally or is surgically induced. These risks include cardiovascular disease and premature death.

Researchers from the study stressed the importance of understanding the causes of early or medically induced menopause to implement proactive measures for managing the associated long-term health risks.

OASH explains that women who experience menopause early may face similar symptoms and health issues as those going through regular menopause. However, some women with early or premature menopause might also have a greater chance of developing serious health problems like heart disease and weak bones (osteoporosis) because they'll live for a longer time without the protective benefits of higher estrogen levels.

They might also have more intense menopause symptoms, and there are treatments available to help manage these if they interfere with daily life. Additionally, some women may feel sad or depressed about losing their fertility early or the changes in their bodies. If these feelings, like low energy or loss of interest in enjoyable activities, last for more than a few weeks, speaking to a doctor is recommended.