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.

What won't people do to get that gold. In the quest for so, Olympians re injecting hyaluronic acid in their penises. The reason? For skiing, it helps them fly better and further.

In January, a German newspaper, Bild reported that jumpers were injecting, what now is dubbed as Penisgate in their penis. The newspaper claimed that athletes inject the acid in the penis before they are measured for their suits.

Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better?: What Does Penisgate Do To The Penis?

Hyaluronic acid is used for cosmetic surgery, especially as a filler. Surgeons have also used it for penile girth enlargement. This is exactly why it is being used by the Olympians.

Injecting hyaluronic acid will increase the penile girth. However, experts point out that this means, one has to insert a lot of it in the penis to have this worked out. It is not a permanent solution, and can only last up to six to 12 months, depending on the absorption.

Inserting this will increase the penile girth or the penis circumference by one or two centimeters. As per the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, FIS, the surface area of their suits during competition could be increased by this, which increases their flight in the air, reported BBC.

"Every extra centimetre on a suit counts. If you suit has a 5% bigger surface area, you fly further," said FIS ski jumping's men race director Sandro Pertile, reported by BBC.

Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better?: Why Are Olympians Injecting Their Penises With Hyaluronic Acid?

Ahead of each season, ski jumpers undergo measurements using 3D body scanners and are required to wear only elastic, body-tight underwear during the process.

Regulations allow suit measurements a tolerance of just 2–4 cm. As part of this assessment, athletes’ crotch height is also recorded. The suit’s crotch height must match the athlete’s own measurement, with an additional 3 cm permitted for men.

Hyaluronic acid injections into the penis can last for up to 18 months.

Athletes have previously faced scrutiny for attempting to boost performance through alterations or manipulation of their suits.

Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better?: What Are The Risks Of Injecting Hyaluronic Acid In Penis?

Experts caution that penile injections using hyaluronic acid can pose serious short- and long-term risks.

They warn that improper technique or incorrect dosing may lead to pain, disfigurement, deformity, infection, inflammation, altered sensation, and sexual dysfunction. In rare cases, infections can worsen, causing tissue death (gangrene) and even loss of the penis.

A large population-based study from Linköping University in Sweden has found no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination caused a decline in childbirth during the pandemic, countering persistent rumors that mRNA vaccines affect fertility. The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Communications Medicine.

The study was conducted amid widespread misinformation, particularly on social media, suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. These claims gained traction as several countries, including Sweden, recorded a drop in birth rates during the later stages of the pandemic, prompting questions about a possible link to vaccination.

“Our conclusion is that it’s highly unlikely that the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 was behind the decrease in childbirth during the pandemic,” said Toomas Timpka, professor of social medicine at Linköping University and one of the study’s authors.

Why Researchers Investigated the Claim

Since the early months of the pandemic, unverified claims about vaccines and fertility have circulated widely online. When official data later showed fewer babies being born in some regions, researchers decided to examine whether vaccination could plausibly explain the trend or whether other social and demographic factors were at play.

Read: Ahmedabad Toddler Swallows Hulk Toy, Showed X-Ray, Doctors Remove It Via Endoscopy

To address the issue, the research team carried out an extensive analysis using real-world healthcare data rather than surveys or self-reported outcomes.

Study Looks at Nearly 60,000 Women

The study analyzed health records of all women aged 18 to 45 years living in Region Jönköping County, a region with a total population of around 369,000 people. This amounted to nearly 60,000 women included in the analysis.

Between 2021 and 2024, about 75 per cent of these women received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers examined data on childbirths, registered miscarriages, vaccination status and deaths using official healthcare records, allowing for a comprehensive comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

Importantly, the researchers adjusted their analysis for age, recognizing that age is one of the most significant factors influencing fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

No Difference in Births or Miscarriages

When childbirth rates were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated women, the researchers found no statistically significant difference. The same held true for miscarriage rates among women who became pregnant during the study period.

“We see no difference in childbirth rates between those who have taken the vaccine and those who haven’t,” said Timpka. “We’ve also looked at all registered miscarriages among those who became pregnant, and we see no difference between the groups there either.”

These findings align with several earlier international studies that have similarly found no association between COVID-19 vaccination and reduced fertility.

Other Factors Likely Behind Falling Birth Rates

According to the researchers, the decline in childbirth observed during the pandemic is more plausibly explained by broader demographic and social trends.

People currently in their 30s, the age group most likely to have children, were born in the second half of the 1990s. That period was marked by economic challenges and lower birth rates in Sweden, meaning today’s pool of potential parents is smaller than in previous generations.

In addition, pandemic-related factors such as health concerns, economic uncertainty, delayed family planning and lifestyle changes during lockdowns may have contributed to fewer pregnancies.

One of the study’s key strengths is its large, representative sample drawn from an entire region rather than a selected group. By using verified healthcare records and accounting for age-related effects, the researchers aimed to minimize bias and improve reliability.

The study received financial support from several sources, including the Swedish Research Council.

In 2022, there were almost 20 million new cases of cancer and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths worldwide, noted the National Cancer Institute (US). By 2050, it is predicted that the number of new cancer cases will rise to 33 million per year, with deaths rising to 18.2 million. While there are many reasons for cancer, a new comprehensive study by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that there are two major habits that are the leading cause of cancer.

As per WHO, more than 38% of cancer cases worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors. The study is published in the journal Nature Medicine and it suggests that millions of diagnoses each year could be avoided through lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and environmental improvements.

WHO Study Says These 2 Major Habits Could Cause Cancer

Tobacco Use

As per the Association of Tobacco Use and Cancer Incidence, in India, the risk of any cancer with smoke and smokeless tobacco is 2.71 and 2.68, respectively. The study noted that risk of cancer due to tobacco use is consistent especially in India. Site-specific analysis showed higher risks of respiratory system cancers of 4.97 and head and neck cancers of 3.95.

As per several studies, including Cancer Research UK and National Institutes of Health (NIH), tobacco causes approximately 2.5 million cancer deaths globally, every year. This means, it accounts for 1 in every 4 global cancer death. It is also linked to 16 to 20 different types of cancer.

The WHO ranked it as the top reason for cancer, which is responsible for 15% of all global cancer cases. The impact is more in men, leading to 23% more new diagnoses.

Alcohol Use

The WHO study ranks it as the second most significant lifestyle factor that accounts for 700,000 new cases annually, leading to 3.2% of global cancer cases.

As per the National Cancer Institute (US), alcohol consumption is a significant, preventable cause of cancer, responsible for an estimated 741,300 to 750,000 new cancer cases worldwide in 2020. It is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. Even light-to-moderate drinking contributes, with about 185,100 cases annually tied to consuming two or fewer drinks per day.

What Are The Other Causes Of Cancer As Per WHO Study

Air pollution is a major cause of lung cancer, particularly in heavily polluted regions. In East Asia, for instance, around 15 per cent of lung cancer cases in women are linked to poor air quality. Experts say this underlines the urgent need for cleaner energy and stricter pollution controls.

Infections are another significant contributor, accounting for about 10 per cent of new cancer cases globally. High-risk strains of the human papillomavirus are the leading cause of cervical cancer, while stomach cancer is often linked to infections associated with unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Other important risk factors include high body mass index, lack of physical activity and excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, all of which continue to drive cancer rates across different populations.