Children come in all shades of personality. Some are the life of every birthday party, while others hide behind mum’s saree or dad’s jacket until they’re nally coaxed out. But when your child avoids social situations so persistently that it begins to interfere with their everyday life, you may start wondering: is it just shyness, or is it social anxiety?

Experts explain how parents can tell the difference and why the distinction really matters.

Shyness is a Trait, Not a Trouble

Shyness is not a disorder. Dr Parth Nagda, Consultant, Psychiatry at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai, explains that it is “just a temperament or personality trait”. Many children are naturally reserved, especially in unfamiliar environments. They may cling to a parent, avoid eye contact initially, or stay silent until they feel safe. With time, gentle encouragement, and repeated exposure to social settings, shy kids usually warm up.

Dr Zirak Marker, Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatrist at Mpower, adds that children who are shy “usually adapt and become more comfortable” once they are reassured and given a little space to observe their surroundings. Think of shyness as a slow start in the social race.

Social Anxiety: When Fear Takes Over

Social anxiety is a recognised mental health condition. According to Dr Marker, it is marked by “an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social or performance situations”. Children struggling with this disorder are not just hesitant; they actively avoid situations that trigger their fears.

Dr Nagda elaborates: “This avoidance is not just hesitation; it is due to significant distress and fear and often interferes with school performance, friendships, and daily functioning.” For instance, a socially anxious child might refuse to attend birthday parties, avoid speaking in class, or panic before a group activity. Unlike shy children, they don’t simply warm up after an icebreaker; they remain trapped in their anxiety.

The Signs Parents Should Watch For

Spotting the difference between shyness and social anxiety comes down to patterns and persistence. According to both experts, these are some red flags:

• Excessive worry before or during social situations
• Repeated refusal to join group activities or games
• Physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or stomach aches in social settings
• Drop in academic performance or class participation
• Withdrawal from friendships or extracurricular activities

If these behaviours happen repeatedly, and not just as a one-off bad day, it may be more than shyness.

A Parent’s Work

Dr Nagda suggests simple observation. If your child joins in after a short warm-up, it’s likely shyness. But if they consistently avoid or suffer greatly before and during social interactions, it may be social anxiety.

The next step is communication. “Talk with the child so that they know what they are experiencing is a common problem,” says Dr Nagda. This not only reassures them but also opens the door for teaching small coping strategies like deep breathing, taking a brisk walk, or splashing cold water on their face before a stressful event.

Support Makes All the Difference

The silver lining here is that social anxiety is treatable. Dr Marker shares how supportive initiatives can boost confidence. He cites the Human Library event they conducted, where children played the role of “books”, sharing their personal stories with “readers”. Such platforms encourage self-expression and help kids build resilience through shared experiences.

Parental support, too, is a superpower. “Encouragement, patience, and empathy work far better than criticism,” says Dr Marker. In fact, overpushing or labelling a child can backfire, making them more self-conscious. Instead, gradual exposure, celebrating small victories, and validating their fears help them feel secure.

Professional Help When Needed

Sometimes, parents’ love and patience alone may not be enough. Dr Nagda says that early recognition combined with therapy or, in some cases, medication, can significantly improve a child’s functioning. Counselling gives children practical tools to handle their fears, while medication may help in severe cases under a psychiatrist’s care. The key is not to delay; timely intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s life.

Temperament vs. Disorder

Shyness is part of who your child is; social anxiety is a condition that holds them back. One needs nurturing; the other needs treatment. Both need understanding parents.

As Dr Marker sums it up, “Recognising the difference ensures your child receives the understanding and support they need to thrive and reach their full potential.”

Heart attacks, strokes and other heart related diseases are one of the most common causes of death all over the world. The World Health Organization estimates that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cost 17.9 million lives each year. Researchers have studied multiple reasons as to why the number of heart-related deaths are so high and the answers are varying. Lack of exercise, bad food choices, stressful jobs etc.

However, what is surprising is that many people do not even realize how their habits are actually costing them their health. Many habits that we have come to see as normal or are actually the ones that are causing your heart health to suffer.

Cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj took to Instagram to warn that "your mornings are a high-alert window for your heart." He explained that the body's natural response to waking up can make it a high-risk time for heart-related events.

What Happens When You Wake Up?

Cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj shared that mornings can be a risky time for your heart. When you first wake up, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol, which can make your blood thicker and your blood pressure go up. This combination puts more strain on your heart, which is why a lot of heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths happen between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. He says that having a calm and gentle morning routine can help protect your heart and lower these risks.

Right Way to Start Your Day

Dr. Bhojraj says that a healthy morning routine can make a positive difference for your whole day. Here’s what he suggests you should and shouldn't be doing:

Avoid a Rushed Start

Jumping out of bed and going "from zero to 100" can be a shock to your system. This means you should avoid rushing into things like drinking coffee on an empty stomach, forgetting to drink water, or immediately starting work. These actions put unnecessary stress on your heart when it’s most at risk.

Hydrate First

Your body loses water while you sleep. The first thing you should do is drink a glass of water. This simple step helps to rehydrate your body, support your organs, and get your blood flowing smoothly, preparing you for the day ahead.

Take Your Medications on Time

If you have morning medications, it’s very important to take them consistently. Taking them on time helps keep your blood pressure and other vital functions stable, which protects your heart from the extra stress of the morning hours.

Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast

Eating a breakfast with protein helps keep your blood sugar steady and gives you long-lasting energy. This keeps you from feeling a slump later in the day and reduces the urge to grab unhealthy snacks that can be bad for your heart over time.

Add Light Movement

Spend 10 to 15 minutes doing some light stretching or walking. This helps your blood flow and heart rate increase slowly and naturally. It gets your body ready for the day without the sudden shock of intense exercise, which can be hard on your cardiovascular system.

The monsoon is a time of relief, romance, and revival but your skin may be anything but refreshed. When raindrops fall and humidity surges, skin may prove to be an unwelcome adversary. Breakouts, rashes, fungal infections, and dullness are usual grievances dermatologists hear in the rainy season. Unlike the hot, sun-baked days of summer, the monsoon offers a special combination of moisture, heat, and microbial activity that can disturb the skin's natural balance.

Moreover, the mix of sweat, soggy clothes, and environmental toxins is a recipe for congested pores and inflammation. So how do you indulge in the seasonal transformation without ruining the cost of skin well-being? We consulted Dr. Neha Virmani, MD, DNB (Dermatology), Founder of Inara Skin, Hair and Aesthetics, Mumbai, to demystify seven evidence-based skincare tips to have balanced, hydrated, and infection-free skin during monsoons.

Why Skin Behaves Differently in the Rainy Season?

Monsoon climate shows skin a seeming paradox. The skin may be soft and dewy due to excess humidity, but this moisture outside may be hiding internal dehydration and barrier compromise. According to Dr. Virmani, "Humidity makes sebum production increase, which, when mixed with sweat and pollution, clogs pores and aggravates acne. Most patients experience flare-ups at this time."

Rain indirectly aggravates acne by providing a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal pathogens on the skin surface. The combination of excess sebum, dampness, and friction from wet clothes can cause sudden breakouts, rashes, and infections if day-to-day hygiene is not adjusted according to season. Knowing these seasonal imperatives is the beginning of tailoring a monsoon-friendly skincare regimen.

Can Rain Trigger Acne?

The rainy season, when there is a surge in humidity, causes your skin to retain more sweat, oil, and toxins. This provides a tacky, damp coating on the surface of your skin that clogs pores and feeds bacteria—prime promoters for acne attacks. Wet clothing, prolonged wet hair, and moisture from wet fabrics add to the problem, particularly on the back, chest, and shoulders.

Also, changing weather can break down the skin barrier, causing inflammation and excess sebum. Even mild fungal infections can reproduce or exaggerate acne-like bumps.

So, though the rain itself isn't actually responsible for pimples, it creates conditions on your skin that can certainly cause more breakouts.

Here are seven dermatologist-approved, evidence-based skincare tips to keep your skin clean, healthy, and calm during the rainy months.

1. Cleanse Twice a Day

Your skin tends to acquire sweat, oil, and atmosphere dirt faster during the monsoon. Dr. Virmani recommends, "Washing twice daily removes residue without depriving the skin's natural shield. Over-washing can cause rebound oiliness and redness."

For oily or acne skin, she suggests light foaming cleansers with salicylic acid to exfoliate pores, along with niacinamide to combat inflammation. The objective is a balanced regimen that leaves skin clean, calm, and prepared to take in moisture and treatments.

2. Don't Skip the Moisturizer

Even with humid conditions, air during the monsoons can subtly dehydrate. "Most people think the skin is naturally hydrated since it feels wet," Dr. Virmani points out. "But trans-epidermal water loss can still happen, breaking down the skin barrier."

Choose water-based, gel-based, or light moisturizers with hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Select non-comedogenic, oil-free products for acne skin to ensure moisturization without pore clogging. Regular moisturizing helps in repairing skin, controlling oil secretion, and keeping the complexion hydrated.

3. Don't Let the Clouds Fool You

Cloudy skies do not eliminate UV exposure. Dermatologists emphasize year-round protection. Dr. Virmani says, “Even on overcast days, UV rays penetrate clouds and can cause pigmentation, premature aging, and uneven skin tone. Gel-based or matte-finish sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher are ideal for monsoon comfort.”

Reapplication every three to four hours is crucial, especially if you’re outdoors or sitting near windows. Sunscreen protects the skin from long-term damage, making it as vital as hydration or cleansing.

4. Be Proactive Against Fungal Infections

Rainy weather encourages fungal growth in hot, moist conditions. "Places such as underarms, inner thighs, and between toes are especially susceptible," Dr. Virmani outlines. "Preventive hygiene—proper drying following bathing, airy clothing, and footwear rotation—can cut down on infections dramatically."

Dermatologists can recommend anti-fungal powders or medicated shampoos for recurrent flare-ups. Foregoing it during the early stages is much simpler than battling chronic infection later in the season.

5. Be Mindful of Deeper Hydration

Sweat appearing on the skin may not be enough in monsoon-induced skin stress. For deeper hydration, injectable skin boosters like Profhilo can rehydrate under the surface, triggering collagen and elastin. Dr. Virmani states, "Treatments like Profhilo enhance skin quality from the inside out, restoring firmness and glow to those experiencing seasonal dullness."

Such bioremodelling treatments are especially effective for mature skin or anyone seeing loss of tone and vitality during rainy weather.

6. Revamp Your Makeup Routine

Heavy makeup clogs pores and ensnares oil and sweat, causing them to break out. Dr. Virmani recommends, "Swap full-coverage foundations for tinted moisturizers, primers, or BB creams. Keep your routine efficient and sparse, prioritizing SPF and multi-tasking products."

Evening cleansing is essential to take out sweat, makeup, and impurities. Healthy skin is the foundation of any successful makeup regimen, so skincare needs to precede it.

7. It's More Than a Clean Face

Monsoon hygiene is more than just a washed face. "Bacteria and fungi survive not only on skin but on towels, pillowcases, and makeup brushes too," says Dr. Virmani. Regular washing of textiles and cleaning of brushes minimizes infection potential and avoids sudden outbreaks.

Don't share towels, dry makeup tools, and change pillowcases every 2–3 days. Easy hygiene improvements can make a big impact in keeping skin healthy.

Monsoon skincare doesn't have to be complicated. As per Dr. Virmani, "Consistency, awareness, and the right care make all the difference." By properly cleansing, moisturizing, safeguarding against UV damage, and being watchful for fungal and bacterial threats, your skin can stay calm, balanced, and radiant during the rainy months.

Serena Williams has built her career on grit, discipline, and an almost unmatched dominance in professional tennis. But behind her 23 Grand Slam titles lies a very different struggle, one she has chosen to share publicly for the first time: her battle with postpartum weight gain.

Now 43, Williams has revealed that she turned to GLP-1 medications, a class of injectable drugs originally designed for diabetes, to help her lose more than 31 pounds after giving birth to her second daughter in 2023. The admission has sparked both praise and debate, highlighting the growing cultural conversation around weight loss drugs.

Williams has spoken candidly about the physical challenges she faced after giving birth to her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017. Despite maintaining an elite athlete’s lifestyle, she noticed changes that resisted even the most disciplined training.

“I could never reach the weight I needed, no matter what I did, no matter how much I exercised,” she explained. “It was crazy because I had never been in a situation where I worked so hard, ate so healthily, and still couldn’t reach my desired weight.”

The experience deepened after the birth of her second child, Adira, in 2023. Despite her efforts—running, walking, and even incorporating professional-level workouts—her body seemed unwilling to return to its pre-pregnancy state.

For an athlete defined by relentless effort, the frustration was profound. “I’ve never taken shortcuts in my career and I’ve always worked very hard. I know what it takes to be the best,” Williams said. “It was very frustrating to do the same thing over and over again and never be able to change the number on the scale.”

Determined to explore new options, Williams consulted with doctors and eventually began GLP-1 treatment under supervision from Ro, a telehealth company offering direct-to-patient healthcare. Six months after giving birth to Adira, she started the injectable regimen.

GLP-1, short for glucagon-like peptide-1, mimics a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite. By slowing digestion and signaling fullness to the brain, it reduces hunger and supports weight loss. Clinical trials have shown average reductions of around 12 percent body weight with semaglutide and up to 18 percent with tirzepatide, a related drug that combines GLP-1 with another hormone mimic.

Williams said her initial hesitation gave way to results that left her feeling stronger, lighter, and more in control. “I feel great,” she told People magazine. “I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally.”

Williams’ decision to go public isn’t just about her personal journey—it’s part of a wider campaign. This week, she officially announced a partnership with Ro to help normalize the use of GLP-1s and to challenge the narrative that they represent an “easy way out.”

Her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is also deeply involved as an investor and board member of the company. The move reflects a broader cultural shift, while celebrities like Oprah Winfrey have also disclosed their use of GLP-1s to manage weight fluctuations, the stigma around weight loss medication remains stubbornly present.

“Serena Williams is one of the most disciplined athletes in history,” said one physician not involved in her care. “If she’s saying that despite all her training, lifestyle changes, and effort she still needed support, that’s a powerful message for millions of women struggling with the same issue.”

What Are The Risks And Realities Of GLP-1?

While Williams is careful to emphasize that her treatment was doctor-supervised, experts caution against viewing GLP-1s as a universal solution. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, while more serious risks can involve gallbladder disease, kidney damage, and even severe hypoglycemia when combined with certain other medications.

Doctors stress that not everyone is an appropriate candidate and that weight regain is a reality if patients do not combine treatment with long-term lifestyle changes. “Medication can be the first push,” one endocrinologist explained. “But sustaining the results requires ongoing commitment to nutrition, physical activity, and overall health.”

Have Weight Loss Drugs Become A Global Phenomenon?

What began in the United States as a medical tool for diabetes has now ballooned into a global weight-loss industry worth billions. In Europe, more than half of adults are overweight, and 17 percent are classified as obese. The World Obesity Federation projects that by 2050, 60 percent of adults worldwide could fall into this category.

GLP-1 drugs have become central to this story. Spending on obesity medications surpassed €26 billion globally in 2024, up more than tenfold since 2020. In countries like Italy, private demand has soared, with many patients paying over €1,000 per month out of pocket.

Williams’ visibility as one of the most successful athletes in history brings new attention to this debate, underscoring how widespread the challenge of weight management is—even among elite performers.

For Williams, her public acknowledgment is about removing shame. “As a woman, you go through different cycles in your life,” she said. “No matter what I did- running, walking, playing a professional sport, after my second kid, it just even got harder. So then I was like, OK, I have to try something different.”

Her candor reflects a broader movement to destigmatize the use of medical tools for weight loss. Many women, she noted, feel a sense of guilt or failure when turning to medication, despite evidence showing that obesity is a chronic medical condition with genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors at play.

“I don’t take shortcuts,” she emphasized in Ro’s promotional video. “As an athlete and as someone that has done everything, I just couldn’t get my weight to where I needed to be at a healthy place.”

Serena Williams Weight Loss: Is This Breaking Stigma Or Joining The Trend?

It’s both, really, and the distinction is subtle but important. Serena Williams’ openness about using GLP-1 medication reflects a broader shift in the public conversation about weight loss, health, and medical interventions, but it also intersects with a growing trend of high-profile figures publicly embracing these treatments. On one hand, her candor helps break stigma. For decades, women—especially those in the public eye—have faced judgment, scrutiny, and moralizing whenever they discussed weight management.

By sharing her personal journey, Williams is normalizing the idea that seeking medical support for weight is not a moral failing, a shortcut, or something to hide. On the other hand, she is undeniably participating in a trend: GLP-1 medications have exploded in popularity, fueled by social media, celebrity endorsements, and widespread public interest.

Her visibility amplifies both aspects, she lends legitimacy to a medical tool while also shining a spotlight on a hot, rapidly growing weight loss phenomenon. What this really means is that breaking stigma and joining a trend aren’t mutually exclusive; in Williams’ case, they coexist.