From smartphones to laptops, long hours spent staring at screens can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and, over time, may negatively impact vision. One natural and effective method to counter these issues is Yoga for eyes, which offers a variety of techniques to alleviate eye strain, promote relaxation, and improve overall eye health.

Through targeted exercises, individuals can reduce discomfort and enhance their vision over time.

Modern lifestyles, dominated by technology, have given rise to conditions like digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome. These are common concerns for those who spend prolonged periods in front of screens. The good news is that yoga offers gentle yet powerful techniques that not only soothe strained eyes but also strengthen eye muscles and improve visual acuity.

Yoga for the eyes involves a series of controlled movements and gazing techniques that help stimulate the muscles around the eyes, improve blood circulation, and promote relaxation. By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you can provide much-needed relief to tired eyes and help maintain good vision in the long run.

Trataka: Ancient Yogic Kriya for Eyesight Improvement

One of the most well-known eye yoga techniques is Trataka, an ancient yogic practice used not only for eye health but also for improving concentration. Traditionally practiced by yogis, Trataka involves fixing the gaze on a single point, such as a candle flame, star, or object, until the eyes begin to water. This kriya strengthens the eye muscles, improves focus, and enhances mental clarity.

Movement of Eyeballs

This exercise involves a series of movements where the eyeballs are moved in various directions—sideways, up and down, and in circles—without moving the head. These controlled movements help strengthen the eye muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance coordination between the eyes and brain.

- Shoulder Gaze

Begin by sitting comfortably in a meditative posture, like Sukhasana or Vajrasana. Gaze ahead, and slowly move your eyes to the right shoulder, holding the gaze without blinking. Then shift your gaze to the left shoulder, and return to the center. Repeat this a few times.

- Upward and Downward Gaze

From the center, move your gaze upward without moving your head, hold for a few seconds, then shift downward. Repeat several times to stimulate different muscles around the eyes.

- Nasal and Eyebrow Gaze

In this phase, focus your gaze on the tip of your nose (Nasikagraha) for a few seconds, then shift the gaze to the space between your eyebrows (Bhrumadhya). These techniques are great for improving focus and concentration.

Near and Distant Gazing

This simple exercise can be done either standing or sitting by a window. The idea is to alternate your gaze between something nearby, like your fingertips, and a distant object, such as a tree or building. This technique helps train the eyes to adjust between near and far distances, which is especially useful for individuals who spend long periods reading or working on screens.

Candle Gazing: Focused Trataka Exercise

Another variation of Trataka involves gazing at a candle flame. This exercise can be practiced by sitting comfortably and fixing the gaze on a steady flame placed a few inches away at eye level. The steady gazing helps to purify the eyes, strengthen the eye muscles, and improve focus. Candle gazing should only be done for 2-5 minutes at a time, and it is important to rest the eyes afterward by closing them and gently palming them.

Eye Yoga Techniques for Daily Practice

Incorporating simple yoga techniques into your daily routine can go a long way in maintaining eye health. Here are a few additional exercises that you can practice daily:

1. Blinking Frequently

Blinking is a natural way to moisturize the eyes and prevent dryness, especially when engaged in activities like working on a computer for long periods. Make a conscious effort to blink regularly to reduce discomfort and eye strain.

2. Eye Rolling

Rolling the eyes in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions is a simple yet effective way to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the eyes. This exercise promotes flexibility and blood circulation to the eyes, providing essential nutrients for optimal functioning.

3. Palming the Eyes

After completing any eye yoga exercise, it is recommended to gently palm the eyes. This technique involves rubbing your hands together to generate warmth and then placing the palms over the closed eyes. The warmth from your hands helps relax the eye muscles and soothes them after any exercise.

Surya, Chandra, and Tara Dhyana (Sun, Moon, and Star Gazing)

This is another traditional yogic practice where individuals gaze at the rising or setting sun, the moon, or stars to improve eye health. These natural objects offer a soothing visual experience that helps relax and refresh the eyes. However, it is important to practice sun gazing only during the early morning or late evening, when the sun is not too bright, to avoid straining the eyes.

Essential Tips for Better Eye Health

Along with practicing yoga for the eyes, incorporating the following tips into your lifestyle can further support your eye health:

- Follow the 20/20/20 Rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to reduce strain on your eyes.

- Include foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Foods like carrots, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and walnuts promote good eye health.

- Practice good screen habits. Ensure your screens are at a comfortable distance and take regular breaks to reduce strain.

Yoga for eyes is a natural and effective way to maintain and improve your vision in today's screen-centric world. Whether you're working long hours on a computer or simply looking to refresh your vision, eye yoga offers numerous benefits that are accessible to everyone. Practice regularly, and your eyes will thank you!

Pets are a great addition to one’s life, not only do they give people a feeling of fulfillment, but they also give them a purpose. The bond between a pet owner and a pet is unmatched, as there is an unspoken connection of love and trust. Many people opt for pets like dogs as they can be a great excuse to exercise. The dog must be taken out for walks and play sessions, allowing the pet parent to enjoy some relaxing time as well. Similarly, an anxious person, who would not enjoy the company of an energetic dog, may opt for a quiet pet with a calming presence like a cat.

While it may not seem significant to people with no pets, researchers have also found evidence on how the relationship between an owner and a pet brings affects human mental health. According to a NIH 2018 review, interacting with animals has shown to decrease cortisol levels as well as lower blood pressure. They also explain how multiple other reviews show that animals boost your mood, increase feelings of social support and reduce loneliness in people.

However, does this mean that pets play as significant role in a person’s life another human, such as their partner, would play? Study suggests they might. As per the research published in the Social Indicators Research March 2025, scientists found strong signs that the furry animals positively impact happiness. The people who conducted the study say that when it comes to whether pets make us happy, the answer is a clear and strong "yes." It seems that the companionship and love we get from our dogs and cats really do have a positive impact on how we feel about our lives.

To understand the cause-and-effect relationship, the scientists looked at a factor linked to pet ownership but not directly to happiness. For example, they used the frequency with which person watched over a neighbor’s home as their instrument. The logic was that if those who watched neighbors' homes were also happier, it suggested pet ownership (linked to neighborly behavior) was likely the cause of the increased happiness.

Measuring Happiness In Terms Of Money

Researchers tried to quantify happiness in the study to understand better, they to put a value on just how much better having a dog or a cat can make us feel, using money as a way to understand it.

Their findings revealed that the emotional benefit of having a pet is comparable to receiving an annual income of up to £70,000, or approximately $92,655. This valuation places the impact of pet ownership on par with significant life choices such as getting married or living with a partner.

To determine if pet ownership truly causes increased happiness, the researchers analyzed data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, which included survey responses across multiple years about pet ownership, personality traits, and life satisfaction. The study encompassed 2,617 responses from 769 individuals.

The results of the study strongly showed that having a cat or a dog really did lead to people feeling more satisfied with their lives. The amount of extra happiness they felt was like getting a lot of money each year. What was also interesting was that the happiness from having a pet was similar to the happiness people reported from getting married or spending time with their close friends and family, which shows how important pets can be in our lives.

How Does Having Pets Impact Mental Health?

According to the Mental Health Foundation UK, having a pet can really help your mind in lots of ways. They can get you moving more because dog owners often walk them. Pets are also great friends to have around, making you feel safer and like someone needs you, especially if you live alone. Just being with a pet can make you feel less worried. They listen without judging and love you no matter what, which can make you feel better about yourself. Plus, having a dog can help you meet new people when you're out and about. Taking care of a pet also gives your day a routine, which can help you feel more organized and focused. For some people, like those with ADHD, pets can even help with things like sticking to a schedule and getting their energy out. Overall, pets are pretty amazing for our mental health.

Immunization has been one of the most remarkable public health achievements of modern times, it has not only slowed down child mortality, eradicating certain diseases to be wiped off, and reduced outbreaks of conditions that could potentially kill, but also raised awareness of the seriousness of the emerging threat to these immunization campaigns during World Immunization Week from April 24–30. The rise in vaccine-preventable diseases is a cause for concern, as misinformation, population growth, funding cuts, and humanitarian crises jeopardize years of progress. This article explores the ongoing challenges in immunization and the global consequences of failing to maintain vaccination rates.

In the past decade, vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives, making immunization one of the most effective tools in preventing infectious diseases. However, even with these gains, the global health community is experiencing setbacks. Increased outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles, meningitis, and yellow fever have risen alarmingly. Illnesses that were previously almost eradicated, such as diphtheria, are coming back in some areas. WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi have all issued urgent calls for governments to invest in immunization programs to prevent further health crises.

While the United States has come far in vaccination efforts, the effects of no longer continuing immunization programs would be disastrous. If vaccination programs were to be discontinued in the country, diseases such as measles would instantly become much larger outbreaks than they are at present and spread to infect tens of thousands or more. Even those who never travel outside the nation might encounter sick carriers within their own communities and thus be subject to rapid spread of diseases that are otherwise preventable.

Consider measles. Although the U.S. has experienced a decline in measles cases due to strong vaccination efforts, outbreaks elsewhere in the world—particularly in nations with low vaccination rates—could do serious damage if the U.S. were to discontinue vaccinating. Complacency about vaccine-preventable diseases can be fatal. The dangers of being infected with these diseases may appear to be low, yet each person is at risk and nobody can tell if they will be the "one in 10,000" to die from an illness that could be prevented by a basic vaccine.

Why Health Systems Are Struggling to Keep Up?

Measles is coming back particularly perilously globally. Since 2021, incidence has been increasing, following declines in immunization coverage that happened during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Measles cases increased to an estimated 10.3 million in 2023—a 20% rise from the previous year—according to WHO estimates. The trend is predicted to continue into 2024 and 2025, with outbreaks worsening across the globe.

Last year, 138 nations recorded cases of measles, and 61 of these had large or disruptive outbreaks. This is the highest number of outbreaks since 2019, and the trend is expected to increase in the next few months. Measles, which is a very infectious viral infection, is not only a public health threat but also overburdens health systems, taking away resources that can be used to address other critical health issues.

Meningitis and yellow fever have also increased substantially in recent years. In Africa, meningitis cases jumped in early 2024 with over 5,500 suspected cases and close to 300 fatalities in only three months. That is a major upsurge from other years, highlighting the necessity for proper immunization coverage. The same is true of yellow fever, whose cases are on the rise in Africa as confirmed cases appear in nations where the disease was on the decline in the last decade.

Role of Funding and Humanitarian Crises

One of the largest dangers to immunization campaigns is the decline in international funding for health programs. A recent WHO rapid stock take in 108 countries found that nearly half of these countries experience moderate to severe interruption in vaccination campaigns and routine immunization programs because of reductions in donor support. Least developed countries are being compelled to make difficult choices between important services, which tend to come at the cost of lifesaving vaccination programs.

Humanitarian emergencies, including armed conflicts and natural disasters, add complexity to the delivery of immunizations. Children in conflict or fragile areas are most at risk. In 2023, an estimated 14.5 million children did not receive all routine vaccine doses, a decline from 13.9 million in the previous year. Those children reside in areas where access to healthcare services is drastically reduced, which increases their likelihood of acquiring preventable illness.

The growing global health crisis underscores the urgent need for continued investment in immunization. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, emphasized that vaccines have saved millions of lives over the past five decades. However, without proper funding and political will, these hard-won gains are at risk. The WHO is urging governments, especially in lower-income countries, to invest in vaccines, as they are one of the most cost-effective interventions for public health.

The international health community also urges continued efforts to build more resilient immunization systems and to ensure vaccines reach the most at-risk communities. WHO and its agencies have initiated efforts like the "Big Catch-Up," to vaccinate children who lost doses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort, supplemented with ongoing investment in mass vaccination campaigns, is critical to stopping subsequent outbreaks and saving lives.

Importance of Herd Immunity

Vaccination not only protects the individual—it also safeguards communities. This phenomenon, referred to as "community immunity" or "herd immunity," is when a high percentage of the population has been vaccinated, thus limiting the transmission of disease. This is especially important for those who are unable to be vaccinated because of medical conditions or age, such as infants, older adults, or those with weakened immune systems.

By vaccinating ourselves and our kids, we not only protect our loved ones but also protect the others in our communities who cannot get vaccinated. Keeping vaccination rates high is what makes sure diseases that used to cause widespread sickness and death stay under control and never come back.

Vaccine-Preventable Disease Outbreaks Across The World

• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• COVID-19
• Measles
• Mumps
• Meningitis
• Influenza (flu)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Hepatitis A

What Can You Do to Keep Your Family Safe from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases?

Keeping your family safe from vaccine-preventable diseases is important to make them healthy and safe. By keeping pace with recommended vaccinations, not only are you keeping your loved ones safe but also your community. Here's how you can do it:

1. Adhere to Immunization Schedules

The initial and most critical step is to adhere to the recommended immunization schedules for your family and yourself. These schedules are formulated to give protection in a timely manner against a variety of preventable illnesses. Sticking to these schedules ensures that people, particularly children, get vaccinated when they are most effective. This can avert outbreaks of diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and mumps.

2. Support Herd Immunity

Vaccines do not only immunize individuals, but they also immunize populations, a process referred to as "community immunity" or "herd immunity." If large numbers of people are vaccinated, it becomes more difficult for infection to spread. This is particularly important for groups that cannot themselves be vaccinated, like babies that are too young for some vaccines or people who have weakened immune systems from such diseases as cancer or HIV. By getting vaccinated and your family, you're helping protect the most vulnerable members of your community.

3. Stay Current on Vaccines for All Household Members

It's not just kids who require vaccines. Adults need to stay up to date on their immunizations as well. Many illnesses, such as the flu or shingles, can strike adults as well. Keeping all members of your household current on their vaccinations helps keep herd immunity intact and stops outbreaks.

4. Know the Consequences of Not Vaccinating

If vaccination levels fell, diseases that have been almost eliminated or contained could return. Diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and even polio have returned in regions with low vaccination levels. These diseases were once all but eliminated in much of the world but remain a threat, especially if vaccination levels fall.

5. Guard Future Generations

Vaccinating now doesn't only keep your family safe today—it helps to keep future generations healthy. By maintaining high levels of immunization, we ensure our children's children—and their children—are safeguarded against illnesses that were once widespread. If we discontinue vaccination, we might be fighting infections that we previously believed to be a relic of the past, and which create serious public health issues.

6. Stay Informed About Disease Outbreaks

Recent disease outbreaks like pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, and COVID-19 have proven that vaccination efforts are always a concern. Keeping yourself updated regarding current outbreaks and vaccination schedules changes ensures that you can protect your family more effectively. Being aware of the when and where of outbreaks will also enable you to take preventive actions against exposure.

Our communities' well-being, and that of their most vulnerable, rely on common effort. If we stop vaccinating, the consequences could be dire, resulting in preventable deaths and overwhelming health systems.

A nationwide ban on ranitidine, one of India’s most widely used antacids, may soon be on the cards. A confidential report by an expert panel has flagged serious health risks associated with the drug, particularly its potential to cause cancer. Submitted to India’s Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), the findings have triggered deliberations on whether to suspend the manufacture, sale, and distribution of the drug across the country.

The Cancer Risk Behind Ranitidine

The expert committee’s report, accessed by News18, highlights the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in several samples of ranitidine tested at the Central Drug Laboratory in Kolkata. NDMA is a chemical impurity classified as a probable human carcinogen. It is considered unsafe when consumed over a prolonged period in concentrations above global safety standards.

Out of the 42 samples tested, 21 were found to contain NDMA levels above 0.32 parts per million (ppm)—the internationally accepted limit. This finding has raised red flags, as it confirms that nearly half the samples exceeded the safety threshold.

What Is Ranitidine and Why Was It So Popular?

Ranitidine, developed in 1981 by Glaxo Holdings Ltd (now GlaxoSmithKline), quickly became a go-to medication for millions around the world. In India, it is widely available over-the-counter under brand names like Rantac, Zinetac, and Aciloc. It is primarily used to reduce stomach acid and treat issues such as indigestion, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and ulcers.

Due to its affordability and easy accessibility, ranitidine became a staple in Indian households. Despite its ban in countries like the United States, Australia, and across Europe due to the NDMA contamination concerns, it has continued to be sold in India.

Global Regulatory Response

Ranitidine first came under global scrutiny in 2019, when international regulators began detecting unsafe levels of NDMA in the drug. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) all pulled the medication from their respective markets.

These agencies took the precautionary step of banning or recalling ranitidine to prevent long-term health risks in the population. They also recommended alternative treatments for acid reflux and ulcers, including other classes of antacids.

India’s Position So Far

While India did not impose an outright ban, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)—the country’s apex drug regulator—acknowledged safety concerns as early as 2019. However, regulatory action remained limited. In December 2024, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that safety concerns were being addressed, though no concrete steps were taken until recently.

A key development came in 2022, when ranitidine was removed from the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). This was seen as a soft warning to healthcare providers and the public. The CDSCO also issued multiple advisories but stopped short of a suspension or recall.

What Happens Next?

Now that the expert committee has submitted its findings to the DTAB, the board is expected to review the recommendation for suspending ranitidine. If the board agrees, India may finally join the list of countries that have banned the drug.

In the meantime, doctors and pharmacists may begin advising patients to explore alternative treatments for acid-related disorders. Consumers, especially those with long-term use of ranitidine, are encouraged to consult their physicians and avoid self-medication.

As regulatory bodies weigh their next move, public awareness and medical guidance will be key to ensuring a safe transition away from ranitidine.