Five bad skin habits to leave

Five skin habits to unlearn

Some skincare techniques that people think are helping them actually do more harm than good. We list five common habits that you need to unlearn immediately.

1 Picking at your face: Whether it is out of nerves or simply trying to make a blemish go away faster, picking at a pimple will make it worse in the end. A blemish only lasts for five-seven days, but the dark scar from messing with it can make it linger for months. Leave the blemish alone and conceal the bump with make-up.

2 Using the same products year-round: Without a doubt, skin has different needs during different seasons. In the spring, use deep-pore cleansing and exfoliating products to revive your skin from the winter dryness. In the summer, the focus should be on protecting it from the sun with sunscreen and antioxidants. Products should be lightweight in spring and summer since there is more humidity in the air and your summer skincare routine should have less exfoliation since more time is spent outdoors.

3 Tugging at the skin around the eye area: The area around your eyes has the thinnest skin on the face, and it’s the first to show signs of ageing. Pulling on the skin while putting in contact lenses, applying eyeliner, or rubbing aggressively to remove stubborn eye make-up can unnecessarily create wear and tear on the collagen and elasticity fibres. This can cause visible lines and wrinkles. Also, always apply eye cream with the ring finger in a gentle and patting motion.

4 Not washing your face in the morning: When sleeping, skin is in repair mode and it secretes sebum, which can prevent your morning products from working optimally. Additionally, you’ll be layering your day products on top of your night-time products like masks or retinols, so they won’t penetrate the skin as easily. Cleansing in the shower will give your skin a clean slate to allow your daytime serum and sunscreen to absorb better.

5 Misting, not wiping, your skin when using toner: While misting or spraying toner on the skin may be convenient, it is important to use a wiping motion while applying it. Toners are designed to remove cleanser residue, salts, chlorides, and chemicals from tap water that may dehydrate the skin. When you mist the toner, you are diluting these chemicals. Always use an alcohol-free toner and wipe it with a cotton cloth.

‘I meditate every day’ - Mugdha Godse

One breakfast item you must eat every day.
Oatmeal with fruits like bananas and apples and skimmed milk is a musthave for me every morning.

Do you prefer minimeals or snacks?
I keep snacking on biscuits and fruits, and also drink a lot of water through the day.

Do you prefer outdoor or indoor physical activities?
am a very adventurous person and prefer outdoor activites.

Which are your favourite physical activities?
I am into trekking and swimming.

What is a healthy tip you rely on?
‘I meditate every day’

Mustard HEALTH BENEFITS

There are three main types of mustard seeds: black, white and brown. White mustard seeds, which are actually yellow, are the mildest flavoured of the three and are used to make American yellow mustard powder or paste. It originated in the eastern Mediterranean region about 5,000 years ago.

HEALTH BENEFITS: These seeds are a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, protein, niacin (an organic compound that helps lower cholesterol and prevent build-up of plaque in the arteries) and zinc, so they are great immunity boosters. Plus, they are a rare, rich source of selenium and magnesium (both are anti-inflammatory and help prevent rheumatoid arthritis). Magnesium also helps reduce blood pressure. These seeds are also a good vegetarian source (usually found in fatty fishes such as salmon and tuna) of omega 3 fatty acids, which is a panacea for our hearts. They are loaded with phytonutrients called glucosinolates which have strong anti-cancer effects.

LOSE KILOS: Mustard seeds have the capacity to increase your metabolic rate, and are great for weight watchers.

USE IT: Add to vinaigrettes, mix with olive oil and lemon, sprinkle over salads and stir fry, or marinate fish and chicken with it. You can use it to bake too. It makes a great dip when mixed with honey.

What you can do to sleep through the night and battle disorders?

Living in a fast-paced city like Mumbai can wreak havoc on your rest time. Here’s what you can do to sleep through the night and battle disorders

You work 12-hour days, spend hours commuting and then meet your friends or family only in the evening. Looming deadlines and social obligations mean your day extends late into the night, taking a toll on your sleep. Innumerable studies tell you to get good sleep — both quality- and quantity-wise — and this leads to a minor panic attack, which, ironically, renders you even more sleepless.
 
Why awake
“Mumbai has become a delayed society; we are getting sleep-deprived,” says Dr Preeti Devnani, leading sleep expert, who practices in the Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology at Jaslok Hospital, Pedder Road. “Socialising is a late affair. Noise pollution is increasing, which makes it difficult to maintain sleep even during the early morning hours,” she adds.
Dr Devnani suggests that you find out exactly how many hours’ sleep you need: When you wake up feeling fresh after a good night’s rest, that’s your magic number. It also depends on your age — while newborns sleep for 17-18 hours, adults can get by with much less. “Approximately, 7.25 hours are required for working individuals in their twenties to forties,” she adds.

When you don’t doze

Increasing dependence on gadgets and social media also leads to insomnia and other sleep-related disorders. “A demanding urban lifestyle, increased medical and psychiatric disorders, increased consumption of alcohol and caffeine, and rotating working shifts are also factors causing sleep disorders,” says Dr Falguni Parikh, consultant — internal medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri.
Getting less sleep affects us in many ways, including lethargy, tiredness, low productivity, obesity, diabetes and a host of other ailments. Not to mention the number of sleep disorders — insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and psychophysiological insomnia. In recent times, there has been an increased awareness of these. “It’s good that people are waking up to the importance of sleep,” says Dr Devnani. “Poor sleep is associated with poor productivity, and sleep apnea is known to be associated with hypertension, diabetes, stroke and sexual dysfunction,” says Dr Ashim Desai, senior ENT surgeon and a specialist in sleep disorders, Nova Specialty Hospitals, Tardeo.

How to sleep better
If you’re experiencing difficulty in sleeping, or wake up feeling tired, don’t ignore the signs. According to Dr Devnani, few people report sleep problems to their physicians, resorting, instead, to home remedies or self-medication. “Sometimes, people rely too much on home remedies and, when they’re not effective, they get frustrated,” she says, adding, “Try yoga, especially yoga nidra, as it is particularly helpful. Keep good sleep hygiene — keep a sleep ritual, exercise, avoid caffeine and alcohol, or try light therapy.”
Dr Parikh seconds her view. “Maintain regular sleep and wake-up timings; avoid late dinners, heavy exercise and hot showers just before sleeping; and don’t use your laptop or other gadgets before hitting the bed,” she says. Dr Desai suggests dimming your lights two hours prior to bedtime. “Sometimes, chromotherapy (use of intense blue light) at appropriate times helps,” he says.
Some foods also help calm your body and prepare it for good sleep. “The old wives’ tales have some truth — starchy foods like rice and potatoes, herbal teas such as chamomile, tulsi and lavender, and nuts like walnuts and almonds help you sleep better,” says nutritionist Manisha Sharma. She also suggests tryptophan-rich foods such as dairy products, which also contain calcium — a known muscle-relaxant — bananas, oats and tuna.

Dr Preeti Devnani says sleep affects almost every aspect of health. "Most people don't think insomnia is a medical problem. But all patients should be telling their general practitioners about their sleep patterns. Answer simple questions: Do you have difficulty falling asleep? Do you snore? How is the quality of your sleep? Tell your doctor about all of it," she says. Dr Falguni Parikh says, "You should routinely check for the underlying treatment of thyroid, anxiety and depression, and seek professional help."