If you are a fitness enthusiast on a journey to shed those extra pounds and are looking for a dynamic exercise routine, you’ve probably heard of Surya Namaskar, the ancient yoga sequence. Also called the ‘Sun Salutation,’ Surya Namaskar is not just a great way to start your day but can also contribute to your weight loss goals. This incredible exercise is a rhythmic sequence of 12 intricately woven yoga asanas. From the initial Paramasana (prayer pose), it unfolds through postures like raised arms, forward fold, lunges, plank, cobra and downward dog. The sequence’s continuity fosters a sense of connection and unity, making Surya Namaskar not only a physical exercise but a moving meditation that revitalises the body’s energy centres and aligns the mind with the present moment. 

Yoga asanas (poses) involved in a Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar is a combination of different yoga poses. Usually, people do several sets of these poses to complete the procedure. Though there are different ways and asanas to perform the Surya Namaskar, the 8 poses that should be followed in order are:

• Pranamasana

Stand upright with your feet closely aligned. As you inhale deeply, raise your arms sideways and keep your chest in an expanded position. Now, you can join your palms in the form of a namaskar and keep your hands near your chest. This is to show your thankfulness for the things in life.

• Hasta Uttanasana

Raise your hands with your palms still joined. Maintain a relaxed posture while keeping your back in a slanted position. Stand in such a way that your ears and biceps are in perfect alignment with each other.

• Hasta Padasana

While exhaling, slowly bend forward towards the ground. Focus on bending from the upper part of your body while keeping your spine in a straight position.

• Ashwa Sanchalasana

Keep your body parallel to the ground. Relax by extending your arms to the side. Bring your right knee towards your right chest while keeping your back arched gently. At the same time, stretch your left leg towards the back of your body.

• Dandasana

Inhale deeply as you stretch your right leg towards the back of your body. This way, your left and right legs are in perfect alignment. Keep your body relaxed while holding this pose.

• Ashtanga Namaskara

Exhale deeply and bend your knees to the ground. Keep your backs arched and your hips raised slightly while doing this pose.

• Bhujangasana

Keep your chest and body aligned to the floor. The middle section of your body and legs should be flat. Ensure you don’t put your weight on your legs so that you can stay relaxed throughout the pose.

• Parvatasana

While keeping your feet and palms in the same position, gently lift your midsection. As you maintain your posture, release your breath gradually.

How does Surya Namaskar benefit in losing weight?

If questions like ‘Does Surya Namaskar really help in weight loss?’ and ‘How many Surya Namaskars should I do in a day to lose weight?’ always come to your mind, read on to know more.

Although weight loss is a gradual process, Surya Namaskar has proven effective in shedding those extra pounds. This dynamic sequence isn’t just a physical exercise; it’s a holistic approach to weight loss.

Surya Namaskar is a full-body workout that engages your muscles, improves flexibility and increases your heart rate. This combination helps rev up your metabolism and torch those extra calories. As you perform the 12 postures in a single round, you engage various muscle groups, which, over time, can contribute to toning and building lean muscle mass — an essential factor in weight loss. The rhythmic breathing and meditative quality of Surya Namaskar also help in reducing stress levels, which can indirectly prevent emotional eating and weight gain. As you move through the sequence, your body’s detoxification process gets stimulated, optimising digestion and nutrient absorption. Keep in mind that while Surya Namaskar can significantly contribute to your weight loss journey, it works best when combined with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

In the intricate tapestry of human spirituality, the concept of ‘Kundalini’ sparks both curiosity and wonder. Often referred to as a dormant serpent of energy, Kundalini has captured the attention of seekers across cultures. With origins rooted in ancient traditions, Kundalini offers a gateway to exploring the profound depths of human consciousness. Let’s dive into the essence of Kundalini, its origin and its journey into the Western consciousness.

What is Kundalini?

So, what is Kundalini? It is a powerful energy that resides within each individual, waiting to be awakened and harnessed for spiritual growth. Kundalini is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Kundala,’ meaning ‘coiled like a snake.’ This potent energy is said to rest at the base of one’s spine and can be awakened through various spiritual practices. When activated, it is believed to traverse the spine’s energy centres or chakras, leading to spiritual awakening and heightened awareness.

Origin of Kundalini

The concept of Kundalini finds its roots in ancient Indian spiritual traditions, particularly yoga and tantra. Kundalini emerges as a concept that weaves together physical, mental and spiritual dimensions. The practice of Kundalini meditation, which systematically activates and directs this energy, finds its origin in the tantric texts such as the ‘Hathayoga Pradipika’ and the ‘Shiva Samhita.’ These texts provide detailed guidance on techniques to awaken and raise Kundalini energy through the body’s energy centres or chakras. This profound concept has traversed centuries and cultures, remaining an integral part of spiritual exploration to this day.

Watery eyes can be quite a nuisance, causing discomfort and blurred vision.  Whether due to allergies, infections, or other triggers, dealing with excessive tear production can be frustrating. Luckily, you don’t always need to rush to the pharmacy for relief. Here, we will explore some effective solutions on how to stop watery eyes with home remedies that can help you combat watery eyes naturally and get back to feeling comfortable.

Causes of Watery Eyes

Medically known as ‘Epiphora,’ various factors can cause it, including allergies, infection, dry eyes, irritants (like smoke or wind), conjunctivitis (pink eye), blocked tear ducts, foreign objects and certain medical conditions such as ‘blepharitis’ or corneal abrasions. Additionally, excessive screen time, reading, or bright lights can strain the eyes and lead to watery eyes.

How to Stop Watery Eyes?

Watery eyes can not only be irritating and painful, but they also disrupt your everyday routine. You can avoid this condition by staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet that offers natural hydration to the body, and maintaining overall hygiene.

If you still get a case of watery eyes due to external factors such as pollution, there are some simple and easy home remedies that you can use to soothe your eyes.

6 Home Remedies To Stop Eyes From Watering

Here are 6 best home remedies that can provide instant relief from watery eyes:

Remedy 1: Warm compress

• Placing warm compresses over your closed eyes can provide immediate relief by soothing irritation and unclogging blocked tear ducts.
• The warmth encourages the flow of tears, helping to alleviate watery eyes.
• To make a warm compress at home, soak a clean cloth in lukewarm water, wring it out properly, and place it gently over your eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Remedy 2: Cucumbers

• The cooling and anti-inflammatory properties of cucumbers can work wonders for watery eyes.
• Cut small cucumber slices and place them over your closed eyes for about 10 minutes.
• The natural antioxidants in cucumbers help reduce puffiness and inflammation, offering a refreshing and soothing effect.

Remedy 3: Tea bags

• Tea bags containing chamomile or green tea can be your allies in combating watery eyes.
• After steeping the tea bags in boiling water, allow them to cool and place them on your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of tea can help soothe irritation, reduce redness, and minimise excessive tear production.

Remedy 4: Rosewater

• Rose water, renowned for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, can be a simple yet effective remedy for water eyes. 
• Place a few drops of pure rose water on a clean and soft cotton pad; now, gently rub it on your closed eyes.
• This can reduce redness, soothe irritation, and provide relief.

Remedy 5: Cold milk

• Cold milk can work wonders for reducing inflammation and soothing watery eyes.
• Dip cotton pads in cold milk and place them over your eyes for about 15 minutes.
• The cold temperature and proteins in milk can help alleviate irritation and promote comfort.

Remedy 6: Use a humidifier

• If dry air is causing watery eyes, using a humidifier in your living space can be incredibly beneficial.
• A humidifier helps maintain an optimal level of humidity, preventing dry eyes that can lead to excessive tear production.

Conclusion

Dealing with watery eyes doesn’t always require a trip to the doctor or a pharmacy. With these natural home remedies, you can find relief from discomfort and excessive tear production. However, if your watery eyes persist or worsen, it’s important to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying medical condition. Remember, identifying the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment and relief. In the meantime, these simple and accessible remedies can help you get back to enjoying clear and comfortable vision. And don't forget to safeguard your well-being with comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only. Please consult a medical or nutrition professional before making any significant changes in your daily diet. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any impact or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared. 

Facial swelling isn’t uncommon and may show up as a result of an injury, allergy, reaction to or a side effect of a medicine, an infection, or a different clinical circumstance.

But here’s the good news. There are numerous medical and non-medical methods you can use to lessen the swelling or inflammation.

In this article, we'll explore natural ways to reduce facial swelling and restore comfort.

Common Reasons for Swelling in Face

 Facial swelling can occur due to various reasons. Some of the common causes include-

1. Allergic Reactions: Pollens, dust, and certain foods or medication can cause allergies and lead to facial swelling, often accompanied by redness and hives.
2. Infections: Certain conditions, such as sinusitis or skin infections, can result in localised swelling in the face.
3. Fluid Retention: Excessive sodium in diet, hormonal fluctuations, and kidney disease that causes water retention can also result in facial swelling.
4. Medical Issues: Undetected health conditions such as thyroid or conjunctivitis are common causes of facial swelling.
5. Lifestyle Factors: Insomnia, dehydration, or overconsumption of alcohol can also cause facial swelling.
6. Injuries: Injuries caused by accidents, insect bites, or medical procedures can cause puffiness and swelling.

Quick Home Remedies to Reduce Facial Swelling

Waking up with a puffy face or swollen lips is not unusual for many people.

This can be the result of an excessive amount of salt in your diet, consumption of too much alcohol, dehydration, allergic reactions, mould, dust, pollen, hormone adjustments, and the manner in which you sleep with your face on the pillow. These can all increase inflammation, causing swelling.

When facial swelling is mild and caused by non-critical issues, there are several home remedies that you can try for quick relief-

1. Cold Compress

Use a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth and apply it on the inflamed area for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Elevation

Use an extra pillow to raise your head, as this reduces fluid accumulation in facial tissues and decreases facial puffiness.

3. Hydration

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to replenish your body and skin and flush out the excess sodium responsible for facial swelling.

4. Cucumber Slices

Cucumber slices have a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect. Apply chilled slices on the swollen area for 10 to 15 minutes to see the results.

5. Tea Bags

The tannins in the tea firm the skin and reduce swelling. Place green or black tea bags in the freezer for 5 minutes and apply them to your face.

6. Massage

Gently massage your face in upward motions. This stimulates lymphatic drainage and reduces swelling. You can use facial massage oils or coconut oil and aloe vera for added benefits.

7. Turmeric Paste

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce puffiness and bloating naturally. Add water or milk to turmeric powder and make a face pack. Apply it to your face, and wash with cold water after 15 minutes.

8. Salt Water Gargle

Gargling in the morning can help reduce swelling around the jawline and cheeks caused by dental issues.

9. Essential Oils

Lavender and chamomile oils are known for their calming properties. Mix the oils with a carrier oil such as coconut or castor oil and apply it to the swollen region for relief.

10. Stay Away from Triggers

Avoid allergens, processed foods, and alcohol that can cause inflammation and swelling. Choose a balanced diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids and protein-rich foods to keep bloating and inflammation at bay.

Conclusion

Facial swelling, also called oedema is a common reaction arising from several factors, from consuming salty food to underlying clinical conditions. Home remedies are available if swelling does not require on-the-spot medical intervention. If the swelling persists, consult a doctor at the earliest, and ensure your health insurance plan covers any necessary medical evaluations.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.

Frequent train accidents have been in the news for some time now. While most of us may believe the reason to be sabotage, the truth is far from it. An investigation into 1,018 consequential train accidents in the past eight years has revealed that only 4.7% of the total was caused by sabotage.

The findings state that a total of 1,940 lives were lost (2 deaths in every 3 days) due to these accidents and 3,200 passengers were injured. 4.7%, which means only 48 of the total 1,018 accidents were caused by sabotage, 42% (or 426 accidents) were due to ‘failure of other than railway staff’, and the largest share of 44% were caused by ‘failure of railway staff’.

The new healthcare body will look after the implementation of umbrella health insurance scheme, PMJAY

The government of India dissolved the existing healthcare body, National Health Agency and replaced it with National Health Authority for better implementation of Ayushman Bharat, the centre’s health insurance scheme for the poor. It will now directly oversee the government’s flagship scheme known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) aimed at providing umbrella healthcare policy to the Indian citizens.

The composition of the Governing Board of the National Health Authority (NHA) is broad-based with due representation from the government and domain experts, with the Union Health Minister of India as its chairman. Besides, the states shall also be represented on the board on rotational basis.

The government of Kerala has issued orders for the proper enforcement of Awaz, a health insurance scheme for migrant labourers. The scheme emphasises on timely data collection of migrant workers and helps in providing them health care facilities.

Under the scheme, all migrant workers are registered and given an identity card. The scheme is targeted towards migrant workers aged 18-60 years in various sectors and is an attempt by the state government to improve their lives.

All migrant labourers who join the scheme are entitled to a free medical treatment worth ₹15,000 in all government hospitals across the state. Besides, certain empanelled private hospitals will also provide medical treatment to these workers. The scheme includes accident coverage for the workers along with the health insurance plan.

The workers can reach out to the district labour officer to register a complaint and in the case of an appeal, they can address the labour commissioner. The labour department is to look after the distribution of identity card and enrolment of beneficiaries. Moreover, the district labour officer will oversee the implementation of the scheme at the district level.

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Understanding critical illnesses along with their treatment costs

Sourav was heading back towards his home after dropping his daughter to school. On his way back, he felt a pain in his chest and shortness of breath followed by dizziness. Before he realised what was happening, he fell on the ground and fainted. When his eyes opened, he was lying on a bed in a hospital. He had suffered a heart attack and had to undergo a bypass surgery. Luckily he survived.

As per a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, more than 12 lakh Indians lost their lives due to heart diseases in 2014 followed by lung diseases and strokes which killed approximately 10.5 lakhs and 9 lakhs people respectively.

Cancer took away 5.5 lakhs precious lives and other ailments pertaining to kidney, liver etc. took more than 6 lakhs lives. Approximately 5 million people in India fall prey to critical illnesses every year, equivalent to the population of New Zealand.

What Is A Critical Illness?

Serious illnesses and life threatening health conditions that not only adversely affect the health of an individual but also affect routine activities resulting in a serious loss of health and finances fall under the category of critical illness. Usually, insurance providers have a comprehensive list of ailments that are categorised as critical illness and it includes:

• Heart diseases
• Cancer
• Loss of speech, vision or hearing ability
• Paralysis
• Hepatitis
• Stroke
• Organ failure
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Severe burns
• Meningitis
• Organ transplants

These are just an indicative of critical illnesses and will vary depending on policy providers.

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which offers people much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

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