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Self-care during Times of Pandemic

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With an increasing number of people getting isolated because of social distancing or quarantine, the ‘free-time’ that we have can be overwhelming and mentally isolating at times. 

Between the constant news alerts, memes and numerous WhatsApp forwards, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious and tense because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With too much time in your hand, it gets all the more important to take care of oneself.

 

Routine for the win

There is too much uncertainty right now. While you cannot control the situation around, you can take charge of your daily actions and form a routine. Getting enough sleep and proper nutrition, video calling loved ones, prayer, and breathwork makes one feel better. Opt for indoor exercises, solo dance and singing sessions. 

 

Get Creative

The best way to divert one’s mind from negative thoughts is to spend creative quality time with oneself. Read, research, draw, paint, sing, dance, cook – anything that you like, now is the time to start it again. Pick up a new hobby – you could learn a new instrument, a different language or try gardening maybe. 

self-care illustration aishwaryaa

Image Credits: Abbey Lossing

 

Political Science student at SGTB Khalsa College, Suhani says, “I’ve begun painting. I’m trying to focus on learning new things. I go through online courses and tutorials. It keeps me productive and distracted from all the other things.” 

You could also start a journal. It doesn’t have to be all Tumblr-ish fancy – begin with writing the best and worst things about your day, something you are grateful for or a new skill that you learnt. Make a list of things you’ve always wanted to do, it’ll be a reminder when boredom or anxiety starts kicking in.

 

Connect and reconnect, virtually though

While you are at a ‘social distance’ from your loved ones, you should still be connected to your college friends, old school friends, cousins and family. Set up video calls or write them an email. Form a Netflix party or binge read books together – trust me, there is no better time than this to reconnect with them. In the hectic college days, we often miss out on family time. Amidst the lockdown, now that everyone is probably working from home, talk to your parents and grandparents. Go through old pictures and revisit those memories. 

Prachi, a second-year student at Indraprastha College for Women says, “I’ve been helping my mother with cooking all the meals and it actually helps me spend a lot of time. We talk and our bonding has improved so much. Learning new recipes is almost a therapy now.”

Learning to use technology in a socially healthy way is crucial in times like these. React to stories, share memes and write good things about each other – a little online kindness certainly goes a long way.

 

News and Alerts

There are a whole lot of rumors, fake news and solutions about the virus that keep circulating. Because it’s crucial to stay informed, refer to news from official sources only. However stop when you feel it is getting too much. Take a break. It can get upsetting to see the updates, videos and images repeatedly. 

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following are common signs of distress –

  • Feeling of numbness, fear or anxiety
  • Changes in energy levels and appetite
  • Difficulty in sleeping due to upsetting thoughts
  • Nervousness

Look out for these and talk to your closed ones about it. It gets important to let it out. However, remember friends and family are not therapists. Seek professional help if the need arises. William James had said, “The greatest weapon against stress is your ability to choose one thought over another.”

While the pandemic is expected to persist, you must stay composed and spending quality time with yourself can help the most. Preserve your mental health while avoiding physical proximity.

 

Feature Image Credits: Hannah Jacobs for Yahoo Beauty

Aishwaryaa Kunwar

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DUB Speak

Self-Care During Exams: Tips and Guidance

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Exams are one of the most stressful times in a college student’s life. Here are some tips to help you get through this time.

One of the most important things to avoid during exams is looking at how much your friends are studying (and not studying) and base your schedule around that. One of the most important things to realise is that everyone has different methods and times when they are productive, and you should build your own personal study schedule around that. Remember to incorporate sleep and breaks into this schedule.

Aditya, B.A programme student, from Kirori Mal College, when asked for his approach to self-care, says, “The most important thing in exam season is self-care. We can only get so much done for exams if we take care of our minds and body. The first step towards self-care is getting enough sleep. Many students compromise on sleep during exams which isn’t healthy. Breaks should be taken while studying and activities like walking and talking to someone help. It is important to remember that exams are not everything. It’s okay to be stressed a little bit, but not okay for it to take a toll on our mental health.”

When you are studying, make sure that you are well hydrated and not hungry as this can really impede one’s focus. Yogesh, a B. Com Programme student, from second-year, stresses that it is important to keep a bottle of water and a snack handy while you are studying. He also stresses that pulling all-nighters are detrimental and how it is better to wake up earlier and study.

One of the most important aspects of taking care of yourself during exams is making sure that you don’t bring too many changes to your daily schedule. In the sense, that your sleep schedule and meal schedule are not disturbed too much. This can have a lot of physical and mental effects.

Exams can be very stressful and so, it is important to take care of your mental health. One way to do that is to ensure that you don’t stop doing the things that make you happy. Go for a walk, listen to music, watch some of your favourite shows, get some fresh air, and do whatever makes you happy. Make sure you know who you can count on as your support system. Friends and family members who you can count on for motivation, help or simply lend an ear to your rants. They will be key to survive the torturous exam season.

 

Featured Image Credits: ConnecTeen

 

Prabhanu Kumar Das

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Skincare Hacks for Students

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Finally, after a long delay, an intense and fairly elongated wave of humid monsoons has hit the National Capital. It has brought several skin-related problems that need to be addressed.

Despite the declaration of a dry monsoon for North India, Delhi has witnessed several spells of monsoon rains. The students, who are exposed to the humidity for about 10 hours each day, have been complaining of skin and hair problems. These are triggers that need to be checked, before they shoot into major allergies or infections.

Aditya from Hindu College said, “My skin has become relatively more oily and my hair more sticky. With a busy schedule and packed timetable for college every day, it is increasingly difficult to take care of my skin properly. Plus my pocket money doesn’t allow me to buy expensive products, so I usually use milk and honey, and some besan to prepare a pack, that keeps the skin hydrated and also reduces the stickiness.”

Products like face masks, scrubs, face wash, face packs, shampoos and conditioners, and toners are helpful, but it becomes difficult for students to buy them from expensive, and upmarket brands. But as Kashvi, from Kirori Mal College suggested, brands like Khadi Bharat, MiniSo, and Patanjali provide quality products at much cheaper rates, and have a better and long-lasting impact (not to forget that they’re organic!). They help in controlling the sebaceous activity and reducing oiling on the skin.

The other option is home remedies. Popular belief associates home remedies for skincare to be a part of the knowledge of mothers and grandmothers. However, these home remedies have time and again proven to be effective. For the arsenal of the University students who want to take care of their skin, two essentials are haldi (turmeric), and rosewater. Rosewater is an amazing anti-oxidant and works as an amazing toner. Bottled rosewater can be used as a super cheap substitute. For those students who are inclined towards do-it-yourself options, recipes to make rosewater are available online, which are quite simple to follow.

Turmeric is known mostly as a spice for food, but people fail to realise that it is great to combat acne and pimples. To make a turmeric face mask, turmeric needs to be mixed with a liquid, like lemon juice, which acts as an astringent; raw honey, which is known for its antimicrobial properties; or milk, which can be used to brighten the skin. Use these face packs once or twice a week, and you will soon start seeing results. This is top-notch and, on a budget too, as the ingredients are already available in your kitchen, or in the local grocery store.

Turmeric is known mostly as a spice for food, but people fail to realise that it is great to combat acne and pimples. To make a turmeric face mask, turmeric needs to be mixed with a liquid, like lemon juice, which acts as an astringent; raw honey, which is known for its antimicrobial properties; or milk, which can be used to brighten the skin. Use these face packs once or twice a week, and you will soon start seeing results. This is top-notch and, on a budget too, as the ingredients are already available in your kitchen, or in the local grocery store.

 

Feature Image Credits: Stylecraze

 

Yaksh Handa

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Prabhanu Kumar Das

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DUB Speak

Summers and Self-Care

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Make this summer the most unforgettable one by knowing yourself more, and doing what you love. Here is a checklist that you can’t miss to make your summers unforgettable.

The longer days in summers mean more time to take care of the wonderful you. Make use of these summers to do everything that your busy schedule doesn’t allow you otherwise. Take out time for yourselves, try to know more about your own self and practice self-care. Going on beaches and pools is something that you’ve been doing for years; so try doing something new this time. Slow down and unwind. Here are a few tips for nurturing yourself this summer.

  • Take a Break From Technology:

Summer is a time when everything seems to slow down and thus, it can be a good time to take a break from constant use of technology. Try meeting people in person instead of texting them on WhatsApp. Take a day off from Instagram, Facebook, and all other social media platforms and give yourself a chance to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones.

  • Write:

If you do not already own a journal, then go buy one and pen down your thoughts, ideas, and feelings in it. Write down everything about your life. Journaling relieves you from stress. If you are new to journaling, then start with a gratitude journal in which you can write down about three things you are grateful about, followed by writing the emotional acts and feelings experienced by you throughout the day.

  • Click and Capture:

Summers and photography tend to go hand-in-hand. If you love to capture nature, then go out early morning and capture the sunrise. Click pictures of the pretty flowers that bloom in this month of happiness. Try to get the perfect shot of the sunset. Take your friends out and click good pictures of them to make their Instagram profile a little more colourful.

  • Sketch, Draw, and Paint:

Art is something that provides our mind with peace. Creating and enjoying art has a lot of health benefits as well. It reduces stress and calms down your mind. Painting is a wonderful way of practicing self-care as it lets us know a lot about ourselves. The colours we use and the designs we make reflect the choices that we make in life. To make art is to make choices and making choices necessitates ourselves to pay attention to which elements please us and which do not please us.

  • Binge Watch:

Catch up on all the movies and TV shows that you’ve missed because of your exams, and watch the ones you love all over again. Binge watching shows is a non-isolating way to practice self-care, so make a list of all the shows you need to watch this summer, fall in love with those characters and make them a part of your life.

  • Read More and More:

Reading is an escape for many people, it lets you explore the world without really leaving your room. It provides you with an opportunity to unplug from the world, run away from all the real-life problems for some time and learn something new. If you are not a movie person and someone who doesn’t like noise, then reading is the best way to practice self-care for you. Being involved in a book provides time to our body and mind to relax, rest and get ready for whatever comes next.

  • Travel and Explore:

Take out some time for a vacation or a staycation. Go out and explore new places, meet new people and learn to see things from a different dimension. Taking a break from everyday life and travelling will give you time to think about yourself and it will make you aware of what you really want in life.

  • Redo Your Room 

Your bedroom can be transformed into a self-care sanctuary by making a few changes. Start with decorating your room with everything you like and give it a new, pleasing look with decent lighting. Imagine an ideal relaxation scenario and convert your bedroom into the same. Remove all the things that prevent your mind from unwinding and make it a work-free zone in order to make it a happy place.

  • Meditate:

Meditate, spend time alone and introspect. Meditation helps us both physically and emotionally. It connects us to our inner self and helps improve and mental and spiritual well-being. It is the perfect practice of sustainable self-care as it is an investment in not just your own personal well-being but also the well-being of others. Once in a while, it is necessary to slow down to focus on yourself. Taking time to channel your inner peace will give you the energy to enjoy the rest of your day.

 

There is no better time to start taking care of yourself than right now. So start right away by doing one small thing for yourself. Have a relaxing, refreshing and fun summer!

 

Image Credits: Social Worker

 

Priya Chauhan

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Hacks To Keep You Nifty This August

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The August weather is unpredictable and can put a damper on your style and overall well-being.  Don’t let the tyrannies of the season subdue your fashion drive with these amazing hacks.

  • Choose the right fabric – Faux leather is prone to peeling upon contact with moisture. Suede is a big no as the velvety texture can grab dirt, removing which might ruin your shoes.  Synthetics dry in no time and cotton absorbs sweat. Go for shorts or ankle-length bottoms to keep the edges from dipping into substances. Avoid heavy fabrics. Brighter garments make you stand out in the crowd.
  • Wear minimal makeup – A fresh, no make-up face could be the most carefree way to enjoy monsoon but if you absolutely have to use makeup, don’t go overboard with it! Choose tinted moisturisers over full-coverage foundations. Mascaras and eyeliners should be waterproof at all costs. Tinted balms give your lips a fruity, bubblegummy wash of colour. Lip stains could minimise the risk of looking like you just had a make out session.
  • Take care of your jewelry – Make your lackluster silver jewelry brand new again by brushing it with some toothpaste. Refrain from using street-bought jewelry as it could corrode and leave a nasty green residue on your skin. Get a hold of some beady necklaces in various colours so that you have something for each outfit. You could even try the lightweight wooden bangles if you are going for an earthy, non-fussy look.
  • Hair-care should be a priority – Excessive styling products can not only make your hair greasy from the humidity but also build up on the scalp and hair causing dandruff and breakage. To tame the frizz and avoid stray hair getting all over your face and neck, apply styling mousse on freshly washed hair and diffuse to create ringlets that hold together, finish with some hair serum. If you’re on a budget, take a dollop of body lotion or two drops of non-sticky oil, rub between palms and run over hair. Choose from an array of ‘gym hairdos’ such as top knots, double Dutch braids and fishtail ponies to keep your hair in place. Avoid abrasive hair accessories and last but not the least, do not comb wet hair. 
  • Look out for your books – To keep books from getting dog-eared, store them in waterproof zip folders, available in stylish designs and neon colours. If you want to continue with canvas bag packs, try the old school method of lining the insides of your bag with polythene. Don’t forget to experiment with trendy umbrellas and raincoats! While raincoats may be a hassle to carry, compact umbrellas fit easily inside bags. Choose from a range of quirky prints and bright colours to pop in some cheer during the sombre weather.
  • Do not forget essential skincare – Blending sunscreen into your skin is a task, especially if you’re hairy but don’t skip on it! Even if the sun isn’t visible, harmful sun rays could still penetrate through the clouds. Choose a cream based sunscreen, preferably waterproof too, with an SPF of at least 30.
  • Carry a newspaper along – Regardless of whether you’re a newspaper person, you might want to carry one along. Apart from their primary purpose, they serve as excellent mats, saving our books and butts from getting wet. And if your drenched footwear won’t stop squeaking like a rat, crumple a page, stuff into your shoe and you’re good to go! Keep wet wipes napkins handy to tissue off mud stains.
  • Look out for yourself – The season also comes with its share of blisters. Thigh chaffing or the popularly known ‘chub rubs’ are burns caused by friction between the thighs, which aggravates due to sweat.  Abstain from tight clothes that cause discomfort. For the painful shoe bites, wear socks and carry enough band aids. Fungal infections are fairly common during the season. Avoid stepping into puddles, dry your shoes well and give your feet regular pedicures. Refrain from padded bras as they soak sweat and moisture, becoming a hub for bacteria. Carry a travel sized deodorant to keep body odour away.

These hacks will ensure that the unpredictable, sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy weather of August does not affect your style or overall comfort.

Feature Image Credits – Pinterest

Ananya Acharya

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5 Things to Remember When Life Knocks You Down

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It is on multiple occasions that life knocks you down and all you can do is lie in a pool of tears till you muster enough strength to get back up. It is easy to feel that life is miserable and that you’re never getting over this, however, some reminders can make it seem easier and less dramatic.

1. You aren’t alone

I need you to remember that you are just one amongst many people that life has knocked down. In fact, all the people in the world have felt the way you are feeling right now. However, some of them have reached the pinnacles of happiness and others are going down the lane of depression. I need you to go and study the struggle stories of successful people, right after you are done reading this. And, I need you to follow that path. Don’t tell yourself you can’t do it. They have been exactly where you are and they did it. So can you.

2. You have a Purpose

When you are down on the floor, gasping for breath, you will find a reason to get back up when you find a purpose. Do not be intimidated by that term. A purpose can be one for life or one for the day. The important bit is to find it. Do not overthink. Go out there and explore. To find your purpose is not to think about it for a day or month. It can be taking care of your dog, running a blog, spreading smiles, or doing whatever makes you happy. Just create your purpose and let it become your drive!

3. You are lucky

Now, this might be the most ridiculous thing that can be said to a struggling person. But it really is true. Imagine not struggling at all. That’s what you want, right? Or imagine struggling only as much as you can “take it”. Now, imagine the entire world being able to talk about, relate to, and be concerned about the issues of unbearable struggle. And you, just not being able to figure out what they are saying because you haven’t struggled enough.
You would lose touch with reality and humanity. You would desperately want to feel what all the other humans are able to feel. Whatever you are struggling with right now is going to make you a stronger person, no matter what. You may temporarily feel weak, but you’ll emerge a stronger person. In all success stories, you’ll find one thing in common: struggle. So hey, that’s one checkbox ticked on your path to success!

4. You have a Savior 

And that person is not your best friend, your parent, or your therapist. No, no, not your God either. Your savior is you.
Do not underestimate the effect you have on yourself! It is eventually you who decides what to take in and what not to. The decision may be conscious or unconscious, but it is yours! You are your own savior because you are with yourself all the time. You are your own savior because no one can step into your mind except you. You are your savior because eventually, the person who you have to spend your every second, entire life with is you. You are your biggest influence. And if you feel your savior is not doing a very good job, maybe it is time to change for the sake of yourself.

5. It is not that serious

In spite of everything that happens in life, life goes on. It is our mind which creates the entire aura of seriousness around a situation most of the time when it did not exist in the first place. Most of the time, the situation ceases to remain serious when it becomes the past. You can laugh at the most ‘serious’ situations in life afterward. And even if what you are going through is very grave, five years from now, it won’t hurt that much. Do not get me wrong. I am not saying your situation isn’t dire. All I want to say is, don’t equate your life to your struggles. You are more than that.

 

Feature Image Credits: Mindful

Khyati Sanger
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