All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Coping with financial stress

How to cope up with Financial stress

We all deal with financial problems, stress and uncertainty during different stages of our lives. Financial problem could be due to loss of job, medical expenses or unexpected expenses, house repair, education fee, school donation etc. Such situations could cause struggle, hardship and stress in life.

Financial issues take toll on both mental and physical health, relationships and quality of life. Losing job can result in loss of self-esteem, not having enough balance to fulfill family needs can bring down energy levels. Sometimes if the life partner does not understand the situation, it could strain the relationship with everyday arguments and unhappiness. What is the solution for this? To ease stress levels, it is always better to tackle money problems head on.

What effects financial stress will have on health and life?

  • Sleepless nights
  • Depression
  • Unhappiness and anxiety
  • Weight loss or weight gain
  • Physical problems
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Drinking, drugs, gambling etc.

How to deal with financial crisis?

  1. Talk to a person who understands your situation – The person need not to lend money but be there with you, listen to you and able to understand your emotions and difficulties. The person might be able to come up with some suggestions or guide you what you should be doing.
  2. Talking to family – It is crucial to get family support. Often family members step in to help. It could be reducing the cost, for time being the other adult can take up a temporary job to support needs. Explaining to children about the situation in words that may help to understand why there are some restrictions on spending money.
  3. Spend time with family and friends – don’t stop spending time with families and friends. Find ways to entertain children in inexpensive ways. Go to park, take them for ice cream, play games -if friends invite visit them. This will relieve stress.
  4. Give attention to spending – list the debts and try to pay the dues as much as you can. Sometimes monthly installment payments are allowed – make use of it. Reduce spending on unnecessary items. Instead of going out for dining, consider preparing food at home. Start saving on things like drinking, smoking and nonessential spending like window shopping.
  5. Find out recruiters in the area or which company is hiring – get ready with resume, update resume, references and apply for jobs. Contacting recruiters and employment agencies helps to stand in a job. Develop network, talk to your ex-colleagues, friends, try to meet people who are working in your professional to show interest.
  6. Find a temporary job – if you have lost job or need another job look for a part time job that will help to fulfill your needs and brings additional money.
  7. Right time to work on budget – So far when you had job, you were spending. Now with financial issues, set up a monthly budget that helps to keep track of spending as well as gives you sense of control. Set up a spreadsheet for monthly and annual expenses. Include all everyday expenses, rent, utility bills, car payment, medical bills, school fees etc. in the budget. To avoid late fees, set up automatic bill payment. Regularly review the budget and spending.
  8. Get support from family – Inform about the budget and essential spending. Encourage them to have control on spending. Talk to them about what you want to achieve by setting up budget and what is your financial goal is.
  9. Manage stress by walking, watching TV, meditation, volunteering, meeting people, focusing on healthy eating, and keeping negative thoughts away.

Like any other situations, financial stress also is a temporary situation. Till the situation improves, one need to focus on health, how to overcome stress, keeping up hopes and positive attitude. Do not give up and do not get disappointed, there will be always something better will be waiting for you, you need to have patience and find ways to improve and come out from financial stress.

Image credit: Image by Andrew Khoroshavin from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 22, 2023
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Baby eye protection

Safety And Protection of Baby’s Eyes

Protecting a baby’s eyes from the beginning means after baby’s delivery is essential for baby’s overall health and well-being. To ensure the safety and protection of a baby’s eyes here are some simple suggestions and tips.

Avoid direct sunlight: Protect a baby’s eyes from direct sunlight, especially during the peak hours of UV radiation (usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). Use a stroller with a canopy or a baby hat that shades the eyes. If you’re outdoors, find a shady spot.

Use baby sunglasses: When spending time outdoors, consider using baby sunglasses that provide protection against harmful UV rays. Look for sunglasses labeled as “UV 400” to ensure they block both UVA and UVB rays.

Be cautious with flash photography: Avoid using a camera flash directly in a baby’s face, as it can be harsh on their eyes. If using a camera with a flash, maintain a reasonable distance or turn off the flash when taking close-up photos.

Ensure a safe sleep environment: Create a safe sleep environment for the baby by placing them on their back to sleep. Avoid using toys or loose bedding that might accidentally cover their face.

Protect from household hazards: Babyproof the home to prevent accidents. Keep harmful substances, cleaning products, and sharp objects out of reach to minimize the risk of eye injuries.

Use soft lighting at night: When attending to the baby at night, use soft, dim lighting to reduce the strain on their eyes and promote a calming sleep environment.

Be cautious with toys: Choose age-appropriate toys that do not have small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Ensure that toys do not have sharp edges or points that could accidentally harm the baby’s eyes.

Monitor screen time: Limit screen time for babies, as excessive exposure to screens may have negative effects on their eyes and overall development. If screen time is unavoidable, follow guidelines provided by pediatricians.

Maintain regular checkups: Schedule regular eye checkups with a pediatrician or an eye care professional. Early detection of eye issues can help in prompt intervention and treatment.

Clean hands: Ensure that hands are clean when handling the baby, especially before touching their face or eyes. This helps prevent the spread of infections.

If you notice any signs of eye discomfort, redness, excessive tearing, or other abnormalities, consult with pediatrician promptly. Regular checkups and vigilant care contribute to the overall eye health and safety of a baby.

Image credit: Image by Adina Voicu from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/users/adinavoicu-485024/)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 21, 2023
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Farm to table

Improve Your Health -Eat Locally Grown Food – Farm To Table Movement

Farm to table is a food production and consumption concept that emphasizes the direct sourcing of fresh, locally grown or produced food from farmers and producers to consumers, typically through restaurants or markets. The idea behind this concept is to reduce the distance and time between when food is harvested or produced and when it is consumed. This approach is often seen to promote sustainability, support local agriculture, and provide consumers with fresher and more flavorful food. The farm to table movement is gaining more momentum in recent years. It is also known as Farm to Fork.

Improve your health by consuming locally grown food.

In simple words Farm to table means “Food comes directly from the local farms without going through grocery store, market, or a mediator / distribution center on the way. Farm to table is not regulated and anyone can be employed by anyone. Sometimes grocery stores misuse the term. Stores display “locally grown” “directly from local farm”. If someone buys locally grown produce from a store, it does not represent Farm to table concept.

The idea of the farm to table movement was originated by Mr. Colin M. Selph. Mr. Selph coined the term in the early 1900s. Selph was the president of Postmasters association and was a postmaster at St. Louis, USA.  In a statement made by Selph, it shows how serious was the concept – “now we handle approximately 15000 packages of farm products and perishable material each day. We seldom have any damage. We deliver packages and parcels the first day received by special Government – owned automobile service. The method gives the city folk fresh produce daily from the country.”

In 1971 American pioneer Alice Waters started a food revolution with the opening of her restaurant, Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, California. Alice used locally grown, seasonal produces as ingredients in her restaurant dishes.  Nutritionists suggest that we should be eating seasonally available food. One big advantage of Farm to table is farmers grow seasonal produces and supply that to community. This helps people to get not only the fresh produce but also helps to avoid consumption of processed foods.

In other parts of the world including India, Farm to table concept has gained momentum in past decade. There are many restaurants in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai who use locally grown produces, delivered by local farmers in their restaurants. The foods these restaurants serve contain locally grown farm vegetables.

Key aspects of the farm to table movement include:

Local sourcing: Restaurants, markets, and other food establishments that embrace the farm to table philosophy aim to source their ingredients from local farms and producers. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and supports local economies.

Organic produces: Fresh produces available through farm to table can be totally organic and price could be reasonable. It promotes organic production at the local farms.

Seasonal and fresh produce: The menu or product offerings in a farm to table setting often change with the seasons, as the emphasis is on serving the freshest and most in-season produce and ingredients.

Transparency: There is often a focus on transparency in the sourcing of ingredients. Consumers are encouraged to know where their food comes from and how it was produced.

Supporting sustainable agriculture: The farm to table movement promotes sustainable farming practices, including organic farming, responsible land stewardship, and humane treatment of animals.

Community engagement: Many farms to table initiatives seek to build a stronger connection between consumers and the local food producers by offering opportunities for community engagement, such as farm tours or farmer’s markets.

Culinary creativity: Chefs in farm to table restaurants often create menus based on the ingredients available locally and seasonally, leading to creative and unique dishes.

Farm to table practices can vary from one establishment to another, and it is often associated with a commitment to quality, health, and sustainability. This movement has gained popularity as people become more interested in knowing where their food comes from, as well as supporting local agriculture and reducing the environmental impact of the food supply chain.

References:

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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