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The Impact of Doomscrolling on Health

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Entertainment is a crucial part of life; it helps individuals relax and unwind after a long day. In olden days, entertainment comprised spending time with friends and family, playing outside, spending time in nature, reading books, and watching movies. The social media era has replaced most of the entertainment with Digital entertainment. Digital entertainment in the form of short-form video clips like TikToks, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts has gained massive popularity recently, especially after the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdowns. These platforms are highly engaging due to the algorithm-driven content, which continuously curates videos based on user preferences. The short duration of videos, combined with infinite scrolling and autoplay features, often leads to prolonged screen time. As a result, people across all age groups—including children, adolescents, adults, and older individuals—now spend several hours daily on such content. This pattern of excessive, compulsive scrolli...
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Benefits of Flu shots

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 As summer ends, days get shorter, the air gets colder, and most people spend more time indoors. This is also when viruses circulate more and respiratory illnesses increase. As the flu season approaches, it is important to take measures to prevent and reduce influenza/flu cases. Taking a flu shot/vaccine is one of the best preventative steps that can be taken to protect oneself, family, and community from severe influenza illness. The flu/ influenza is not just a common cold. It is a contagious respiratory illness that causes fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, sore throat, and headaches. It is highly contagious and can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. In addition, it can also spread through contaminated surfaces and direct physical contact with an infected individual. During flu season, it is highly likely to contract the disease through sick family members, co-workers, and even public spaces. Thus, taking a ...
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Sleep Hygiene and its Importance

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Sleep is a crucial biological process necessary for the body’s rest and repair. Today, with the increasing demands of modern life, increased workload, stress, increased screen time, and social media, sleep is neglected by many individuals. People are not aware or conscious of the significant impact of sleep on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Thus, understanding and implementing Sleep Hygiene is critical to ensure quality sleep. What is Sleep hygiene? Sleep hygiene includes healthy habits, behaviours, and environmental factors to ensure high-quality, consistent, uninterrupted, and restorative sleep. Sleep hygiene includes - ● Maintaining a strict sleep routine - It is important to maintain a strict routine in going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps set the body’s internal clock, i.e., circadian rhythm, and helps with a better quality of sleep. ● Avoiding caffeine later in the day - Avoid coffee, tea, and all caffeinated beverages i...
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Exercise and its Role in Fighting Diseases

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In today’s fast-paced world, a sedentary lifestyle has become very common.  Incorporating exercise into our daily routine and dedicating time to exercise are  crucial. Unlike in the past, when daily activity was a natural part of the routine, we  must now consciously incorporate exercise into our routines for a healthy life. Today’s  lifestyle, sedentary living, stress, and poor nutrition have contributed to the surge of  diseases like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, stroke, mental health diseases, and  cancer. Exercise is an important, accessible, and powerful tool for preventing disease,  maintaining health, and improving quality of life. Understanding the role of exercise  in mitigating the risks associated with conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cancer,  Alzheimer’s, stroke, and heart disease is necessary to adopt regular exercise in our  lifestyle. What is Exercise? Exercise is any planned, structured, and repetitive physical a...
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Hydration and Heart Health: The importance of Water and Electrolytes in Heart Health

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As the temperature increases, it is important to maintain hydration and take adequate water  and electrolytes to support overall health. Water and electrolytes are necessary for human  survival, but their role in maintaining heart health is often overlooked. The heart is not only a  muscular pump but also an electrically driven organ that depends on a precise fluid and  electrolyte balance to function well. Adequate hydration with water and optimal levels of  electrolytes like sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are essential for  maintaining blood pressure, normal cardiac rhythm, and overall heart health. The importance of Water in Heart Health - ● The cardiovascular system relies on water to maintain blood volume and circulation. The blood plasma is mostly composed of water, and adequate hydration ensures that the blood flows smoothly through the blood vessels, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste materials. On the...
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Protein Deficiency: common signs, and how to fix it

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We have all heard the importance of getting enough protein in our diets, but  why exactly do we need protein? And how much protein is required daily?  Protein is one of the most essential nutrients required for the proper functioning  of the body. Protein is known as the fundamental building block of life. It plays a crucial role in muscle growth, tissue repair, and the production of enzymes and hormones. It also helps in maintaining a strong immune system and healthy skin, hair, and nails. Despite its importance, protein deficiency is prevalent in many parts of the World today. This may be in underdeveloped or developing countries with famine, malnutrition, and lack of access to nutritious food, or in developed countries with individuals with restrictive diets, unhealthy diets, or eating disorders. Understanding protein deficiency, identifying its signs, and taking steps proactively to prevent and manage protein deficiency are essential in avoiding long-term health compl...
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Hantavirus Andes Strain: Risks, Symptoms, and Prevention

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What is Hantavirus, and what is the Andes strain? Hantavirus is a group of viruses transmitted to humans primarily through infected wild rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. In the Americas, infection can lead to a severe respiratory illness - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). The Andes strain is a specific Hantavirus strain found in South America that can be transmitted from person to person through close, prolonged contact with an infected individual.  Who is at risk of Hantavirus and how to prevent it? Individuals at the highest risk of acquiring Hantavirus are those who work/live in rodent-infested environments. This may include hikers, campers, farmers, pest control workers, construction workers, and individuals cleaning old sheds, cabins, and barns, which may be rodent-infested. The best way to reduce risk is to avoid rodent-infested environments whenever possible.  To avoid rodent infestation, seal all possible entry points for rodents, remove food sources that may at...
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