Swathy and Sky

Dry Skin Causes and how to heal it? {Skin Care}

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Beginning of Navratres (Indian festival which precedes Dusshera) signify the start of fall for me. The end of October signifies winter season and shivratri signifies the upcoming spring season. Yeah, I know it is actually holi but the thing is Hyderabad gets hot so quickly that there is literally no spring but only summers and rainy season starts in the mid of June.
This is my seasonal mind and body clock. Of course, things work very differently in the real life, thanks to the global warming 🙂
Anyways, since the fall is already here, have you noticed your skin drying up more than usual? Well, my skin has been getting drier and drier since the weather has given way to rains. And, I thought I would share some of the tips to avoid dry skin. Well, you might already be aware of some or all of them but let me just reiterate them!

Hair Removal

Waxing or shaving are both drying for skin so whenever you do it, make sure you treat the skin gently and thoroughly afterwards. 
After waxing, wash the area with warm water and follow with ice cubes and aloevera gel in case of irritation and moisturise there after. 
For shaving, a better and natural option is to use homemde shaving oil made of castor and coconut oil. 

Dry Brushing and Exfoliation

Well, it is extremely important to remove the dead skin cells so that you can allow the skin to heal and regenerate. 
Dry Brushing is my favourite way of getting rid of the dead skin cells but you can also use homemade scrubs or the commercial ones available in the market. 

Massages

Get some oil on your skin. Almond oil is rich in Vitamin E, coconut oil is rich in fatty acids important for skin and sesame oil is the recommended ayurvedic therapy for skin. Use essential oils for a relaxing and luxurious therapy. Do this after dry brushing for more effectiveness.

Turn down the shower temperature and time

Reduce the heat of the bath water and the length of time you take your shower. Hot water is extremely drying and helps the skin to age quickly. Make it warm and short and extremely relaxing.

Use natural products

Whether it is your soap or face wash or the body lotion you use, try to get the natural and organic products. Alcohol toners are a strict no no. And, natural oils are the best moisturisers. 

Over indulgence is bad!

Do not exfoliate your skin daily or over do on the AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliators or peels. Even fruit based face masks like papaya or pineapple or sugarcane juice must be used sparingly. It is best to stick to besan + milk as lactic acid is milder than others. Also, people with acne must be careful and not use dairy products.

Applying body lotions and creams

If the regular watery and light body lotions are not sufficing your skin dryness, you should really check out the body butter segment or go for cocoa based products. 
If you have cocoa butter or shea butter available, you can also make yourself some of the products!! Don’t forget to apply the products repeatedly in case you feel really dry.

Try to find products with ceramides. They are the protein molecules which make up the lipids layer of the skin along with other elements.

Avoid airconditioning

Absolutely impossible for people in corporates but a regular application of products combined with a good diet really helps.

Shift to dry fruits for snacking

Carry a handful of nuts in your purses so that you may gorge on them when you feel hungry and let your skin also feel supple. Vitamin E helps moisturise your skin from inside. 

Drinking Water

Well, hydration always beats dryness from inside. 

Use silk instead of cotton

Well, not only for hair but silk bedsheets and pillows both help your skin as well because they do not absorb the moisture from your skin. So next time you get your bedsheets, make sure they are of silk or a cheaper alternative is satin.   

Cottons and wools increase static in the skin. The undergarments can be a good quality satin, instead to prevent drying of skin.

Also try to avoid cotton towels.

Diffusers are a good option in winters

Humidifiers and diffusers which constantly introduce water into the atmosphere are a good option. 
Diffusers are amazing, in my opinion, as you can use essential oils and they create an extremely relaxing environment in the house while purifying it.

Hormonal Imbalances

Menopause, PMS, thyroid or any other imbalance in the body may make the skin dry. So, regular exercise is important to make sure the hormones act properly in the body. 

What are your tips and tricks to beat dry skin?

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Exercising and Pregnancy {Pregnancy} [Part – II]

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Read the previous part of this series here.

Guest Post by Punam

Changes associated with pregnancy

There are many changes that take place during pregnancy. Some will affect your ability to exercise.
  • Hormones such as relaxin loosen ligaments which could increase your risk of joint injuries (for example, sprains).
  • As pregnancy progresses, weight increase combines with changes in weight distribution and body shape. This results in the body’s centre of gravity moving forward, which can alter balance and coordination.
  • Pregnancy increases your resting heart rate, so it is not recommended to use target heart rate to work out the intensity of your exercise. In healthy pregnant women, exercise intensity can be monitored using a method known as Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE). This measures how hard you feel (perceive) your body is working.
  • Your blood pressure drops in the second trimester, so it is important to avoid rapid changes of position – from lying to standing, and vice versa – so as not to experience dizzy spells.

 

General exercise suggestions during pregnancy

It is important to discuss your exercise plan with your doctor, as each pregnancy is different. In general, healthy women who have uncomplicated pregnancies can continue their previous exercise program after consultation with a doctor. It is also now considered safe to start a new exercise program during pregnancy if given the all-clear by your doctor.
If you have been cleared to exercise, it is recommended that you:
  • Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (according to the Perceived Exertion Scale) on most, if not all, days of the week.
  • Do no more than three sessions per week of vigorous exercise by the third trimester.
  • Let your body be your guide. You know you’re at a good intensity when you can talk normally and not become exhausted too quickly.
  • Be guided by your doctor, physiotherapist or health care professional.

Suggested exercise activities during pregnancy

Activities that are generally safe during pregnancy, even for beginners, include:
  • Walking
  • Swimming
  • Cycling – outdoors or on a stationary bicycle
  • Exercise in water (aquarobics)
  • Yoga
  • Stretching
  • Dancing (this was my favorite activity)
  • Pilates
  • Pregnancy exercise classes (they help the most because you get expert advise and exchange experience with other pregnant women)
Some activities like running and strength training are safe when done in moderation by pregnant women, especially if they had been actively participating in these activities prior to pregnancy.

What do you say about pregnancy and exercising? 

Punam is currently busy with her second baby and I wish she will soon come on board with more articles like these. She blogs at be beautiful with Punam. 
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Books 2014 Vol. 8 – “The Sealed Letter” by Emma Donoghue [Weekend Post]

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the sealed letter by emma donoghue book review

I love sensational novels. I think we all love sensationalism. We thrive on it, in fact. That is what makes the city times and page 3 circulated far more than the regular newspapers get read. So, when I came across the book, I instantly knew I wanted to read it.
The book is based on the famous divorce case, Henry Codrington vs Helen Condrington, of 1864 in England on the grounds of infidelity on part of the wife, Helen. It was the time when women empowerment movement was gathering quite a bit of attention and Emily Faithfull, a major player in the above divorce case, was an active member of the movement.
The Plot
Emily Faithfull encounters Helen one day on her way to the press. And, that leads to bittersweet reconciliation between two long lost friends. As the story moves on, we and Emily both get to know that Helen’s cavalier, Col. Anderson, and Helen are having a hushed affair and Emily is a unsuspecting promoter of this affair. 
Helen portrays herself as an ill-used wife of Henry Codrington and a devoted mother of her two girls. While the latter was true to a degree, the first was a twisted version of the reality. The relationship between Codrington and his wife had reached to a cooling degree of affection but it was as much the responsibility of the flirtatious wife as much as the aloof husband. 

the sealed letter by emma donoghue book review

But, till a telegram of importance does not get answered to by Helen does Henry think his wife to be cheating on him. Once the suspicion gets rooted, Henry employs a detective to follow his wife and report her movements. Everything was above reproach till she makes a slip and what follows is the infamous courtroom drama. 
To secure her side of the witness, Helen again ropes in Emily to give a testimony against Henry by taking advantage of Emily’s guileless nature.
My Verdict
I could see a lot of parallels from Anna Karenina but the way Helen has been portrayed as compared to the classic heroine is very different. Helen ends up being shown a manipulator and a deceiver, Henry Codrington comes across as a victimized husband and Emily Faithfull is a foolish instrument, dangerous in intelligent hands!!
The book slows a bit at times but it has rave reviews in GoodReads. Feel free to skip or skim some pages and decide for yourself if you would like it. I would say it comes across as a decent read but then you would not miss anything if you do not come across the book. 
Have you read the book? How did you like it?
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