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Doppler Scan in Pregnancy- A Complete Guide
Doppler sonography is a technique that uses reflected sound waves to measure movements such as blood flow and heartbeat. Doppler ultrasound scans can be used to determine the speed and direction of the blood flow. This information can be helpful in determining if the foetal growth is normal and whether the tissues are supplied with enough blood and nutrients. Doppler scans are performed with the same apparatus as a regular ultrasound scan and are normally used during the third trimester on women who have high-risk pregnancies.
What is a Doppler Scan?
A Doppler scan is similar to a regular ultrasound scan and works using high-frequency sound waves called ultrasound, which isn't audible to our ears. The ultrasound generated by the equipment bounces off bones and tissues like an echo and is recorded with a microphone. All of this is done with a small hand-held probe called a transducer. A gel which helps in the process is applied over the belly, and the transducer is pressed gently against the skin to scan. Denser substances like bones give off a better echo than the softer tissue that the body is made up of, and by comparing the echo, an image of the baby is generated in a computer and displayed in real-time.
What sets a Doppler scan apart is that unlike a regular ultrasound scan, it can detect the flow of blood in blood vessels, estimate the speed of the blood flow, determine its direction, detect blood clots, etc. Most ultrasound equipment these days have an inbuilt Doppler feature and both the scans can be done together.
Is it Safe to Have a Doppler Scan?
Yes, like with all other ultrasound scans, Doppler is safe when done by trained professionals. The sonographer, who is the person carrying out the scans, follows a set of established guidelines that ensure that you and your baby are safe during the procedure. Since the scans work by using a focused beam of sound waves, the equipment can generate a small amount of heat as a consequence. Therefore, every ultrasound scan machine features a thermal index display that gives a rough estimation of how much heat is being generated.
The machines normally have a low thermal index and come with different output settings for different stages of pregnancy. Most of the ultrasound scans don’t exceed 30 minutes, and a typical Doppler scan lasts only a few minutes. This poses no risk to the baby or the mother. In decades of using ultrasound scans during pregnancies, there has been no evidence that suggests that these scans are harmful.
Why is a Doppler Scan Done During Pregnancy?
Generally, women need two basic ultrasound scans during their pregnancy. The first one is during the first trimester to look for the number of babies, check for the baby’s heartbeat, to determine the baby’s growth, and predict a due date. The second scan is done in the second trimester to check for physical abnormalities and confirm that the baby is developing normally.
If the doctor finds any anomaly during these scans, a Doppler scan is done for further investigation. Dopplers are often used to check the placental blood flow, the foetal umbilical blood flow, and blood flow in the heart and brain to ensure everything is normal. If any restriction to the flow is detected, the doctors can determine if it is caused by a restricted blood vessel, sickle cell anaemia or RH sensitisation.
Restricted blood flow in the foetus can cause lower birth weight, impaired development, reduced size, etc. A special type of Doppler ultrasound called a Transcranial Doppler is used to evaluate the risk of stroke in babies with sickle cell anaemia. Doppler scans are also recommended in conditions such as:
Carrying twins or more
The mother has a low or high body mass index (BMI)
Medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
The baby is affected by rhesus antibodies
The baby’s growth rate is low
Previous miscarriage or a small baby
The mother smokes
When Your Doctor Will Ask For a Doppler Test
Doctors ask for a Doppler test when complications or abnormalities are detected in earlier scans that demand extra care for the pregnant woman during the course of pregnancy. Some of the other common conditions when doctors ask for Doppler scans are:
Multiple Pregnancies
When the mother is carrying multiples, the pregnancy is considered a high risk one and is monitored regularly with Doppler scans. This is because such pregnancies have chances for several complications to arise. Some of them include - TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome), IUGR (Intra Uterine Growth Retardation), umbilical cord entanglement, etc. These complications can be detected early with a Doppler scan.
Placental Problems
The placenta supplies the foetus with blood, nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s body. Healthy blood flow in the placenta is essential for normal development of the baby. During the second trimester’s anomaly detection scan, if problems such as slower foetal development are seen, a Doppler scan is used to detect any irregularities in the placental blood flow. A Doppler scan is also used if placenta previa (low lying placenta) is detected. The scan can show the placental position, which can change toward the end of the pregnancy.
Health Conditions of the Mother
The mother’s health has a profound effect on the growth of the foetus. Doctors use Doppler scans to determine the blood flow rate in the umbilical arteries and the placenta. There are conditions under which blood flow in the arteries can get restricted, such as the contraction of arteries due to smoking, certain medications, and other lifestyle-related causes. The contracted arteries offer high resistance to the flow of blood, resulting in improper oxygen and nutrient supply to the foetus. Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can also have a significant effect on this.
Health Conditions of the Foetus
When the growth rate of the foetus in previous ultrasound scans is not satisfactory, doctors use a Doppler foetus scan for further analysis.
How a Doppler Scan is Different From Other Pregnancy Scans
A typical ultrasound scan bounces high-frequency sound off the tissues of the body to give a thin two-dimensional image that does not show any movement. A Doppler ultrasound scan, on the other hand, relies on the Doppler Effect. The phenomenon is a continuous change in the frequency of the bounced sound wave when it hits something that moves, like the blood flow in the arteries. It can measure the difference between blood that is moving away from the probe and blood that is moving towards the probe, as well as its speed. A Doppler can also detect the heartbeat of the foetus, which other scans cannot.
Which Areas Are Checked During a Doppler Ultrasound?
Dopplers are generally used to determine blood flow. When anomalies are detected in previous scans, the doctor generally scans the blood flow in the critical parts of the mother and the foetus’ body.
Uterine Artery Doppler Scan
Uterine arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood to the mother’s uterus (womb). During pregnancy, these arteries become stretchy and expand in size to richly supply the uterus with blood. This physical change allows more amount of blood flow with low resistance through the arteries, so the foetus can be supplied with ample nourishment. If the mother suffers from conditions such as Pre-eclampsia, the blood flow to the artery is restricted. A Doppler scan can be used to detect this condition early on.
Umbilical Artery Doppler Scan
In conditions where a pregnant woman is carrying twins, a baby appears to be growing slowly, or if the baby is affected by the rhesus antibodies, the doctor would recommend an umbilical artery scan. Umbilical arteries carry blood from the placenta to the baby through the umbilical cord. A Doppler scan of this artery reveals the amount of blood flow in it and how much nutrients and oxygen the baby is receiving. If any issues are discovered at this point, further Doppler tests might be done to reveal the cause and also check the blood flow in the baby’s brain and its aorta (a major artery in the body).
Middle Cerebral Artery(MCA) Doppler Scan
This scan shows the amount of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery, which supplies blood to the baby’s brain. The scan is performed only if the baby is suspected to be anaemic, the baby is affected with slapped cheek syndrome, or if the baby is affected by rhesus antibodies.
Ductus Venosus Scan
This is a rather uncommon Doppler scan. It is done in the first trimester, along with other tests to look for a chromosomal abnormality in the foetus. It is also done to scan the umbilical vein, which carries blood to the baby’s heart.
Types of Doppler Scan in the Pregnancy Phase
There are different types of Doppler scans that can determine various characteristics, such as the direction of the blood, the velocity of the blood, and the location. Depending on what needs to be assessed, three types of Doppler scans are used:
Continuous Wave Doppler
This system utilises a continuous transmission and reception of ultrasound waves to accurately measure high velocities of blood flow. It does not show the direction or the location of the flow, but only the speed. It is compact and commonly used.
Duplex Doppler
A duplex Doppler can generate an image of the blood vessel and the surrounding organs, while at the same time, measuring the speed and direction of the blood flow.
Colour Doppler
A colour Doppler is similar to a duplex Doppler but gives a better visualisation of the scanned area. A computer overlaps colour images depicting the blood flow onto the image of the blood vessel and its surrounding tissues. The different colour schemes show the speed and direction of the blood flow. A variation of this instrument called a Power Doppler can be used to look at blood flow in solid organs.
How to Prepare For a Doppler Scan
There are no special instructions to be followed before undergoing a Doppler scan. Women who smoke must avoid smoking or using any nicotine-based products two or more hours before the procedure. As nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, it could give a false diagnosis, which could be mistaken as a pathological constriction. Other general instructions include wearing loose-fitting clothes to the clinic and staying well hydrated.
How a Doppler Test in Pregnancy is Done
A Doppler pregnancy test is done in the same way that a normal ultrasound scan is done. The pregnant woman will be asked to lie down on the examination platform, and her skirt/pants will be lowered to expose the baby bump. The sonographer then applies a water-based gel on the tummy. The function of the gel is to facilitate a secure contact of the transducer with the skin so that no air bubbles get trapped in between and interfere with the sound waves as the transducer is moved about. The image of the scan is displayed on a computer screen in real-time and saved for further analysis. The scan should be over within a few minutes and is painless.
Other Risks
There are no risks from the ultrasound on the foetus or the mother in a Doppler scan. On the contrary, opting to not get an ultrasound scan throughout the pregnancy can be risky. Research has shown that Doppler scans lower the risk in high-risk pregnancies.
Please note that vaginal probe Doppler scans are usually not recommended during the early weeks of pregnancy.
Can You Use a Hand-Held Doppler Device at Home
Small hand-held Doppler ultrasound pregnancy heartbeat scanners can be purchased to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. The device won’t usually work until the woman is 13 weeks into the pregnancy, as the womb is still in the pelvis. It is possible to detect the heartbeat after 13 weeks.
However, doctors and midwives recommend against it, as the average untrained person won’t be able to tell the difference between a baby’s heartbeat and their own placental blood flow. Even though the technology is safe to use, it can be falsely reassuring and even misleading which can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety among pregnant women.
On the other hand, electronic fetal monitoring done by a doctor or a midwife using a Cardiotocograph has some real benefits to it. A Cardiotocograph or CTG is a small Doppler that monitors the baby’s heart rate for normal heartbeats and irregularities. A healthy baby’s heart rate varies all the time and changes as it moves around. Women with healthy pregnancies don’t need to have a CTG to monitor the baby. As long as it can be felt moving regularly during the day, the baby is fine.
CTG used during labour is a highly useful tool for when continuous monitoring of the baby is needed. The baby’s heart rate, along with the woman’s contractions, is measured to see a positive relationship between the two. If the CTG shows that the baby’s heart rate is decreasing with increasing contractions, the doctor administers a drug to lessen the contraction’s strength. If that doesn’t work, the woman would need an emergency caesarean.
Taking a Doppler Test can be extremely useful and help in detecting anomalies that cannot be detected with a normal ultrasound. If your doctor recommends you to take a Doppler test, rest assured that it is for the health and safety of you and your baby. Read more
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What Is Bulletproof Coffee and How to Make One?
Delicious, creamy, and different - bulletproof coffee, like wheatgrass shot or green juice, is not just any beverage but a lifestyle statement that makes it a morning ritual. This healthy favorite is not just any coffee you get at your local café; it’s made from a delicious blend of butter, coffee, and coconut oil, and the drink brings a little more “yum” to your morning diet. Moreover, the physical and mental benefits it provides are way above any caffeine drinks you have ever heard of, making it something worth considering. Here is everything you need to know about this energy drink and why it might be your secret recipe for a healthy lifestyle!
What Is Bulletproof Coffee?
Also known as keto coffee or butter coffee, bulletproof coffee is a popular energizing drink created from fresh coffee and high-quality fats. Created by an American entrepreneur, Dave Asprey, the coffee was designed to be the easy alternative to breakfast that provides your body with a dose of healthy nutrients and fats. This breakfast drink is complementary to several diets, including the low-carb, paleo, and ketogenic diets, as well as the One Meal a Day and intermittent fasting methods.
Bulletproof coffee has gained popularity because it is high in energy and helps one feel satiated and focused because of its creative mix of healthy fats and coffee.
Origin of Bulletproof Coffee
While Dave Asprey is popular for introducing the recipe to the western world, the concept of combining high-fat solids with caffeine has been around for ages. Asprey found this gem while trekking in the Himalayas, where the Tibetan hosts offered him yak butter tea to help him get through the high altitude of the mountains and the freezing climate.
However, he made a few variations to this original recipe when he brought it to the western world. He changed the yak milk to grass-fed butter, used coffee instead of tea, and added a little coconut oil.
While Asprey introduced the bulletproof coffee with his line of bulletproof products, the name became very popular because of fitness enthusiasts, food bloggers, and cafes worldwide. In some cases, bulletproof coffee is also known as butter coffee to avoid trademark infringement.
What Is MCT Oil & It Benefits?
MCT is a type of fat present in milk, coconut oil, and palm kernel oil, and it stands for medium-chain triglycerides or medium-chain fatty acids. MCT oil is odorless and colorless, making it the perfect addition to smoothies, drinks, and other recipes. It is popular for the added energy it provides, helping the consumer stay sharper. A few other benefits of MCT oils include:
Provides clean and quick energy
Suppresses hunger
Enhances immune health
Helps lose unwanted fat
Why to Drink Bulletproof Coffee?
Most heavily processed and high-carb breakfast options like toasts and cereals give the consumer a great energy boost, but this may later cause variations in blood sugar levels. According to Asprey, bulletproof coffee can provide you with enough energy to begin your day while ensuring you would not require a high-carb breakfast.
Is Drinking Bulletproof Coffee Healthy?
If you can generally consume caffeine every day, then there is no reason to think otherwise! The fat present in the drink can help slow down the way caffeine is processed in your body. However, if your body is susceptible to caffeine normally, adding fat might not change its effects.
Moreover, if you are not a fan of caffeine, you could always go for decaf recipes! If you are making bulletproof coffees from high-quality fats and coffee beans, it can turn out to be a wonderful addition to your diet. However, make sure you do not drink too much every day - one cup per day is the recommended amount.
Pros of Bulletproof Coffee
A few reasons why you need to consider adding bulletproof coffee to your daily diet are:
1. Energy
Drinking bulletproof coffee can provide the person with long-lasting and constant energy for many hours while reducing the chances of blood sugar crashes. The reason behind this is that the fat present in the coffee can slow down the digestion of caffeine, allowing the body to absorb it more slowly.
2. Weight loss
Bulletproof coffee contains MCT oil that can help induce ketosis. The coffee helps by remaining or entering in ketosis’ metabolic states. This can cause burning fat to be the primary energy source, commonly called “keto flu.” No other fats are as ketogenic as the MCT oil, making this the best option to quickly convert ketones, thus supporting intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets. Moreover, the coffee can help maintain ketosis and keep insulin levels low through ingredients like ghee, butter, or bulletproof coffee coconut oil.
3. Nutrients
Bulletproof coffee is popular for providing people a wide range of nutrients that include A, D, E, and K Vitamins along with Omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, butyrate, and conjugated linoleic acid.
The butyrate in the coffee can help with better gut health since intestinal bacteria consume these. Ghee and butter in the coffee also play a huge role in supplying nutrients to the body, especially when these are grass-fed products.
4. Focus
One of the most popular benefits of bulletproof coffee is the focus it provides. It is not just the caffeine that helps provide mental clarity but also the MCT oil that enhances cognitive abilities. Many studies have found a strong connection between gut health and the brain, and since the brain requires ketones as its source of energy, bulletproof coffee can help your body enter ketosis way better.
5. Preventing Diseases
Studies suggest that coffee can help the body prevent certain types of diseases, such as Parkinson's, type-2 diabetes, and liver disease. The grass-fed butter and ghee also provide conjugated linoleic acid to prevent diseases like cancer, arteriosclerosis, and insulin resistance. The MCTs present in the coffee also reduces inflammation and promotes gut health.
6. Satiety
Another reason why bulletproof coffee is considered a very healthy option is because it suppresses the person's appetite in the morning, making them feel fuller for a longer period. Moreover, the coffee does contain a large amount of fat because of the presence of butter, and this naturally enhances satiety.
7. Presence of Caffeine
Caffeine from the coffee will not only help you keep awake, but it can also help the body by boosting metabolism and burning unwanted fats. When you merge the advantages of caffeine with healthy MCT oil and grass-fed ghee, you have created a potent energy concoction that will ensure you feel satiated for hours.
Cons of Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof coffee is a creamy, rich drink, but it has a few downsides worth looking into. These include:
1. Missing out on breakfast
One of the biggest disadvantages of bulletproof coffee is that you might constantly end up missing out on a nutritionally balanced and healthy breakfast. Though you are consuming a high-fat drink, and while the bulletproof coffee nutrition can keep you full for hours, you might still miss out on other important nutrients necessary for normal body functions.
2. Might exceed the maximum daily intake of fat
It is no secret that bulletproof coffee is rich in saturates, but when combined with the MCT oil, a cup of the coffee will contain more than the maximum daily intake of saturated fat. This may even increase depending on the amount of butter you add.
3. May increase stress
Caffeine is popular for giving the right amount of energy boost each day, and it does this by triggering the adrenal glands in the body responsible for stress response. However, when your coffee intake starts increasing, the adrenal glands may get worn out, impacting the endocrine system and resulting in hormonal imbalances. In some people, caffeine may increase the stress level even for normal daily activities by activating the stress response more often.
4. May increase cholesterol levels
Butter and the high amount of saturated fats in bulletproof coffee might increase the overall cholesterol levels in the body. In some people, when this is left unnoticed, it might increase their chances of heart disease. Therefore, people who think they might be vulnerable to cholesterol fluctuation can avoid the coffee altogether to avoid any complications.
Does Bulletproof Coffee Help in Weight Loss?
This completely depends on what you drink and eat for breakfast every day. Replacing daily sugary drinks with bulletproof coffee or not having breakfast except for this drink can help you lose weight. If skipping breakfast is what you normally do, then bulletproof coffee can be a great addition to your morning routine since it can provide a sense of fullness for a long time. This can also help to reduce your cravings for food or snacks later during the day, thereby reducing your weight. However, consuming a drink with a hundred percent dietary fat might not always be the best option for you. Drinking bulletproof coffee instead of low-fat latte or black tea, or coffee may actually increase the number of calories you consume.
Bulletproof Coffee Recipes Ideas
Now that you are convinced that bulletproof coffee is definitely worth a shot, here are a few homemade bulletproof coffee recipes you need to check out!
1. The Original Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
The first recipe you need to try is the original version of the bulletproof coffee, after which you can experiment based on your tastes.
Ingredients
High-quality coffee (1 cup, strong)
MCT oil (1-2 tbsp)
Grass-fed butter (1-2 tbsp, unsalted)
Instructions
Take a blender and put all the ingredients inside it.
Mix it well and enjoy your drink!
2. The Original With Chaga Mushroom Powder
A healthy variation of the original bulletproof coffee is the one that contains a few teaspoons of the Chaga mushroom powder.
Ingredients
Grass-fed butter (2 tbsp, unsalted)
Coconut or MCT oil (2 tbsp)
High-quality coffee (1 cup, strong)
Chaga mushroom powder (1-2 tsp)
Instructions
Add all of the ingredients into a blender and mix them well.
Pour it into a cup and enjoy your drink!
3. Gingerbread Bulletproof Coffee
A little cinnamon spice to your healthy original bulletproof coffee recipe can give you the right amount of buzz every morning.
Ingredients
Gingerbread spice (1 tsp per 2 tbsp of coffee powder)
MCT or coconut oil (1 tbsp)
Grass-fed butter (1 tbsp, unsalted)
Instructions
Add these ingredients in the right amounts into a blender and mix well.
If you want the sweet spice of the gingerbread to have the spotlight, reduce the amounts of MCT or coconut oil.
4. Pumpkin Spice Bulletproof
The pumpkin spice bulletproof coffee is a unique recipe that can also serve as a seasonal special.
Ingredients
Grass-fed butter (2 tbsp, unsalted)
MCT or coconut oil (2 tbsp)
Coconut milk (1 cup, unsweetened)
Organic pumpkin puree
High-quality coffee (1 cup, strong)
Salt (a pinch)
Nutmeg (to taste)
Cinnamon (to taste)
Instructions
Add all the ingredients in a blender following the right amounts and blend well.
However, do remember to remove the layer of solids that are usually present in coconut milk.
5. Turbo Bulletproof Coffee Drops
Turbo bulletproof coffee drops are perfect for anyone who does not have enough time every morning and is constantly on the go.
Ingredients
Grass-fed butter (½ stick, unsalted)
MCT or coconut oil (1 cup)
Cinnamon (½ tsp)
Sea salt (¼ tsp)
Instructions
Combine these ingredients and blend well in a blender.
Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.
When ready to consume, take a piece and put it into hot water.
Stir well and enjoy!
Bulletproof coffee can be a pretty exciting option but before you start adding it to your diet, make sure you check with your present health situations to avoid any disasters later.
FAQs
1. Can Everyone Drink Bulletproof Coffee?
Bulletproof coffee may be considered a healthy option for many if you do not have high cholesterol levels and if it accompanies a nutritional diet.
2. Is It Okay to Add Bulletproof Coffee to Our Daily Routine?
You can consume a cup of bulletproof coffee with breakfast every day. Though it is trendy among low-carb and paleo dieters, it is not advisable to add more than one cup of this coffee into your daily diet.
3. Is Bulletproof Coffee Vegan?
Not all bulletproof coffee recipes are vegan since these recipes would feature butter. If vegan options are something you would be interested in, you can always check out the vegan recipes to make bulletproof coffee. Instead of the traditional bulletproof coffee butter, these recipes feature vegan options like coconut oil, cacao butter, or coconut butter.
4. Is Bulletproof Coffee Recipe Keto Friendly?
Yes! A keto coffee would generally refer to any coffee recipe that contains healthy fats and no sugars. While black coffee is a great addition to a keto diet, bulletproof coffee becomes an even better option since these contain healthy fats.
Also Read:
Can Coffee Cause Acne?
Green Coffee for Weight Loss
Is Coffee Good or Bad for You?
Read more
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10 Ways Leaders Use Silence to Enhance Their Power and How You Can Too!
Our minds are engulfed with numerous thoughts right from the time we get up in the morning to the time we go back to sleep at night. In this noisy world where most of us have internal noises to fight too, it is so important to embrace silence. You might have noticed that a moment of silence helps you calm your mind, visualise things better, and lends your mind immense benefits. No wonder silence is practised by great leaders to enhance their power, and if you wish to know how you can achieve the same benefits, we suggest reading the post below for a thorough insight into this topic.
The Hidden Benefits of Silence
In ancient times, our world had no chaos of human-made sounds, and silence prevailed everywhere. When we practise silence; we benefit greatly from it. Let us learn some of the benefits of practising silence.
1. Better Conversations
When you remain silent, you let the other person talk, which means you care to listen and when you do so, people feel comfortable talking to you. Thus, conversations become deeper and better.
2. Better Response
Seldom do we realise the effects of our response to a situation on the other person. If you practice silence, you may be able to focus and think better before you utter your response. When there is a gap between feelings and response, you may not only be deliberate with your words, but it may also deliver wiser, and meaningful words.
3. Mindfulness And Self-compassion
Silence is not only effective and beneficial while dealing with others, but it is great for your overall well-being too. Silence triggers mindfulness, which means you visualise your feelings and emotions with a better perspective, and it also involves self-compassion, which means handling various situations with sympathy, kindness and understanding.
4. Beneficial For Physical Health
Silence is great for lowering blood pressure levels and reducing stress by regulating adrenaline and cortisol levels. It is also effective in improving brain chemistry by growing new cells and helps in improving the immunity of the body.
5. Improved Creativity
Silence is a great way of improving creativity. This is because when you practise this virtue, the healing power of silence helps you integrate your thoughts and thus spin them into meaningful avenues.
How to Embrace The Power of Silence
Silence may not come naturally to us, especially when there are so many external distractions. However, if you make a conscious and deliberate effort, you can create peace and silence within yourself. Let's see how we can embrace the power of silence.
1. Meditation
One of the easiest and most effective ways of embracing silence is by practising meditation. The best time to practice meditation, especially for beginners is in the morning. However, if you are a pro, sneaking a few minutes out of your busy life for some soulful experience is worth the effort.
2. Listen More, Talk Less
Most of indulge in conversations not to listen but to speak. When our minds are filled with numerous thoughts and emotions, it can be difficult to practise silence. However, if you become a good listener, you may not only be indulging in more meaningful conversations, but you may also reap the benefits of being on the reclusive side, which may help you stay calm and gain some meaningful insights.
3. Reduce The Noise Around
Whenever you are alone, try and minimise the noise that surrounds you, once in a while. It may not only help you feel relaxed and centred but will also enhance your potential and productivity. So next time you are alone in your car, house or workplace for some time, try muting the noises around and see how peaceful and calm you would feel.
4. Begin Your Day With Silence
Instead of succumbing to the urge of picking up your phone, switching on the television for the latest news or reading the newspaper with your morning cup of tea or coffee, you should simply sit relaxed and silent. Soak in the morning peace and tranquillity and see how it transforms you, making you feel energetic for the rest of the day.
5. Praying
Whenever you visit a temple, mosque or church, notice the kind of positivity and tranquillity that prevails inside. Well, the places of worship are amongst the best places where you can embrace the power of silence. You can also pray, sitting in the comfort of your house. Praying to that divine existence is a great way of bringing silence and calmness in your life.
6. Take A Solo Trip
If you think a trip all by yourself would be boring, wait until you embark on one. You may realise how important it is to be all by yourself and soak in your silence and peace of your soul. Being alone certainly does not mean being lonely. Instead, it is a great way to connect with your inner self and feel the calmness and silence of your soul.
7. Break From Social Media
Most of us are big social media fans, and we keep checking our phones every few minutes to be apprised with what is happening with the people we know (or don’t know). But have you ever realised the impact of social media on the silence of our minds? Well, one of the most effective ways of practising silence is by taking an occasional break from social media, for feeling the silence of your mind.
8. Find A Quiet Corner
Whenever your mind is surrounded by external or internal turmoil, you should take refuge in silence, and for that, you can assign a designated place in your house. You need not name it or tell everyone about your silent place, but whenever you feel the need, you should slip into this place for some silent-time. It can be any place in your house, for example, your study, your prayer room, a corner in your garden, etc.
9. Go Hiking
Arrange a hiking trip, either solo or with a friend. The idea is to seize the opportunity to feel the vastness and openness of nature, which in turn, may help you get in sync with your internal silence.
10. Practise Yoga
Just like meditation, yoga is very effective in helping you experience the true power of silence. When you practice yoga, you let go off fluctuations and doubts from your mind, which in turn may help you gain better knowledge and perspective about yourself.
Silence can prove to be of great benefit and importance if we learn to use it wisely. We hope that this article helps you understand the value of this virtue. Therefore, make use of silence, because it truly has the power to improve your life.
Also Read:
Laws of Karma and Its Impact on Life
How Spirituality Enhances Your Health
Tips to Achieve Spiritual Enlightenment to Transform Your Life Read more
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Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese
This dish has some fantastic flavors and textures going into it. Cauliflower on its own is rather unimaginative. But roast it till all the edges turn brown and throw in some cheese, and you’ll have a totally different story. It is luscious enough to transform a finicky ‘i-don’t-like-vegetables-at-all’ eater into a cauliflower lover or addict. This nutty, buttery dish without the nuts and butter, is perfect when you want to push in some veggies in your kid’s diet.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
10-15 Minutes
30-35 Minutes
Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
30 ml olive oil
30 g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Method
Step 1
Keep the oven for pre-heating to 205 degree Celsius.
Step 2
In a pan, drop in the florets, lemon juice, minced garlic and olive oil.
Step 3
Mix it thoroughly and sprinkle a little salt and pepper.
Step 4
Place the cauliflowers in a baking dish in a single layer. Keep it uncovered in the oven and let it bake for around 20-25 minutes, or until the top of the florets become lightly browned.
Step 5
Remove the cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or cheddar cheese.
Step 6
Serve warm as a snack or as a side-dish with the main course.
Nutritional Information
Calories
105 Kcal
Proteins
3.9 g
Fat
8.8 g
Carbohydrates
4.4 g
Cholesterol
5 mg
Sodium
91 mg
Potassium
211 mg
Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
4 hours ago
Q. I am 35weeks pregnant My cervix has opened completely
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. please see the doctor for further management. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Nikitha has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
4 hours ago
Q. I am 35 weeks pregnant my cervix has open and I am on complete bed rest
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. hello since you are expecting mother it would be go better to go as advised by your gynecologist so it would be better to have a frequent check with your doctor and go accordingly which is better and also safe and nothing to worry about
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. how can i increase my breastmilk supply?
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. hello taking lactation medicine can help to increase the milk secretion and alternatively if still it is not sufficient you can alternatively give infant formula milk stage 1 using a bpa free bottle like babyhug and after the baby complete 6 months you can start with stage two infant formula milk
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. my in laws often give some food unhealthy sugary and processed food items like coffee, jam, chocolates, cake etc for my baby to lick . is it harmless
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. no problem it is occasionally only but do not give regularly. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. It’s app not working properly now so not opening app
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. Sometimes there could be a bug into the app so what you can do is uninstall the app and then you reinstall the app that is going to help and clear all the cache data that is going to help and then reinstall the app hopefully after that it should start working still if you’re facing a problem kindly get in touch with the concerned department call them on the helpline number for further assistance
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Expecting Father due in 5 months
59 mins ago
Q. vomiting after take iron tablet
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
57 mins ago
A. Take after some food
More proper information and answer regarding this will be given by your personal doctor and you can contact your doctor for this
You can check with the nearest doctor.
Take care.
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