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Top 10 Smoking Alternatives
Smoking, we’ve been told time and again, is injurious to health. Sure, it gives you a few minutes of bliss because it is an excellent stress buster, but the negative impact that comes along with it is far worse than its benefits. Each cigarette you smoke puts you at risk of cancer, heart ailments, and bad quality of life.
Healthy and Natural Substitutes for Smoking
If you’re reading this article, the chances are that you are considering or planning on ditching this bad habit. Read on for some healthy and natural substitutes to beat this addiction.
1. Keep Yourself Busy
Are you a nicotine addict? Then the chances are that you might experience withdrawal symptoms. This can be challenging, as most of the symptoms experienced include restlessness, anxiety, irritation, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. To be able to deal with this, you need to keep yourself busy. Take up a new course or join a community. This way, you will keep your mind busy.
2. Make Sure You Do Not Isolate Yourself
Most of the time smoking is a social activity. People take smoke breaks in between long hours of work or during a get-together. If you’ve decided to give up smoking, the chances are that you cut yourself from your usual smoker buddies. Chain smokers might have mood changes during this phase which will further accelerate the need to isolate yourself. But you need to avoid doing this. Giving up smoking is not a form of punishment. You do not have to deal with this alone. Talk to your near and dear ones, tell them about your decision. Tell your smoker buddies about this step in the other direction, so that they understand your boundaries.
3. Think About the Benefits of Not Smoking
Cravings can be hard when you focus on how much you really need a smoke. Instead, look in the other direction. Think of how you are not killing your lungs, and eventually yourself. Your heart is now much healthier than when you are constantly smoking. Even the texture of your skin and hair gets better when you give up smoking. The benefits of smoking on any given day will weigh heavier than the cons of smoking, for which there are none.
4. Take Up a New Hobby
Taking up new hobbies can have a positive effect on your life. It can help you grow and become more productive. It can also give you a sense of confidence and improve your skill set. Take up a new hobby like reading a good book or painting. There are plenty of options available for you to choose from.
5. Hit the Gym
Working out is great for your body, as well as your mind, it is also one of the best alternatives to smoking for stress relief. Sign up at the nearest gym and work your way to good health. When you smoke, the brain releases feel-good hormones. When you quit smoking, you go into a sense of withdrawal mainly because these feel-good hormones are not being produced. Exercise actually helps release these feel-good hormones, which is why we feel great after a good workout session.
6. Distract Yourself When Cravings Hit
You are bound to have cravings. This is part and parcel of giving up on addiction. But when you feel like these cravings are creeping on you, try and distract yourself with something else. Get up and take a walk, call a friend, or simply pick a book that you can read. Try not to acknowledge the cravings.
7. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient therapy that involves thin needles that are inserted into the body. Acupuncture therapy is useful for several issues, and smoking is one of them. However, while this does not work for everyone, it does for a few - the jury is still out on whether this is an effective treatment or not.
8. Opt for Electronic Cigarettes or Herbal Cigarettes
Electronic or e-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that are a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. Herbal cigarettes are a more organic base, which is again a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. These cigarettes contain alternative smoking herbs that have little to no nicotine content. You can opt for this instead of your usual but you need to know that while these are less harmful in comparison, they are still bad for your health. The objective here is to completely put an end to this bad habit and not to opt for the lesser of two evils.
9. Pamper Yourself
Get yourself a massage or buy a box of chocolates. If you have successfully done away with smoking, then you’ve earned yourself the privilege of giving yourself incentives. This further motivates you to stick with your decision of leaving behind the pack of cigarettes.
10. Replace Cigarettes with Water or Carrot Sticks
For some smokers, one issue they face when they give up smoking is the urge to do something with their mouth. Sipping water is a great replacement for smoking. Water has only positive benefits, as opposed to smoking. If this does not work, cut up some carrot sticks and consume it whenever you feel the urge to light a cigarette.
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions by those who plan on giving up smoking or want to opt for healthier alternatives -
1. Are There Any Nicotine Free Cigarettes?
Yes, nicotine-free cigarettes do exist, but before you get excited, you should know that these cigarettes are, even though not as harmful as traditional cigarettes, harmful nevertheless. Most of these cigarettes are made from mint, lemongrass, and cocoa bean shells. While these herbs do not contain nicotine, it exposes your system to other disease-causing toxins, tar, and carbon monoxide, when burnt.
2. Is E-cigarette Vapor Bad?
E-cigarettes are marketed as a healthier option to conventional cigarettes, but here’s the thing - no cigarette is ‘healthy’. E-cigarettes, in fact, contain cartridges that are actually loaded with nicotine and other chemicals, which is bad for your health. These chemicals are converted into vapour, which is inhaled by the smoker.
The best thing you can do is dropping the habit of smoking. Don’t let something so hazardous take control of your life.
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Crying Baby - What to Do About It?
The sight of a crying baby is not uncommon. Babies cry to communicate their feelings about many things; discomfort and displeasure are two common reasons. As children grow, their parents and caregivers teach them how to communicate their feelings, wants, and needs appropriately. While some children are easy to work with and find instant results, others may find it tough to handle.
This article discusses the reasons that may cause crying in babies and share a few tips on dealing with crying babies. We will also let you know whether your child is fussy because they need attention from you or care from the doctor. So, keep reading to know everything!
What Causes Crying in Babies?
Crying babies are never easy to deal with, especially after a long and tiring day. Knowing the many reasons that could cause a baby to cry will help you quickly identify and deal with the problem. Here we have compiled for you a few of the most probable causes for your child crying:
1. Tiredness
When babies become tired, they cry. If you suspect that your little one may be crying due to exhaustion, there are some signs to look out for. Rubbing the eyes, yawning a lot, an inability to maintain eye contact, loss of interest in fun activities, and irritability are some of them. When the little ones are exhausted, they find it difficult to fall asleep. This will naturally result in toddlers crying.
2. Hunger
A baby’s body reacts similarly to an adult’s body when they are hungry. Going for an extended period without eating anything may cause a drop in blood pressure levels. This will release cortisol and adrenaline, resulting in a person or baby becoming what we now call “hangry.” This happens when a person is angry and hungry or angry due to hunger. The only way for a baby to make their “hangry” feelings known is to cry.
3. Overstimulation
Children can only take in a certain amount of stimulation in their environment. When they have exhausted their ability to cope, the only thing left for them to do is cry in frustration and fatigue. Your child may try to corner themselves or hide behind you as a way of limiting or avoiding the stimuli. The extent to which each child can cope depends on the individual child.
4. Discomfort and Pain
Babies have limited ability when it comes to communication. They are also unable to process certain things fully. If your baby is in some discomfort due to their clothing, position, environment, or even pain, they are bound to become fussy and cry.
5. Fear
When a child cries in fear, the cry will be sudden and loud. It will often come as a response to an external factor, such as a loud noise or the face of a stranger. Babies can also cry in response to nightmares, and as they grow and understand more concepts, they can even cry at the thought of losing someone they love.
6. Separation Anxiety
Anxiety is very normal, and babies begin to experience it between 18 months of age and three years of age. Separation anxiety is the most common and well-known form of anxiety seen in children. This appears when a child has to be away from their primary and secondary caregivers.
7. Disappointment
For children, the smallest thing can seem life-changing. If your child does not find their favorite toy, it could seem like the end of the world to them. This could result in them having a breakdown.
8. Emotions
Babies have a limited understanding of their emotions, and the only way to express themselves sometimes is to cry. A baby may cry when lonely, and as a baby grows and understands more, may even cry as a result of something bad that they have done, or if they feel empathy for others.
9. Attention Seeking
Babies love attention, and if they are not getting enough of it, it could result in crying. They know well enough from experience that when they cry, someone comes to see them. Understanding when a baby is crying for attention is easy enough as a baby is quite easily calmed when someone goes to them.
10. Medical Disorders
Excessive crying is more likely to be caused by one of the reasons discussed above than a medical condition. However, children do get sick, and when they do, they cry. While some medical reasons can be a cold or a scratch, there are sometimes more serious medical reasons that you will need to look deeper into with your doctor.
How Do You Stop a Child From Crying?
Handling a baby crying can be stressful, and learning new ways to keep the crying to a minimum can be just what you need. Here are a few ways to stop the habit of crying in children:
1. Remain Calm
It can be easy to become agitated or frustrated when you cannot get your child to stop crying. The treatment of crying children is crucial, so it is important to be intentional about remaining calm. If required, give both of you a few minutes before trying again. Your calm energy will help calm your baby down, and you won’t say or do anything you will regret.
2. Identify the Issue and Deal With It
The logical first step to tackling any problem is to find out what is causing it in the first place, and it is no different when trying to calm crying children. Babies cry when they need something, so if your baby is crying because of discomfort from a dirty diaper, clean her up. If your baby is crying because he is over-stimulated, take him away to a quieter area.
3. Be Intentional With Words
Though infants cannot talk, they learn every moment that they are awake. So, when talking to your baby and trying to calm them down, make sure you avoid saying anything negative, especially if you are upset. This is why it is important to take a breather if you feel like you cannot handle the situation. Use a calming and soothing tone, and only speak positive words. Rather than saying “Stop crying,” say something like, “Let’s get you changed” or “Let’s take a break and try again.”
4. Guide Them Through the Learning
Whether you are dealing with an older child or a toddler, you must help your child learn. If your child is upset and crying that someone has taken their toy, you can use the opportunity to teach your child that sharing is good.
5. Stick to Routines and Schedules
Routines and schedules help when it comes to reducing how much your baby cries. By keeping a consistent schedule, you eliminate the need for your child to cry for basic reasons, such as hunger, tiredness, or boredom.
6. Teach Babies to Use Their Words
Toddlers can use some words to communicate, so don’t be afraid to start encouraging your babies to try using words to tell you what they want, rather than crying about it.
When to Contact the Doctor?
There may be times when nothing you do seems to work, and you cannot console your child. In such cases, it is best to have your child checked by their doctor. Children who cry more than normal may have underlying medical conditions causing the discomfort. Once you know what the problem is, the doctor will be able to aid you in coming up with a plan to help your child.
Crying is just a part of the normal development of a child, and though you may want to move mountains to help your child, it is extremely important to teach your child how to manage their triggers instead. By understanding the cause of the crying, you can help your child learn to identify the problem for themselves and handle it appropriately without crying. Parents are encouraged to allow their children the chance to work through things themselves rather than always stepping in and fixing the problem.
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7 Murphy's Laws Of Kids That Can Drive Any Mom Mad!
Sure, your child is your most precious gift from God, and parenting is a rewarding experience like no other. But aren't there times when it seems like your kids make you think the exact opposite? Like when they follow Murphy's laws instead of abiding by your few, very reasonable parenting rules?
As you probably know, Murphy's Law is an age-old theory that states if anything can go wrong, it will. Check out 7 Murphy's Laws of young kids to see if your kid follows some (or all) of them!
Murphy's Law #1: Your kid will be on his best behaviour around strangers
How many times have you been in a social situation with your little one and the person you are talking to you innocently comments, “What a well-behaved kid you have!” And then you get all wide-eyed and say, “Wait for it! He just got here. He will be back to his mischief in no time.” Well, that moment never comes, and that person gives you a strange look. Which leaves you feeling like the worst mom on earth.
Murphy's Law #2: The toy your kid *really*wants to play with is the one that just broke/got lost
Yes, he has a basket or two only for his toys. But guess which one he really wants? The one that hasn't been seen for days, even though he has replicas of the very same toy. Of course, you will try explaining to him that the horsey he cannot find is exactly the same as the other horsey in front of him. Needless to say, he won't agree. And don't forget about the cheap roadside toy that fell apart in his hands while playing. He wants it right NOW, never mind the better new toy you have handed him. Kids!
Murphy's Law #3: His favourite food keeps changing. (Hint: It's what you didn't make)
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So there you are sweet mom, ready to treat your child's taste buds to his favourite dish. Your sweetling has had a long day in school and you want to pamper him because...because he deserves it, of course! Like he usually does, he prances into the kitchen to see what you have cooked for dinner. Of course you expect his eyes to light up with joy. What you do not expect is “You made pav bhaji again?! I was hoping to eat pizza today....” This after he had recently stated that he wants to have pav bhaji for dinner.
Murphy's Law #4: He will ruin his clothes like never before...after you have specifically told him to be extra careful
There's a wedding in your family and you have got him an expensive outfit. So naturally, you don’t want him to ruin it. You tell him to not play rough lest he damage his clothes. And guess what? An hour later, you are unable to recognise if that is really your kid or some street urchin! With patches of mud on the knee area and grass stains on his shirt, your kid has outdone himself - he has never damaged any clothing item as effectively as this one. Way to go, son!
Murphy's Law #5: Your kid will fall sick on the very day you cannot afford to miss work
So you have a very important meeting and need everything to go as per your daily routine. Yet the second you get out of bed, you get a weird feeling that something's not quite right. And sure enough, minutes later your kiddo walks into your room and declares that he is not feeling well. You touch his forehead and feel him burning up. And once the thermometer declares that he has a fever of 101, you make a call at work and tell your boss you will be working from home. To add to your woes, this will be the very day your maid will conveniently decide to not show up.
Murphy's Law #6: Your kid will embarrass you in the worst possible way... just after you have praised him for being a good boy
One fine day, your child decides to surprise you by behaving like a little angel that came straight out of heaven. Naturally, you praise him and decide to take him to his favourite toy shop as a treat. Exactly five minutes later, he goes completely rogue. He runs around in the store, pointing at nearly every toy and loudly pleading “Mama, can you buy me this? Please?” like he has never seen a toy in his life. And as you say no each time, other people look at you with the most judgmental expressions. More often than not, you end up buying something, if only to get those nosy people to stop looking at you!
Murphy's Law #7: When you are yelling at him, he will make the cutest face ever. And of course, you'll melt.
[caption id="attachment_193536" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Source: gurl.com[/caption]
Your kid has done something you explicitly told him not to, and you are ready to give him a good scolding. But right in the middle of your lecture, your munchkin gets that sad look in his eyes, and you instantly feel bad and stop yelling at him. You forget the enormity of what he did and calmly tell him to not do it again. And if he looks super upset, how can you stop yourself from hugging him?
True, kids can be a handful and know how to test our temper and patience. But then we were pretty much the same when we were their age, weren't we? Stay strong mom, and one day your grandchildren will avenge you! Just kidding ;) Read more
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Khakra Chat
The Khakra chaat is a delicacy and is ideal for your evening cravings. It is a wholesome meal in itself and satisfies all the dietary requirements of a person. The paneer, green peas provide protein and iron respectively and the fiber rich khakra coupled along makes for a tasty-healthy snack.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
2 People
5-10 Minutes
00 Minutes
Ingredients
khakhras (broken to 5 - 6 pieces)
1/4 cup onion (chopped)
1 tsp garlic (grated)
2 tomatoes (blanched and pureed)
1/4 cup paneer (low fat)
1/4 cup green peas (boiled)
1/4 cup tomatoes (chopped)
1 green chilli (chopped)
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp oil
1 tbsp coriander (chopped)
Method
Step 1
Heat the oil in a pan, add onion and garlic and saute till the onion turns translucent.
Step 2
Add the pureed tomatoes and cook till the oil separates.
Step 3
Add the paneer, green peas, tomato, green chilli, chilli powder and salt and saute for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4
Remove from the fire and keep aside.
Step 5
Place the khakhra pieces on a serving plate.
Step 6
Top with the topping and garnish with the chopped coriander. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Calories
157 K cal
Proteins
5 g
Fat
4 g
Carbohydrates
24 g
Read more
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How Toddlers Learn Words
There are children who start talking early, and others who start late. You may find some kids gibbering at first, and there are others who start talking clearly. What transpires as your child starts his lifelong relationship with words? This article talks about the ways in which children can learn new words and gain mastery over a language.
Children between ages 15-24 months experience what is known a ‘word spurt’. Some children can speak words after hearing them only once. By the time kids reach their second birthday, they will be typically using around 300 words, and by the time they turn 2.5 years, their vocabulary count can double to around 600. You may wonder how children learn words, and how can you use this science to make them learn more words?
The Science of Learning New Words
Children are naturally inclined to understand language, even before they are born. Speech can be heard in the womb clearly enough to know who is speaking. At the time of birth, they prefer their mother’s voice and the language of their parents as they are used to hearing it. Children aged 18-24 months realise the ‘naming insight’: They understand that words are the names for objects, and every object has a name. Children learn language very quickly, and between the age of 2 and 6 they learn an average of 10 new words every day.
At the same time one must remember no two children are alike. While one might utter his first word at 10 months, there are other children who won’t say a word till they are 20 months and older.
Common advice given to new parents is that they need to keep speaking to their babies to help their vocabulary grow. Language develops depending on the style of speech and the context in which the speech has been used. So talking ‘parentese’ or the high pitched exaggerated manner in which parents talk to their children can actually work in improving vocabulary in children.
Benefits of Teaching New Words
Children who have a high grasp of words are able to think deeper, express themselves better, and learn new things. They are more successful as readers and tend to read books higher than their levels in school. When we boost a child’s language and literacy experiences early on, you can avoid difficulties later in their life.
Parenting Tips to Improve Vocabulary
Controlling your child’s word spurt is not in your hands, though parents and care-givers are the key players in improving your child’s vocabulary. Here are some tips to improve your child’s vocabulary:
1. Talk to your child
Point out objects around you and explain their importance to your child. Even though he doesn’t respond, he is listening and storing.
2. Words might not sound quite right at first
Don’t be in a hurry to correct them. Repeat the correct word after they say it over a period of time.
3. Add details to conversation and use rich vocabulary
If he is holding a block that is blue, say yes, it is a blue block. Remember, they are listening and learning.
4. Reading is a good way to improve vocabulary
Read to your baby regularly. Apart from giving a guarantee that your child learns new words, it will allow your child to associate reading with learning and comfort as he comes closer to you.
5. Use ‘parentese’
Exaggerate and use ‘singsong’ ways while talking to younger children.
6. Writing and drawing
It can also help to improve a child’s understanding of objects and association.
7. Gestures
A combination of gestures with words will make it easy for children to grasp certain words and phrases.
8. Rewards
Celebrate when your kid learns a new word or two. It goes a long way in encouraging the child.
Parental Concerns
Delays in communication are normal. When delays are coupled with developmental disorders, it could be a sign of hearing impairment, autism and intellectual disability. This is where you need to notice and take the advice of a doctor.
Appropriate use of language by adults around the child will have a lifelong impact on them. Language allows children to be nurtured, guided and modelled. Read more
Nikitha has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
18 hours ago
Q. hello good afternoon ma'am, Mera 1st trimester khtm ho gya h ,4th month chal raha hai actually mjhe kch dino se bhuk ni lgti h ,khana dkh k Mann ni krta h khane ka toh mai aap kch solution btaye
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
18 hours ago
A. hello it s normal during the pregnancy and it is absolutely nothing to worry and try to have small meal frequently and avoid taking a large meal at a time which can help you and any concern you can talk with you doctor she can guide you accordingly
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Mom of a 8 m old child
17 hours ago
Q. mera baby 10 month ka ho gya h abi tk khada ni ho para kya jru
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
17 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Babies start to stand between the age of 9 months to thirteen months. Please wait for sometime before consulting a doctor. Please give semi solid food items like banana and mashed potatoes and mashed apples to the baby. Also give suji kheer and daal paani to the baby. Continue giving formula milk to the baby. You can also give mashed idli to the baby. Masaage baby legs with BabyHug coconut oil.
Thanks and take care
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
16 hours ago
Q. assembly job vacancy in firstcry store
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
15 hours ago
A. hello dear this u need to ask them personally on call ot u can mail them as it is a parenting app so u can't right guidance on this here
Prachi Agrawal has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
15 hours ago
Q. Hello doctor,
my son is 2.5 months old and completely on breastfeeding. He hasn't pooped since three days. please advise
Prachi Agrawal
Mom of a 1 yr 6 m old girl
14 hours ago
A. After two months of age, babies may have constipation problem which is not concerning until they are showing any abnormal signs.
It may last upto 10 days too. Keep a check on baby's activity and feeding, till the time that is all fine, no worries.
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
14 hours ago
Q. i eat chips daily. will it harm my baby?? actually i dont like to eat chapatti
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
13 hours ago
A. dear Mum, if you eat chips daily then it will not harm your baby but it will be harmful for your health. so, you should not have it daily. you can have it occasionally.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
12 hours ago
Q. I am 31 week pregnant, my BP is shooted to 160, as per growth scan baby weight is less 1.4gm, under <.99 percentile. can you suggest me what to do ,or how much weight is expected
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
12 hours ago
A. please take medicines to control your blood pressure as advised even regarding induction of labour also. 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
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New Memory
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