How To Protect Face & Hair From Holi Colors

Holi is indeed one of the most vibrant, happening & warmest festivals celebrated throughout India. It falls on the month of March every year and people of all ages just go crazy smearing colors on each other. This 'Festival of Colors' is a true symbol of love, happiness, enthusiasm, promise and bonding. 'Abir' or powdered color is the most common among Holi colors and is a must have for playing Holi. Besides abir, water-based colors and face paints are equally popular, especially with children. Taking part in Holi parties and smearing colors can be really memorable and fun unlimited, but it also brings with it lots of skin and hair problems, allergies, irritations and break-outs. So it's better to stay safe and know beforehand how to protect your face and hair from Holi colors. Read on below for few safety tips:

• Firstly, pick your clothes wisely. Wear loose and long-sleeved clothes which expose minimum skin. Cover your head with caps or hats or tie bandanas/scarves to protect your hair.
• Rub coconut oil or cold cream on exposed body parts. This will act as a protective covering on your skin and will be much easier to remove colors later when you wash off.
• If you plan to play Holi outdoors, do not forget to dab generous amounts of sunscreen on your skin. This is very important to avoid getting tanned.
• Play with herbal or organic colors. These might not be bright colored like the ones easily available in the market and cost little bit more, but are much safer on skin and hair. Herbal colors are devoid of harsh chemicals.
• Drink lots of water, fruit juices and glucose to keep yourself hydrated while you play Holi. Colors often have a drying effect on skin, so having lots of fluids will keep your skin cool and energized.
• If you have itchiness or any irritation on skin, wash off immediately with plain water and apply calamine lotion. See a dermatologist at the earliest!
• Removing colors can really be a chore. Don't rub your skin harshly. Use a good quality scrub/cleanser/ shampoo and moisturizing soap. The colors will come off eventually.
• Use a homemade face pack comprising gram flour (besan), milk cream and lemon juice. This will help removing colors and avoid damage to skin.
• Avoid visiting salons and spas immediately after playing Holi, as the colors combined with the treatments can cause adverse effects on skin and hair. Instead use a good moisturizer on skin or aloe vera gel.
• If you have sensitive skin, avoid chemical colors and water-based colors.
• Use pure mustard oil on skin and hair the day before Holi as a protective cover. 
• Protect your eyes from colors. Wear sunglasses. If eyes come in contact with colors, rinse immediately with water.

Remember, Holi is meant for everyone; so make the most of this beautiful and sprightly festival by following these simple tips. A little precaution can save your skin & hair from a lot of unwanted hassles! HAPPY HOLI :)

What To Do When You're Feeling Low - 6 Ways To Get Rid Of Depression

We all have mood swings and often feel low or depressed. During those times, we don't want to talk to anyone or socialize, almost feeling like a zombie!

However, while it's near impossible to stay happy all the time, there's no point in being depressed for long either! Every individual is different with different ways to deal with depression or pain. But if you are looking for quick ways to improve your mood, read below:

• Listen to music - Remember, nothing can heal you better than some soul-stirring music. So switch on some good music and forget the world!
• Go for a walk - Going for a walk in park or elsewhere is actually therapeutic and can work wonders to lift your mood.
• Take a nap - Sleep is important to recharge your mood and make you feel better.
• Laugh - A good laugh can heal your mood to a considerable extent. Watch a fun movie. You can even call up your friends and watch the movie together.
• Play with pets - Believe it or not, cuddling and playing with pets can instantly make your heart and soul a lot better! So if you have a pet, give them a little attention and they will shower you with love and affection that's pure and enduring!
• Reach out to someone - Call up your friends or someone who want to talk to. Instead of keeping your feelings bottled up, it's better that you talk to someone. Hug someone. It lifts your mood instantly!

Don't let bad mood get the better of you...deal with it!

Back Again...Me & Myself

Yes, I'm back again to do what I love most...penning my thoughts and ideas. It's been a long time since I posted last. I was literally surprised when I checked the date :) Although writing gives me immense joy and pleasure, the last one year was especially hectic, demanding and erratic and believe it or not, blogs were the last thing on my mind. But since blogging or more specifically writing is therapeutic for me and the best way to unwind and unburden all pent-up feelings, I shook off all laziness and chose to write and am happy that I did! Feeling a lot energized...I promise to write more often this year. Enjoy life!

How Would You Like To Be Wooed?

Yeah yeah...accept it or not, we all love to be wooed in the most romantic and craziest of ways...wine, dine, candle lights, music et al! Being wooed by your sweetheart in the mushiest way possible is perhaps every woman's dream. So what's your take on this? How would you like to be proposed? For me, it's all about going down on knees, chocolates, music, good food and laugh to share. Seeing eye to eye and a smile which connects to the soul are the prerequisites. There's no perfect situation...any situation can be perfect when you're with your sweetheart!

Here's something for all you romantics...

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

------- Pablo Neruda

The Meaning of Life

The meaning of life is to give life a meaning...life that's beautiful, uncomplicated and simple. An existence where each single moment and day would ring a sense of fulfillment and happiness. But is it possible or is it an Utopian concept? Why is life so complicated these days? Why are we fueled by desperation, dissatisfaction and unhappiness? It's sad that these days we fail to enjoy life or try to find happiness in simple things. We are forever running for money, fame, glitz and glamour. We are neck deep into all kinds of vices imaginable. We hardly have time for anyone. We don't respect or love anyone. We are loud mouthed and big time liars. We have become so self-centered that we don't even care to think about anyone or what's happening around us. It's only ME, I and MYSELF all the time! It's really a sickening and alarming time that we're living in. People have forgotten humanity. A minimal kindness, loyalty, gratitude and reliability cannot be expected of anyone. Perhaps, these are virtues which very soon can be found only in textbooks.

Every day we come across news which is unsettling, enough to give any sane person nightmares and jitters. Molestation, rape, eve teasing, child abuse, torture inflicted on senior citizens have become part and parcel of our so-called 'civilized' society. And we have become so very thick skinned and ignorant of these vices that we even fail to raise our voices against such atrocities happening around us every day. It's like, "nothing's happening to me or my family, so why should I even bother?" And so we go on with our regular chores like a machine oblivious to everything around us! Is this called living? No! It's called surviving like a coward and these people are nothing but spineless opportunists who only think about their own well being. I really pity these folks!

The situation around us sets me thinking. What's gonna happen in the future? What kind of education and enlightenment can our next generation expect? It's dubious and unsure. We can never be at par with Westerners unless we learn to value the importance of civilization, humanity and social responsibility. We've blindly aped them in everything but we know nothing of decorum, civility and sobriety. Our society is crumbling fast. Our values are fading. Unless we pull up our socks real fast, nothing can be done to save our society. So all you 'true' folks out there...come out of your pigeonholes...give your life a meaning!

Ten Best Ways to Enjoy Summers

Let's face it! Summers are not enjoyable - it's pathetic, killing and wearisome...at least in our country! Summers are not my type. I'm a winter person. But yes, there are couple of good things about summer too...ice-creams, mangoes, fresh fruit juices, thunderstorms, beach holidays, swimming, iced coffee, sunglasses, water sports and much more!

So here are some tips on how you can make the most of summers...

• Go for a swim or enjoy the day at a water park: Perhaps the best you can do! If you have a serious water fixation, go for a swim or spend the day at a water park.

• Iced coffee or coolers at a cafe: Yes, you heard it right! Head straight to your favorite food joint or coffee shop like Cafe Coffee Day or Barista and drool over a cup of iced tea or coffee or your favorite summer coolers and see yourself feeling fresh again!
• Plan a beach holiday with friends and family. Nothing energizes us more than strolling by the beach and hearing the sound of waves and playing with sand. I remember building sand castles on the beach and collecting seashells in my childhood :)
• Invest in stylish shades and beat the heat! Now sunglasses come in various shapes and colors. Just go ahead and buy yourself a pair of cool shades and step out with confidence.
• Engage in water sports like snorkeling, water polo, jet skiing, water skiing or anything that interests you.
• Put on some soothing music and immerse yourself in a tub full of water. You can add aromatic oils and herbs to heighten the sensation and light up scented candles to create that magic effect!
• Just turn on the air conditioner and watch your favorite movie on DVD. Alternatively, listening to your favorite music will instantly energize and relax you. And who can brush off the fun of staying indoors in scorching heat?
• Eat as much fresh fruits and juices you can - mangoes, litchies, watermelon, strawberries,coconut water, grapes, peaches, black plum...choices are galore. So make the best use of such a diverse platter!
• Head for the nearest hill-station and if you are lucky enough, you can even get to play with snow!
• Visit a spa and get yourself a relaxing facial or a full body massage with exotic herbs and essential oil to ward off that excess sweat and grime.  

So now that you know what to do, what are you waiting for? Just take your pick and the make the most of this summer!

Do It Anyway!

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway!

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway!

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway!

The good you do today, will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway!

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway!

The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds;
Think big anyway!

People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs.
Fight for underdogs anyway!

What you spend years building up may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway!

People really need help, but will attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway!

Give the world the best you have and it may kick you in the teeth.
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway!

Who Let the "Dogs' Out?

“The more I get to know men, the more I like my dog.”

Well guys, don't get me wrong...I'm not talking about the male sex here, but the entire human race in general. And I'm not a misanthrope! The more I'm talking and interacting with people, the more I'm getting irritated. Some people really drive me nuts! All those weird, vain, stupid and silly people! I don't know how to hold my cool in some situations, given that these people don't know when and how to stop and draw a final line. Lying, offending, mouthing filthy language and nasty jokes...it simply freaks me out.

I don't understand why people are just dumb! And I don't even have an answer to all the dumbest questions that they throw at me. Some are prolific liars. It annoys me even more. Sometimes, I feel helpless and feel like running away. I don’t know why character no longer counts…I want to bang my head in absolute anger. In those situations, I want to take long walks or just sit alone for some time. I feel better. But I still don't understand why some people are just plain silly and turn out to be completely fake and intolerable!

I know I can't get rid of these people. I have to live with them each single day. But you know what? Sometimes, it gets on my nerves. My eyes burn with anger. I have a headache. Then I choose to be silent. I listen to music, write or watch movies. Good food is a great leveler. So I indulge in epicurean delights. Life once again goes back to normalcy.

However, one thing is for sure. Both the universe and human stupidity are infinite! There's no end to it. Some people just make me mad and my day just goes for a toss. Yeah, they do exist! They are very much all around us. I've no clue why at all they open their mouths. Or for that matter, announce their 'presence' with their stupidest, repulsive words!

But I guess, I just have to deal with it and somehow keep myself going. I can never walk away from these odious situations and people. I have to manage. I have to test my patience. I have to laugh. I keep my fingers crossed.

But here's the catch! To rewind what I began with...humans for sure are no match for dogs! Yeah...you read it right. Dogs, or better to say, animals are the best creation of God! Let's find out why...

Humans keep grudges; dogs don't, they will always forgive you

Sometimes people are not happy to see you; a dog is always happy to see its owner. It wags its tail in gratitude.

Loyalty is a long forgotten word for humans these days. Dogs are loyal to the end.

There are so many more authentic facts that I could list. It would just go on and on.

So yes,  Dogs, and not Humans win hands down!