10 tips for healthy hair and skin

1 Oil your hair regularly with coconut oil. It improves the blood circulation in your scalp and preconditions your hair. It has also been scientifically proven to reduce the problem of hair loss over a period of time.

2 Use a shampoo that suits your hair type and use it gently and at least twice a week. However, excessive use of shampoo and conditioner will spoil your hair.

3 Diet plays an important role for healthy hair. Eat protein-rich foods and include fruits and vegetables in your diet, it will make a big difference.

4 Get a massage with hot coconut oil at least once a week. It is the best conditioner for your hair and suits all hair types. It also helps in delaying pre-mature greying.

5 Invest in a good serum to protect your hair ends and prevent split ends. Also, carry a wide-toothed comb and a flat brush to groom your hair.

6 Drink at least two to three litres of water daily. It cleanses the system from within and this reflects on your skin. Even coconut water is also good for skin.

7 Including fruits like papaya, strawberry, coconut, water melons and lots of green vegetables in your diet will give your skin a glow, as they all have different antioxidants in them.

8 Use a coconut-based moisturiser that will give you soft, smooth skin if used regularly. Also use a sunscreen regularly to protect your skin.

9 Daily exercise, for about half an hour, helps keep your mind and skin fresh.

10 Egg tightens pores and honey acts as a moisturiser for your skin. It is also effective in treating acne. This mask will give you a temporary glow and tighten your skin.

Wrong bed could cost you good health

A regular sleep pattern has always been a mandatory requisition to good health. And for most of us, hitting the bed is probably the best part of the day.

However, for those who toss and turn in their beds, instead of getting a good night’s snooze, here’s one reason that could be going wrong. The right bed!

Sleep experts over the years have pointed out that finding the right bed is a prerequisite for a solid snooze.

Says Vivek Radhakrishnan, furniture designer and creative director of Kynkyny Home, a design studio and manufacturing unit, “The most common mistake people make when buying a bed, is buying a cheap one! A bed is a very important part of a home, where one spends the most hours. So, when buying one invest in something, which is really nice!”

For most parts, says Vivek beds are made of either wood, steel or both. But more than the material, what matters is how well a bed is made and how structurally sound it is.

As a bed is a fairly a long-term investment, the longevity of the product is important, he points out. “A bed should be well designed so it can be assembled and disassembled easily without any weakening of the joints and structure. I prefer wooden beds, as wood has warmth, and feels cozier to sleep and relax in,” he adds.

Product designer Neil Foley adds, “In terms of design, practicality is an important factor when buying a bed. If a family needs to shift from one place to another, then they should definitely look at modularity (the mechanism where a system’s components may be separated and re-combined) of the piece.”

Mattresses also are an integral part of the bed and must be chosen with utmost care. “Choosing a mattress is a very personal thing and one should make sure to try the various types of mattresses available on the market before choosing one. Different body types require different firmness and foam densities,” points out Vivek.

The base supporting the mattress is also plays an important role. “In India, most people prefer a plywood base board, however, slats (a long, thin, flat piece of lumber or plastic) allow mattresses to breathe better, and reduce chances of any fungus forming on the bottom side,” he adds.

The sturdiness of the bed is another important factor. “Hold the top of the headboard and shake it to find out about the strength of the piece,” says Vivek.

For wooden beds, one must pay attention to a quality wood finishing that will last a long time. For those that come with an upholstered head board, it is imperative that the headboards are removable and washable, he adds. Among things to keep in mind, when buying a bed, are durability, practicality and the overall synergy with the décor of the home, points out Neil.

Adds Ather Raza, executive housekeeper, Sheraton Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, which launched their Sweet Sleeper Bed to help the hotel’s guests and patrons with a good night’s sleep, “Never buy from unknown brands or without reading reviews first. Find out from people who own different brands, as this will help to avoid making a bad choice. Also mattress should come with a warranty and not involve high maintenance. So it’s important to understand the material or fabric used in it.”

Pankaj Mathur, general manager of Four Points, Sheraton, which launched the Four Comport Bed for their guests, adds, “Quality of the foam or filling, the strength of the innerspring, the frame and fire retardant levels should be checked for beds. For innersprings of a mattress, insist on coils that are twice-tempered as these help the coils retain strength and prevent mattress sag.”

Clap your way to good health

Everyone desires good health and people end up spending a lot on expensive gyms and other forms of workout. But, here is a technique that can help you stay fit by just clapping your hand. 

'Tali yoga' is a very effective technique that can help you get rid of many diseases.

If you are suffering from gas, constipation, indigestion, stress and lack of concentration then beat the four fingers of your right hand against your left hand. Do this 5minutes very day.  

If you are suffering from high BP then stand and clap your hands. Make sure you make a circle while clapping. 'Tali yoga' can also provide relief to people suffering from heart problems, back ache and cervical.

Make sure you follow a rhythm while clapping your hands. In the beginning clap for 2 minutes and then slowly increase this time.