How many friends ?

How many friends do you have?  Start counting ....
A research in the UK says that you need to have just FIVE friends for a modern life. That's all you need.
They are (1) An agony aunt  - to whom you can tell all your problems and agonies.
(2)  A loved one - who'll put his/her arm around your shoulders, and provide you the emotional support.
(3) Someone to help you out in your financial matters and advice you on savings
(4)  A knowledgeable friend to whom you can turn for advices on life's special and practical matters.
(5) A colleague with whom you can look for advice and help in the work place.

Just check how many you have ! 

Food tips

The most wanted tips you really wanted on your health. Click Health link above

Economy leaps, but the old limp

Economy leaps. But the old limp. "Economic growth seems to have benefitted only the working population, leaving behind the elderly. We need concerted policy moves to provide for the needs of the growing number of old people." Thus says Sri. K. Kanagasabhapathy, Director, EPW Research Foundation. He has written a very informative and thought provoking article on the 'problems of the elderly and the State' in "Business Line" dated 20 July2012 (Page 2 Editorial). I suggest you to kindly read the article in full.

Shelter to Senior Citizens

This is on an article in the Hindu dated Dec 3, 2011 Saturday. Titled "Building safe havens for the helpless elderly" says providing shelter to Senior Citizens has gained importance in Kerala.
The "Shobha Hermitage" at Vadakkanchery in Palakkad District provides free accommodation for elders from the poor sections of the society.

More .....>>>>

Friendship contracts for the Young at heart

This is nothing new in the western world. A man and a woman can legally live together, and they are not married. It's called "live-in partners" !
The concept is fast catching up in our country too. But here again, the concept is nothing new in Gujarat. It's tradition of "maitri karaar" is a friendship contract between men and women.

A Gujarat based NGO, Vina Mulya Amulya Sewa, now arranges Maitri Karaars. They arrange weddings not only just for those young ones, but for the 'young at heart' ones. That's how, this time it's the Senior Citizens' turn for 'Live-in" contracts.
During end December, a function is being arranged when over 3000 men and women above 50 will converge in Ahmedabad, to choose their partner. About 1000 of them would choose a 'live-in' Maitri Karaar.

This is certainly a bold step in making the lives of some of the Senior Citizens in need of a life partner more fruitful.

When Loneliness Strikes

WHEN LONELINESS STALKS THE SENIOR CITIZENS

I am referring to an article in OPEN PAGE of Hindu dated May 16, 2010. Prof. Rameeza A. Rasheed writes a very sensitive issue. The author says, The solution to the problem may lie in joining homes for elders or forums modeled on those existing abroad. He also writes about his experience in such a senior citizens forum abroad. It's all really great. All senior citizens (who can afford the memberships ) would certainly wish to be part of such forums or homes. But where are such homes or forums here ? I can't find any in my city . I have to drive my life with hopes of such a Home !

In another article, Sri. R Devarajan describes his plight. He has been enjoying the help of many during his GOOD days. Now, when he is in need of some help, NO ONE really does. He says " When I am old and when I need some help, there is none in sight."
This is not the case of Mr. Devarajan alone. Most of the senior citizens are in the same boat.

I suggest you all to read these articles in full.

How much sleep do you need ?

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Here is an interesting article from Yahoo. You may also read the article straight from Yahoo. Here is the link :

http://in.news.yahoo.com/248/20100217/1611/tls-how-much-sleep-do-you-need.html

How much sleep do you need

Wed, Feb 17 07:38 PM
Less is more: Do you need eight hours of sleep to maintain good health? Scientists are not too sure. It's possible that sleeping too much, like eating too much, is bad for you. An American study on 1.1 million people shows that those who sleep for eight hours a day are 4-5 per cent more likely to die than those sleeping 5-6 hours. And those sleeping 9-10 hours a day have the highest mortality.

93% of Indians are sleep deprived.
Pay a sleep debt: It takes more than a night of extra sleep to pay off a sleep debt, especially if you slept only three to five hours--scientists say. But you recover faster from a week of poor sleep when it's preceded by nights with 10 hours of shuteye. So if you know you have a week of little sleep ahead, try loading up on sleep beforehand, not later.
Bedtime tales: Lack of sleep hits a woman harder and raises her risk of heart disease more than it does for a man, reports the journal Sleep. The study suggests that women require more sleep than men, but generally their sleep is of a higher quality, and less fragmented. Women also seem to use sleep medication more than men. For men, use of alcohol is more common, which shortens their sleeping time, though. Men tend to start losing deep, slow wave sleep much younger than women, which can make sleep lighter and more easily disturbed.
Dreams interpreted: To Freud, dreaming was a playground for the unconscious mind. To others, it helps the brain sort through emotional memories or current problems. Now a report in Nature Neuroscience argues that dreams tune the mind for conscious awareness. We dream when the brain warms its circuits, anticipating the sights and sounds and emotions of waking. It explains why people forget so many dreams.
Should you nap?: We've heard that grabbing an hour's sleep during the day is as beneficial as a whole night in bed. But now experts from Harvard University, US, say, powernaps work only if the sleep is of the right quality. And a full night's sleep is still necessary for many vital body functions, even though a short sleep may boost learning and memory.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/248/20100217/1611/tls-how-much-sleep-do-you-need.html