Food companies and their misleading labels

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Food is for nutrition and to provide the body with energy and vital nutrients. Names of foods help us to know what the likely ingredients might be in it. But often, we notice that food names are misleading. They can fool a person into buying only to realize that it did not meet their expectations and imagination. For instance, take the example of samosa. An ideal samosa is refined wheat flour (maida) wrap with mashed potatoes and boiled peas inside. And when we say paneer samosa (cottage cheese stuffed fried dumplings), the picture that comes to our mind is of a wrap of refined wheat flour dough with paneer inside. But to your disappointment, you will find that these samosas are nothing but the normal samosas with mashed potatoes with or without boiled peas and just 1 small piece of cottage cheese at one corner!!! If we talk about rusks, most of these are made of refined wheat flour or maida which is not healthy. Maida is stripped of all the vital nutrients such as fiber, vitamins,
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What is Work-life balance? Why is it important? What should be done to achieve it?

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 Work-life balance is essential for a good life: alone or family. It provides quality of life and happiness. But how many people think of it? Some who do think of it feel that it is an impossible feat. 

Work-life balance and today

The good old days of the past have gone. This is especially true of people residing in the cities of the world. Whether it is service or business, long hours at work are becoming the norm. The world has gone competitive and people get concerned about losing their job if employed or losing their clients if in a business. This pushes people to overwork. But they forget no one can prolong the 24 hours of one day. So the net result is the work time encroaches on your social and personal time. 

Harvard Business School did a survey and found that 94% of professionals were working more than 50 hours in a week. And nearly 50% were working for more than 65 hours per week. The recommended comfortable working hours per week should not be over 48 hours per week. The overwork is seen in people of the medical field, chemists, security people, small business owners etc. They end up with no week offs. 

Work-life balance (Source: Coburg Banks)

Also, read Color therapy

Impact of long working hours on humans

People do not realize but long hours of work are damaging. There is the famous saying:

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

It has deep inner significance for those who can interpret it. The seemingly never-ending workday can lead to mental stress and and affect health. It can strain relations and ultimately affect happiness. 

Happiness is the crux of life. People may say that they enjoy their work but in this, they are ignoring their duties and responsibilities towards their families and social circle. This makes an unhealthy family and an unhealthy society. 

Tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance

1. Perfectionism in later life can be bad

Perfectionism as a child may be good and help one to overachieve things. But as families grow, this may prove detrimental and affect relations. Hence one needs to change with time and age and overcome this habit of perfectionism. coach Marilyn Puder-York states in her book:

"As life gets more expanded it’s very hard, both neurologically and psychologically, to keep that habit of perfection going,” 

2. Unplug from technology

Technology has helped people and is good. But any thing that has advantages also comes with its own problems. Mobile phones are ringing everytime and the distinction between normal work and emergency work has got diluted. This is harmful for self and family. Hence unplug and relax truly for a while. Robert Brooks, a professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School says:

"There are times when you should just shut your phone off and enjoy the moment,” 

Phone notifications are stressful and irk. It leads to an undercurrent of tension. So switch off phones when with family and kids. Control your lives and be resilient. 

3. Exercise

Exercise is an effective and low-cost way to destress. Hence regular exercising is mandatory. Make time for it. It increases the happy hormones in the body and elevates moods. 

Have your own way of relaxation and do not let it be encroached by your work. Practice self-care. Change your lifestyle for your own good. Psychotherapist Bryan Robinson states:

"The key is to find something that you can build into your life that will activate your parasympathetic nervous system,”

Calm down for some time of the day. It will pay off in a great way. 

4. Prioritize and  Avoid time wastes

Prioritize your work and avoid time-wasting moments. YouTube, Facebook may have to be deleted from your list if it does not add to your knowledge or quality of life. Focus on activities that give you good returns. 

5. Alter the life structure

Take a bird's eye view of your life and see how you can change it to make it better. Delegate or outsource whether at home or at work. Stewart Freidman, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School says:

“Find out what you can do to let go in ways that benefit other people by giving them opportunities to grow,”

6. Expand gradually

To change your life, make one change at a time in small steps. Robert Brooks says:

“If you’re trying to change a certain script in your life, start small and experience some success. Build from there,” 

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