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Tips for Emotional Health in these Times of Pandemic and Havoc

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It’s quite natural to get panic and anxious amidst the current state of affairs – the dreadful second wave of the pandemic. Every TV channel you turn to, every media you glance at, every other friend you catch up on the phone – are all overflowing with updates that fill us with despair and fear. A pandemic lasting for over a year has taken toll not only on our physical health and safety but also our mental and emotional well-being as well.

Even as ‘a complete lockdown’ is not really an advisable best-fit measure given the post-2020 state of economy and the financial struggles of millions in our country, it has nevertheless become inevitable to confine ourselves ‘locked-in’ as good as possible and follow every protocol, safety measures & hygiene guidelines to save ourselves as much as others around us. A healthy diet, proper exercises, workouts, martial arts all contribute to your physical fitness. And what worth is this physical health if you have a depressed, anxious and confused state of mind!

Here are some simple useful tips, a few little things that we can practice or include in our daily life to enhance our emotional well-being as well.

Your energy level decides your day

Any task in day-to-day life and even our thought processes require spending a lot of energy. Probably, all of us have had this experience of a less productive day when our energy levels went low and vice versa. Feeling low, discouraged, depressed and even getting suicidal tendencies are just an unfortunate indication that one’s energy level has considerably fallen low or even extremely low. Interestingly emotions have an impact on energy levels too- negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and anger drain your energy further. We have known and experienced to what extend we can control our emotions in a day. Working on enhancing our energy levels could be the easier trick and the first step towards our emotional well-being. How?

We acquire energy from various sources of which breath is something happening effortlessly and involuntarily all the time but without which we would immediately give up the ghost. No-tax of course, and we seldom pay attention to it, unless we chase/get chased by something or face breathing difficulties! While the shortage of oxygen cylinders created news heading, many doctors have taken to news and social media recommending tips to common people for lung capacity enhancement to facilitate better absorption of oxygen. Working on our breath using breathing techniques, pranayama etc effectively and instantly enhances our energy levels and lung capacity. Stress-relief and a peaceful state of mind is an added bonus.

Yoga implies union of body breath and mind. You don’t have to struggle with that bird of paradise pose! Those few simple stretches that you can do at your best with a gentle attention on your body and breath are good enough if done regularly to enhance immunity, energy levels along with several other benefits of yoga including improved digestion and better functioning of internal organs.

Meditation is the art of doing nothing. We often misinterpret meditation as a sort of concentration on something, in fact it is de-concentration and a deep relaxation to the mind. Concentration improves as an outcome of regular meditation. There are umpteen types of meditations available today and one can begin with guided meditation for a smooth practice. Meditation not only relieves you of stress, it also enhances functioning of the brain (as per several researches conducted), energizes and rejuvenates your mind. 20 minutes of daily meditation is a golden key for mental hygiene just like we brush our teeth everyday for dental hygiene.

A4 – Acceptance, Areas of focus, Association, Activity

  • Mentally resisting and rebelling a situation makes no impact rather gifts us stress, tension and anxiety. Accepting this pandemic situation not only brings about a relief within but also invokes our inner spirit for proper action at this time.
  • What we focus makes what we are in life. The more we focus on positivity, opportunity and new ways of growth the faster we progress in the new normal.
  • Staying updated with news doesn’t mean you have to binge on negativity. It is most advisable to treat media as they are and ensure your quality time is spend on associations and sources that inspire, energizes and uplift you rather than drain and demotivate you.
  • Even if you are a job hunter, a housewife, an emeritus or one kicking your heels this could be the best time to explore and engage with your hidden talents. Consider creative activities as God’s workshop; try counting the number of tutors, cooks, writers, dancers, singers, vloggers and artists the 2020 lockdown created. Time to bring out the brand within you fellas!

Sound Sleep vs Gadgets

A sound sleep is a secret magic recipe that lets you wake up with a cleaner mind on the next day. We love gadgets, be it our buddy smartphone or the laptop we are glued to for watch marathons of vlogs, web series and what not. In a way they seem helping us momentarily forget everything around but they also tamper with our sleep pattern. Dwelling on them continuously extending unto bedtime could be a bad idea if you love to have a sound sleep. So use gadgets wisely and not let them use you, get ample deep sleep for a fresh start of the next day.

Times are tough but it is totally upto us whether to make the best out of it in the safest possible ways!

Word by: Rajani R Pai

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Art

Navratri 2024: Celebrating the Nine Colours and Their Significance

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Navratri, the festival that spans nine nights, is one of the most auspicious and widely celebrated festivals in India. Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine forms, each day of Navratri holds special significance, marked by a distinct color that carries deep spiritual and cultural meaning. As we prepare for Navratri 2024, let’s explore the nine colors associated with each day, their significance, and how they inspire devotion, positivity, and harmony.

Day 1: Yellow

On Thursday, embrace the uplifting energy of yellow as you celebrate Navratri with optimism and joy. This warm and cheerful color symbolizes happiness and radiates positivity, keeping you in high spirits throughout the day.

Day 2: Green

On Friday, wear green, a color that represents nature, growth, and harmony. It evokes a sense of peace and serenity, while also symbolizing new beginnings. Let the vibrant energy of green invite tranquility and the blessings of the Goddess into your life.

Day 3: Grey

Saturday calls for the subtle sophistication of grey. This balanced color keeps you grounded and calm, symbolizing composure and understated elegance. It’s perfect for those who want to participate in Navratri with grace while making a refined style statement.

Day 4: Orange

On Sunday, adorn yourself in the vibrant hue of orange. This color embodies warmth, exuberance, and positivity. Wearing orange during Navratri invokes an upbeat energy, bringing vitality and a lively spirit to your celebrations.

Day 5: White

Start your Monday with the purity and serenity of white. Associated with innocence and spiritual clarity, this color invites inner peace and helps you connect with the divine blessings of the Goddess, offering a sense of security and calm.

Day 6: Red

On Tuesday, red takes center stage, symbolizing passion, love, and strength. As one of the most auspicious colors, red is often offered to the Goddess in the form of a Chunri. Wearing red fills you with energy, vigor, and the vibrant spirit of Navratri.

Day 7: Royal Blue

Wednesday’s color is royal blue, representing elegance, richness, and tranquility. This deep, vivid shade of blue exudes confidence and sophistication, making it an ideal choice for those who want to celebrate Navratri with style and grace.

Day 8: Pink

On Thursday, don the charming hue of pink, a symbol of universal love, affection, and harmony. Pink is a color that adds a soft touch of warmth and approachability, making it perfect for creating a loving and joyful atmosphere during the festivities.

Day 9: Purple

On the final day of Navratri, purple takes the spotlight. Associated with luxury, nobility, and grandeur, purple invites opulence into your life. Wearing this regal color while worshipping Navdurga bestows blessings of prosperity and richness, making it the perfect way to end your Navratri celebrations.

 

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Luxury

Cartier’s New High Jewellery Collection is a Love For The Wild

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In 2021, the American Museum of Natural History in New York presented Beautiful Creatures, an exhibition showcasing some of the most eccentric jewellery designs of the past century. One standout piece was the iconic crocodile necklace of Mexican actress María Félix, a loyal Cartier patron. Félix, renowned for her bold sense of style, famously strolled into Cartier’s Paris store in 1975 with her pet crocodile, requesting a necklace in its likeness. Cartier delivered, crafting two intertwined crocodiles encrusted with over a thousand emeralds and yellow diamonds. For Félix, crocodiles symbolized freedom, an embodiment of the spirit she associated with Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema.

Fast forward to today, and Félix’s wildest dreams seem to have come to life at Cartier’s latest high jewellery collection, Nature Sauvage, previewed at the historic Kursalon Hübner gallery in Vienna. Among the star pieces is the Koaga necklace, a masterful creation where a zebra clasps an emerald-cut diamond and a 6.25-carat pear-shaped rubellite in its mouth. The zebra’s form is exquisitely rendered in alternating onyx stripes and pavé diamonds, making the creature feel almost lifelike.

The relationship between animals and jewellery has deep mythological roots, often glorified through rituals and symbolism. In ancient Egypt, scarab beetles were worn as earrings to signify respect for life’s cyclical nature. Meanwhile, in Hellenistic Greece, gods and goddesses took on the forms of winged creatures in adornment. So, what is it about animal-themed jewellery that continues to captivate us? According to Amanda Triossi, a jewellery historian based in Rome, the allure lies in our primal instincts: “Wearing wild animals like panthers or tigers gives one the sense of having conquered them. It’s empowering, as if you inherit the animal’s strength and attributes.”

Cartier captures this essence beautifully in its Amphista necklace. Featuring two intertwined snakes with diamond scales set with emeralds, their heads adorned with kite-shaped diamonds, the necklace echoes ancient Chinese philosophy’s yin-yang balance. The pièce de résistance? Nine octagonal Colombian emeralds, weighing a total of 14.72 carats.

Triossi also notes that many historical heroes are often depicted draped in the skins of animals they’ve vanquished, a symbol of triumph. Today, jewellery transforms that symbol into something precious and eternal—animal skins reimagined in imperishable materials.

Later that evening, at a celebration held at Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest in Austria, the enchantment of Cartier’s collection was heightened. The museum’s octagonal domes featured paintings of animals dancing with angels, setting the stage for a magical night. Guests were greeted by masterpieces such as Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait and Caravaggio’s Madonna of the Rosary, alongside Cartier page boys in their signature red hats. The evening’s soundtrack, a seamless blend of Bach and Kygo, was curated by DJ Gillian Sagansky, lending a modern twist to the classical ambiance.

The following day brought another cultural adventure—a visit to Otto Wagner’s Villa, a stunning summer palace designed by the famed architect. The paintings adorning the villa’s walls depicted animals in various forms—some caught in purgatory, others wandering the biblical bardo, with alligators restlessly emerging from swampy landscapes.

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Luxury

Indian Craftsmanship Meets Italian Savoir Faire : Rahul Mishra x Tod’s

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Quiet luxury was expected to dominate for a while, with many predicting that the return of bold, extravagant fashion would take its time. However, maximalism seems to be making a swift comeback, especially in the realm of designer collaborations. Hot on the heels of the vibrant, print-heavy H&M x Anamika Khanna collection, another limited-edition line has arrived, celebrating opulent luxury: Rahul Mishra x Tod’s.

As part of Tod’s T-Factory project, which features exclusive collaborations with creative innovators, this marks Indian couturier Rahul Mishra’s debut in the international accessories space.

Mishra is a true ambassador of Indian design. Along with his wife Divya Mishra, he leads his eponymous label, which has brought the essence of India to the global stage in remarkable ways. A regular at Paris Fashion Week and the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week, his creations have adorned celebrities like Zendaya and Mark Zuckerberg, and have graced magazine covers in South Korea, China, and Europe. With such a path-defining legacy, it’s no surprise that Mishra and his visionary label were Tod’s natural choice for their first-ever Indian collaboration.

Mishra describes this collaboration as a beautiful fusion of “Italian craftsmanship serving as the canvas for Indian vision.” Tod’s iconic Gommino loafers and mules, along with the Di Bag and T Timeless shoulder bag, have been reimagined with intricate resham embroidery, crystals, and sequins—all meticulously hand-embroidered at Mishra’s atelier in Noida. “It was a technically challenging process that took time to perfect. I can confidently say these are some of the finest bags and shoes you’ll ever witness, in terms of craftsmanship and longevity. Such pieces are forever,” Mishra proudly shares.

Crafted entirely between India and Italy, the limited-edition pieces from this collection are a true love letter to the artisanal heritage of both nations. “There’s a beauty in the teamwork here,” Mishra explains. “We received raw materials from Italy and worked on integrating our embroideries seamlessly into their leather. The pieces were then sent back to Tod’s, where they transformed them into stunning, three-dimensional products. In that sense, it’s been a genuine collaboration between Italy and India.”

Mishra firmly believes that the future of global design will be shaped by a global Indian aesthetic. “Just as French, Italian, British, and Japanese designs are now seen as universal,” he explains. This collaboration marks a significant step in advancing that narrative. “When you push the boundaries of ‘handmade in India’ to be respected at the pinnacle of luxury, everything else will naturally follow,” he emphasizes.

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