BE N N E T T, C OL E M A N & C O. LT D. | E S TA BLI S H E D 183 8 | T IM E S OF IN DI A .

C OM | N E W DE L HI

STUDENT EDITION
➤ Discover the joy (and ➤ Live your life, Ruskin ➤ A look at the
power) of surprise Bond style basics of boxing
TODAY’S SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

EDITION
PLUS: Live near a forest; PLUS: What is a Newspaper in
Education

Text anxiety multiverse in MCU?

HEALTH
PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 STICK TO THIS
 Eat food at regular meal times
 Do not skip meals
 Exercise daily for at least an hour
 Control your portion sizes. Use small

CLICK HERE: PAGE 1 AND 2 bowls for solid foods & big glass for liquids
 Eat 2-3 servings of fruits and 4-5 servings
of green vegetables. Include fruits like
apple, guava, papaya, pear, peach, apricot,
RETHINK Pics: Istock
plum, strawberries, and cherries
 Practice drinking 3 litres

WEIGHING IN How’s your per day (between meals,

HOW TO BECOME BOPO not with meals)
(BODY POSITIVE)  For cooking use meth-

1 GUT FEELING?
POSITIVE SELF-TALK: Repeat ods like baking, grilling,
positive affirmations like “I AM stir fry, steaming, poach-
Beautiful”, “I AM Healthy”, “I AM ing, sprouting, fermenta-
WHY YOU SHOULD STOP DISCUSSING WEIGHT – LOSS OR GAIN? Perfect”, “I AM Enough” to replace
negative self-talk
Raging emotions, attention tion, microwave cooking

deficit, food allergies — your

AND IF YOU MUST, HERE’S HOW TO HOLD SUCH WEIGHTY TALKS 2 BE AWARE: Of how you talk
about yourself to yourself.
Observe your thoughts and you health woes could well be linked
FEED YOUR
GUT WELL
Nupur.Amarnath@timesgroup.com Bottom line: It’s not about fit or fat. The will notice that very often our It is not out of the
HEAVY THOUGHTS real issue is not to make weight dinner- own internal dialogue is harsh to a weak gut. Read on… blue that your body

B
ody positive blogger and influ-
encer Amena Azeez tells us
matter of factly how her weight
often comes up in conversa-
tions. Be it acquaintances,
commenters or followers, people feel the
need to tell her she’s gaining weight or
shouldn’t wear a dress because it’s not for
“her body type”. As Azeez says, “I love
fashion but fashion doesn’t love me.” After
all, the fashion industry has always wor-
shipped at the altar of ‘tall and thin’.
Enter: plus-size fashion – a segment that
caters to curvy chic. But now, research
says it may be making you obese.
WEIGHT AND WATCH
Faridabad-based bariatric surgeon Dr table talk, Azeez says and adds, and critical throws up odd reactions to
Pankaj Kumar Hans agrees that obesity is “Discussing weight is not a conversation
on the rise in India. But not all plus is
minus! Hans mentions that your
starter. I don’t want to hear that I have
gained weight. Or that I have lost
3 USE THE TIME BEFORE YOU
SLEEP: The time before you nod
off is effective in programming
food or bloats up every now and then. These are
signs of a sluggish digestive system. The gut is
like an entire ecosystem of bacteria and yeast —
weight becomes a bother “if a weight. Period.” your subconscious mind. Use it to some beneficial, others toxic. One needs to
person develops symptoms If someone Bhagwani says, “I, as a your benefit. Fall asleep by make sure to eat and exercise well to entertain
of breathlessness, has brings up your weight plus-size woman, have repeating: “I feel better and the good bacteria swimming in the gut. “What
increased sweating, and you don’t want to never felt unhealthy for better every day in every way” we eat affects our gut. Too much of wrong
inability to cope with being one. There
sudden physical activity,
with pain in back and
discuss it, “Please, don’t
bring it up” is an accepted
answer. Respond if
are many
forms and
4 PRACTISE SELF-
APPRECIATION:
Look in the mirror
eating affects the delicate gut lining causing a
reduction in the absorption of micronutrients,”
says Dhvani Shah, healing diet specialist.
joints.” Everyone has their required, don’t react – aspects of daly and tell yourself
own weight journey. ‘health’.”
but never ignore
Etiquette expert
what you like/love GO PRE & PROBIOTIC
about yourself While probiotics introduce good bacteria into
Suneeta
WEIGHTY MATTERS
THE ETIQUETTE OF Kanga says,
“People are well
5 FOCUS: Do
things that are
good for your
the gut, prebiotics act as a fertiliser for the
good bacteria that’s there. Prebiotics
DISCUSSING WEIGHT Supriya.Sharma2@timesgroup.com naturally exist in many foods you may already
Rule #1: Don’t bring it up. People use it aware when they health. Don’t consume on a regular basis, basically foods

A
A study by University of East Anglia, pub- as an ice-breaker, it’s not! have gained weight concentrate on ll disease begins in the gut,” said wise that are high in fibre. Some rich sources are
lished in the journal ‘Obesity’, called out Rule #2: Don’t mention – even if they are not weight but man Hippocrates, foretelling the banana, spinach, cucumber and
plus-size fashion for fuelling obesi- weightloss either. Weight is aware of when they keep moving. fate of human digestion all carrots, tomatoes, garlic and
ty. Study lead Dr Raya not a topic of have lost it. They You will feel those years ago. Well, if not KITCHEN onions, lentils and wheat bran.
Muttarak said: “While this conversation. Period. don’t need it to good about all, most chronic REMEDIES FOR A “Probiotic foods such as curd,
type of body-positive Rule #3: Encourage, be pointed out. yourself metabolic diseases do cultivate in the HEALTHY GUT buttermilk and tofu should
movement helps reduce not comment. Wait Weight should and that gut. What one mustn’t ignore are  Jeera water for acidity be included other than
stigmatisation of larger- for the person to never be a will signs like mental stress and anxiety,  Pomegranate juice for herbs and spices like mint,
sized bodies, it can discuss his/her topic up for radiate digestive issues, skin problems and constipation  Stewed lemon, cumin, ginger and
potentially undermine weight and then discus- out frequent infections. apple for stomach infec- turmeric that stimulate the
the recognition of being make productive sion.” tion  Barley and mint production of digestive
overweight and its health suggestions. water for water
consequences.” The study Rule #4: Support, not
GUT HAPPY, YOU HAPPY! retention
enzymes,” adds Shah.
claimed that this leads to an Could your microbes be talking to your
shame. Help them stick brain? Science says yes. There is actually a STAY HYDRATED
“increase in weight mispercep- to a diet plan.
tion”. Pish-tosh, says plus-size influ- gut-brain axis that decides your mental makeup and “Water is a powerful detoxifier because it
Rule #5: Choose how you could even result in serious issues like Alzheimer’s. assists the kidneys and colon to eliminate
encer Aashna Bhagwani, “Would you say compliment. Never compliment on a
the same thing to a short or tall person? If These bacteria cause butterflies in your tummy and waste. Hydration means drinking water, not
physical appearance but a quality. give you intestinal cramps in anxious situations. The coffee, caffeinated teas or energy drinks that
there are special clothing made for people Rule #6: Know who can bring it up.
with certain body specifics, why not plus- gut is your second brain and directly affects your can further dehydrate the gut. Drink 8-10
Your immediate family or close friends mood and mind and vice versa. So treat your gut well glasses of water per day,” says Manjari
size? Every shape is unique and should be but not acquaintances.
celebrated that way.” to be happy yourself! Chandra, consultant therapeutic nutritionist.

FLYING HIGH
WELLNESS TRIVIA TIME

Is climate change AMELIA EARHART

1
A collection of diary entries by
Amelia Earhart, published
solo from
Honolulu to
Oakland, Los

confusing your body?

posthumously, reveals that she Angeles to
wasn’t so impressed the first time she Mexico City, and
May 21 was a landmark day for aviation. In 1927, Charles saw an airplane. Earhart recalled feeling Mexico City to
Newark, all in
Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo flight across the unmoved by “a thing of rusty wire and
1935. She was the

W
eather changes have a profound
effect on human health and well-
being, although it may seem like
an insignificant factor. While a
change in weather is a natural
wood” at the Iowa State Fair in 1908.
Atlantic. And five years later, on the same date, Amelia Her passion for aviation was stoked first woman to get
WAYS TO MANAGE a pilot’s license
Earhart becomes the first woman to repeat the feat when she worked as a nurse’s aide at
from the National
CLIMATE CHANGES Toronto’s Spadina Military Hospital.
Aeronautic
 Prefer natural surroundings more than CHARLES LINDBERGH In 1930, Lindbergh’s sister-in-law Earhart first got on a plane in 1920, and
Association.

1
artificial one as we need to live as close as Charles Lindbergh was an developed a fatal heart condi- as a passenger.

5
phenomenon and our bodies are pretty tuned in to Earhart’s plane disappeared July 2,

2
possible to nature aviator and military officer tion. To help her he invented She was taught by another
the seasonal transitions, due to the disturbances 1937 and remains one of the
 Consume a diet that’s local and seasonal as from the United States. He the glass perfusion pump pioneering female aviator Neta
in the climate and environment – prolonged spells biggest mysteries
they grow in a particular month for a reason – graduated first in his class with Alexis Carrel. In later Snook, the first woman to run her
of summer or winter or monsoons can end up and urban
which is to prepare you for the upcoming during flight training, earning years, Lindbergh’s pump was own aviation business and commercial First
confusing our body and health. In India currently, legends. The US
season. For instance, mangoes grow in later his Army pilot’s wings and an further developed by others airfield. She gave Earhart flying lessons Lady Eleanor
we are experiencing extremes — too much heat, government
summer months to help you boost your opportunity to serve before and led to making of the first at Kinner Field near Long Beach, Roosevelt was so
too much rainfall, temperature drop — which spent $4
immunity for the upcoming monsoons graduating. In his initial years, heart-lung machine California in 1921. inspired by Amelia
somewhere maybe impacting our health. million her

3
 Avoid constant exposure to air he had a serious flying accident, Amelia Earhart bought her first Earhart that she signed

4
leading to a missed opportunity – a reason Lindbergh received the Medal of plane within six months of taking search – the up for flying lessons.
conditioners. Air conditioners give a false
EFFECT OF EXTREME WEATHER impression about the real weather outside why he shifted to civil aviation. Honour and Distinguished Flying her first flying lesson for $2000. most The two became
Cross from the president. expensive sea

2
ON EMOTIONAL HEALTH  Invest in your immunity. A strong immunity In May 1927, he did a solo flight
In 1928, he was the ‘Man of
She named it The Canary. The used
and air search
friends in 1932
Extreme heat has a direct impact on emotional is the only way to avoid falling sick often across the Atlantic — from New York yellow Kinner Airster biplane was the
to Paris — in a single-engine plane the Year’ and awarded second one ever built. of that time. The
health. It tends to increase violence in people, because of changing weather conditions
Congressional Gold Medal. official search ended a

4
sleep patterns get disturbed and that leads to  Adopt meditation and other stress called Spirit of St Louis in 34 hours. Earhart was the first woman to fly

5
In 1932, his infant son little over two weeks later. Several

3
decreased productivity and cognition in people. management techniques in case of In 1919, New York hotel owner across the Atlantic as a passenger
Raymond Orteig offered a $25,000 Charles Augustus (1928) and then solo (1932) and theories about what happened still
Similarly, extreme cold conditions can depress depression and anxiety
prize for the completion of the first Lindbergh Jr was nonstop from coast to coast (1932) as a abound: most people believe
some people. Because of the lack of sunlight and
nonstop flight between New York and kidnapped and murdered. pilot. She was also the first person she ran out of fuel and
the grey weather, most people aren’t able to EFFECT OF LACK OF SUNLIGHT Paris. Lindbergh obtained the The news called it ‘the crime to ever fly crashed into the Pacific
expose themselves to natural light which is Rapid changes in weather have also been
backing of nine St Louis of the century’. The Ocean. Others believe
important for a better mood and to regulate our known to impact the duration and Lindbergh One
investors. To honour his Congress passed the she landed on one of the
circadian rhythm. They start to experience a intensity of exposure to sunlight (directly had less than 20 of the first
supporters, he named it the so-called “Lindbergh islands but died of thirst,
condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). or indirectly). Lack of sunlight can throw hours of training celebs to launch a
Spirit of St. Louis. When he Law”, which made starvation, injury, or at the
SAD or “winter blues” is a type of depression that our circadian rhythm out of balance – before taking off on his clothing line – Amelia
reached Paris, Lindbergh kidnapping a hands of Japanese soldiers
comes and goes with the seasons – especially which can manifest as lethargy, solo flight. He returned Earhart Fashions, sold
became a world hero. His federal offense. in Saipan. Some claim that
winters. It’s extreme and a genuine concern for disturbed sleep, fatigue, overeating and by boat on the US exclusively at Macy’s
flight touched off the The attention and she and her navigator
people living in cold regions. Additionally, cold air depression. Low levels of sunlight can Navy cruiser USS and Marshall
“Lindbergh boom” in aviation – hysteria led the Fred Noonan lived
is generally dry and this can dry out nasal and also affect the way our body produces Memphis Field’s
aircraft industry stocks rose, and family to exile in as castaways.
upper respiratory passages predisposing us to serotonin – a feel good hormone. Low levels of
interest in flying skyrocketed. Europe.
chances of contracting bacterial and viral serotonin are linked to depression. Pics: Wikipedia
infections. This is also the kind of weather that Also, we are continuously exposed to air-
most people suffering from joint pains find SELF-CARE

STAY HYDRATED
conditioned environments irrespective of the
uncomfortable and painful. weather outside – which further confuses our

EFFECT OF ERRATIC MONSOONS

body. The repeated exposure to hot and cold
temperatures can also hamper immunity.
How to retain skin moisture
ON IMMUNITY Luke Coutinho, holistic lifestyle during summer...

T
Erratic monsoons that end up clogging
coach – integrative medicine
he golden rule of summer
drainage pipes, there are outbreaks of water skincare is nourishment.
borne diseases, thyroid, malaria, dengue, The merciless heat, dry air
fungal infections, low immunity, stomach and exposure to harsh
infections and more. Also, the transition from sunrays of summer take out
summers to monsoons is the phase when the moisture from our skin, making it look
majority fall sick as immunity cripples. Hence, dull and damaged. While we put effort
investing in immunity into replenishing this moisture with right
becomes a top priority. diet, water intake, moisturisers, face
packs, facials, yet one finds that the
effects of these don’t last long. But there
are ways to up your skin hydration
by using the right products.
Lock the moisture in with a
toner: Toners are an
underrated product. Not
many people realise the
importance of including a
good natural ingredient-
based toner in their daily
skincare regimen. Toner can
be your skin’s best friend in summer as it wash and cleaners serve just to remove
doubles up as a protective layer that impurities from the skin, but in doing so
prevents moisture from escaping. they serve a greater purpose. The longer
Shield with sunscreen: It is a known fact germs, pollution, impurities and foreign
that sunscreens form a protective shield particles stay on the skin the more they
against harmful UV rays. They are keep damaging it and robbing it of its
absolutely essential for keeping the skin natural moisture. Facewash and
moisture intact. You can pick an aloevera cleansers, by getting rid of these
based one as it has healing abilities and impurities, save the skin from losing its
excellent protective properties. natural glow.
Pampering with skin serum: A Let your skin breathe: Skin has the
good nourishing serum ability to regenerate naturally.
with multi-vitamins and Up your When indoors, give your skin
anti-oxidants can work summer skincare breathing time with no
wonders for the skin by and use the right products or chemicals. After
providing natural products, otherwise properly cleansing it from all
nourishment and skin can take a long foreign particles and excess
protecting the skin time to recover from oils, leave it to breathe and
from damage. damage caused by stay in its natural state. TNN
Keep that skin clean: heat and dust Expert: Rachit Gupta, CEO and MD,
One would feel that face OxyGlow Cosmetics
 02
The joy (and power)
of SURPRISE
AN UNEXPECTED EVENT OR DISCOVERY, THIS DELIGHTFUL EMOTION IS
MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU THINK
essential adaptation for our ancestors
Nupur.Amarnath@timesgroup.com
because it forced them to freeze and
P
focus on threats and opportunities. And
eek-a-boo!” It’s a formative
those who couldn’t experience it, could
game that is the rite of pas-
sage for all kids. Chances are, not react or learn quickly enough to sur-
vive. It says: “On a neural level, surprise
you have played this time-
tested game of sur-
prise in your early years.
Surprise
While parents delight at
has the power
the laughter this evinces,
to help others
new research says that
it could be more than change how they see
themselves. But, cru-
just an object of sur-
cially, it also gives us
prise. Surprise, as it
the power to change
turns out, could be valu-
how we see our-
able brain development
selves
potential and can change a
learning experience.
LEARNING?
WHAT IS “SURPRISE”? On 2015, psychologists Aimee E
Stahl and Lisa Feigenson from Johns
While the dictionary describes ‘surprise’
simply as an unexpected or astonishing Hopkins University studied how the
event or fact, cognitively surprise is the element of surprise could help engage a
error signal our brains produce when baby to learn more efficiently. Published
something unexpected or mis-expected in the journal ‘Science’, the study found
happens. An article in ‘Psychology that the element of surprise provides a
Today’ on ‘The Power of Surprise’ says brain boost to the baby who becomes
that it was this element that was an more intrigued by the possibilities of the
COPING MECHANISMS
What’s in your stress
management toolkit?
E
veryone is different, so what works best
for you to de-stress might differ from
your best friend or family member. It can
also take some trial and error to see what
works for you. Try a combination of
active coping strategies like meditating, journaling
and living more mindfully and the usual passive
mechanisms like going for a run, cooking or
listening to music. With time you will know which
package works best for you.
Let’s look at some integrative stress
management techniques that have proven to be
helpful time and again:
1
A consistent meditation practice: The
keyword, when it comes to meditation, is
practice. If you’re new to meditation, you
might start with a few minutes every day or do a
few short sessions multiple times throughout the
day. It won’t be easy at first but practicing more
regularly will make you more comfortable as you
will learn to emotionally detach yourself from
stressful thoughts.
2
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk
therapy focused on pinpointing and
questioning negatives. Research
shows that people who receive CBT
have a greater reduction in mental
health symptoms as compared to
people who use medication alone.
3 8
Journal regularly: Pen down
what is bothering you.
Writing your stream of
consciou-
sness will
help you
order your
thoughts on paper,
which allows you to actually
face those thoughts. Or you can
focus on the positive over the
negative by writing a daily gratitude list.
“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us”
— Boris Pasternak
LIFE LESSONS
unexpected. In the study, babies who
were shown the surprising events were
able to learn faster and more efficiently
afterward compared to those babies
who saw the
expected. The
is a dopamine trigger, pro- study
ducing the neurotrans- authors con-
mitter that drives
attention and
motivation.
Surprise makes
makes us stop,
notice, and
learn.”
CAN IT AID
4
Focus on breathing: Take long, slow, deep
breaths (also known as abdominal or belly
breathing). As you breathe, you gently
disengage your mind from distracting thoughts
and sensations. Breath focus can be especially
helpful for people with eating disorders to help
them focus on their bodies in a more positive way.
5
Try Herbs: Use adaptogenic herbs (herbs that
help you adapt and balance your response to
stress) such as ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, and
ashwagandha.
6
Optimise Your Nutrition: Clean up your diet
from mind-robbing foods like caffeine and
refined sugars and eat regularly to avoid the
short-term stress of starvation on your body.
7
Yoga, tai chi and qigong: The best stress
management techniques engage a person
holistically. Tai Chi, yoga and meditation, for
example, all have physical, emotional and spiritual
components. The physical aspects of these
practices offer a mental focus that
can help distract you from racing
thoughts. They can also enhance
your flexibility and balance. But
if you are not normally active,
have health problems, or a
painful or disabling condition,
these relaxation techniques might
be too challenging. Check with
your doctor before starting them.
Talking: Sharing feelings
and concerns with family,
friends, and work
colleagues may help a person “let
off steam” and reduce feelings of
isolation. Other people may
be able to suggest
unexpected, workable
solutions to the
stressor.—
Supriya.Sharma2@
timesgroup.com
MIND MATTERS SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022
THIS JUST IN PICS: ISTOCK
cluded that babies use what outcomes that require little (known out-
they already know about comes) or no explanation (normal). The
Surprise the world to further paper suggests that if we can readily
has been cast their learning and explain something, then it is more likely
as a basic emotion build upon informa- to be forgettable and no learning will
since Darwin’s (1872) tion they believe is occur, but if it challenges our knowledge
‘The Expression of the reliable. If some- to explain how it could have happened,
Emotions in Man and thing is out of their then something will be remembered
Animals’ but now more range of founda- and, indeed, learned.
emphasis has been tional knowledge,
placed on its cog- the baby becomes
nitive aspects more engaged as reg- THE POWER OF SURPISE
ister it as new and impor- Psychologist Micheal Rousell, author of
tant information. The Power of Surprise, examines the rich
In an interview with Medical Daily, and complex nuances of the science of
study’s lead Stahl said: “Babies are surprise in his book and says that we can
always taking things in, learning, and use it strategically to enrich lives. Sur-
observing the world. Once they saw prise, he says, evolved as a mechanism to
Is Living Near a
something that surprised them, their instantly change our beliefs. The article
engagement with the object peaked and in Psychology Today says, “Surprise com-
their learning behaviour improved signif- ments work below our conscious radar,
helping us reshape our self-perception
FOREST GOOD
icantly.” Stahl believes adults may also
learn the same way. and reexamine long-held patterns of
In a study by Meadhbh I Foster, Mark thinking. Most of our formative mo-
T Keane titled “The Role of Surprise in ments—the moments that cause a revo-
Learning: Different Surprising Outcomes
Affect Memorability Differentially”, the
study authors examine the role of sur-
lution in our thinking—are the result of
surprise.”
Rousell who has researched the ele-
ment of surprise for years and even runs
for YOUR BRAIN?
prise in learning as evidenced by memo-
rability. The results show that surprising a podcast called ‘The Surprisecast’ says
A new study discovered a connection
outcomes (less-known outcomes) that that surprise is a key ingredient in our
formative moments. He believes that the
between where you live and the
are more difficult to explain are recalled
health of your brain’s amygdala
more accurately than less-surprising right kind of surprise can change your
beliefs. In an interview on Jefferson
A
Public radio, he calls surprise an emo- study of older urban dwellers found that living in close
tional arousal that can affect a change proximity to forest land is linked with strong, healthy
quicker than you expected. He goes on functioning of a key part of the brain, the amygdala.
This indicates that,
to say that one shouldn’t think of sur- The amygdala is an almond-
prise as an anger or happy emotion. compared with those
who live in a mostly man-made shaped structure in the
“Surprise happens when your brain, which is responsible
expectation of the world isn’t working environment, people who dwell
on the border between city and for human perception,
and there’s this neurological storm that
goes on asking “what’s happening” – forest may be better able to cope emotional processing,
with stress. arousal and the storage of
and it can be good or it can be a memories. A key component
bad surprise. But it magnifies the The study complements the
already-strong psychological in activation of the
emotion that follows. Evolutionary
point of view when we were sur- evidence of the benefits of sympathetic nervous system,
it determines our fight or
prised it meant immense dan-
ger or immense opportunity.
living close to nature.
Research on brain flight responses. It is also
So better learn and act plasticity supports the responsible for interpreting
threatening stimuli in our
quickly.” In his research, he assumption that the
environment, thus, acting as
has found that we are environment can
a monitor for stress.
hardwired to learn shape brain
instantly during a structure and
moment of sur- function. Studies of people in the countryside
prise. have already shown that living close to nature is
good for their mental health and wellbeing. With
almost 70 per cent of the world population
expected to be living in cities by 2050, these
results could be important for urban planning.
Another long-term study among 3,568
HOW TO USE SURPRISE students in London, between the ages of 9 and
15, has found those kids who spent more time
SPOT THE WEAK SPOT thorough while the
near woodlands showed improved cognitive
First step is to identify a spot of employee may lack creativity
performance and mental health in adolescence. As a
self-criticism in those you want to but is a great at problem solving
child grows and develops, the neurons in their brain
help. It could be a student who
thinks he/she is a slow learner or an DELIVER THE MESSAGE are said to branch like trees. Being around this very
type of foliage could actually help the process
Share your sincere perception of
employee who feels she lacks
creativity or leadership skills the person’s strength. The idea is to
along.
make it quick and to the point. The
It’s not the first time researchers have found a
curious connection between the presence of trees
TIME TO TURN THE TABLES more you beat around the bush
and the human state of mind. In the United States
Flip the “weakness” to a strength or shower flowery praise, the
and Denmark, nationwide epidemiological studies
by focusing on the strong quality less surprising it will be – and
of children have shown green spaces in residential
that is the opposite side of the the less powerful to affect
areas are linked to a lower risk of mental health
same coin. For the slow actual change
issues later in life. In the United Kingdom, similar
learner it could be that they
— From: MicahelRousell.com studies have found children living in greener city
are punctual or very
neighbourhoods have better spatial working memory.
How to STEP OUT
TRY THIS
Seth, consultant, psychiatry at Columbia
Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad, says, “Since
people have started going out now, start
by greeting the residents of your
with CONFIDENCE
society. If you are going to work, the
first step can be greeting people and
when that feeling of discomfort goes
away, you can start talking to a bigger
group of people.”
Dr Sameer Malhotra, director and
head, department of mental health and
behavioural sciences, Max Super
Speciality Hospitalin Saket says, “In COVID
generalise that it’s just social anxiety, it check your internal monitor to know how
Feeling socially nervous can be financial anxiety or anxiety of any you feel. Ruchi Sharma, Consultant,
times, when you were made to select a
few people to stay in touch with or meet,
about going out? Experts other form. We all got used to one way of
life, so anxiety can now be because of
Clinical Psychologist at HCMCT Manipal
Hospital says, “If this is happening every
you chose people who stood by you
through thick and thin and that made
share how to deal with the change. The fact that we are still in masks, time when you plan to go out then you
socialisation selective. As things open up,
we still have to be careful, that also causes need to see an expert. If your heartbeat is
discomfort of stepping out anxiety. Pandemic in itself brought a going up suddenly and you have
it does not have to be a 180 degree
change. It can be a graded exposure with
in the new normal lot of anxiety, so we all need to
understand that it is going to
be a process. If you are
palpitations then seek help. If it is beyond
self-management then it can be
more than just anxiety.”
all precautions in place.”
M
any people are feeling feeling anxious, know Psychologist Ann CHECK-IN WITH YOURSELF
disconnected with the that it is part of the Phillipose clarifies, Phillipose, shares, “One of the things that
world as things slowly change that is “Meeting a therapist does I often recommend is to check-in with
come back to ‘normal’. Be happening and take one not always mean that you yourself in the morning, ask how anxious
it mingling with friends step a time. Do things that will have to be there for a you are and why. Sometimes, labelling
again or going out for dinner or visiting a
are under your control.” long-term treatment. and stating what your anxiety is about
relative’s place, mental health experts Sometimes it’s about asking an can be helpful.” Nervousness and anxiety
share that there are many who now feel expert that whatever you are are used interchangeably, Phillipose
nervous and anxious to step out and SEEK EXPERT feeling, is that odd? Asking adds and explains how to differentiate
socialise again. Here’s how to overcome
the anxiety of going out.
HELP them if you are behaving in a between the two: “Nervousness is a
The best way to deal with it certain way is normal because natural reaction to anything that feels
is to seek help when our normal has also stressful. You might be nervous waiting
ONE STEP AT A TIME it starts changed.” for your medical results, job application
The pandemic brought in loss – either of interfering and other things. But when the situation
jobs or relationships. It made the future with your resolves itself, the nervousness often
seem uncertain. Dr Samir Parikh, Director, daily
START goes away. Anxiety, on the other hand, is
SMALL
Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, functioning. something that you deal with on an
Fortis Healthcare says, “We cannot You have to Dr Amoolya ongoing basis. TNN
KEEP CALM
Is texting making you anxious?
W
e live in a digital world, people’s interpreting skills to a great level. Given that text messages demand a
surrounded by certain urgency makes people all the more
technological devices, anxious.
social media platforms
TEXT ANXIETY IS REAL
The continuous need to reply, feeling
and several applications
that claim to make our life easier.
obligated to entertain texts on family, MANAGE YOUR TEXTS
friends and work groups may Is there any reason why you
However, it all comes with a The
have taken a serious toll on should feel obligated to
price. Even something as curiosity,
people’s mental health. As respond? Or be ready with an
common as ‘texting’ can the anxiety
per a ‘Guardian’ report, excuse for not texting
lead to a lot of stress and associated with
millennials “are feeling immediately? Most importantly,
anxiety in people. In a missing out on an
extremely overloaded” and how will you manage your FOMO or fear of
study conducted by Viber, urgent update is
are being called “the missing out? This is one of the big reasons
it was found that 1 in 5 what gets to
burnout generation”. Having behind why one entertains messages they
people struggle to keep up people
been raised in a technological don’t want to check. The curiosity, the
with message responses and
world, they cannot help but feel anxiety associated with missing out on an
almost 1 in 6 ignore all messages
overwhelmed by information. urgent update is what gets to people.
because they feel overwhelmed. The
The need to always be available, the Prioritising your mental wellbeing is more
study emphasises on the evolution of
obligation to be responsive and the fear of important than responding to a text.
sending text messages, how it’s not just
being called out is what is leading to text Manage your text anxiety by turning off
about a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, rather a whole
anxiety. This in turn makes people avoid your notifications, muting groups or taking
new world of colourful emojis that test
chats and indulge in delayed responses. a break from your phone. TNN

FILMS AND BOOKS
How to live your life,
RUSKIN BOND STYLE
For starters, you could write a book every year on your birthday as he does
Nitya.Shukla@timesgroup.com
E
very year on May 19, Ruskin Bond
comes bearing gifts for avid read-
ers in the form of a new book
(sometimes more than one). The
prolific author recently celebrated
his 88th birthday with the release of his lat-
est, ‘How To Live Your Life.’ The book is
packed with advice and gentle reflections,
distilled from a lifetime of experience as an
author who has always striven to share
what he knows. Bond writes affably and
with his trademark wit. Featuring delightful
illustrations from the talented Shamika
Chaves, here are some of the nuggets,
which we found to be endearing.
ADVICE: START YOUR
MORNING WITH THE SUN
WHY: Noting that he’s no ‘energy of
READ LIKE RUSKIN
As a boy, the Bond was very fond of reading
and wanted to emulate his favourite
authors and be one of them. He read
everything he could lay his hands on – from
Charles Dickens, PG Wodehouse, Somerset
Maugham to Graham Greene. “I read
everything from detective stories to the
classics. It all made a difference. The books,
the authors you read in the formative years
are the ones that have the most impact.”
MULTIVERSE OF
MADNESS, INDEED! 9
What exactly is a multiverse in MCU? How did it come into being? And
other basic questions answered here…
Haimanti.Mukherjee@timesgroup.com
I
cannot speak for others but watch-
ing ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse
of Madness’ did send my mind into a
tizzy. There was so much more I
needed to understand. Same goes
for everyone I asked about the movie. So,
here are a few basic pointers of Marvel
Comic Universe’s (MCU) multiverse. Hang
AMERICA CHAVEZ?
Spoiler Alert: Read this if you’ve watched ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of
Madness’, or, wait till you do watch it and then read this
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022
progress’, Bond writes about how our bodies
are different, and so they should pursue
what feels natural to them. Likening himself
to a bull best left alone to ‘graze peacefully
the meadows’, Bond writes that he is some-
one who is “always looking for physical
comfort and relaxation”. So, he likes to
wake up to the calls of the whistling thrush,
open the window and feel the warmth of the
sun before settling down to write a few
words on his favourite writing pad.
on tight. It’s a real head-spinner.
1
The multiverse is a collection of
alternate universes that share a uni-
versal hierarchy. A large variety of
these universes originated from another
due to a major decision on the part of a
character.
2 4
Some events seem to be taking
place in the past or future due to dif-
ferences in how time passes in each
A
merica Chavez is a super-
hero appearing in comic
books published by Marvel
Comics. Created by Joe
Casey and Nick Dragotta,
Chavez was the second Marvel charac-
ter to use the moniker ‘Miss America’,
after Madeline Joyce. Chavez first
appeared in Vengeance #1 (Sept. 2011)
before joining the Young Avengers, and
later starring in her own ongoing
series, ‘America’, from March 2017 by
writer Gabby Rivera.
NOW THAT WE’VE
SEEN THE FILM...
Chavez appears in
‘Doctor Strange in the
Multiverse of
Madness’. Here’s
everything known about
the multiverse’s champi-
on, played in the film by actor
Xochitl Gomez.
Teenage actress Gomez, best
known for Netflix’s ‘The Baby-
Sitters Club”, joined the cast
CLICK HERE: PAGE 3 AND 4
“Happiness is a mysterious thing, to be found somewhere between too
ADVICE: NEVER MISS
BREAKFAST
WHY: “Enjoy your breakfast my friend, and
eat what you like most…” Only Ruskin Bond
can write about never missing breakfast
without breaking into a boring sermon
about how it is the most important meal of
the day, and therefore, never to be missed
blah blah. Instead, the author regales the
reader with a quick trip down the memory
lane. As a 19-year-old living and working in
London, Bond would often miss breakfast,
which earned him a poor vision, malnutri-
tion and a month-long stay in a hospital.
And that’s why his gentle advice is to
eat something nice, be it paratha
with pickle, idli or egg, because
“there is nothing worse than a
fried egg gone cold”, he
writes.
ADVICE: FIND
WHAT SUSTAINS
YOU, THEN DO IT
WHY: “Food is impor-
tant but what has really
sustained me all these
years can be summed
up in one word:
WORDS.” Hinting at a
lifelong routine of put-
ting words to paper first
thing in the morning, Bond
says that not writing for 30
minutes every day would
universe. Often, new universes are born
due to time travelling; another name for
these new universes is an ‘alternate time-
line’.
3
Earth-616 is the established main
universe where the majority of
Marvel books take place.
The Marvel multiverse is protected
from imbalance by the Living
Tribunal, a vastly powerful
of ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse…’
as America Chavez. She plays a key
role in restoring balance to the multi-
verse. After an octopus demon chases
her out of a portal into Earth-616,
Strange saves her.
CHAMPION OF THE
MULTIVERSE
Chavez is one of the multiverse’s
greatest champions, origi-
nating from a mysterious
dimension called the ‘utopi-
an parallel’. That realm was
dominated by the
Demiurge, one of the
mystical architects of
creation. Because
Chavez grew up in
the Demiurge’s pres-
ence, she absorbed
its ambient mystical power and
thus became one of the most
powerful beings in the entire
multiverse. Chavez desired to
prove her heroism, and so
began bouncing around the
little and too much.”
Ruskin Bond 03 PICS: ISTOCK
QUICK BIO
B
orn in Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh)
in 1934, Bond grew up in Jamnagar
(Gujarat), Dehradun, New Delhi
and Shimla. He now lives in Mussoorie’s
Landour with his extended family. His
first novel, ‘The Room on the Roof’,
written when he was 17, received the
John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in
1957. Since then he has written over 500
short stories, essays and novellas and
over 40 books for children. He received
the Sahitya Akademi Award for English
writing in India in 1993, the Padma Shri
in 1999, and the Delhi government’s
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
result in him being extremely grumpy all author says it’s better to accept, and carry regret failing an exam. I regret being rude to
day. When it comes to writing, the author on. He writes, “I one of my teachers. I regret letting down a
has said in interviews that he has no writing friend. I regret breaking the classroom
process, only a feeling that he has a story to windows. In other words, I was a
complete. horrible boy. But I admit to all
these failures, and I carry
on trying to be a better
ADVICE: NO REGRETS person.” Our advice
WHY: Finally, when it came to
is you don’t miss
regrets and what-ifs, the
this one!
BOOKS TO READ THIS MAY
humanoid cosmic entity, who is
one for the entire multiverse. It
may act to prevent one uni-
verse from amassing more
power than any of the others GREAT JATAKA featuring an unlikely pro-
or from upsetting the cosmic tagonist. Kaveri, a soli-
balance in some way. TALES by Noor tary, educated young wife,
5 Inayat Khan; illus-
It is only overseen by the
One-Above-All, an
uses her fondness for
omnipotent entity said to trated by Kalyani Sherlock Holmes, mathe-
have created the entire matical puzzles and logi-
Marvel multiverse. Ganapathy cal games to save an
6
The origin mythology of A beautiful retelling of the
the multiverse in Marvel innocent person accused
twenty stories in ‘Great
Comics is that the of murder.
Celestials, members of the first lifeforms
Jataka Tales.’ Each of the
created in the original universe, con- stories demonstrates the
tributed to the creation of the multiverse, importance of courage, compassion, non-violence
including the ongoing evolution of life and love. Written in simple, dramatic prose and UP THE MOUN-
therein.
illustrated in full colour, these stories will enchant TAINS OF INDIA
7
According to the MCU’s multiverse
a new generation of readers.
theory, being in another dimension
is akin to being a ghost. If you
by Mala Kumar
become a ghost, you exist in a different If mountains are your
plane of reality, but you can still see the THE KAILASH calling then this book is
world you left behind.
TEMPLE AT a must read as it is
8
Meanwhile, visiting a parallel world
teeming with fascinat-
ELLORA:
is more like walking through a portal
into a new destination. Imagine if ing facts about our
you walked into a world identical to our MAGNIFICENT country’s best-known
world, except the sky is purple instead of
blue. In the purple world, you would no
MONUMENTS OF mountain ranges – the
longer see the blue sky of home. Also, INDIA by Himalayas, the Trans-Himalayas, the Aravallis, the
your actions in the purple world would Vindhyas, the Satpuras, the North-east mountains,
impact everyone there instead. Tilottama Shome; the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats.
In the MCU, other dimensions
sometimes have no ability to impact
illustrated by
each other. Even when one can be Kavita Singh Kale THE TIGER OF THE RIVER by
perceived within another. But both paral-
lel worlds and other dimensions some-
A lovely introduction to India’s rich art and Adrian Pinder; illustrated by
architectural heritage for children. Help them
times pose existential threats to other
planes in the multiverse. learn the concepts of Hindu temple architec-
Maya Ramaswamy
The fascinating story of
10
Countless dimensions and real- ture, tales from history,
ities (a.k.a. parallel worlds) also Matisha — the majestic
mean countless sinister dimen-
folklore and mythology, and
mahseer fish who lives in
sions and threats. The Ancient One develop an interest in art
an invisible world below,
explained that chilling fact to Stephen and architecture.
Strange when he first arrived at Kamar- in a river in the Western
Taj during the events of ‘Doctor Strange’. Ghats. Called the ‘tiger of
— Source: Marvel.com THE BANGALORE the river’, Matisha, a crit-
DETECTIVES CLUB, ically-endangered
species takes the read-
multiverse, visiting world after world.
She first appeared in the mainstream
by Harini Nagendra
A garden-party murder mys- ers on an incredible
Marvel Universe when she joined the
tery set in 1920s Bangalore, journey.
Teen Brigade.
IN THE COMICS…
Chavez has been at the centre of the
most important multiversal stories.
She was tricked by Loki into joining
the Young Avengers in order to protect
Wiccan, a young sorcerer destined to
actually become the Demiurge itself.
When the multiverse collapsed in
2015’s ‘Secret Wars’, she found herself
a resident of Arcadia, a paradisiacal
realm on Battleworld that was ruled
Speak Like A Champion Youtuber
entirely by women. When the multi- Participate in the India’s First Ever Public Speaking Olympiad
verse was restored, she became part
and enhance your communication skills.
of a new cosmic team called the
Ultimates, who were unwittingly bat-
tling to preserve all of creation.
WHAT ARE HER POWERS?
Let’s put it this way. Loki describes her
as “a nearly indestructible woman who
can throw tanks at the moon”. She can
tap into the ambient energy of creation
to boost her own physical powers.
That’s how she has been able to trade
blows with Asgardians and neutralise
cosmic entities with apparent ease.
Most intriguing of all, Chavez is one of
the few heroes who can traverse the
multiverse at will, opening star-shaped
portals between the dimensions.
 “He who is not courageous enough to take risks
will accomplish nothing in life.”
Muhammad Ali, former boxer
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022

Boxing is one of the oldest sports known to mankind.

Over the years it has undergone many
changes, with modern prize-fights,
big money and fame taking the
sport to a different level
altogether. A look at the
basics of boxing

Photo: AP

KNOWING THE GAME DECISIONS

Boxing is a combat sport in which two contestants
fight each other in a confined space called a rink.
The three judges may agree on a win-
ner or may have a difference of opin-
WEIGHT DIVISIONS GOVERNING BODIES
They endeavor to land blows with their gloved fists, ion.
with the intention to knock the opponent out. In do-
ing so, they also attempt to avoid blows landing on Unanimous decision: All three Light Flyweight : up to 106 pounds The game of boxing has more than one The Indian Amateur Boxing Federa-
themselves. So a bout involves attack and defense. judges score same fighter as winner. governing body for international tion (IABF) is the governing body for
The opponents are matched in weight, and often Flyweight : 112 pounds matches. World Boxing Federation boxing in India. This governing body
ability. They follow a set code during the match, which Split decision: Two judges score one (WBF) and International Boxing As- takes care of both men and women’s
is monitored by a referee. A panel of three judges fighter higher, then he is the winner. Bantamweight : 119 pounds sociation, which was initially known boxing tournaments at the domestic
evaluate the overall performance, conduct of the play- as the Association Internationale de as well as international level.
ers during the game, number of punches and the box- Majority decision: Two judges score Featherweight : 125 pounds Boxe Amateur (AIBA) are part of the
ing techniques used. one ahead, while third judge scored governing body. Both the bodies su- Boxing was introduced into the
The sport has two formats. A professional game a draw. Lightweight : 132 pounds pervise and govern international Olympics in 1904. It is also contested
has 9 to 12 rounds, while the amateur boxing match has matches and tournaments all over the at the Asian as well as the Common-
three rounds. Between each round there is approxi- Split Draw: When one judge declares Light Welterweight : 141 pounds world. wealth Games.
mately a one-minute gap, where each player can go to one fighter ahead, another declares
their corner of the ring and gear up for the next round. the other fighter ahead and the third Welterweight : 152 pounds
just declares a draw.

Unanimous draw: All three judges

Middleweight : 165 pounds LEGENDS NOTABLE
PUNCHES AND MOVES declare it a dead even. Light Heavyweight : 178 pounds OF SPORT INDIAN BOXERS
Majority draw: If two judges declare Heavyweight : 201 pounds
one ahead and the third has the oth- Muhammad
Vijender
Boxers use a set of moves and punches to hit the op- er fighter ahead, it is declared a ‘ma- Super Heavyweight : over 201 pounds Ali: Originally
Singh: He is an
ponent and to save themselves. Some of the punch- jority draw’. known as Cas-
iconic Indian
es include sius Clay Jr,
boxer who at-
Muhammad
tracted people
Jab - a sudden punch.
EQUIPMENT Ali was a for-
with his phe-
Cross - a straight punch.
RULES mer American
professional
nomenal per-
formance. In his
boxer and is
entire boxing ca-
Hook - a short side power punch. There are certain rules that every The Rink: The size of a The rink is usually made considered one
reer, Vijendra
participant has to follow to stay in standard boxing ring is 10 of heavy gauge steel, with of the greatest
has made India
Uppercut - a short swinging upward power punch. any given match. by 25 ft. The platform on plywood boards and shock heavyweight
proud on sever-
which the rink is built is absorbing foam under- boxers in the
al occasions.
The boxers also use some techniques to protect them- No hitting below the belt. usually well off the ground. neath a canvas sheet. world.
selves during a bout.
No holding the player while punch-
Slip - this is an effective defensive movement of the ing. No tripping, pushing, biting or Bandages: Any player of adhesive tape that has Mike Tyson: Mary Kom:
head that is used to get out of the path of an oppo- spitting on the other player. who is nursing an injury 1 and ½ inches of width. At age 20, the Only woman
nent’s punch. may have on a 11 m soft It must be ensured that American boxer boxer to have
No kicking, head butting or hitting gauze bandage. The the tape does not cover became the won a medal in
Roll - using this defense movement a players avoids with any part of the arm other than bandage or, hand wraps any part of the knuckles youngest heavy- each one of the
a hook by bending the knees and shifting the weight closed fisted knuckles. should be held in place when the hand is weight champi- six world cham-
from the lead side to the backside, and vice versa. It by not more than 8 feet clenched to make a fist. on in history. pionships. She
is almost like rolling in and rolling out. No hitting the back of the neck. Tyson compiled also became the
a 24-3 record as first Indian
Gloves: This can differ are of different kinds; bag an amateur and woman boxer to
depending on the type of gloves (cushioned gloves turned profes- get a gold
SCORING championship. For
straight-weight and wel-
ideal for training), spar-
ring gloves (designed to
sional in 1985.
And he fought
medal at the
2014 Asian
terweight matches the protect both athletes dur- 50 matches and Games in In-
glove must not weigh ing training matches) and won 44 by cheon, South
Knockouts: A knockout (KO) declared when a player is not fit down in the same round, the de- more than 226.8 gram, for competition gloves knockout. Korea.
is a blow that leads to one of the enough to continue the match. ductions cancel each other out super-weight and heavy- (padded gloves designed
players going flat on the weight matches not more keeping international
ground. Points: A boxing match has If a player dominates a round than 283.5 gram. rules and regulations Floyd Lovlina
three judges seated at ringside by a huge margin, where the Boxing gloves in mind). Mayweather: Borgohain: The
A full knockout is any legal who give scores individually fight is almost one-way, then the American boxer, 23-year old boxer
strike or a combination of player can score 10-8. whose combina- is an Olympic
strikes that renders an opponent Judges score each round indi- tion of speed, bronze medalist
unable to continue fighting. vidually, on a scale of 10, with Judges also award a 10-10 power, and tech- in women’s wel-
most rounds scored 10-9. round, if both fighters have nical prowess terweight. She is
When knocked out, and the been even in the round. made him one of also a two-time
player is flat on the ground, the If a boxer is knocked down, that the best pound- World and Asian
referee starts the countdown player loses a point. So, if a The referee can instruct all for-pound fight- championship
till 10. If the opponent is not boxer dominates a round with three judges to deduct a point ers of all time. bronze-medal-
able to get up before the count better punches and also knocks in any round if a fighter breaks After winning 50 list. She has
of 10, then that player loses the their opponent down, the round a rule and commits a foul in- out of 50 match- learnt a form of
game. ends with a 10-8 score. tentionally, such as a low blow, es, he is still un- Thai martial art
head butt or more severe phys- defeated. known as Muay
A technical knockout (TKO) is If both fighters score a knock- ical harm to the opponent. Thai.

Photos: GETTY IMAGES