Keeping a plant at your work desk may reduce stress and anxiety: Study

A somewhat low-maintenance plant is an extremely common decoration tool when it comes to office cubicles - high up there with personalised calendars and photo frames. And it doesn’t just have aesthetic value. 

A small study published in the journal Hortechnology last year suggested that keeping a tiny plant on your work desk reduces overall levels of stress. While the study only consisted of 63 participants, it contributes to a larger literature on the mental health benefits of plants. 

The structure of the study

The study participants included 33 men and 30 women, all in non-managerial positions. They worked at a private electronics firm for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Their desks consisted of laptops and telephones. While some people’s desks were located near windows, the blinds were drawn shut. 

There were two parts to the study - the control and interventional period. For the first part (the control period), which lasted a week, participants took their pulse when they felt fatigued or anxious. Then they would stare intently at their laptop screens for three minutes and record their pulse after that. In the experimental period (which lasted 4 weeks), participants recorded their pulse on the onset of fatigue, but this time they stared at their desk plant for three minutes before taking their pulse again.

The (State-Trait Anxiety Indicator) STAI test was administered twice, once at the beginning of the experimental phase and again after the four weeks. The STAI test measures state anxiety (this is anxiety brought on by more immediate events) and trait anxiety (which looks at overall personality and inclination to anxiety). Along with this test, the respondents gave written responses based on how they were feeling. 

Plants may reduce levels of stress at work

The study showed that both pulse and STAI scores decreased significantly during the experimental period, suggesting that the plants were beneficial in lowering stress and boosting mental health. While the sample size is too small and the study doesn’t account for many confounders, some practical advice can be drawn from it. 

Momentarily detaching from the grind

While discussing the results, the researchers put forward some theories that may explain why looking intently at a plant may relax you. Your desk is likely to be covered with work-related things on it — deadline post-its, screens, files, cables — and your mind associates effort and commitment with them. However, an object like a plant is calming because of its ability to distract. It is not associated with work and focussing on it provides a momentary escape from the immediate reality of work. Plants are associated with the calming effects of nature, and if you are devoting some time to its upkeep and health, the ameliorative effects may be stronger. This was why the second leg of the study was set for a longer time frame - participants were given time to tend to the plant and study its growth. 

source - https://www.firstpost.com/health/keeping-a-plant-at-your-work-desk-may-reduce-stress-and-anxiety-study-7876601.html

5 healthy, no-bake holidays desserts to enjoy without the guilt and weight gain

It doesn’t matter what sort of a diet you are on. If you have a sweet tooth, you will crave a few spoonfuls of a sweet-something after a meal, especially during the festive season. If it’s Christmas or New Year’s, your self-control levels are likely to be at their lowest, and you might end up indulging in that rich and scrumptious chocolate cake order online - and then comes the guilt of cheating on your diet.

But what if you could indulge in a dessert this festive season without adding to your waistline?

If you are thinking that whipping up a healthy dessert will be hard work, or that these desserts won’t be that tasty, think again. Healthy eating is not about compromising on flavour or taste but choosing the right ingredients. For example, if you eat a cake made of almond flour, olive oil, coconut sugar and low-fat milk, the chances of gaining excess weight will be quite low.

Here are five easy-peasy, delicious desserts using healthy ingredients that you can try immediately - they'll serve a family of four quite sufficiently.

1. Chocolate brownies

You might think that making a healthy version of chocolate brownies is impossible, but anything is possible with the right ingredients.

Mix together half cup each of almond butter and coconut sugar with one-third cup honey, one-fourth cup olive oil (extra virgin would be best), two eggs (or one cup low-fat milk if you want eggless brownies) and half teaspoon vanilla essence in a large bowl. Add half cup almond flour, three-fourth cup unsweetened cocoa powder and one teaspoon baking powder. Whisk until you have a smooth batter.

Pour the brownie batter into a microwave-proof bowl or mugs (the mugs should only be half- to two-thirds full), and cook for two minutes in the microwave (adjust according to the voltage of your device). Check if the brownies are done by inserting a skewer or toothpick. If it comes out clean then it’s ready! These brownies will taste rich and chocolatey, but the ingredients are actually so healthy that you won’t be guilt-ridden after a slice or two.

2. Baked fruits

Depend on the natural sugar and texture of fresh, seasonal fruits and you will immediately have a healthy dessert on your hands. And no, baked fruits don’t have to be dead boring, because you can jazz them up with more healthy trimmings than you can imagine. Wondering how?

Take an apple, deseed and slice it up and then put it in an oven-proof dish. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, a tablespoon of honey, mix well and top with chopped nuts like almonds and walnuts. Now, bake it until the apples are golden and the nuts are crunchy and enjoy!

source - https://www.firstpost.com/health/5-healthy-no-bake-holidays-desserts-to-enjoy-without-the-guilt-and-weight-gain-7817751.html

How Customisation is Boosting the Online Gifting Industry

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
India’s gifting industry has witnessed a sea-change with technology coming into the scene. Online gifting has gained massive popularity in recent times and is expected to reach $84 billion by 2024. From a broad perspective, the online gifting industry is segregated into corporate and personal gifting with the former accounting for up to 80 per cent of the market.

Personal gifting, at the same time, has evolved to a large extent to accommodate the growing demands of customers. Let us take a look at how customization has boosted the online gifting industry.

The Digital Factor
Digitization has transformed lifestyles and played a pivotal role across almost all industries. Technology, as it has done with other industries, has made the gifting industry a customer-friendly space. You can now choose from numerous options with just a single click. Technologies such as digital printing have ensured increased efficiency, minimal wastage and an overall seamless process.


Increased Personalization
Increased adoption of happy birthday gifts by customers has been instrumental in the growth of the online gifting industry. More and more customers are looking to customize gifts for their loved ones, and they are leaving no stones unturned to find the perfect gift. This demand has also led online gifting businesses to come up with a wider range of products that can be personalized. It is no longer merely photo frames or coffee mugs. Right from cushions to puzzles and cricket bats, everything comes with the option of customization.

Online gifting sites in India and printing companies have grabbed this opportunity with both hands. Customized products account for over $20.4 billion in the gifting industry and there is no doubt that this will continue to increase. Although gifting is a slightly seasonal business with festival times seeing a rapid increase in business compared with the rest of the year, the gifting industry has still managed to sustain and generate profits. Additionally, factors such as creative packaging and ways of incorporating the customization into the product have ensured that customers continue to purchase products round the year.

The influence of western culture has also played a notable role in the industry’s rapid growth. Occasions such as Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and so on have driven people to buy birthday gifts online to India. Apart from this people have also innovatively used motifs of local festivals and rituals to personalize their send online gifts to India. Another factor to be taken into account is the increasing awareness and the rising per capita income of the millennial who constitute a major chunk of the population. Everyone enjoys gifts that are personal because they show the thoughtfulness and effort put into choosing the best birthday gift to India.

The Road Ahead

The future of the online gifting industry, especially with best online gifting sites on the rise, certainly looks promising, not just for the business but for the environment too. An increasing number of people are opting for eco-friendly products and packaging, especially the millennial and Gen Z consumers. Given the rapid technological advancements along with the booming e-commerce industry, the future of the online gifting sites in India industry in India is set to witness an upward swing and contribute significantly to the economy over the coming years.

source - https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/349129

Easy healthy cake recipe: Gluten-free chocolate cake

This recipe from Pastry Chef Namal Kalubowila at the Mövenpick Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka, make a one kilo cake online

Ingredients

200 g sugar

200 g almond powder

5 eggs

125 g melted butter 

240 g melted dark chocolate

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160 C.
2. Mix together the sugar, almond powder, eggs and melted butter.
3. Add the melted chocolate, and mix well until the mixture thickens.
4. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.

source - https://www.femina.in/life/food/easy-healthy-cake-recipe-gluten-free-chocolate-cake-138736.html

Awesome Birthday Gift Ideas for Your Sister

Sisters share a special bond. Your sister is your best friend, confidante and your secret-keeper. So it goes without saying that when you get a happy birthday gifts online for your sister, it needs to be truly special. Here, we have rounded up some awesome happy birthday gift ideas that will show your sister just how special she is to you.

A Gift Basket
No, we are not talking about those impersonal gift baskets filled with cookie and other items that you could buy from a store. When we say gift basket we mean making her a gift basket by collecting things that you know she’ll love. You could get her her favourite perfume, a movie card if she loves movies, and other such items that will have a squealing in joy.

A Spa Voucher
Who doesn’t love to be pampered? Get your sister a spa voucher at a luxury spa. Have her feeling like a queen while she lets the stress and worries of the world behind and enjoys a relaxing day at the spa.


Books
Books are such a personal online gift for her order . In order to gift online delivery someone a book you need to know about their favourite author, what genres they like and what books are in their to-read list. So get your sister some great books that she can add to her collection. They can be classics or new-age novels, just as long as she will like them. Try getting hardback copies and be sure to write a birthday message inside. Your sister will cherish the books and every time she opens it, she will see your handwritten message. Now that’s what we call the perfect online gift for her.

A Collage Video
If your sister lives in another country, then this gift to India will be heart-touching for her. This birthday gifts idea online is quite elaborate and will require you to put in some time and effort to make it. Talk with your sister’s close friends and your family members and make a video of them wishing your sister a happy birthday. Each person can share any funny stories or happy memories that they have of your sister. You can end the video with your wish and send it to your sister. She will cherish this order birthday gifts online and will know that although you guys are not there with her on her birthday, your love and thoughts are with her.

A Savings Account
If you’re the elder sister, then you should consider getting your younger sister a savings account as a birthday gifts order online. Sure it is not your typical birthday gift online to India and she might not be overly excited about it, but what matters is that you are pushing her in the right direction. The earlier she learns about the importance of saving and managing her money wisely, the better she will be with her finances when she grows up.



A Weekend Getaway
If you’ve got the budget, then why not book a weekend getaway for you and your sister. You guys ca go to some place nice and chill out having mojitos and bonding over some good food and shopping. Be sure to take lots of pictures to frame the trip in your memory.

A  Scrapbook
Being broke or strapped for cash doesn’t have to mean that you cannot give your sister a nice gift order. Here’s an idea that won’t cost you much but will still bring happy tears to your sister eyes: make her a scrapbook. Include photos from her childhood, anecdotes and any other memories in there that will get her feeling nostalgic and happy. Who wouldn’t love to get such a thoughtful gift to India online order ?

source - https://www.fashionlady.in/awesome-birthday-gift-ideas-for-your-sister/38824

Gifts For Sagittarius Girlfriend To Keep Her Happy

A centaur with a bow and arrow. The glyph shows an arrow, sometimes a bow and arrow. Sounds Greek, is it? Hey, am talking about Sagittarius zodiac sign which has Fire as the Element and Jupiter as the ruling planet.

Call them socialisers, adventure seekers or travel prone, the Sagittarius-born ladies are unique and unusual by their own. Monotony and drudgery is not their cup of tea. That is why they are happy-go-loving when they are outdoors or travelling to have fun. They are optimistic to the core and look for adventure and knowledge in everything they do.

What are the best gifts online delivery for a Sagittarius girl? Should it be an impromptu picnic or a hike to a lovely waterfall or something in clothes, gems and jewels?

Well, it might be tough for Sagittarius-born lass born between November 22 to December 21 to answer that easily. But I will try to give you near perfect online gifting sites options. All said and done, whatever send birthday gifts online to India you choose for a Sagittarian girl has to be exotic. You need to appeal to their inner intellect too. So here we go.

Firstly, let us have a look-see at the character traits of a Sagittarian woman. I hope I have touched the right chord. Yay or Nay?

Meet the seductive Sagittarian Christina Aguilera and you will know what I mean.

Outdoor Adventure

Saggis are known for their love for adventure, so if a holiday escape seems out of question, best happy birthday gift online order your love a fun filled day at a theme park, doing kayaking, or parachuting or racing tracks and gaming pavilions. Travelling and sports is in their bones, you see. So why not fulfil it to perfection?

Meet the seductive Sagittarian Christina Aguilera and you will know what I mean.

Outdoor Adventure

Saggis are known for their love for adventure, so if a holiday escape seems out of question, send birthday gifts to India online your love a fun filled day at a theme park, doing kayaking, or parachuting or racing tracks and gaming pavilions. Travelling and sports is in their bones, you see. So why not fulfil it to perfection?

source - https://www.fashionlady.in/gifts-for-sagittarius-girlfriend-to-keep-her-happy/90518

What To Give A Guy On Graduation

Many might feel it's easier to give girls a graduation online gift order over boys, since girls tend to enjoy everything from jewelry and flowers to send gift cards online or a gift certificate to get a manicure and pedicure. Young men, on the other hand, may be a bit more difficult to read.

Although it can be hard to figure out what to get the special guy in your life, a great idea for a gift to India online order may be a collection of flowers for men or women. An arrangement like Teleflora's Good Luck Bamboo may be the best option for the young man in your life who's going off to college. This variety is not only easy to take care of – it requires minimal upkeep besides weekly watering, but the plant is also a sign of good luck. The bamboo comes in a gorgeous cube with white river rocks inside to help keep the canes in an upright position.

This thoughtful gift online to India is sure to impress any guy and it may help him garner some attention from the ladies around campus as well.

This article is brought to you by Teleflora – a leader in the flower delivery service for over 75 years. Teleflora helps its customers buy flowers online and specializes in bringing the freshest available flowers for a variety of holidays and occasions – all hand-delivered in keepsake vases by the best local florists.

source - https://blog.teleflora.com/what-to-give-a-guy-on-graduation/