KNOW ALL ABOUT GREEN TEA

KNOW ALL ABOUT GREEN TEA

1. Green tea and its nutrients

·         All kinds of tea, whether black, green or oolong, come from the Camellia sinensis plant.

·         The colour of the tea depends upon the amount of fermentation it has been through.

·         Oolong tea is partially fermented, black tea is completely fermented, and green tea is not fermented at all.

·         Green tea is produced by steaming fresh tea leaves at very high temperature.

·         Green tea contains large amounts of polyphenols, thearubigins, epicatechins and catechins – all are types of an antioxidant known as flavanoids.

·         2-5 cups of green tea daily can give you maximum benefits.

·         Try the decaffeinated version if you’re worried about the caffeine.

2. Green tea and its health benefits

Heart healthy

·         Regular consumption of green tea reduces overall cholesterol levels, especially the bad LDL cholesterol, which ultimately reduces the risk of heart attacks and heart diseases.

Fights cancer

·         Catechins present in green tea, are the flavanoids which fight free radicals that damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer.

·         Since green tea is not put through a whole lot of processing, catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), are available in larger numbers.

Helps you lose weight

·         Catechins help combat accumulated fat and aid in weight loss.

·         They can help in a number of lifestyle diseases, including obesity.

Boosts your immune system

·         The antioxidants in green tea improve your immune system which helps keep common ailments like the flu away.

Happy teeth

·         Catechins are also antibacterial, and help in fighting tooth decay, gum diseases, bad breath and plaque formation.

Prevents diabetes

·         Green tea helps to prevent or slow down the onset of diabetes.

·         It also acts as a very good agent in lowering your blood sugar.

Improves bone health

·         Drinking green tea improves bone density, encourages bone formation and helps reduce the risk of a fracture.

Reduces the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

·         Polyphenols present in green tea helps in improving concentration, prevents memory loss, and reduces the accumulation of brain damaging proteins in your body.

Great for your skin

·         Skin care products with green tea extracts help your skin stay supple.

·         The antioxidants in green tea are also known to help keep wrinkles at bay.

WAYS TO 'ACE' AN INTERVIEW (PART 3 OF 3)

WAYS TO 'ACE' AN INTERVIEW (PART 3 OF 3)

C. After the interview

·      Before leaving for the day, thank the interviewers and politely ask them for their business cards.

·      An hour, or even a day later, send a short follow-up e-mail (with the help of the business cards collected by you) to the interviewers.

·      Include any information that you couldn’t provide during the interview.

·      Express your interest in the job by describing how you could contribute to the company’s future.

·      Thank the interviewers for taking the time to speak with you.

·      Never send an SMS from your mobile phone because it is considered as informal.

D. Questions you are likely to be asked

·         Why did you leave your last job?

·         Where do you see yourself five years from now?

·         What can you tell us about yourself?

·         What has been your most important accomplishment?

·         What are your outside interests?

·         Why should we hire you?

·         How do you handle failure?

·         How did you overcome your toughest professional problem?

·         What are your greatest weakness / strength?

·         Why do you want to work here?

E. Questions you should ask

·         What will be my key responsibilities?

·         What is the potential for promotion?

·         What is the type of on-the-job training that you provide?

·         What results do you expect from me and within what time frame?

·         What resources / team would I have at my disposal and to whom will I report?

F. Keep in mind

·      30 seconds is the time that a recruiter will take to scan your resume, so ensure that you grab his     attention.

·      90 seconds is the time that interviewers take, on an average, to form an overall assessment.

·      40 minutes is the average length of an interview.

·      2 pages should be the length of your resume, and any extra information should be in an annexure.

·      65% employers say that clothes could be the deciding factor between two similar candidates.

·      85% of the resumes for a job end up in the trash bin.

WAYS TO 'ACE' AN INTERVIEW (PART 2 OF 3)

WAYS TO 'ACE' AN INTERVIEW (PART 2 OF 3)

B. During the interview

1. Entry

·      Put your mobile phone on the silent mode (or switch it off).

·      Walk into the interview room confidently, greet everyone (by name, if you know) and offer a firm handshake.

·      Sit when asked to and keep your posture straight, leaning slightly forward (which displays interest).

·      Rest your hands lightly on the armrest or on your knees.

·      Use minimal movements to illustrate a point (never extend your arms more than one foot from your body).

2. Do’s

·      Pay attention to what the interviewer is asking and answer only what you have been asked.

·      When asked about yourself, stick to your professional life and time it to a minute or two.

·      Make sure that you highlight your strengths and key skills.

·      Highlight your special skills and what you can contribute.

·      Back your statements with examples and anecdotes from your previous jobs.

·      Be prepared for a certain set of questions like

o   Why do you want to join this company?

o   What are the problems you are facing in your current job?

o   Why do you want to leave it?

·      If invited to ask any questions, ask about your responsibilities, major projects your prospective job would comprise of, and your growth prospects and career path within the company.

·      These questions prove your interest in the job, and that you plan to remain for the long term.

·      End any negative sentence on a positive note by informing that you are trying to improve, as it reflects the clarity of your thought and work ethics, and your potential as a future leader in the company.

·      Throughout the interview, be polite, honest and confident.

3. Don’ts

·      Don’t talk about well-known pre-requisites like hard work and sincerity.

·      Never misrepresent facts, as any background check will catch your lie eventually.

·      Employers prefer a background screening to recheck observations formed during the interview.

·      If a question is on a topic you are unsure of, admit it and avoid rambling.

·      Don’t shy away from admitting your weakness as it shows that you are aware of it, and it will not be treated as a fault.

·      Avoid personal or controversial topics even when instigated by the interviewing panel.

·      Never badmouth anyone, including from your current workplace, to avoid being labeled a disloyal whiner unfit to be hired.

·      Never bring up the topic of salary yourself, and avoid negotiations with the interviewing panel.

·      If asked to quote a figure, mention a range within the industry’s compensation standards.

·      If uncomfortable, ask if you could discuss this later after going through the company’s proposal.

WAYS TO 'ACE' AN INTERVIEW (PART 1 OF 3)

WAYS TO 'ACE' AN INTERVIEW (PART 1 OF 3)

A. Before the interview

1. Research

·      Research about the company through its website, or by contacting existing or ex-employees through business networking sites, for facing the interviewing panel comfortably.

·      Mentioning important aspects about the company during the interview will display your keen interest in the job and the effort you are willing to put in to acquire it.

·      Such research also helps you to know whether you fit into the company’s profile,

2. Dress sense

·      Always pick sober colours (blues, greys and browns) for your dress, which should be formal and pressed.

·      Your accessories, including jewellery, should be less and simple.

·      You should use a light hand while dabbing any perfume.

·      Clear the dust of your shoes and pop in a mouth freshener.

3. Punctuality

·      Always reach at least half-an-hour before the scheduled time of the interview.

·      If you are huffing and sweating and your clothes are rumpled, it will not create a good impression.

·      Ask the receptionist if you could know about the people who will be interviewing you.

·      Check if you are carrying the necessary documents, especially copies of your resume.

·      Use the spare time to go through the research you’ve already done about the company.

SAY 'YES' FOR GETTING A PROMOTION !

SAY ‘YES’ FOR GETTING A PROMOTION

1. The Blunt Truth

·      When it comes to work, most people do not stay back late to complete a project or offer to take on a sick colleague's work.

·      But in the end, it's the willing worker who gets noticed.

·      Employers care about experience and skill, but only to a degree.

·      What people really want is a 'yes person' someone who will do (almost) anything in the name of good business practice.

·      Being a 'yes person' reflects a willing and enthusiastic attitude.

·      What bosses everywhere really want is someone they can count on, who isn't afraid to go the extra mile and take on challenges.

·      A 'Sure, I'll do it' outlook will make the boss see you as someone who is driven and committed.

·      It will also help you add new skills to your resume, making you indispensable and the perfect candidate for a career jump.

2. Toss out the 'No'

·      Instead of the flat "No, I don't know how to do that”, show your eagerness: "I'm not an expert, but I'll definitely try my best”.

·      Displaying your flexibility to venture into the unfamiliar will earn you a positive nod where your flat-out refusal would fail.

·      Likewise, if your boss needs assistance, offer to take the time out to practice-until-perfect and complete the assignment.

3. Go where nobody wants to

·      Cheerfully including a time-bound job asked by your boss in your packed to-do list will make your boss see you as someone who takes initiative, and comes through when there's a crisis.

·      By saying yes and delivering, you will set yourself apart from others and demonstrate your commitment to your career.

4. Showcase to the bigwigs

·      Many employees simply stop and go home once their current assignment is done.

·      But offering to help a superior with an assignment is a smart career move.

·      By shouldering some of the responsibilities of a higher position, you're showing your boss that you're up to the task.

·      When it's time to promote someone, he will look at you as the person who already has the skills.

5. Put in the extra

·      In the eyes of the boss, the best worker of all is easily the one who doesn't leave before the job is done.

·      When deadlines are tough and your boss needs support, be the one that's willing to stay on and get the work done.

·      Take on extra responsibilities of your sick colleague, and send an e-mail later to your supervisor letting it be known that it took all weekend, but the learning was worth it.

·      Seek opportunities to help with the office workload.

·      When delivering on assignments, add value by performing analyses and relevant information that wasn't asked for.

6. Offer help

·      When people ask for your help, extend it willingly and pleasantly.

·      You'll gain a reputation as a team player.

·      You're also likely to gain additional skills from your colleagues.

·      Your management will then consider you a valuable team member as well as a successful team leader.

7. Ask for it

·      Be the office busybody and fix issues that others ignore by being the office initiator.

·      Asking for more work shows your interest and desire to help your department and company, and highlights your value too.

8. Steal the 'Yes' before someone else gets to it

·      Before you say ‘no’, you should think about the consequences of someone else saying yes.

·      Your ‘No’ is just another 'Yes' person’s opportunity to shine and take all the benefits.

TACKLING DRY EYE SYNDROME

TACKLING DRY EYE SYNDROME

·         It is an aqueous (watery) deficiency caused by either poor production of watery tears or excessive evaporation of the watery tear layer.

·         Tear film, a liquid layer, comprises a lipid layer, an aqueous layer, and a mucin layer.

·         It covers your eye, cleans, lubricates and flushes out foreign objects by working like a wiper that cleans the wind-shield of your eyes every time you blink.

·         This refreshes the tear film and distributes it equally over the cornea, so that the rays of light can fall properly on it and in turn on the retina, for forming a crystal clear picture.

·         Poor production of tears by the tear glands is usually due to age, hormonal changes, or various diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Bell’s palsy or lupus.

·         Excessive evaporation of the watery tear layer is usually due to an insufficient overlying lipid layer.

·         Sometimes, a bacterial infection, blepharitis, is present along the eyelids or the eyelashes which may break down the oil, leading to evaporative loss of tears and dry eyes.

SYMPTOMS

·         Feeling your vision blurring while typing on your laptop

·         Feeling your eyes itch, burn

·         Finding your eyes reddening

·         Feeling like you’ve got something in your eye

·         Feeling light sensitivity

REASONS

·         A person blinks less often while reading, watching TV, or working on the computer and laptop.

·         While we normally blink 3-4 times a minute, if blinking is decreased or if the eyelids are not closed fully between blinks, the eyes may dry out because of tear evaporation.

·         Wearing contact lenses for long periods restrains your tear film from functioning optimally, preventing your eyes from making a clear picture.

·         Peering at a book or the small screen of your mobile, forgetting to blink, also overworks your delicate tear film.

·         Smoking or being in the presence of a smoker in a closed room, sitting close to lit incense sticks or mosquito repellents, and air-conditioned vents directed towards your eyes, also dry up the tear films, making you susceptible to dry eyes.

·         In elderly people, tear producing glands produce less than the required amount of tears.

TREATMENT

·         Although no cure exists for dry eye syndrome, many remedies are available.

·         Lubricating eye drops, commonly referred to as artificial tears, relieve dry eyes.

·         Punctum plugs, which are thin, invisible cylindrical devices, can be used to block the tear passage so that eye drops stay in the eye for a longer time.

·         Some might require surgery to correct this condition.

PREVENTION

·         Ideally, don’t wear contact lenses for more than 6-8 hours, and go without them on weekends.

·         If you can, remove them at lunch time and let your eyes breathe.

·         Never wear lenses when you have an eye infection as they will introduce more bacteria.

·         Make a conscious effort to blink so that the tear film can redistribute itself over your eye.

·         Look away from the screen from time to time or even better, get up and walk about.

·         Look out of the window at the sky or at a green patch.

·         Rub your palms together and place them over your eyes, in order to relax the eye muscles.

·         Direct the AC vents away from your eye.

·         When burning incense sticks or mosquito repellents, close the room or redirect the vapours.

·         Smoke in an open area or face away from smokers in closed rooms.

·         Don’t use steroid eye drops; ask your doctor to prescribe a lubricating eye drop.

·         Washing your eyes frequently with tap water is not healthy due to its contaminants.

·         If you must, wash your eyes with filtered water.

USE THESE PERFECT MAKEUP TIPS

MAKEUP TIPS FOR PICTURE PERFECTION

·     You'll always want that your face is picture-perfect in every snap.

·      For gorgeous, wide-open eyes in photos, apply beige or taupe shadow to lids (use matte, as glitter looks greasy).

·     Apply three coats of mascara for instant doe eyes.

·     Put on false lashes, that will look like naturally long lashes in pictures (but not in a close-up shot).

·     Crème bases can be cakey in photos and stick concealers can give an unattractive matte effect.

·     So, prepare face with a light reflecting-based foundation formula that bounces light off any imperfections, giving a soft, pretty glow.

·     Primers help to even out your skin tone, making your foundation glide on.

·     There are certain primers that also have light-reflecting particles, which give a soft, pretty glow.

·     High definition (HD) foundation hides almost everything, and are used by actresses and news anchors on HD TV.

·     Concealer should be closer to your skin colour.

·     Blush & Blonzer (B&B) should both be applied.

·     Firstly, apply bronzer on check bones and on the outer edges of your face.

·     Next apply blush only on the apples of your cheeks to look well-rounded.

·     Apply a shiny coloured gloss, containing SPF, for a more kissable photo-finish.

·     Don’t face the camera head-on, but angle your body three-quarters towards it with a shoulder closer, one foot behind the other and your weight on the back leg.

·     This will make you appear slimmer instantly.