Category Archives: Everything Else!

Can’t find something under the categories mentioned? Check this one! A potpourri, a mix bag of all the uncategorised topics.

My Hijama Experience

My personal experience of Hijama!

Everything Else!

The New Age and its ever-evolving panorama of alternative wellness can sometimes be overwhelming! From Reiki to Plant medicine, from Holistic healing to Ayurveda, with a plethora of available options, information overload (thanks to the internet!) and the ever-growing interest for improving the overall immunity (thanks to Covid-19!), health and wellness have become trickier and a never-ending topic! Read on to know about my first Hijama experience!

I love to try new things with a lot of curiosity, a pinch of a healthy dose of sarcasm! I love to document my experiences with nothing but good intentions, hoping it might help someone. It is safe to say, ‘I try things so you know what to and what not to!’

While writing this post, it has been a little more than 24hrs since I had my first Hijama or Wet cupping experience in Dubai. To familiarise yourself with Hijama or Wet cupping, don’t forget to read my previous blog post on Hijama. You can learn all about its benefits, procedure, etc. in that post.

My Hijama Experience

Before the Hijama session:

I read articles to familiarise myself with the Hijama process. I also read people’s experiences etc, to mentally prepare myself. Bearing in mind, I am scared of needles as well as blood, convincing myself for Hijama wasn’t a cakewalk! I was so sure I was going to chicken out at the last minute! Anyway, I took a nice long shower (as you can’t taker a shower after the Hijama session for 24hrs). I was suggested to have a proper meal and drink plenty of fluids before going for the session.

  • Take a nice shower.
  • Have a proper meal, drink plenty of fluids.
  • Prepare yourself mentally.
  • Read to know what to expect!
  • Be clear of your expectations.

At the clinic:

First, my vitals were checked and then I was requested to fill out a form and mention all the details. By this time, I was on the verge of running away yet I tried to stay calm! I then met my Hijama expert and her assistant. I discussed with both of them and cleared all my doubts. I also asked her about the Dos and Dont’s etc. Talking to her helped a lot and calmed me down! I tried to remain focused and think about all the positive effects it will have on my body and overall immunity!

  • Talk to your Hijama or Cupping expert.
  • Clear your doubts.
  • Don’t hide anything from the doctor.
  • Tell the doctor if you suffer from any ailments so they can decide what is best for you.

During the session:

My Hijama session lasted for less than 15 minutes, from the moment I was asked to lie down to the moment I thanked my doctor! I was suggested to go for 11 cups and was asked to come back after six months or so. The number of cups and the next session varies from person to person and will be communicated to you after the session.

  • Keep calm and breathe normally.
  • Divert your mind to something nice (Do lots of Dua)
  • Talk to the doctor if you want the pressure to be reduced.
  • Tell the doctor if you have any discomforts, etc.

After the session:

I almost cried (with joy!) of course after my Hijama experience! I drank some water and ate few dates. I was asked to sit and inform them in case I felt any abnormality. I was asked not to swim, or work-out or do any rigorous physical activity for the next 24 hrs and avoid eating unhealthy.

For next 24 hours-

  • Avoid taking a shower.
  • Do not apply anything on the Hijama points unless prescribed by the doctor.
  • No Caffeine, alcohol, sugary foods and drinks.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Do not go for a massage.
  • Do not work out or swim.
  • No weight lifting.
  • Do not eat red meat or any dairy products.

Overall experience:

I wasn’t expecting the Hijama session to be that smooth and that painless! The pictures of people bleeding had left me with sleepless nights. To my surprise, it wasn’t painful at all! That night, I slept like a baby. I didn’t have any major pain or discomfort etc. I had bruises (completely normal and they go away in less than a week)) and slight discomfort due to the bandages (that I removed soon after!) I had slight pain in my lower back point but it also faded after resting a bit. I did feel a little itchy and slight discomfort in lying on my back.

The charges were 150 aed per session and the doctor recommended 11 cups for my Hijama.

Feel free to ask me if you have any questions regarding my Hijama experience!

Hijama- Do not miss this if you are going for it.

Everything Else!, ,

If you ever see me or someone donning marks that look like a round, blue bruise, don’t ask them what’s wrong just yet! Read my personal experience here! It’s not a sign of abuse or injury, but the telltale marks are about a new fad that has caught the fancy of the West and may well be the next big thing soon! It’s called ‘Cupping Therapy’ in Arabic ‘Hijama’. Jennifer Aniston showed off her cupping marks in a strapless top at the premiere of a film and she’s not the only one to try it out! Victoria Beckham and now Denise Richards have all displayed cupped backs too. 

From Olympic winning Michael Phelps to celebs like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, hailing the benefits of cupping therapy, it is the new go-to-therapy! It is said to make one look ageless and do away with aches, pains, strengthen the immune system and detoxify the body. So, what’s making everyone go back to this ancient medicine technique?

According to the experts, cupping therapy or Hijama can stimulate blood flow around the lymph nodes and stretch out sore muscles and tissues, helping one deal with problems like chronic muscle pain, insomnia, bad blood circulation and also give your skin a good glow! The process only takes a few minutes but promises you both short term and long term benefits.

Cupping therapy can also help treat conditions like fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, arthritis, insomnia, and blood disorders like anaemia, etc. It is also said to balance out breathing and fertility issues in both men and women. While there is no scientific backing, they work based on detoxification and purifying blood.

Hijama- The new fad that has caught the fancy of the World

Hijama and its benefits

The list of benefits is endless, some of the benefits of Hijama are as follows:

  • Enhances general health and wellbeing of the body.
  • Helps in treating insomnia.
  • Relief from Migraines.
  • Improves Blood Circulation.
  • Relieves Chronic Pain (Headaches, Back pain, Arthritis, Period pain, Injuries, etc.)
  • Improves physical and mental health conditions (Depression, Anxiety, Emotional problems, etc.)
  • Strengthens the immune system.
  • Cupping can clear colon blockages and aid digestion.
  • Rejenuvates the body.
  • Helps with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in females
  • Helps in regulating hormones.
  • Improves the body’s self-healing process.
  • Detoxifies the Body and purifies the Blood.
  • Improves the skin (Anti-ageing, acne, etc.)
  • Soothes Digestive Disorders.
  • Asthma.
  • Fertility issues.
  • Weight loss and much more!

What is Hijama or Wet Cupping?

Wet cupping is also known as Hijama (Arabic: حجامة‎ lit. “sucking”) or medicinal bleeding, where blood is drawn by local suction from small skin incisions. The first reported usages are found in the Islamic Hadith, sayings attributed to or describing the actions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Hadith from Muhammad al-Bukhari, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Nishapuri and Ahmad ibn Hanbal support its recommendation and use by Islamic Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). As a result, wet cupping has remained a popular remedy practised in many parts of the Muslim world.

The procedure of Hijama or Wet Cupping-

Hijama is the non-invasive method that involves the application of cups (glass or plastic) on specific body points which corresponds to specific illnesses. The body part is cleaned and then cups are applied. These cups create negative pressure. Due to the vacuum and the negative pressure inside the cup, the blood accumulates at that point. After the pooling of blood, the cupping experts remove the cups and make small incisions over the skin. Cups are applied again to the same points. The blood starts to ooze out due to the vacuum inside the cups. After the blood seeps out the cups are removed, and the expert cleans the area and puts bandages over the points.

The main mechanism by which Cupping or Hijama works in treating illnesses is that the blood which comes out contains toxins. As cupping removes toxin containing blood from the circulation, it gives place to fresh and healthy blood to circulate. The blood which is pulled out takes with it all the disease-causing toxins.

Is it Painful? and is it Safe?

When done by an expert, cupping, be it dry or wet, is not painful at all. Slight discomfort is normal but it is not as painful as the images make it appear! 

Hijama from the Islamic point of view-

Numerous narrations are present in Hadith regarding Hijama as an effective approach to treat illnesses:

  • Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Prophet Muhamad (PBUH) said “healing is to be found in three things: drinking honey, the knife of the cupper and cauterization of fire” (reported by Al-Bukhari, 10/136)
  • Anas Ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “I did not pass by any group on the night when I was taken on a night journey (Isra), but they said to me, “O Muhammad, tell your Ummah to do cupping” (reported by Ibn Maajah).
  • Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “if there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (Hijama).” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan Ibn Majah).

There are many other Hadiths related to Hijama, but the above mentioned are enough to get an idea about its importance in Islam.

Some of the celebrities that are said to be fans of cupping-

Gwyneth Paltrow

The Iron Man actress sported cupping marks on her body back in 2004 and brought the treatment into the limelight.

Jennifer Aniston

The Friends star was spotted with multiple cupping marks on her back in 2013; Aniston supposedly underwent the treatment to boost her fertility.

Freida Pinto 

The Slumdog Millionaire actress turned heads at the LAX airport in 2014 despite her low-key ensemble.

Lady Gaga

The popular singer has also given cupping a shot in the past; photographer Terry Richardson shared an image of cupping marks dotting her body in a bathtub.

Justin Bieber

As part of his spiritual (and physical) makeover, Bieber is said to have undergone an intensive cupping session to flush out toxins from his body and seek relief from physical stress caused by lifting weights. 

Victoria Beckham

Another early adopter of the technique, Beckham is said to have taken up cupping on Paltrow’s advice.

Kim Kardashian

What else would Mrs West use cupping therapy for other than anti-ageing? Kim uses facial cupping to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Final words

When done under the supervision of an expert, Hijama is said to have numerous benefits. From stimulating the blood flow around the lymph nodes to stretching out sore muscles and tissues. The process only takes a few minutes but promises you both short term and long term benefits. Would you be giving it a try? Do not miss reading my personal experience of Hijama here.

Best Things to do in Musandam

Guest Posts, Travel, , ,

Best Things to do in Musandam 

The Musandam Peninsula in the northernmost tip of the Persian Gulf is one of the Arabian World’s most picturesque places. Although a part of the Sultanate of Oman, this enclave on the Strait of Hormuz is blissfully detached from other parts of the country by the UAE’s eastern coastline. With its breathtaking landscape comprising stunning fjords, sparkling waters, rugged mountains and several historical gems, Musandam is definite to capture your heart and soul. And if you can’t wait to explore them, check out this list of top things to do in Musandam. 

Best Things to do in Musandam

Hit Musandam’s highest peak

For this, head to Jebel Al Harim! At a whopping height of over 2000 meters from the sea level, it’s not only the highest peak in the peninsula but also the most scenic in the whole of Musandam. Meaning ‘Mountain of Women,’ it gets this name as it was once used by the region’s women (to hide and protect themselves from the pirates) when their men were away for fishing, hunting etc. 

It’s also a place of immense geological significance, being home to fossil rocks that throw light on an ancient civilization that once existed in the region. Surrounded by the most fantastic views, this high-altitude spot is a favourite of hikers, trekkers and campers alike. 

Best Things to do in Musandam

Dive into underwater

For marine enthusiasts, a Musandam trip is incomplete without diving into its waters on a scuba diving or snorkelling session. After all, it has some of the Arabian world’s best diving spots such as Telegraph Islands, Lima Rock, Octopus Rock etc. Each of them is rife with exuberant underwater life comprising whales, sharks plus a vast array of corals and pelagic (including turtles, barracudas, kingfish and rays). And the best thing is that majority of these diving spots cater to all levels of divers. 

Best Things to do in Musandam

Go kayaking

Don’t want to dive underwater but still want to experience the unequalled allure of its sparkling crystal clear waters? Go on a kayaking tour that allows you to admire both sea life underneath and the awe-inspiring mountainous beauty that surrounds the water at a leisurely, laid-back pace. Paddling or rowing a kayak boat is also one of the best ways to discover the region’s secluded coves and other hidden jewels along the coastline of Musandam. 

Best Things to do in Musandam

Spot the boisterous dolphins 

Dolphins have inhabited Musandam for millions of years. So what’s a Musandam holiday without catching up with the adorable dolphins in their real, natural habitat? Yes, don’t miss it! A dolphin-spotting excursion gives you the once in the lifetime chance to take in this creature’s strength, agility, and of course, its playful antics live, up-close. Moreover, this activity is safe due to the super friendly nature of dolphins. There are mainly two types of dolphins in Musandam, bottlenose dolphins and humpback dolphins. 

Discover Dibba

Drenched in untouched natural beauty and enlightening history, this coastal town is unmissable during your Musandam trip. Whether you’re looking to go beneath its waters or want to take in the region’s modest past and culture, Dibba serves as a perfect base to discover Musandam and its amazing treasures. 

Tour the historic Khasab castle

This is one of Musandam’s most visited historical attractions. Dating back to the 17th century, it was built by the Portuguese mainly to establish their reign in the Strait of Hormuz. But it later came into the hands of the Omani power and further served as the residence of Khasab’s wali. Following an extensive renovation, it’s now converted into a museum where you can see some interesting arts and artefacts that enlightens you about the region’s rich culture and heritage. Although a nominal fee is applicable to visit here, it’s still worth a visit for its antiquated architecture and fascinating displays.  

Camp on the beach

Musandam’s beaches are so gorgeous that it’s worth spending a full day here. Bestowed with turquoise waters, incredible marine life, and pristine white sands, Khasab Beach is one of the most popular among them. Not to mention, it’s a haven for beach lovers, swimmers, divers etc. Its dreamy location and jaw-dropping scenery further make it perfect for an unforgettable overnight stay here. Many exclusive tours help you to discover the surreal beauty of Khasab and its beaches in utmost privacy and convenience. But make sure that you opt for one arranged by a professional service provider. 

Sail down Musandam Fjords on a dhow cruise

Musandam is fondly dubbed as the Norway of the Middle East for its striking fjords and isolated mountains. And one of the best ways to take in the region’s bays, natural shores and islands are to go on a cruise aboard a traditional Omani sailing vessel (known as a dhow.) Starting with a welcome drink, this Musandam tour will cruise you down the region’s calm turquoise waters comes and with all food and refreshments on board. Apart from these, you will get to enjoy many activities as part of this cruise, such as fishing, swimming etc. Now if you wish to take this experience to a new level, consider opting for an overnight dhow cruise.

Take to heights on a pragliding adventure 

If you think that all action and adventure in Musandam are centred on water, here is a thrilling activity which you can enjoy without ever getting wet. For this, simply make your way to Zighy Bay for an exciting paragliding tour. Kicking off from the Zighy Mountain (at a height of over 300 meters), this air-borne adventure feasts you the most spectacular views over the beaches, valleys and mountains that occupy the enormously majestic Zighy Bay. Whether you want to take a break from the region’s water or just want to experience Musandam from an alternative perspective, this activity is a must-do in Musandam. 

Visit Kumzar

Musandam is the gateway to some of the region’s most historic and reclusive villages. Most noteworthy among them is probably Kumzar which lies in the Strait of Hormuz, amidst Oman and Iran. Believed to have been populated for more than 700 years, this quaint yet endlessly charming settlement is accessible only via a boat from Khasab. This takes around one hour to reach here on a speed boat tour and more than 2.5 hours on a dhow cruise. Being Kumzar one of Oman’s most secluded places with their own unique culture and language, non-Omanis must get prior approval to visit here. 

Conclusion

With so much to experience in Musandam, go ahead and take inspiration from this precise list! It ensures that you won’t miss out on its absolute or unmissable highlights. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as we enjoyed jotting it down, don’t forget to read more travel-related posts here.

Investing in Cryptocurrency In the UAE

Everything Else!, Tips, , , , ,

What is Cryptocurrency?

Let’s talk about Investing in Cryptocurrency In the UAE but before that, let’s understand what Cryptocurrency means. You may be familiar with the most popular versions, Bitcoin and Ethereum, but there are more than 4,000 different cryptocurrencies in circulation. In simple terms, cryptocurrency is decentralized digital money, based on blockchain technology. Part of the appeal of this technology is its security. You can use crypto to buy goods and services, although many people invest in cryptocurrencies as they would in other assets. While cryptocurrency is an interesting asset class, buying it is risky and you must take on a fair amount of research to fully understand how each system wors

Investing in Cryptocurrency In the UAE

Many companies have announced their cryptocurrencies, often called tokens, and these can be exchanged specifically for the good or service that the company provides. Think of them as you would arcade tokens or casino chips. You’ll need to exchange real currency for the cryptocurrency to access the good or service.

Investing in Bitcoin In the UAE?

UAE was also unknown and unfamiliar with cryptocurrency until 2018 when the country made investing in Cryptocurrency in the UAE legal. The move was welcomed by all and sundry and soon investing in Cryptocurrency in the UAE saw a trend like never before. The Dubai Blockchain Strategy envisions making Dubai one of the first cities to entirely adopt blockchain technology and even integrate it in government effectiveness. Today, UAE cryptocurrency is actively becoming part of the global trend.
To become a pioneer in blockchain technology, the UAE has launched the UAE Blockchain Strategy 2021, according to which 50% of government transactions will be conducted using blockchain technology by 2021.
To safeguard the interest of the people who are investing in cryptocurrency in the UAE and to prevent any dubious activity, the government has already started taking the necessary precautionary steps.

How to invest in Cryptocurrency in the UAE?

While there are plenty of platforms available to buy and transact in cryptocurrency in the UAE, the one that I personally trust and I find extremely user friendly is BitOasis You can create an account for free by clicking here.

Final Words

Talking about the future of investing in cryptocurrency in the UAE, the UAE landscape is very favourable for blockchain and cryptocurrencies and hence the authorities are increasingly contemplating organizing such business activities and attending to the market demands and protecting the interests of consumers, businesses, and investors.

Hope you found this article useful and do not forget to check more tips/tricks and suggestions here.

How to write Guest Posts

Guest Posts, Tips, , , ,

Are you interested in contributing an article to this blog? I am so excited to welcome contributors to share their guest posts on World With Maria. This is a growing site about travel, food, tips, adventures, reviews, experiences, tips and this blog is becoming an informational resource for everyone. I am now inviting bloggers, writers, students, travel/food enthusiasts, to contribute. 

Please remember, that I am looking for quality guest posts – articles that would help the audience. If you are a company wanting to promote your product/service on the page, then feel free to contact us separately (via WorldWithMaria@gmail.com.com)

Guidelines:

  1. The article must be submitted as a Ms Word file and sent via email.
  2. At the end of the article mention the keyword(s).
  3. It should be your unique work. An article that wasn’t and won’t be published anywhere else. Please do not submit copy-pasted writeups.
  4. The guest posts must have more than 1000 words.
  5. Please attach a minimum of 3 (about 1024x800px) pictures that are either yours or stock photos.
  6. You can add 1 link to your blog/page within the post, add links to useful resources (like Wikipedia, official websites of restaurants, museums, etc.) and other pages on my blog (worldwithmaria.com)  
  7. Please go to the website www.worldwithmaria.com and see the content to get an idea of the category your article will fit in and mention it at the beginning of the article ((above the heading).
  8. Try to make the guest posts very interesting for the target audience. It should also be useful and engaging so that people would like to read it further (the better the quality, the more value of the link for your site).
  9. The rights to edit your post are reserved if it doesn’t match the guidelines or blog.
  10. Once the guest posts are published, they become the property of World with Maria. 
  11. Please Note: If your article has links that lead to business/commercial websites, then please get in touch for details.

Optional: A short bio feature of yourself at the bottom of the post, and link back to your Social Media accounts or other blogs you own.

Still, lost on the topic? Pitch me your idea and send an email so we can discuss it further.

3 Important Ways Your Credit Card Company Is Keeping You Safe Online

Guest Posts, Tips, ,

More and more of us are enjoying the benefits of shopping online. It’s easy and convenient; there’s no need to leave your sofa! Deliveries are fast too, with some retailers now offering same-day delivery. Plus, it’s a socially distant and COVID-19-safe way of making your necessary purchases. With some great credit card offers out there, online shopping is booming.

But is it safe? The answer is yes, as long as you take some simple precautions and know the dos and don’ts of online shopping. Read on to find out all you need to know about keeping your funds safe and secure when making online purchases, as well as three crucial steps that credit card companies are taking to ensure your protection. 

How could safety be compromised?

To use your credit card, fraudsters don’t necessarily need to have the card in their hands. They can still use your card if they know enough about it. Here are the different ways they can find your details:

By stealing your card

Some thieves still use the old-fashioned way of taking your card from your bag, pocket or car. Making purchases online does not require a PIN, so once they have your card, they have everything they need to use it. It is also possible to steal a credit card by intercepting it in the mail. 

By intercepting your information

Some fraudsters find out all they need to know by taking your information when you use the card yourself. Opportunistic criminals may overhear you giving credit card details over the phone or possibly even watch over your shoulder when you pay for something online. Details can also be intercepted online. This can be done through spyware on shared or public computers or through a non-secure public Wi-Fi connection. 

By finding your credit card information

It is sometimes also possible to take advantage of old receipts. Fraudsters may find enough information on these to make purchases online or over the phone. Some people have also been victims of credit card fraud when they’ve given their card details to a trusted person via email but then have had their account hacked. Alternatively, hackers can fraudulently use online accounts where you have auto-stored card details. 

By skimming your details

The criminal act of skimming involves planting a device in a cash machine. This collects and stores details from cards used by their rightful owners. The criminals use these details to make online or telephone purchases later.

Credit card companies- How they are working to protect you

When you consider the ways thieves operate, owning a credit card might suddenly feel a little daunting. Do not fear, however, because credit card companies work very hard to stay one step ahead of criminals and to be able to offer secured online shopping.

Here are some of the sophisticated techniques they use to counteract fraudsters.

  1. 24/7 Monitoring:

Rest assured that credit card companies are continually monitoring your card use. State-of-the-art technology can immediately flag transactions that seem unusual. They’ll spot if your card is used in a strange location, if your card is being used to make an unusually large purchase, or if it is being used for a high volume of purchases. Your bank will then immediately be in contact with you to check that it is you making the purchases. Thieves can be halted very quickly this way. 

2. Card Verification Codes (CVC):

CVC codes are frequently needed to make online and telephone purchases. The CVC code is the number printed on the back of your card within the signature strip. It can help prevent fraud because a person must have the card in their presence to be able to complete the transaction. Merchants are forbidden to store CVC codes by global banking standards, which increases their protective power. 

3. 3D Secure Authentication

This is a system used by both Mastercard (Mastercard Securecode) and Visa (Verified by Visa). It offers another layer of protection to users of their cards. 3D Secure Authentication asks users to complete an extra step to prove their identity. When you make an online payment, you may be redirected to a secure web page belonging to your credit card provider. Here, you will need to fill in a one-time code sent to your previously registered phone number. If this is entered correctly, then you are returned to the retailer’s page to complete your transaction.

How you can help keep your account safe and secure

Banks and credit companies work hard to keep their customers safe and to prevent fraud. However, there are still some steps card users can and should take to make sure online shopping is as safe as possible.

Here are 12 quick and easy tips for taking action:

  1. Review your account regularly to make sure all transactions have been initiated by you.
  2. Always know where your card is so if it is stolen, you realise as soon as possible.
  3. Never send emails, social media messages or texts that contain your card details.
  4. Do your online or telephone shopping in a private place where you can’t be overheard or overlooked by strangers. 
  5. Alert your credit card company if a new card is slow to arrive.
  6. Never write down PINs and passwords or store them on your phone.
  7. Keep credit card receipts in a safe place and always shred them before discarding them.
  8. Do not use public or shared computers or public Wi-Fi for online transactions.
  9. Regularly update your firewall, as well as your antivirus and anti-spyware software. 
  10. Destroy old cards by cutting these into small pieces and always through the magnetic strip.
  11. Resist the temptation to store your card details on merchant websites.
  12. Always check if a website is secure before using it for online purchases.

Not sure how to check the security of a website? Here’s how.

How to check if a website is safe to buy from

Here are five tips for checking if a website is secure:

  • Look for the HTTPS at the beginning of the site’s URL. The “s” signifies it is certified as secure. 
  • Check that the website has a privacy policy that details how it will use and store your information. 
  • Look for a “trust seal” which shows that the website works with a security partner. You should be able to click on this image and be led to the security partner’s verification page. 
  • Be aware of duplicated sites where a fraudster has imitated another site. These can sometimes be convincing, but more often are littered with mistakes and don’t look quite right. 
  • Check that the website displays contact information.  

When you use a reputable credit card company, you are in safe hands. Everything possible is being done to prevent fraud and protect your funds. Follow the advice above and you should be free to enjoy all the convenience and ease of online shopping without worries. 

Hope you enjoyed reading the post, don’t forget to check some more interesting posts here.

AUTHOR BIO

Dr Bernd van Linder is the CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai. His comprehensive view of banking comes from a long career in treasury, risk management, and strategic operations — all essential aspects to leading an efficient and profitable bank. Over the decades, CBD has transformed into a progressive and modern banking institution, and today offers a full range of financial services to help customers build and manage their finances. 

 

Five unexpected health risks of lack of sleep

Guest Posts,

There is a difference between a good night’s sleep and one that is fitful or too short. Persistent sleep loss can lead to health problems far more serious than one can imagine. There can be several reasons contributing to your poor quality of sleep and might not always be stress and anxiety.

Five unexpected health risks of lack of Sleep

Sleep and your health- The direct relationship

There is a direct link between your slumber and your ability to perform throughout the day. It can lead to intimate fatigue, bad mood, or lack of focus, etc. What many of us don’t understand is that an absence of sleep—especially on an everyday basis—is related to long health consequences, as well as chronic medical conditions like polygenic disorder, high vital sign, and cardiopathy, which these conditions might result in a shortened lifetime.

Sleep length and chronic sickness:

Studies have disclosed a range of unquestionably harmful effects of sleep deprivation sometimes related to excessive stress, like an exaggerated vital sign, impaired blood sugar management, and exaggerated inflammation.
Each reduced and exaggerated nap length are coupled with high blood pressure, diabetes, and fatness. However, cross-sectional studies cannot make a case for however insufficient. An excessive amount of sleep ends up in sickness because people might have a condition that affects it instead of a habit that causes infection to occur.
Long snooze habits are related to the event of diverse sickness comes from pursuit the sleep habits and disease patterns over long periods of your time in people who are at first healthy (i.e., longitudinal epidemiologic studies). We tend to don’t nevertheless apprehend whether adjusting one’s sleep will cut back the danger of eventually developing a sickness or reducing the severity of associate degree current sickness. However, the results from longitudinal epidemiologic studies are currently starting to counsel that this is often seemingly.

Obesity:

Lack of good rest at night is also seen as a possible risk issue for fatness at the side of the two most typically known risk factors: lack of exercise and gluttony. Analysis into the mechanisms concerned with regulating metabolism is starting to make a case for what the affiliation between sleep and fatness may well be. Our bodies secrete hormones that facilitate regulating appetence, energy metabolism, and the aldohexose process while resting. Getting insufficient sleep upsets the balance of different hormones. For instance, poor sleep ends up in a rise within the production of Hydrocortone, typically observed because of the “stress secretion.” Poor sleep is additionally related to will increase in the secretion of hormones following a meal. The hormone may be a secretion that regulates the aldohexose process and promotes fat storage; higher hormone levels are related to weight gain, a risk issue for the polygenic disorder.

Insufficient sleep also is related to lower levels of leptin, a secretion that alerts the brain that it’s enough food. As a result, poor sleep might lead to food cravings even when we’ve consumed the required amount of calories. We may also be a lot of seemingly to eat foods like sweets that satisfy the searching for a fast energy boost.

Diabetes:

Researchers have found that poor sleep might result in sort two polygenic disorder by influencing how the body processes aldohexose, the high-energy supermolecule that cells use for fuel. One short sleep restriction study found that a group of healthy people who had their sleep decreased from eight to four hours per night processed aldohexose a lot slower than they did once they were allowable to sleep twelve hours. Various epidemiologic studies have disclosed that adults who sometimes slept but 5 hours per night have a vastly exaggerated risk of getting or developing the polygenic disorder.

Heart Disease and cardiovascular disease:

Studies have found that one night of inadequate sleep in people with existing cardiovascular disease will cause elevated pressure throughout the subsequent day. This result could begin to explain the correlation between poor sleep and heart disorder and stroke. For instance, one study found that sleeping deficient (less than six hours) or an excessive amount of (more than 9 hours) exaggerated the chance of having a coronary heart condition. There is additionally growing proof of an association between sleep disorder and heart conditions. People who have symptoms generally expertise multiple awakenings every night due to the closing of their airways after they doze off. Over time, this may result in the chronic elevation of cardiovascular disease pressure, which could be a significant risk issue for the disorder.

Immunity:

It is natural for individuals to go to bed once they are sick. One theory proposes that the system evolved “sleepiness causing factors” due to inactivity of sleep provided an advantage: those who slept a lot once visaged with an infection were higher ready to fight that infection than those that slept less. Analysis in animals suggests that those animals which get a lot of deep sleep following an experimental challenge by the microbic disease have a higher likelihood of survival.

Mood Disorders:

Given that one sleepless night will cause individuals to be irritable and moody the subsequent day, it’s conceivable that chronic disorder could result in semipermanent mood disorders. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and mental disorder. In one study, subjects who slept four and a half hours per night reportable feeling stressed, sad, angry, and mentally exhausted. All of those self-reported symptoms improved dramatically once matters came to a traditional sleep schedule.

Why Should You go for A Luxury Yacht Charter in Dubai?

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Are you living or visiting Dubai? And getting tired of visiting crowded places? Then, there is something different you can do! Read on to know why you need to go for a Luxury yacht charter in Dubai which this city is globally famous for, and you cannot take a risk missing it! From delicate dining to cosy seating, sailing over Dubai’s blue waters can surely be a once-in-a-lifetime undergo you will enjoy immensely. After all, billionaires getting crazy after extravagant yachts is not just-like-that!

Luxury yacht Charter in Dubai

Have You Ever Probed What is The Best Way To See Dubai?

Luxury Yacht Charter in Dubai is the best way to see this enchanting city that has an impressive coastline. Dubai is one of the most affluent and beautiful places globally. Also, it is a vacation hotspot for visitors of all backgrounds. When you’re only there for a short-run-trip, it cannot be easy to fit in all of the unbelievable attractions that the city has to offer. Besides, dozens of gorgeous mosques, sandy beaches, culture-rich walks, and of course the incredible Burj Khalifa that dominates the Dubai skyline. If you want to get an enchanted view of everything, you should get on a sumptuous yacht tour.

A Luxury yacht charter will allow you to explore Dubai in style with family, friends, spouse, or colleagues, etc. After all, one of the highlighted benefits of visiting the City of Gold’ is its blowing sands and the Arabian Sea’s crystal clear waters. Now, I’m going to explain why you should experience a luxury yacht charter when you are in Dubai.

Luxury Yacht Charter- Why Should You Experience it?

There are a plethora of activities to do in Dubai. If you are in the City of Gold for a short-run-tour, you will have difficulty shortlisting your preferences. Whatever your concerns are, yachting is a not-to-be-missed venture. Dubai’s government has already planned to promote new luxury yacht clubs as cruise tourists are expected to cross last years record of 1.5 million. Just have a look at these reasons to understand why yachting is more of a luxury deal:

Explore The City-

Cruising the city of gold on a yacht will bring you a unique perspective and experience to the table. Sailing across Dubai and explore this magical city and commit to a fantastic excursion experience.

A Relaxing Ride-

Sailing is a peaceful experience. The peace and tranquility of sailing can increase calm a restless body and disturbed mind. Taking some time off from the anxious and busy life can amount to the much-needed quality time you need. Going out on a luxury yacht ride with your friends and family can also help you strengthen the relationship you experience with them.

Capture Marvelous Memories-

Getting together for a beautiful yacht charter in Dubai will help you make and capture some marvelous memories with your friends or family. The excursion and spending of quality time together can positively bring you closer to your loved ones. Capture this beautiful city and make memories for a lifetime.

Luxury yacht Charter in Dubai

Is Luxury Yacht Charter in Dubai safe In Covid-19 Pandemic?

Away from the crowd-

Most yacht charter itineraries around Dubai include plenty of natural attractions and events instead of beach clubs, restaurants, or other social venues. The versatility of a luxury yacht charter in Dubai is that you can see all the important tourist attractions while avoiding the crowd.

Restricted Exposure to people-

With the Dubai Luxury charter, you are always assured of not having to interact with the crowd. You won’t be much in connection with the public while seeing the tourist attractions. Apart from this, all the protocols as laid down by the government are always followed to ensure the safety of our clients.

Good Connections For Private Yachts-

A selection of small yachts makes private sailing candid and straightforward. Dubai is the best place that caters to private yachts and offers an array of activities for people who wish to see the city without being exposed to the crowd.

You can check and book yachts in Dubai here.

Don’t forget to read more travel related posts here.

Best Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity

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Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity

As cases of coronavirus continue to rise on a daily basis, taking daily precautions such as washing your hands, social distancing, exercising and getting enough sleep is key to lowering the risk of infection.

But maintaining a healthy diet to help boost your immune system is also very essential. It’s important to note that no research has been done on foods that help fight against COVID-19 specifically.

However, previous studies have found that eating certain foods can improve your health and strengthen your body’s overall ability to fight other invasive viruses.

Cheers to good health! Here’s the Best Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity, this herbal Tea that has so many benefits that I want to call it Miracle Tea!
I’ve recommended it to so many people and most of them got back to me saying that they found it effective.

Some of the benefits of this Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity:

  • Boasts immunity.
  • Soothes the sore throat.
  • Reduces cough and congestion.
  • Reduces muscle pain.
  • Relieves headache and body ache.
  • Reduces menstrual and abdominal pain.
  • Improves digestion.
  • Improves the body’s fat-burning capability.
  • So on!
    Out of all the important lessons, this pandemic has taught I think the most important one is to take care of our immune system and our health.
Ingredients

What do you need?

  • 500ML water
  • 1 teaspoon Honey (optional but recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon Jaggery
  • 2 teaspoons Carrom Seed (Ajwain)
  • 2 teaspoons Fennel Seed (Saunf)
  • 2 leaves of Holy/Indian Basil
  • 1 piece of Cinnamon stick
  • 5 cloves (Laung)
  • 5 Black Pepper (Kaali Mirch)
  • 1 inch Ginger
  • 1 Teaspoon Coffee or 1 Teabag (Optional, To improve the taste)

How to Prepare?

To prepare this Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity, you need to Boil water on low flame with all the ingredients except honey and the teabag. Let the concoction simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the flame and add the teabag (or coffee) and honey. Drink while it is still warm.

When to drink?

You can drink this any time of the day but there should be a gap of at least 2 hrs. between this drink and a meal. (Your stomach should be empty)

Best time to drink this is in the morning before breakfast or in the evening.

How many times to drink?

You can drink this Home-Made Drink to Strengthen your Immunity once a day or even 2-3 times a day. Remember, moderation and consistency is the key.

Disclaimer: Please ask your doctor before trying anything new, I’m NOT a health expert, I just share whatever suits me and has been beneficial for me.

Don’t forget to read more such posts here.

COVID-19‌ ‌While‌ ‌Traveling‌- What‌ ‌to‌ ‌Do‌

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With COVID-19 measures easing, some countries have begun to allow air travel once again. This makes for an especially interesting time to travel, given that COVID-19 cases are as high as they’ve ever been. According to WorldMeter, a website that pulls COVID-19 statistics from a series of government and health-related websites, there were 31 million cases worldwide on the 22nd of September, 2020. Therefore, if you plan to travel, you should know what to do if you experience COVID-19 symptoms while travelling.

What to do

Risks and Symptoms

First, you should understand early warning signs that may suggest you have COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the presence of a COVID infection is gradual and easily noticeable but also can be confused with other conditions such as allergies or the common flu. Either way, be on the lookout for the following signs and COVID-19 symptoms while travelling:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Dry cough
  • Body aches
  • Shortness of breath

Each of these symptoms may begin within two to 14 days after coming into contact with an infected person or surface. Less common symptoms may include a sore throat, chills, loss of smell or taste, congestion, and even diarrhoea. More severe symptoms may include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Constant pain in the chest
  • Blue lips and/or face
  • Loss of smell/taste
  • Sudden confusion

If you experience any more severe symptoms, you should immediately contact the local emergency services and tell them you suspect you have COVID-19 and explain why. Aside from looking out for symptoms, there are several things you can do to prevent infection in the first place.

Prevent Infection While Traveling

The best advice would be to not travel, yet that may not be realistic for you. If you must travel, then bring along plenty of disposable face masks as they can reduce the chance of infection by preventing the spread of droplets when you cough or sneeze. The use of face masks is also widely supported by the likes of the CDC and other health-related institutions such as Johns Hopkins.

Aside from masks, you can also plan for travel that is more secluded from others. If possible, try to sit away from other travellers and wash your hands often. Currently, the World Health Organization suggests maintaining a distance of 3 meters from others, while some studies suggest that COVID-19 can live in the air up to 13 feet or more from the infected person.

What to Do Before Traveling

Now that you know what are the COVID-19 symptoms while travelling and know to wear a mask, you should prepare a plan before travelling. You should first find the emergency services contact information for the area you’ll be travelling to. For instance, not every country has the same emergency services phone number. In other circumstances, some countries may have plenty of people who speak your language, and others may not. It may be a good idea to write down a few phrases in the native language. For example, you could find out how to say, “I believe I have COVID-19.” In that case, a simple phrase could make a difference.

You should also create a plan in case you do experience symptoms or contract COVID-19. For example, besides emergency services, you may also want to contact family or loved ones. You should also make sure you have access to accommodations and money to quarantine for up to 21 days in case you do get COVID-19 symptoms while travelling.

What to Do While Traveling

So, even with all those precautions, what if you still notice symptoms similar to COVID-19 while travelling, then what? The first step is to isolate yourself. Let’s say you are in a crowded market looking for a good deal in a foreign country. Then suddenly it hits you: You’ve had a mild fever and dry cough that has lasted the entire day. Now is the time to put on a face mask and get to a less crowded area. If you’re travelling with others, you should inform them of this as well. Try to maintain a safe distance from those you’re travelling with and leave the area.

Next, you’ll need to notify the authorities. Even if you end up not having COVID-19, it’s still important to get tested. Call the local emergency services number and tell them you are experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19. From that point on, your mileage may vary. Some countries may have a strict protocol if you have COVID-19 symptoms while travelling, while others may not. If you’re in a more developed nation, you’ll be told to stay there, and emergency services will come to pick you up. You’ll likely be put into a specially made and isolated environment until your test comes back. If you do have COVID-19 but are not at risk and aren’t experiencing severe symptoms, then you’ll likely need to quarantine for 14 to 21 days. This may be troubling and put a burden on you. Just remember it will soon be over and don’t turn to a substance like alcohol for relief. In many cases, substance abuse will only make the matter worse. If you believe you have a substance abuse problem, then click here now.