Health-&-Fitness
TRX vs. Other Gym Equipments: A Detailed Comparison
The fitness industry has gotten a lot more attention lately and this has forced many brands within the industry to get more creative with their workout plans. This could either be accredited to the direction of goals by the community, or a way to carve out a niche that is unique and effective enough to stay ahead of the game. Regardless of the reason, TRX is a relatively new addition to the fitness industry and has seen positive feedback within the community. When stacked against the old reliability of dumbbells, barbells, and bodyweight workouts, how does TRX fare against other gym equipment?
What Is TRX?
TRX is a body-weight, suspension-based exercise program that helps improve strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. It employs the use of a single strap hung from a ceiling. It is meant to be looped around either hands or feet. Unlike many exercises, this was introduced in the early 2000s by Randy Hetrick, a US Navy SEAL who retired and was adamant about continuing life of training outside of the military.
From a marketing standpoint, TRX checks almost all the boxes which explain its relevance in today’s fitness goals. It is unique, effective, easy to maintain, cost-effective, and versatile. The only hindrance that could be foreseen for those, who want to have one at home is the need to drill an attachment into the ceiling to attach the strap on. Most aren’t willing to go through that pain, which is why many commercial gyms come with a TRX station ready. All TRX exercises are bodyweight dependent, which introduces a unique take to lunges, press-ups, and much more.
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TRX Versus Dumbbells
Dumbbells are one of the two weight categories that have kept their relevance in the gym setting for decades and for good reason. These handheld weights have an almost unrivaled amount of flexibility in their function, which could give TRX a run for its money. While the likes of shoulder presses, flies, and shrugs are some examples of exercises that dumbbells could support that TRX wouldn’t be able to, the latter’s focus on all-rounded body workouts also offer perks that dumbbells can’t match.
Side-plank tap, atomic press-ups, and pike are some exercises that are boosted when the legs are bound to the air. This encourages far more balance and the innate use of certain muscle groups that are not even the focus of the exercise at hand. Because of this, TRX covers a lot more ground faster if full-body workouts are the end goal.
Read HIIT VS Crossfit: Know the Difference
Dumbbells can be used for compound exercises, but it truly shines when used for isolated workouts. Deltoids, traps, and forearms are primarily worked out exclusively using dumbbells. In this discussion, TRX and dumbbells are both versatile but serve different purposes. Both are viable for different goals. Isolating muscle groups to work on would be the dumbbell’s role while full-body regimes are where TRX will shine.
TRX Versus Barbells
The comparison between barbells and TRX is a little tricker to compare as both essentially cover multiple muscle groups at once. Military press, squats, deadlifts and bench press are the four signature exercises that barbells are known for. These exercises are compound by nature, which means muscle building, strength building and definition (to a certain extent) are the main focus. If your goals are to bulk, build strength and have strong technique, barbells are designed to have weights added.
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TRX however, requires no such weight to be effective, but can be more difficult to get the hang of for newer members in the fitness community. Weak joints and muscles makes it difficult to balance correctly when tied to the TRX at the beginning, but things can get better with enough practice. Bodyweight exercises are a great way to double on fat loss and definition - which is where TRX and barbells differ. If the goal is to keep fit and build muscle endurance, TRX still has a place for you.
TRX Versus Machines
Between machines and TRX, both have a similar level of versatility and benefits, however machines cater to specific muscle groups rather than encompassing the same level of well-roundedness that TRX can provide. Exercises like shoulder presses, leg presses and lat pulldowns are useful isolates, but limit the user to a specific range of motion that may not capture as many secondary muscle groups as other equipment in the gym.
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TRX Versus The Mat
Static exercises such as mountain climbers, planks and crunches are bodyweight exercises that do not require anything else, except for a mat. While this is one of the closest competitors to the TRX, the latter falls under the category of “Suspension Training”, and tackles more muscle groups than a standard bodyweight exercise.
The simple answer is that both are viable, but being suspended means that your body has to automatically use more strength to balance before even beginning the planned exercise. TRX also allows users to better select the weight distribution on a body part via suspension. Due to this, certain injured body parts can be avoided altogether if you are still keen to exercise.
Verdict
TRX may have a lot of uses and has the flexibility to work on a myriad of different body parts, but its categorization of being a suspension-based exercise corners it into a niche of its own. To balance properly on a TRX requires a separate skill set that is not relevant to other equipment at the gym. Therefore, TRX is a good supplement to other body-weight exercises and is best used in conjunction with other programmes such as bodyweight exercises, yoga and even strength training. If the intention is to build mass and steady increase in muscle strength, TRX should not be an option.
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What is Protein Powder? Benefits of Taking Protein Supplements
When protein shakes are uttered in conversation, the most common thing that comes to mind is muscle building and gym-based workouts. Considered a staple protein source to grant muscle builders and, to a certain extent, other types of exercises as well. Protein powder is primarily designed to be supplements for the body, but many have turned to it as a form of meal replacement. Why exactly are protein shakes so popular and other they best used after a workout at the gym?
What Is Protein Powder
Whey
Although it may seem like a pretty straightforward question, the answer is more layered than one might think. Whey, soy, plant and many many more are the different options available that can change up aspects like protein intake quantity, purpose and overall quality. To discover what exactly is in a scoop of protein powder, it is important to zero in on one of the most common types, whey.
Whey originally comes from milk and is extracted from the curd during the filtering process ain to making cheese. It is lactose-based and contains milk and sugar. It is a sweet choice that isn’t for those who are lactose intolerant. Whey is also by far, the most popular form of protein because of its high counts of amino acids that allow for effective protein synthesis. If you want to know what is the face of standard protein powder, whey’s popularity and effectiveness are the places to start.
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Casein
Casein is also milk, based but doesn’t digest nearly as quickly as whey. It forms a layer of gel that slows down the blood’s absorption of amino acids. This means that protein breakdown is also slowed. This may seem like a bad thing initially, but the benefits of slow protein breakdown are incredible when looked into further.
During long periods without food, such as during periods of sleep or fasts, Casein reserves a decent supply for the body to constantly absorb as your body continues breaking down other nutrients. Casein is the way to go for those who are looking to lose weight and build lean muscle through strength training.
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Pea
The previous two are rather heavy in dairy and that may pose a problem to those with dairy allergies or specific diets. Because of this, peas are the logical alternative that are surprisingly just as viable as other options. Peas have an abundance of BCAAs and most amino acids in other protein shake.
Studies have shown that this source of protein can provide gains comparable to other protein powder sources, and even assists to decrease high blood pressure. The reason why we don’t see this rivaling the likes of whey and casein could be because of its rarity on the shelves compared to the others.
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Brown Rice
It’s odd that a carbohydrate source can also double as a protein-based alternative. Although this ingredient doesn’t boast nearly as much protein like whey, it contains the necessary amino acids to make it a viable competitor. This protein source has yet to make waves in the industry and many may opt to go for traditional foods instead of brown rice protein due to the comparable quantity of protein per gram. Regardless, it helps with muscle building and is suitable for high-intensity exercises.
Mixed Plant Proteins
Like pea-based protein powder, this is an amazing choice for vegetarians and vegans. With a mix of hemp, alfalfa, chia seeds, peas, chia seeds, quinoa, and artichoke; there is little reason to not opt for this as an option due to how many healthy nutrients are crammed into this mix.
The trade-off for its lower protein count per scoop is its plant-based features which boast higher quantities of fiber and is easier to digest. It may not be the most well-known type of protein concoction around, but it can still promote a decent amount of muscle growth.
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Benefits of Protein Supplements
With all the options available in the protein supplement market, it’s not hard to identify how versatile a protein shake can be. Mostly natural and brimming with fiber and amino acids (aside from protein, of course), there is little risk when consuming them in the appropriate quantity.
Naturally, an overreliance on protein powder will have drawbacks such as its lack of approval from FDA and other official organizations, making its viability subject to individual companies. Also, when taken in excess, its high sugar content and effect of the digestive system are risks that will present themselves, but only when consuming over the dose of the daily recommendation.
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Taking protein through the “normal” meals with red meat, fish, eggs and soy would be the ideal goal to ensure that muscle building is optimal, but the cost to a diet that primarily comprises the aforementioned dishes can cost more than a pretty penny.
Additionally, the amount of calories needed to match a couple of scoops of protein powder is excessive at best and may not be good for the body for spiking the calorie intake to such a degree. Therefore, many have opted for protein powder as the faster, more affordable alternative that can be condensed into a small bottle. This beats carrying containers of prepared food for the entire day.
The emphasis on protein also naturally comes with the increasing popularity of muscle building. Pre Workouts and creatine supplements are almost at the same level of priority for bulk-heavy routines. The popularity of fitness as a whole has improved: whether you’d want to pin the rise of popularity to social media’s rising relevance, word of mouth, or the introduction to more intuitive routines - it’s clear that the focus on many people’s minds right now is to improve aesthetically, and muscle building falls into that category for many.
Read HIIT VS Crossfit: Know the Difference
Indian COVID variant: Why is it more deadly? How is it affecting the neighboring countries?
The surge of Indian coronavirus has shocked the world as the country is facing considerably high numbers of Covid deaths every day. However, it is also reported that the average number of new cases is increasing every week. The skyrocket infection rate has now thrown in deep grief. In article we are going to discuss why the Indian Coronavirus variant appears more deadly? We will also focus on the COVID-19 situation in the neighboring countries of India.
What is the Indian COVID-19 variant?
It is normal that viruses mutate all the time and produce different variants and versions of themselves. Sometimes mutate weakens the virus, and sometimes it may get stronger than the mother variant. Nevertheless, the India variant has become stronger and deadly.
However, the Indian coronavirus maturations are not entirely new, identified as E484Q and L452R. The E484Q is similar to the South African variant E484K as well as the Brazilian variant P1. Moreover, the Indian variant was also detected as the British variant B.1.1.7. On the other hand, L452R is found in the Californian variant, which was also found in Germany.
With all these combinations, the scientists are almost in the dark while trying to find out the actual reason and the protection.
The Indian variant was first detected in Maharashtra between December 2020 and March this year. Then the virus spread to other states, and New Delhi has got affected in a way that overwhelmed its healthcare system. As a result, the healthcare system in some states in India has collapsed.
Read:11 die in India hospital due to disruption in oxygen supply
Why is India's Coronavirus variant dangerous, and how deadly is it?
The newest variant has two mutations on the spike protein of the COVID-19. Usually, the spike protein is responsible for infecting the body, and now it has two deadly types. These two newest types can then enter the body quickly and have the ability to escape any available antibodies in the immune system and infect the lungs quickly.
Now the experts show concern over the vaccine, whether the current vaccines can fight against the variant. But it is yet hard to tell how deadly the variant is as scientists are still figuring out its level. But the recent surge in the death rate gives us a hint about its risk level.
Read Coronavirus: 'Double mutant' Covid variant found in India
In the beginning, the researchers declared all three Indian variants as “under investigation.” However, the recent investigation leveled the B.1.617.2 as the “variant of concern.” The laboratory studies, as well as epidemiological analyses suggest that it can arise a problem in the coming days.
Of the other two mutations, L452R can avoid the antibodies from previously taken COVID vaccines; E484Q is partially resistant to vaccines. That said, the new mutations in India “are highly unlikely to render vaccines completely ineffective.”
The outcome from proper research can ensure us the actual risk level of the newest virus. Hence, we will need to keep patience until the scientist announces the level of its dangerousness. But we are assuming it is dangerous and should take proper protection to prevent it.
Read As India surges, Bangladesh lacks jabs, faces virus variants
Impact of Indian Coronavirus variant on the Neighboring countries
As India's newest coronavirus variant spreads, the neighboring countries go on high alert. The infection rate is on the rise across South Asia that led to border closures and traveling bands. Despite taking the protection, Nepal has been affected badly by the Indian variant, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had already detected its first Indian variant a few days ago.
Although the neighboring countries that share a border with India already closed their border, there are still some porous borders with a huge number of people crossing back and forth every day. Therefore, the countries may hit hard anytime.
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Situation in Nepal
Nepal shares a border with five northern Indian states, such as West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh. Nepal's COVID 19 infection was on the rise in February, and 150-200 news cases were normal during that time. However, the number increased significantly for the last few weeks as thousands of COVID cases are reported every day. For a country with over 24 million people, getting thousands of cases every day is alarming. As per the recent report, the country is seeing almost 4,000 to 5,000 cases per day, which is scary.
Among the 24 million citizens, approximately 6 million Nepalis live and work in India, and with the porous border, people cross almost every day. Hence, the country may face an outbreak like India. But the good news is that, despite the high COVID-19 cases in Nepal, the mortality rate is relatively lower.
Read As cases grow, India's vaccination campaign falters
Bangladesh closes borders
Bangladesh has restricted the border previously for two weeks, but still, the county could not stop the new variant from entering. Bangladesh detected the new variants a few days ago. However, Bangladesh's National Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 suggests not to reopen the Indian borders until Indian gets back to a somewhat normal situation. Besides, the committee also urges that the government should take strict measures to prevent the Indian variant.
However, the COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh are on the rise since March-15, which is identified as the old variant but it has already hit hard. So, having the Indian variant would collapse healthcare. So far, the county has taken all the possible measures to prevent the new variant.
Read Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain
Pakistan on alert
Pakistan is also experiencing a climb in COVID cases since early March, matching with the Indian outbreak. However, Pakistan has not reported any Indian variant yet. But Pakistan has banned traveling from India since April 19.
Situation Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has detected its first case on Saturday in a person who recently returned from India. Sri Lanka has recorded 19 COVID deaths on Friday, which is the highest number of fatalities in a single day from the corona. To protect its citizens, the country has begun rolling out the vaccine from the Chinese Sinopharm urgently.
Read: Russian Vaccine Sputnik V: Things we should know to fight COVID-19
Types of Meditation: Which One is Right for You
With all the bustle going on at work and the unending clutter that comes our way in the form of social media, our attention span has become used to being scattered, making it harder to focus on one thing for an extended period of time. Meditation may seem a tad bit old-fashioned, but it is more necessary in this day and age than it ever has been. There are many ways going about meditating, so here a rundown of a few different types of meditation and which one is right for you.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is an old tradition that many cultures followed that essentially exercised for the mind. Through intense reflection and the practice of stillness, the goal of meditation was to establish harmony and calmness. The root behind this activity can stem from religious origins of aligning one’s frame of mind to his or her religious beliefs.
Although the end goal is the same, there are a plethora of meditation techniques that are wildly different from each other. Some may fit better to the angle of mental wellness, while others have heavy religious connotations to them. What works for you is strictly boiled down to preferences. Many believe that if meditation ultimately leads to relaxation, the methods will not be the biggest concern.
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Types of meditation with specific benefits
Mindful Meditation
The term “mindfulness” gets thrown around alot to correlate exercises and even supplements to a calmer center. Although there might be some truth to it, the term is coined from a type of meditation that originated from Buddhism. The main gist of this style of meditation is to disconnect one from his or her thoughts and observe the sequences of which these thoughts occur.
Concentration and reflection are important to identify the separation between passively “spectating” your thoughts and fully being immersed in them. It takes practice (as all meditation styles would) and requires a certain frame of mind, rather than altering the way of thinking in order to find peace and calmness.
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Spiritual Meditation
The same suggests that this style of meditation has strong religious connotations and you’re not wrong for assuming so. This method of meditation comes from Asian religions such as Hinduism and Taoism. This is more about a reflection between yourself and the connection you have with God/Gods under said religions.
Although this would come more naturally to a religious person, the commercial world has found ways to make this palatable for atheists as well. Essential oils are added to enhance the spiritual aspect by engaging the senses. Oils from myrrh, cedar, and sandalwood are commonly used for this.
Read: Aloe Vera: The magical herb with multifarious benefits
Focused Meditation
The name doesn’t give much to work with at first, but Focused Meditation requires immense concentration using all five human senses. Hearing the sound of your breathing, or focusing on scents are good ways to narrow your attention down to small details which helps the mind.
Your eyes can be opened during this process too and focusing on the subtlety of an object can work wonders. Despite how easy it sounds, this style of meditation is not approachable for beginners. Not because of the task to find something to focus on, but due to the length of time required to focus on one thing at a time.
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Movement Meditation
Movement meditation may sound complicated or even bordering on workout territory, but it does not. This form of meditation requires you to keep yourself in motion when centering your thoughts. From walking to the woods to engaging in smaller movements like knitting or gardening, the act of moving is meant to be an outlet for establishing a peaceful rhythm.
Through this, the mind tends to be better focused on the “task” at hand. There is, however, a need to distinguish between focusing on your thoughts during the movement phase without daydreaming. This style isn’t for everyone, but for those who struggle to sit still, this is the perfect method.
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Mantra Meditation
This form of meditation goes back to eastern religion - being present in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In many television shows, many Buddhists use the phrase “Om’ during their meditation. Although this has been heavily commercialized, there is some truth to it.
According to ancient beliefs, chanting the incantation can drastically help experience a deeper level of awareness with your surroundings and internally. Many have claimed the effectiveness of this method and is the perfect fit for those who don’t do well with silence.
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Transcendental Meditation
Despite how cosmic it sounds, Transcendental meditation is popular among those in the scientific community due to its factual legitimacy based on survey data. It originated from yoga and has been a popular method of relieving stress and managing high blood pressure for generations.
This form of meditation also uses elements of Mantra meditation but has become the poster child of defining meditation in the secular community. This form of meditation is supposedly meant to usher practitioners into a higher plane of consciousness, but this can be subject to the case.
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Loving/Kindness Meditation
This type of meditation could possibly be the most enriching angle of attaining inner peace. Although many others on this list intensify focus and harmony through concentration and repetition, adding love and kindness puts a moral compass that can have long-term implications on your character development. By focusing on accepting others and using your capacity of compassion, detoxing the mind from negative thoughts could be a longer-lasting solution that may reshape your outlook in life.
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Russian Vaccine Sputnik V: Things we should know to fight COVID-19
The vaccine development for the COVID-19 has been moving at a record speed around the world. However, some companies have already seen success in less than a year. While some of the first world countries developed COVID vaccines, Russian did not lag behind. Therefore, the whole world was surprised when President Vladimir Putin approved the country’s first domestically developed vaccine Sputnik V in August 2020. Though many countries around the world were confused about the efficacy of Russian Vaccine Sputnik V, now 59 countries in the world approved this Coronavirus vaccine. Here we addressed some frequently asked questions about Sputnik V.
What is Sputnik V?
Sputnik V is Russia’s first approved COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine entered limelight when Putin publicly approved it and stunned about the other countries who were still working to develop their vaccines.
Who invented this?
It was entirely developed and produced by the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, a Russian medical research institute, and operated under the purview of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Sputnik V was funded by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is widely known as Russia’s sovereign wealth fund.
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What are the basics of Sputnik V?
Sputnik V was developed based on the common idea. Gamaleya researchers used the commonly known viruses that cause colds as their vaccine prototype. Subsequently, they worked with the coronavirus spike protein gene and added two separate adenovirus vectors in it, such as rAd5 and rAd26. Further, the researchers engineered them to invade cells without replication.
What is the working procedure of Sputnik V?
Sputnik V works in six easy steps. In the first step, it is injected into a person’s arm. After that, the adenoviruses vector gets into the cells and can create a bar of proteins on the cells’ surface. The cell then put the virus in a bubble and then an adenovirus moves towards the nucleus. Next, adenovirus inserts its DNA in the nucleus, and adenovirus makes copies of itself. Further, the cells can read the coronavirus spike protein gene and copy it into a molecule “called messenger RNA or mRNA.”
In the second step, mRNA leaves the nucleus and starts working on building spike proteins. The immune system recognizes the spike proteins. Afterward, the adenovirus excites the current immune system and switches them to the cell’s alarm system. Through the alarm system, Sputnik V makes the immune system respond strongly against the spike proteins.
Also read: What does it feel like to get COVID-19 after taking the vaccine?
In the third step, the system tries to spot the intruder. “When a vaccinated cell dies, the debris contains spike proteins and protein fragments.” Whenever such fragments are identified, a special kind of immune cell termed as, antigen-presenting cell absorbs those protein fragments.
In the fourth step, the process of creating antibodies works. Different immune cells named B cell may come across with the coronavirus spikes and lock the spike proteins. The B cells are then triggered through help from helper T cells and pour out antibodies.
Now the antibodies can work against the coronavirus spikes and work towards the destruction. Eventually, the antibody blocks the COVID-19 spikes and prevents infections.
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If there is an infected cell in the body, the antigen-presenting cell calls an immune cell called a killer T cell to destroy any coronavirus cells.
How many doses of Sputnik V are needed?
Two doses of Sputnik V are enough to create the antibodies and fight the virus. However, the doses need to take 21 days apart, and both doses use the same procedure.
How many versions of Sputnik are available?
After the success of the Sputnik V vaccine, the researchers worked harder to find out a more effective vaccination program. Nevertheless, they came up with a newer version of the vaccine, which is called ‘Sputnik Light,’ which is a single shot vaccine and claimed 79% effectiveness.
How effective and safe is Sputnik V?
According to the interim results’ data, Sputnik V has a 91.6% success rate. Besides, the data also shows that the vaccine does not have any significant side effects and it is totally safe. However, some mild side effects were reported, which was normal compared to the other available vaccines in the world.
Read Can you mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccines?
How much is Sputnik V?
Initially, the price is set at $10 internationally. However, Russia has already approved many countries of the world to manufacture the Sputnik V vaccine remotely. Hence, the price may fall in the future. The Sputnik Light may cost less than $10.
What is the storage procedure of this vaccine?
Sputnik V needs to store at 2-8 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is safe to transport and stored in any region of the world. Besides, it also comes in freeze-dried powder which makes it easier to store.
How many countries approved Sputnik V?
Russia has gone beyond the border to promote its invention. According to the latest data, minimum of 60 countries have approved the Russian Coronavirus Vaccine Sputnik V. What is more? This vaccine is ready to serve around 3 billion people globally, which is nearly 40% of the worldwide population. Indian, Bangladesh, Italy, China, UAE are among the 60 countries.
Read New Covid strains won’t impact the efficiency of Russian vaccines, expert claims
Does Sputnik V work against mutant variants?
As soon as the new mutants emerged, Gamaleya’s researchers started working on that. A trial testing against the new mutants shows that the vaccine produces a strong result. However, it is not much effective against the South African variants but still works better than other vaccines.
How is Russian Vaccine Sputnik V different from the other COVID-19 vaccines?
Currently, there are at least eight COVID-19 vaccines available across the world. However, Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V appears to be comparatively cheaper than other vaccines. Besides, the efficiency is relatively higher than other Covid vaccines. The newest Sputnik Light will certainly reduce the vaccination time length worldwide.
Read The Latest: Sri Lanka receives 1st batch of Sputnik V shots
What does it feel like to get COVID-19 after taking the vaccine?
In medical science, vaccines are used to prevent certain diseases. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine to prevent coronavirus is not different. However, it is not a myth that you can get affected by COVID even after getting the vaccine. After more than a year of fighting against the deadly virus, many institutes bring out the vaccine. While all the vaccines are tested before bringing out to the market, no vaccine can guarantee 100% prevention of COVID-19. Therefore, a small percentage of people will still get COVID-19 after the full vaccination or even the first dose, which is called “vaccine breakthrough cases.”
Although vaccine breakthrough cases for the coronavirus are significantly low, researchers are trying to find out the causes.
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Reasons to get affected by COVID even after the vaccination
According to the general theory, if anyone exposed to the virus is likely to get infected. However, the vaccine should be able to prevent it. But, in some cases, a person could be affected right after the first dose or even after the full vaccination. Typically, the COVID-19 vaccine takes two weeks to build protection in the body. So, it is normal that a person can get infected if the vaccine has not had enough time to build the antibody.
Another reason to get attacked by the new variants. While the current data suggest that vaccines will give protection against all types of variants, research is still going on. However, some variants might show regular symptoms of coronavirus in some people after they get both doses.
Also read: How to strengthen your immune system to prevent COVID-19 infections?
What does it feel like infected by COVID-19 after vaccination?
Even though a tiny percentage of fully vaccinated people might get sick, the vaccine will surely protect most of the people from getting affected. There is some evidence that getting COVID-19 after the vaccination may make the illness less severe. Despite this, if fully vaccinated people get affected, they might have chances to be hospitalized and die.
However, the overall chances of hospitalization and death among the vaccinated people will be lower than the people who are not vaccinated. The symptoms of COVID-19 for the fully vaccinated people will be similar to the regular COVID symptoms such as fever, tiredness, and dry coughs.
Less common symptoms include sore throat, headache, diarrhea, aches and pains, loss of smell or taste, and rashes on skins. Further, the serious symptoms might show chest pain or pressure, breathing difficulty, and loss of speech or movement.
Also read: Safe Lifestyle in COVID-19 Lockdown: Do's, Don'ts, and Precautions
However, the good thing is that vaccine breakthrough cases are rare. Although there is no report to get affected after vaccination in Bangladesh, about 0.01 percent of Americans are known to be infected following the vaccination.
According to data, of the 95+ million vaccinated United States population, only 9,245 people are reported to be affected. All these data suggest that the vaccine is effective against the coronavirus, and getting affected after vaccination is rare should be counted as normal.
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Aloe Vera: The magical herb with multifarious benefits
It’s common these days to hear people ask “would you like aloe vera for that burn?” Aloe vera has been renowned in a plethora of industries for its incredibly versatile approach to healthcare, skincare, and even nutrition. The plant itself may not look like much, but it won’t be overwhelming to say that Aloe vera is a magical herb. Let’s check out the multifarious benefits of Aloe Vera.
What is Aloe Vera
Also known as a “wonder plant”, aloe vera is a shrub that is rather short-stemmed. It belongs to a subcategory of succulent plants that originate from North Africa. It has a rich history in the world of medicine and has been highly regarded by English royalty for generations. Being abundant in North Africa, Egypt once considered this plant “the plant of immortality”. It has been internationally renowned for its medicinal capabilities and there should be credited to aloe vera if the plant has continued to stay relevant over the centuries.
Externally, Aloe Vera may appear unassuming, but it contains a clear gel within that can be applied on cream, ointments, and other types of gel. It is harvested first by singling out the thickest leaves from the stock and cut out at the base of the stem. After, the leaves are washed and trimmed with a blade. When the leaves are cut open, the sap will then need to be extracted. Overall, the process is relatively simple and requires little effort and equipment to get the best out of the plant, which explains how its benefits were found so early on in history.
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Benefits and Uses of Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera for sunburn healing
Going back to the aforementioned quote, aloe vera can literally heal burns due to its moisture, soothing, and cooling feature. Researchers have shown consistent results with Aloe vera’s effect on burns that even supersedes other cream-based agents. An additional perk is how affordable aloe vera solutions can be when compared to alternatives. Even though sunburns aren’t nearly as severe, aloe vera-based sunblock is also a thing and has the same benefits for the skin.
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Can heal other wounds
Aside from burns, aloe vera has been a quick fix that tackles open wounds and sores particularly well. The gel contains compounds like glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and glucomannan that stimulate the growth of fibroblasts which catalyzes the growth of collagen and tissue. In short, when aloe vera is described as medicinal, the term isn’t used lightly. Despite not being a healing solution on its own, its ability to be a swift temporary solution does carve out a niche of its own in the world of healthcare and cosmetics. Additionally, other chemicals within aloe vera promote insulin growth within the body.
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Aloe Vera for acne cure
Wounds and burns are skin-based injuries, which means it's safe to say that the plant’s cooling properties and top-tier moisture allow it to be just as effective in the beauty industry. In this case, the gel’s moisture and antioxidant properties are its main selling points and will often be coupled with honey and nuts to reduce oil clots within the pores. It is a natural solution that is criminally underrated in the beauty industry and can definitely hold its own against artificial, cream-based counterparts.
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Aloe Vera moisturizer for dry skin
Given how often the aloe vera solutions have been praised for their impressive moisturizing capabilities, it is a safe solution to apply even without burns or wounds. When dry skin starts becoming prevalent in colder climates, aloe vera gel once again is mixed with other components such as milk, honey, and rose water to ensure the best possible results. This skincare blend should be applied and left for about 20 minutes to ensure that the ingredients have had enough time to make their way into the skin properly.
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Organic food source of antioxidants
When thinking about antioxidants, fruits and vegetables come into mind - and aloe vera falls in that category too. Aloe vera is perfectly edible and has been renowned for making ways in the health and wellness scene for being a nutritional powerhouse. Although it is normally taken in the form of its gel and blended with fruits and vegetables, the aloe vera leaves also have a place but will be bitter if not mixed in with sweater components like fruits or honey. Although not the most well-known way to appreciate the plant, it certainly does taste great, improves bodily immunity, and is worth a try.
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Aloe Vera for hair fall treatment
Going back to the topic of skin, it isn’t as strange of a fact that aloe vera can help prevent hair loss when the scalp is made out of skin cells. The cause of hair loss is primarily due to dead skin cells on the scalp, which is where the antioxidant and moisturizing properties of aloe vera make this a star. Aside from smooth and shininess hair from the properly maintained scalp, aloe vera also throws in the perks of reducing dandruff and itchiness too. Although aloe vera can never be the all-purpose replacement for shampoo, it serves as a fantastic secondary component that does wonders for your hair’s longevity.
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Aloe Vera for weight loss
With its antioxidant properties, it should come as no surprise that a healthy immune system will improve the body’s metabolism quality as well. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, sterols, and enzymes are all found in aloe vera and also happen to be the boost needed to optimize your diet. This ingredient by no means should replace your meals in your diet but should be heavily considered as a complementary ingredient to be taken between meals to ensure that your body will always have sufficient nutrients to stay healthy.
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Cycling Benefits: How Indoor and Outdoor Cycling Strengthens Your Immune System
Cycling has always been a popular sport that has had tons of following, but in recent years, many are opting for cycling and for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s delivery, fitness or convenience, consumers are starting to see this cost-effective tool that can provide convenience in many aspects of their everyday life. In the world of fitness, cycling has taken form through spin classes, cross-country tours and other forms. How does indoor and outdoor cycling strengthen the immune system? And, what are the benefits of cycling?
Why Is Cycling So Popular Now?
Convenience
There are many places that people want to go to that is too far to walk, but not worth hopping into the car for, which is where cycling comes in. As a mode of transportation that doesn’t have a carbon footprint, the bicycle can easily be taken around town and securely locked at a bicycle lot. When running everyday errands, it can be used easily and bought at an affordable price.
Also read: How to strengthen your immune system to prevent COVID-19 infections?
Fitness
When taking the bicycle for a spin outside of everyday use, the fitness aspect of cycling is not to be scoffed at. Its use in the exercise department is almost as versatile as running and an incredible way to burn calories. Whether it’s committing to High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) or going for marathon-levels of fitness, the bicycle can do it all.
Community
Almost like a progression journey, a community tends to come around when cycling is done frequently and is certainly a key motivator that encourages longevity in the hobby. With the preliminary perk of convenience out the way, communities tend to form around the regularities of cycling which leans more towards a fitness-minded lifestyle. Like many hobbies, communities are effective to spur like-minded individuals onward to hone their craft.
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How Does Cycling Keep You Fit?
Cardio
This is definitely the most obvious benefit to cycling and for good reason. Doing cardio, regardless of the sport, cardio tends to be the best solution for weight loss (other than dieting) and that is enough to get many motivated. Aside from that, cardio ticks many boxes in the health and wellness department; aiding to boost the immune system, strengthening the heart, reducing risks of certain diseases, expanding lung capacity as well as improving sleep. Keeping fit through this form of exercise does a lot of things right, and cycling is one of the more engaging activities that make cardio enjoyable.
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Improves Bone Health
The perk that cycling has over running is the ability to avoid putting your body weight on joints. This is massive as overweight individuals or those with pre-existing bone conditions face a tremendous risk of knee damage when going for runs and even slow jogs. With cycling, the pressure on joints becomes less of an issue and can even be seen as a palatable entry point for those who want to get fit but have the aforementioned obstacles to deal with.
Improves Mental Wellness
Mental health is just as important as physical health and cycling, being a form of cardio helps with this significantly. Like many cardio activities, cycling helps release endorphins that boosts the mood. This is a prime motivator that can help to successfully help casual hobbyists find satisfaction when allocating time off work or school. Issues like anxiety and depression will be slowed considerably. Together with mood enhancement comes an improvement of sleep as well - certainly a rewarding addition when picking up the hobby.
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Improves The Immune System
More for the outdoors aspect of this activity, cycling does wonders to enhance the body’s immune system as a whole. By riding your bicycle regularly and operating some mode of transport, you will be exposing your body to vitamins via sunlight as well as honing your hand-eye coordination skills as you start to master the nuances of your bicycle.
Additionally, eye health is also improved as your vision will be alternating between long and short distances. An added bonus is that you’ll be setting time aside away from screens, which are inherently bad for the eyes when overexposed.
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Indoor VS Outdoor Cycling
When it comes down to the meat and bones of cycling and its benefits for the body, indoor and outdoor cycling don’t vary as much as one might assume. Both have access to resistant-based options to build lower-body strength if needed and both force you to put up a sweat.
One of the biggest differences is the temperature of your atmosphere and how that impacts your cycling experience. Generally, more heat equates to more sweat, which means that going out during a sunny day or heating up a room slightly above room temperature are ways to work towards getting the maximum amount of sweat out. The danger of this is running the risk of overheating and the risks that come from dehydration. Overall, it is a matter of preference, but an important factor to consider nonetheless.
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Posture is also worth noting. The posture for indoor cycling is completely different from using an actual bicycle and having a static machine eliminates shifts in your center of gravity when moving, as the force your weight provides fluctuates when elevated from the seat during a long-distance cycle.
Static cycling puts a halt to this momentum altogether and can be seen as a limiting more rigid alternative, but can do wonders for the body’s posture as well. If you are looking to target specific muscle groups, indoor cycling may be the way to go.
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Outdoor cycling is a better option for a more universal experience that puts emphasis on working for many muscle groups with more intricate techniques to master.
Benefits of Cycling during Pandemic
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, immunity is the best shield of human kinds. Regular indoor cycling can help you in maintaining health and fitness without stepping outdoor. Besides enhancing your immunity, cycling can keep you active both physically and emotionaaly.
And, outdoor cycling can be a safer mode compared with public transport when you need to step outside home to carry out essential activities.
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How to strengthen your immune system to prevent COVID-19 infections?
With the recent surge of coronavirus infections, conscious people are seeking all the possible ways to boost immunity. Although vaccines are available, the whole world wouldn't be vaccinated overnight. It will take years to vaccinate the seven billion people. And for third-world countries, vaccination could be a rare thing. Hence, defending COVID-19 with our body's immune system will be the only way to survive. Strengthening your immune to prevent COVID-19 is collective and long-term work. One cannot simply gain the immune right away. However, you can gradually achieve the proper immune system through a healthy lifestyle and physical activity.
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Boost your Immune through Practicing Healthy Lifestyle
Having a proper sleep, taking nutritious meals, and leading a stress-free lifestyle can definitively raise the functionality of your immune system.
Getting quality sleep is a significant health behavior to function the immune system properly, which also works on boosting physical and mental health as well as the quality of life. According to the experts and doctors getting more than seven hours of sleep is essential to make your adult body's metabolism work suitably. However, 11-14 hours of sleep for infants or toddlers, 10-13 hours for preschoolers, 9-12 hours for school-going kids, and 8-10 hours for the teens are necessary.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh breaks records with 7,213 daily cases, 66 deaths
With the surge of COVID-19, our stress level is also getting high accordingly. It is normal to get stress during this global pandemic. But, staying stress-free is highly essential to keep your body fit. For a stress-free lifestyle, you can take healthy meals, practice regular exercise, take self-care and maintain COVID-19 health protocols. Each of these behaviors is connected to our stress-free lifestyle.
Increase Immune System with physical activity and exercise
A mild, intense physical activity is connected with a better immune function. Hence you should continue regular physical activity to increase your immune system. However, physical activity can be in many forms, which you can practice for the wellbeing of your health.
The first thing you can do is keep your body moving. It can be any kind of intense aerobic physical activity. Experts recommend having moderate exercise at least 150-300 minutes per week. This can keep your body's metabolism on track.
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If you are unable to do aerobics activity, you can try indoor activities. It can be walking briskly in the house or even up and down the stairs every day for 10-15 minutes for 2 or 3 times. Besides, you may also dance with your favorite music, or exercise on home cardio machines, or even you can try jump rope.
If you can go outside of your home, you can also walk or run on the f roads. Though you cannot go outside of your house, working out at home should be okay. Outdoor activities are way more useful than indoor activities. Nevertheless, if you are going out, you should keep in mind that you will need to stay at least 6 feet away from others.
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Furthermore, regular physical exercise at home will also work. You can download a workout app on your smartphone and follow that to start your physical exercise at home.
Yoga is another way to keep your body moving. Deep breathing, along with mindfulness, works as a catalyst to reduce anxiety. Therefore, your stress level will definitely reduce through yoga. You try watching a yoga video with instructions to start yoga at home.
Take Food to Enhance the Immunity
All your exercise will not work if you don't take proper nutrition. Even though you don't exercise, you need nutrients to strengthen the body's immunity during the COVID-19. You can take the nutrients from natural resources such as fruits and vegetables.
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Vitamin C is the ultimate shield against the coronavirus and any bacteria. You can get Vitamin C on green fruits and vegetables such as grapefruit, lemon, broccoli, bell peppers, green peppers, etc.
Vitamin D is also essential to fight off any infections. Besides, it can work on building strong bones. You can find Vitamin D on mushrooms, cereals, bread, and fortified milk. However, if you want to take Vitamin D via a natural source, you can stay under the sunlight for 5-10 minutes every day.
Vitamin A keeps your skin and tissue healthy which also works against infections and boosts the immune system. Sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots are the common sources of Vitamin A.
Also read: Safe Lifestyle in COVID-19 Lockdown: Do's, Don'ts, and Precautions
Vitamin E is another vital element for your body's immune system. It is an essential antioxidant that works in fighting against cell damages. Plant-based foods are a great source of Vitamin E. Commonly, nuts and peanut butter are usual sources to get Vitamin E.
Finally, Zinc is one of the essential antioxidants for COVID-19 patients as well as healthy persons. It increases the metabolism that also boosts the healing process. You can find Zinc on shellfish, beans, meat, and seeds/nuts.
Apart from these natural sources, you can also take supplements as we may not buy these foods always. Vitamin supplements are available over the counter, so you don't need prescriptions to buy those. But it is recommended to take advice from medical practitioners or doctors.
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Limitations of Immune System Against COVID-19
It is essential to keep in mind that the strong immune system will not work to prevent you from getting COVID-19. It can just help you to recover quickly if you ever contract coronavirus. So, if you have a strong immune system, coronavirus may not damage your body parts.
Final Words
It is always good to maintain COVID-19 health safety protocols such as wearing a mask, keeping social distance, washing your hands frequently, maintaining good hygiene, and cough etiquette.
There is a saying that "prevention is better than cure," which everyone should follow during this coronavirus global pandemic. New variations of COVID-19 do not have a significantly proven cure yet. But we can prevent it or even fight it by strengthening our immune system.
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Safe Lifestyle in COVID-19 Lockdown: Do's, Don'ts, and Precautions
It seems coronavirus is not going away anytime soon from our life. And the second wave already hit Bangladesh. This time the new variations of COVID-19 are much more deadly than the last year. Hence Bangladeshi government was forced to call for another lockdown like the previous year. The government has issued new directives to implement during the lockdown period for the next seven days.
Staying at home without being accessible to the open air is not satisfying for some people, while it is enjoyable for some. But the ultimate truth is, 'lockdown is a necessity not a luxury.' Here we have explained a proper guideline to cope with the lockdown and stay home safely.
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Reliable Sources for COVID-19 Updates in Bangladesh
With the vast availability of smartphones along with the internet, access information circulates so quickly. Therefore, it becomes hard to tell which news is true. With the wrong or fake news, it is easy to get scared. But, getting the real news is highly essential.
Currently, government-issued circulations are the only trustworthy source to ger the real information about coronavirus in Bangladesh. You may visit corona.gov.bd to access the latest and reliable information. Besides, information from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is also counted as reliable. However, if you want to get updates on other parts of the world, you can check the World Health Organization.
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COVID-19 Lockdown Do's and Dont's
Do’s:
Stay home! This is the ultimate goal of lockdown. There is no point in giving lockdown if you don't stay at home. However, you can go outside for emergency purposes or grocery shopping, or even if you need to go to the office. Since there is no proper guideline about attending the office and most of the offices are open, you may go to the office by maintaining proper COVID-19 safety protocol.
Wash your hands frequently. This is the easiest process to slow down the spread and restrict passing to others or having passed it to you. However, you need to follow the proper handwashing guideline, and you found it here.
Also Read: Coronavirus Home Quarantine: How to keep the Elderly people engaged
Practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette. Corona can easily spread through the affected person's coughing and sneezing. Whether you are affected or not, cough and sneeze on your elbow. In this way, your hands remain clean and eventually prevent from spreading germs. Practice proper social distancing. In other words, don't go out unnecessarily. Avoid going to any large gatherings. Nevertheless, if you go out in an emergency, maintain at least six feet distance from people.
Use the mask properly. We have a tendency not to use a mask. Even when we use a mask; we don't wear it properly. So, wear a mask properly as it can prevent the virus to a great extent. Use designated transport to commute to the office. According to the government-issued directives, government, non-government, courts, and private offices can provide transportation facilities to their employees. Those vehicles will maintain all the safety protocols, so you can use the official transportation to stay safe.
Read Essential Hygiene Practices to Prevent Coronavirus Contamination
Order food online. Since the restaurants are instructed to stay open for delivery or takeaway foods, you can order from home or even order and pick up from the restaurant quickly.
Don'ts:
Going out between 6 pm to 6 am is strictly prohibited unless there are any emergencies. However, it is suggested that you try to stay home regardless of the time. Even if you need to go out, you should not spend much time outside.
Avoid visiting the shopping malls. Although the shopping malls will remain close, shops can keep their wholesale part open. But it would be a good idea to avoid any kind of shops.
Avoid buying excessive suppliers. We have seen in last year that people tend to buy excessive supplies of foods, toiletries, etc., like there is no tomorrow. Avoid buying more supplies than you need and keep the items for others.
Read Pandemic Grocery List: Is Your Home Ready for Coronavirus Home Quarantine?
Don't panic. We may get panicked if our nearest or dearest ones get infected. In that case, you will need to stay calm and quiet. Besides, remember that COVID-19's severity depends on several factors. So, try to stay calm and take the necessary steps.
Read Where to Buy Grocery Online in Dhaka during Quarantine?
Tips to Stay Stress-Free During COVID-19 Lockdown
Getting stress during the lockdown is inevitable, even though you did everything to stay calm. You will need to keep yourself busy on something that you have an interest in. Besides, you can take some steps to make your lockdown stress-free.
Read How to Keep Your Children Occupied during Coronavirus
For health and nutrition
Adequate nutrition can certainly fight COVID-19. You may not get proper nutrition as you cannot go outside to shop according to your needs. Sometimes you may not get the proper supply in your nearest grocery store. Therefore, you can shop online and get your desired items.
However, it is mandatory to hygiene your online deliveries. For instance, you can wash your food before eating. Besides, you can clean and use disinfection spray to clean other stuff.
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For mental well-being
Taking care of your mental health is highly essential. For mental well-being, you can do yoga or meditation by maintaining a specific routine. Besides, being physically active is necessary, too, as it can reduce depression and can also reduce feelings of stress. Healthy eating is another way to boost mental well-being.
Read Coronavirus and Insomnia: How to Sleep Well during COVID19 Pandemic
For physical well-being
During the lockdown, we tend to sit idly, which invites some fats into our bodies. Therefore, physical activities are necessary to involve all of your muscles. Try to be active at home; you can do this by simply walking on the rooftop. You can do some home exercise too. If you are not sure which exercise you should do, there are plenty of apps for work out, and you can follow these to stay fit during the lockdown.
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For self-development
Last year many people did online courses during the lockdown to develop themselves. You can do this too. You may search for the books that you are interested in and enrich yourself.
Besides, taking courses on different platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, Repto, etc. are the great way to develop skills.
Read Where to Find Online Courses during Coronavirus Home Quarantine
Final words
The Bangladesh government has imposed a seven-day lockdown so far. However, there is a great chance that it will be extended. So, the guidelines and the tips we have mentioned in the article will definitely help you to stay motivated during a long span of lockdown.
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