Truth is stranger than fiction

Fitness has become a rage across the globe accompanied by 'feel good' factor which has undoubtedly become a fad amongst varied age groups. Adolescents are anxious about fitting into their jeans, young adults about not wanting to gain that extra inch around their waist line, men wanting a la Arnold body and the older set of individuals combating ailments like cholesterol and diabetes. It’s proved innumerable times that workouts apart from enhancing one’s physical appearance also improve mental health to a great extent. Stress has indeed become an everyday monster infiltrating into our regular regimes. The increasing levels of which results in several complicated disorders such as anxiety, depression and hyperactivity. While meeting personal and professional demands, it’s important to make a little time for yourself and get a little exercise. Else life becomes an irony where slogging away even one's health for money will end up in utilising the same cash flow into medical ex...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=082ccd88-8c02-43ab-a14d-c4ebe0c9b053 What began as a casual conversation ended up as one that instigated thought provoking questions within me. After the exchange of the usual pleasantries and polite inquiries, the topic somehow took a turn that delved deep into the human psyche. Being a Psychologist, human behaviour, thoughts, actions, words uttered never fail to evoke fascination and curiosity. A few experiences narrated by those conversationalists made me realize how common such instances were and probably occurred in most people’s lives including mine. One of them chose to narrate an incident in a social set up. Apparently amidst a group of friends, discussions taking place range from tongue in cheek remarks to intense ones which give rise to pertinent points of heated arguments. And if it is not ended amicably, it could result in a lot of resentment and bad blood, especially when unwarranted labelling happe...

Received this via email. This one is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into DECISION MAKING. A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and saved most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way? Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make................ Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever t...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=843dbd4f-1a0f-4c00-b0ca-c3e25f7bc025 Psychology emphasizes the fact of individuality differences among humans. So what is it that makes our personalities distinct from one another? Several factors are cited for our overall development and competence from our formative to the attractive adulthood stage. The prime backbone stresses the role of parents in our lives and has been of immense interest to millions. Today,the multitasking function consists of a dual nature of being bread winners and family people. Assuring security and stability in every possible manner; imbibing values, morals and code of conduct; handing out suitable reinforcements and punishments indeed requires tact and is challenging on the couple. Striving to attain the perfect balance gives a further insight into the different styles of parenting adopted. This probably provides clarity in explaining the positive/adverse effects on character growth d...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=08434a97-e190-41c3-800f-15059d0560d6 “Be yourself”; is a common expression by millions to others, in several occasions as a confidence boosting factor. However this notion is gradually turning alien with the present generation. It ultimately leads to what psychologists call as “identity crisis” at a much later stage. The current youth seem to emphasize the importance of "fitting in" with the “cool” crowd. The craze of being seen at the “right” hangouts with the “right” people has engulfed these not so innocent minds. This “right” fever has spread like wildfire across these freshers. The constant need for a sense of belonging seems to have surpassed even the primary and basic requirements of the youngsters. The new era of obsessed networking has precipitated in robbing them of their vibrant spirit. Wanting to be a part of the supposedly trend setting gang, has lead to false beliefs of only activities suc...

In this superficial world,people are out to criticise each other with respect to physical appearance and mental make up.Extends upto ones credentials and the inherent talents posessed.The important aspect of invividuals having a golden heart or hale and healthy life doesnt seem of any significance to either the young or the old.The below forward should dawn a realisation amongst many that, nobody is inferior or superior to others.Maybe matrimonial columns especially can learn from this short story.The worth of an individual is measured by what he/she is and not by their culinary skills/nightingale voices,coloured or blemished skin/crooked nose or their designation/profession.In short,though all of us are cracked,we are also backed by our own positives.Sooner this is learnt,the better the progression of the society. A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was per...

The below article is definitely something to think about. It is actually very true. As a psychologist cum counselor strongly believe that a person is solely responsible for how he or she reacts or feels. It is a fact that others don’t cause our feelings of happiness, sadness, hurt etc.Its we who choose to feel that way. It should be realized that no matter what others do or don’t do, it is their problem not ours. If they say something or do something, we are not the losers but they. If people behave in a wrong manner even if it pricks us like a pin, its is they who suffer the consequences of their actions, not us. In short, this is the much talked about LAW OF KARMA. What goes around comes around. If we do well, we get good, and if we do badly, we get bad. So let’s remember that if someone does something or says something which is against us, instead of feeling bad for ourselves, we should feel sorry for them as they end up with a liability of the bad deed with a huge sum of interest. ...