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Breathing Deep: the Simplest Way to Calm Yourself

Image for 2017 New Year Resolution to Manage Anxiety

Call this Anxiety Management in a jiffy, but yes, it is true and comes without the fear of side effects or addiction fears - the things we associate with conventional and modern prescription drugs for anxiety, IBS, depression, obsessive thinking...

Personal Anxiety Management Experiences

I have to confess that I am an anxious soul. I don’t get flustered easily, but a sense of uneasiness often overcomes me. I have tried anti-anxiety medications too. Called anxiolytics, these medications are supposed to slow down the release of chemicals that induce a sense of anxiousness. However, I didn’t find these to be too helpful. What has helped is a very simple change I have made to my everyday existence—breathing in a more relaxed manner. Browsing the web, I realized that most of us don’t breathe right. When anxious, this problem worsens as we breathe even more shallowly. I decoded this pattern in my daily life too. Every time I got into an overthinking mode, my breathing was laboured. I would inhale air in huge bouts and gasps. The consistent, smooth breathing pattern was missing. According to researchers, shallow breathing is both a result and cause of anxiety. It starts when you feel anxious, and it also stimulates anxiety symptoms like headaches, acidity, or that burning feeling in the stomach. I have put a simple practice into motion. Whenever I feel overworked or getting restless, I stop my work for a minute and start breathing deeper, drawing in more air and exhaling it slowly. The idea is to make your breathing more relaxed. The results are better than depending upon Valium or Prozac.
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LIARS: So Pulled Back Hair is About Minimal Styling?

Image of Hairstyles for Women from a Lifestyle Blog
This realization came up in the most unexpected manner. I have been cleaning my D drive, knowing it is home to documents and files that wouldn’t do justice even to a dustbin. I was going through an images folder and came across my winter pics. I was wearing a cap that was slightly pulled back. As I zoomed in, it seemed that my face appeared tauter than it actually is. A few more images and I realized the reason – the tight cap had pulled back my forehead and skin around the eyebrows, creating the much-adored effect.

How did I make the connection?
You must have read about my morning schedule on this blog. Well, it includes surfing through the physical newspaper. Obviously, being a guy, I pause involuntarily when pages of exotic models and female celebrities show up. Today, I saw a model wearing her hair tightly pulled back. I joined the dots with my morning realization and concluded that the pulled-back hair isn’t a fashion statement as such. It is more of a concealer, an illusion that women indulge in to pull back their skin and instantly lift their facial muscles to look younger.

 Something similar is done in a Forehead Lift or Eyebrow Lift. The surgeon makes small incisions to pull up the facial skin and pins it to a higher point. The excess skin is cut off, and the entire face loses about a decade of ageing. This is something I have seen on many women, especially those above the 35+ age bracket, and this trick actually helps to flatten the facial skin, making it more regular, tightening up any frown lines or those troughs around the eyebrows and scowling marks. By now, you must also be getting a drift of why I lose friends when I share my observations…
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Why this sudden global fascination with Brown?

Image of Ice Creams in Different Shades of Brown, Yellow
I heard my father call out in the morning, “Where are my brown walking shoes?” Somehow, I got the feeling that my sub-conscience has had an overdose of brown in the recent past. However, I could not trace back this feeling to the cause. Later, sitting on the pot, I realized what it was about the colour brown that had occupied my mind. It seems that lately many of the bigger brands are fascinated by the Metallic Brown shade. Every new release, from the Samsung Galaxy 5 to the new Renault Duster and upcoming Mercedes models curated for our marketplace, is being showcased in this shade. Why this sudden interest in the Metallic Brown hue, and how come this fashion sensibility seems to have emerged simultaneously across totally unrelated brands? Even the much-talked-about latest range of Apple iPhones includes a certain brown-shaded premium colour that is supposed to be the priciest.
Dunn-Edwards Shares:
Brown draws much of its character from its close connection with nature, appearing in soil, wood, stone, sand and animal hides. This gives the colour associations with warmth, stability, reliability, simplicity and a grounded sense of place. In colour theory, brown is a composite colour rather than a colour found directly on the traditional colour wheel; it can be produced by mixing hues such as red and green or orange and blue, creating a muted, earthy version of orange. Its symbolism has changed over time. Brown was historically associated with poverty and humility, while artists later used its earthy tones to create depth and shadow. In modern design, it can communicate authenticity, heritage and comfort, and appears across styles ranging from Scandinavian and Japandi interiors to Cottagecore and desert-inspired spaces. Different brown shades also work with monochromatic, complementary and analogous colour palettes. Used thoughtfully, brown can make spaces feel warm and timeless, while too much can feel heavy or overly serious.

Some fine-brown questions that surface in my mind:

- Is brown always about being earthy?
- Does brown have a calming effect?
- Is there something outdoorsy about it?
- Is the love for brown simply because it is easy to contrast with colour? 

Am I missing something?

I don’t recall the last time I saw such a pattern. When Nokia launched its uglified bright colour range of phones, nobody followed the trend…perhaps someone could explain this emerging trend? The one winner from this Brown bias is my father, who happens to love this colour!! Still, don't see why khaki browns at the workplace or browned metallic surfaces are being confused with automobiles and lifestyle accessories being increasingly coloured brown.


Centre of Excellence Shares:
Brown is closely connected with the natural world through soil, wood, stone and sand, giving it associations with stability, reliability, warmth and authenticity. Its familiar, low-intensity appearance is described as calming and grounding, while also supporting a sense of focus and emotional steadiness. In colour theory, brown is a composite colour created by mixing complementary or primary colours, and its character can shift depending on its undertones: red or orange can make it feel warmer, while blue or grey can create a cooler impression. Across history and cultures, brown has been linked with agriculture, nourishment, practicality, labour, humility and connection to the land. In modern branding and design, it is often used to suggest craftsmanship, sustainability and trust. Spiritual interpretations connect brown with the earth, physical grounding and resilience. Preferences for brown are also associated with traits such as reliability, practicality, patience, loyalty and comfort with familiarity, although these associations can vary with culture, context and individual perception.
Verywell Mind Shares:
Brown is an earthy colour commonly associated with warmth, comfort, reliability and a sense of being grounded. Its connection with natural elements such as soil, wood and stone can give it an impression of stability and simplicity, while darker or richer shades may communicate strength, seriousness or sophistication. Brown can also be linked with practicality and dependability, making it a familiar choice in areas such as interior design, fashion and branding. At the same time, colour associations are not universal. Personal experiences, cultural meanings and the particular shade or context can influence how brown is perceived. Lighter browns may feel softer and more welcoming, while darker browns can appear more serious or traditional. Brown can therefore create a feeling of comfort and security, but excessive use may sometimes be perceived as dull, heavy or lacking energy. Its psychological effect depends largely on the surrounding colours, setting and individual associations.
Scribd Shares:
Brown is presented as a natural, earthy colour associated with strength, reliability, resilience, warmth, comfort and security. Its connection with the earth gives it a solid and dependable quality, while its softer character can make it feel more supportive and approachable than darker colours such as black. At the same time, brown can carry less positive associations when used heavily, including loneliness, sadness, isolation, heaviness, dullness and a lack of sophistication. In feng shui, different shades of brown are connected with wood or earth and are considered most effective when balanced with other colours. Brown also has practical associations in branding and marketing, where it can communicate reliability, dependability and a nurturing quality. Preferences for brown vary with personality, upbringing, environment and experience. Research cited in the resource found that brown ranked relatively low as a general favourite, although it was more positively selected for clothing and home interiors, including living rooms and bedrooms.
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The Colonial Hangover: Should the British Pay for their past? Colonialism in 2026?

Press.UN.org Shares:
Colonialism may have changed its form rather than disappeared. At the opening of the Fourth Committee’s debate on eradicating colonialism in all its forms and manifestations, delegates described contemporary expressions ranging from economic coercion and pressure on developing countries to control over natural resources, financial and trade structures, political intervention and the imposition of socioeconomic models. Several speakers also connected present-day challenges with the unresolved consequences of historical colonialism, calling for recognition, accountability and reparations for colonial-era injustices. The debate highlighted sharply different interpretations of what constitutes modern colonialism, with some delegates pointing to unilateral coercive measures and economic pressure, while others rejected claims made by the Russian Federation and linked its actions in Ukraine to violations of sovereignty. Formerly colonised countries including India, Angola, South Africa and Namibia stressed that decolonization remains unfinished. The discussion also highlighted the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories that remain on the UN’s agenda and the continuing importance of the UN’s role in the decolonization process.
I was just reading about the riots that have ravaged North African nations. Although the battles are being fought between ethnic communities, including native tribes and Islamic extremists, a thought came to my mind—most of these nations were under occupation. They were either ruled by the British or the Spanish and French. It seems that most colonized nations have a sad history to share, and many of them are struggling with their freedom. Colonizing powers that occupied these lands probably didn’t think it was necessary to create a system of governance that would survive when they eventually exited. Or they believed that they would rule forever. The conclusion is that being ruled for hundreds of years can make your thinking and decision-making redundant. Do you remember Uma Thurman in Kill Bill? In the first part, when Uma is in the hospital, she is badly paralyzed. Her muscles have gone dead due to lying in a hospital bed for the last four years.

Something similar has happened to the formerly occupied nations. They seem to have lost the sense that is required to handle freedom or create a democracy. While we can sit here and point out their mistakes, what about the colonial powers that quietly receded to their respective landscapes without taking any responsibility for handicapping their occupied territories? Is there any chance for accountability and ownership for the damage done? This may sound somewhat over-the-top, but there are undeniable studies that conclude that even today, many now-independent nations continue to compensate for the losses incurred in terms of a halted progress story during the colonial regime. Another fact that surfaced rather recently about the UK, the center of all things colonial, points to the brown and darker-skinned people outnumbering the real inhabitants - some sort of sweet justice that has taken a long, long time to come?
ISIR Publisher Shares:
Colonial borders continue to shape political, economic and social relationships across modern Africa. Established during the colonial period, many boundaries divided communities with shared ethnic, linguistic and cultural ties while bringing different groups together within newly created territories. The resulting divisions are linked to problems such as ethnic conflict, separatist movements, distrust in governments and economic difficulties. Disruption of historical trade routes and limited access to shared resources, including water, can create additional challenges, while communities separated across national borders may face social and cultural consequences. The analysis uses the concepts of artificial states and path dependence to examine why these inherited boundaries have persisted after independence. At the same time, retaining colonial borders helped newly independent African states avoid territorial conflicts among themselves and supported the principle of preserving existing boundaries adopted by African leaders in the post-colonial period. The wider issue is therefore a difficult balance between correcting historical divisions and maintaining political stability and regional integration.
Vivekananda International Foundation Shares:
Colonial legacies continue to influence how South Asian states understand sovereignty, borders, nationalism and political authority. Colonial cartography transformed earlier frontiers into fixed borders, often dividing communities with shared cultural, linguistic and social ties and contributing to territorial disputes that have persisted after independence. The adoption of the modern nation-state also created tensions around diverse identities, as political systems struggled to accommodate the region's multiple ethnic, cultural and historical affiliations. An intense emphasis on territorial sovereignty can further limit the willingness of states to accept compromises that might benefit regional cooperation. Administrative and bureaucratic structures inherited from colonial rule added another layer, with centralised, hierarchical and elitist systems becoming deeply embedded in post-colonial governance. These legacies are linked to mistrust among neighbouring states, military competition, unresolved territorial disputes and weak political integration. Greater regional cooperation therefore requires moving beyond rigid interpretations of sovereignty and recognising the historical and cultural connections that cross modern national boundaries.
Daily Sabah Shares:
Colonialism may have formally ended in South Asia, but its influence can still be seen in political institutions, social hierarchies, education, language and ideas about power and status. Concentrations of wealth and privilege among political, military and bureaucratic elites are presented as modern versions of structures that benefited a small section of society during colonial rule. VIP culture, inherited administrative practices and the continued prestige attached to English education and Western institutions are examined as signs of this continuing influence. Education and media receive particular attention because they can shape how people understand authority, culture and their own society. The legacy of colonial-era thinking is also connected to social divisions and unequal access to opportunity, although several problems discussed have roots that predate British rule. The larger question is whether political independence has been accompanied by genuine freedom from inherited systems of hierarchy and control. The discussion ultimately calls for greater equality, stronger public institutions and an education system capable of encouraging people to question entrenched power.
Research in Globalization Shares:
Migration from Africa has deep historical roots that extend well beyond the modern image of people moving in response to poverty, conflict or social pressure. Colonialism transformed migration through forced labour, commercialised movement, displacement and the creation of economic systems designed around the extraction of African resources and labour. Colonial borders also divided communities and helped establish migration routes that continued after independence. Rural-to-urban movement grew around colonial administrative and economic centres, while labour migration connected African workers to mines, plantations and other industries. These historical patterns continue to intersect with contemporary pressures such as economic inequality, political instability, conflict, weak institutions and climate-related challenges. The experience differs across regions and countries, shaped by distinct colonial histories in places such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Understanding these historical connections provides a broader perspective on present-day African migration and highlights the importance of stronger governance, economic opportunity, regional stability and humane migration policies.
Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology Shares:
Colonialism continues to influence cultural life in Latin America long after formal colonial rule ended. Generations of political repression and economic exploitation contributed to poverty and helped create conditions in which tourism became an important source of income and foreign investment. Tourism can strengthen local economies and encourage interest in cultural traditions, but it can also turn culturally significant arts, symbols and practices into commercial products. This tension does not make cultural commerce inherently harmful. Indigenous artists can use creative markets to preserve cultural knowledge, share their own perspectives and create spaces that recognise their histories. Festivals, masks, dances and traditional crafts provide examples of how Indigenous and European influences have become intertwined. Performances reenacting Spanish conquest can preserve memories of colonial conflict while also expressing cultural pride and changing ideas of identity. Post-colonial approaches place greater importance on Indigenous narratives that have often been left out of public education and official commemorations, allowing cultural traditions to be understood through the perspectives of the communities that continue to practise them.
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Hannibal: The TV Series, really cooking humans?

Image Anthony Hopkins Hannibal Clown from IT
The second season of Hannibal is currently being aired by AXN. I have to confess, I have a liking for things that are gore and somewhat extreme. I loved the movie predecessor to this series, i.e. Silence of the Lambs. I think the direction was simple and thus, so brilliant. Special effects could not have made the impact that actual actors and real backgrounds did. Coming to Hannibal, the TV series was impressive in its first season.
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