​On a recent episode of the Raj Shamani Podcast, Suniel Shetty reflected on how social media has quietly reshaped our idea of happiness, turning it into something to be displayed rather than experienced.. He shared on the podcast, “We believe that in social media apne aap ko khus dekhnae ke liye humko ye ye karne ke zaroorat hai. Lekin sachhai mei woh nahi hai. Main humesha kehta hu khush rehne ke liye ghar me dal chawal achar aur mom dad wife children around, and it’s bliss. But khush dikhne ke liye sahi restaurant chahiye, uska photo chahiye…aur jab khaane lagte ho khaana thanda hai…khush dihkane ke liye papad belne padte hein, khush rehne ke liye kuch zyada nahi karna padtha.”. His observation reflects a larger psychological shift. According to Dr Pavitra Shankar, “social media platforms act like a stage where people present an edited version of their lives.” Over time, she explains, external validation, likes, comments, shares get tied to self-worth, making happiness feel like something that must be performed.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.. View this post on Instagram. The mental health cost of performative happiness. Constantly projecting happiness online can create a disconnect between real emotions and the persona one maintains. “When individuals suppress their authentic feelings to protect an online image, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and even depressive symptoms,” says Dr Shankar.. She also points to the “comparison trap,” where users measure their lives against curated versions of others. “People begin to believe that others are happier than they are, which reduces their own life satisfaction,” she notes. Over time, this perceived gap can chip away at self-esteem and increase feelings of inadequacy.. Why simple moments feel less meaningful. If a quiet meal at home feels less exciting than a night out, there’s a psychological reason behind it. “The human brain is naturally drawn to novelty and social recognition,” explains Dr Shankar. Experiences that are visually appealing and widely shared online, like travel or dining out, receive more validation, making them appear more meaningful.. However, she emphasises that this perception is misleading. “Research consistently shows that long-term happiness is more closely linked to stable relationships, emotional security, and everyday comfort than to extraordinary experiences,” she says. In other words, the dal-chawal moments may not trend online—but they sustain real well-being.. Story continues below this ad. Moving from ‘khush dikhna’ to ‘khush rehna’. Shifting from performative to genuine happiness requires a conscious change in focus. “It begins with emotional awareness—acknowledging your feelings without the need to present them in a certain way,” says Dr Shankar.. She recommends practising gratitude for small, everyday experiences and investing in  

 ​With a fleeting attention span due to social media, people often forget the “art of listening”. This results in several individuals seeking help from AI bots for both personal and professional problems. In times when ChatGPT has become more like a shrink, we asked the platform to share 10 active-listening techniques for two individuals. Here’s what it said.. We also asked experts to verify each listening technique.. ChatGPT advised putting away distractions like mobile phones and multitasking to focus on the speaker. Dr Murali Krishna, Visiting Consultant – Psychiatry & Counselling Services, Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore, shared the importance of active listening: Effective communication.. “Your constant eye contact and open body language, together with your complete focus on others, create a secure environment because you protect their personal space. The process helps people share more while it establishes trust, which develops throughout the relationship,” he stated.. 2. Show you are listening. According to ChatGPT, one should use small cues, such as “hmmm”, “I see”, or simply nodding to signal that you are listening to the speaker. To verify this technique, Dr Krishna shared that sending cues to the speaker is crucial, as it helps people stay connected while maintaining conversation flow. “People need to show their real selves because mechanical responses and exaggerated replies create fake impressions. The small signals in therapy sessions assist patients to continue speaking about their most sensitive and difficult topics,” he said.. 3. Don’t interrupt. ChatGPT advised people to get hold of their overexcitement, allowing the speaker to finish their thoughts first. Dr Krishnan stressed that allowing someone to complete their speech demonstrates both respect and patience.. “People need time to express their emotions, especially when they experience high levels of stress. The process of emotional processing gets interrupted by disruptions, which leads to people withdrawing from their current situation,” he shared.. Don’t Miss | ‘Throws the body’s internal clock off rhythm’: Study finds link between night-time light exposure and cardiovascular problems, independent of healthy habits such as good diet and sleep. 4. Reflect back. The generative AI chatbot suggests repeating the speaker’s words in one’s own words. Commenting on the technique, Dr Krishnan noted that the ability to transform spoken words into different expressions is a reliable method for assessing comprehension.. Story continues below this ad. “Your listening skills extend beyond word recognition because you process the complete meaning of the spoken content. The process of reflection needs to contain all spoken material together with its emotional context,” he said, adding that, “The speaker establishes a strong connection through their complete understanding of their emotions together with the actual details of the situation.”. 5. As  

 ​Hormonal fluctuations are another common reason behind irregular bleeding patterns (Image: Freepik). Menstrual cycles can vary from person to person, and sometimes unexpected symptoms can cause concern. One issue that often worries people is noticing dark brown bleeding even after their period seems to have ended. A similar question recently caught our eye on Quora, where a user asked: Why do I continue to bleed after my period, and why is the blood dark brown?. To understand the possible reasons, we spoke to Dr Sujata Uday Rajput, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Pune.. Why does dark brown bleeding happen after a period?. According to the expert, this type of discharge often occurs when old menstrual blood leaves the body slowly at the end of a cycle.. “Dark brown bleeding after periods usually happens due to old blood slowly leaving the uterus, which can occur when the flow is light or delayed.”. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. When blood remains in the uterus longer, it oxidises and appears darker before leaving the body.. The expert adds that several other factors may also influence this pattern. “It may also be linked to hormonal imbalance, ovulation changes, or conditions like fibroids or PCOS.”. Story continues below this ad. Is brown bleeding after menstruation normal?. In many cases, brown spotting toward the end of a period is completely normal.. “Dark brown bleeding after menstruation is often normal and usually represents old blood leaving the uterus at the end of the cycle.”. However, doctors recommend paying attention if it starts happening frequently or appears with other symptoms.. “If it occurs frequently or is associated with pain, foul smell, or heavy bleeding, it may indicate an underlying health issue and should be evaluated by a doctor.”. Story continues below this ad. Dark brown bleeding after menstruation is often normal and usually represents old blood leaving the uterus at the end of the cycle (Image: Pexels). How long can spotting last?. Mild spotting after a period can happen as the body clears remaining menstrual blood. “Post-period spotting can normally last 1–2 days as the body clears leftover menstrual blood.”. But if it continues longer than expected or begins occurring regularly between cycles, it is advisable to consult a doctor. “If spotting continues beyond 3–4 days or happens regularly between cycles, it is advisable to consult a gynaecologist.”. Also Read | ‘If my period comes every two months instead of one, should I be concerned?’. Can hormones or stress affect bleeding patterns?. Hormonal fluctuations are another common reason behind irregular bleeding patterns.. “Hormonal imbalances, stress, and certain birth control methods can disrupt the menstrual cycle and lead to spotting or brown discharge af  

 ​Nakuul Mehta, along with his wife Jankee, recently spoke about everyday parenting language on their podcast, The Indian Parent Pod. During the conversation, the couple highlighted several common phrases they believe parents should avoid saying to children.. Among the examples they discussed were statements like “boys don’t cry”, playful phrases such as “nangu-pangu” or “shame shame”, asking children to exchange hugs for treats, forcing them to share toys without considering their feelings, and repeatedly telling them to “be a good boy” or “good girl”.. While many of these expressions are used casually in households, psychologists say the words adults use around children can shape how they understand emotions, their bodies, and personal boundaries.. According to Dr Munia Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant in Clinical Psychology at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, conversations around parenting language are useful, but they also need to be viewed realistically.. View this post on Instagram. Parenting does not have to be perfect. Dr Bhattacharya notes that parents often try to follow ideal parenting advice while juggling multiple responsibilities. “I think conversations like these are useful because they bring attention to children’s emotional well-being,” said Dr Bhattacharya. “At the same time, everyday parenting happens in the middle of work pressure, household responsibilities, and family expectations.”. Because of these pressures, many parents already feel overwhelmed by the idea of doing everything “right”. “In my experience as a psychologist, parenting does not have to be perfect to be effective,” she said. “What matters more is awareness. Even small changes in how parents speak to their children about emotions, boundaries, and self-worth can make a meaningful difference.”. She adds that children primarily need emotional safety at home. “Children do not need perfect parents. What they really need is an emotionally safe environment where they feel heard, respected, and accepted,” Dr Bhattacharya explained.. ALSO READ | Nakuul Mehta opens up about the ‘pain of being the second preferred parent’; ways to rebuild bond. Why telling boys not to cry can affect emotional health. One of the most common messages boys hear growing up is that they should not cry or show vulnerability. Dr Bhattacharya says this messaging is widespread and often comes from well-meaning parents who want their sons to appear strong.. Story continues below this ad. “Many boys grow up hearing phrases like ‘don’t cry’, ‘be strong’, or ‘boys don’t show weakness’,” she said. “Usually parents say this with good intentions because they want their sons to be resilient.”. However, the long-term impact can be different. “What actually happens is that boys start learning that certain emotions are not acceptable,” Dr Bhattacharya explained. “Instead of understanding their feelings, they push them down.”. ?  

 ​Alzheimer’s disease is currently diagnosed by measuring amyloid plaques and tau tangles, formed due to accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in one’s brain — in blood or spinal fluid (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock). A new type of blood test that analyses the folding of amino acids rather than their amounts may detect earliest biological signs of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study.. Analysis of blood plasma samples from over 500 individuals show that structural differences in three proteins — one involved in immune signalling, another in protein folding, and a third that transports fats in bloodstream — are strongly linked to Alzheimer’s status, according to the findings published in the Nature Aging journal.. Researchers, including those at The Scripps Research Institute, US, said structural differences of plasma proteins helped accurately distinguish cognitively normal individuals, from those with Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment — the preceding stage.. The method could eventually allow early diagnosis and treatment, they said.. Alzheimer’s disease is currently diagnosed by measuring amyloid plaques and tau tangles, formed due to accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in one’s brain — in blood or spinal fluid.. However, the neurodegenerative condition is increasingly thought to involve a broader failure of proteostasis, a system responsible for keeping proteins properly folded and removing damaged ones, researchers said.. Did you know? (Photo: Freepik). The system is said to become less effective with ageing, because of which proteins are more likely to fold incorrectly during formation or restructuring, they said.. “Many neurodegenerative diseases are driven by changes in protein structure. The question was, are there structural changes in specific proteins that might be useful as predictive markers?” senior author John Yates, a professor at The Scripps Research Institute, said.. Story continues below this ad. The researchers proposed that if proteostasis is disrupted in the brain, similar structural changes might also appear in proteins circulating in blood.. Plasma samples from the participants were divided into three groups — cognitively normal adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment and patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.. The analysis determined how exposed or buried certain specific areas were in three-dimensional amino acid chain, indicating changes to their structure. Machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, was used to identify patterns connected to disease stage.. As Alzheimer’s disease advanced, specific blood proteins became less structurally “open”, with structural changes of three showing the strongest association with disease.. Story continues below this ad. The proteins were C1QA, involved in immune signalling, clusterin, involved in protein folding and amyloid removal, and apolipoprotein B, which transports fats in the bloodstream and contributes to