It was a fine day for many, as it was for Anup Semwal, a 23-year-old communication associate. Like many of us, on Wednesday, he too went out on that sunny day on a date and had a beautiful time. However, things changed completely when it started to rain.

Ignoring it, Semwal tried to book his bike. “It is the monsoon season, so a little rain does no harm,” he says. But soon things went haywire. “Before the bike could come, it started raining heavily and thus started three hours of anxiety,” he says.

Like many on Wednesday evening, Semwal too was stuck in traffic amid the waterlogged Delhi roads for three hours. To make things worse, he was dropped midway as the biker denied driving him through the Khanpur region.

“I waited outside a pan shop for someone to accept my ride, but no luck. An hour and a half went away—I was already drenched from the previous ride. My phone was losing battery, I started to panic,” he says. Luckily, an auto driver, who was homebound agreed to offer him a ride, but with a precondition that he will have to walk more than a kilometre through a stretch of road that “turns into a river everytime it rains.”

“I have a habit of overthinking, getting stuck in loop of thoughts. That stretch was indeed submerged, and all I could think about was getting electrocuted. Every step I took in that pool, I was praying to not get a shock. It was overwhelming,” he says.

Monsoon and Anxiety

Not just Semwal, but many others too faced anxiety when they had to reach home through the flooded roads. Fearing getting submerged, electrocuted or with the thought of being stuck in the traffic for an entire night. Many experience anxiety during the monsoons, fearing that they will be stuck in situations without a solution.

Mental health expert Dr Dharmesh Shah, who has been practising for the last 24 years, says that monsoon brings fear, anxiety and changes in how one feels. Being stuck in a situation like Semwal’s or many others who reach home after four hours for a ride that usually takes them one hour can be anxiety-inducing. However, there are ways one can try to combat it.

“If you find yourself stuck in traffic due to waterlogged roads, it's important to first accept the situation and focus on safety. Make sure your vehicle is secure and won't take on water. To manage anxiety, practice deep breathing and stay aware of your body's responses. Listening to calming music or watching something on your phone can be great distractions. It's also helpful to think positively and find small ways to enjoy the situation, like appreciating the break from your usual routine,” Shah says.

Furthermore, one can also use what is best available to them to calm themselves down. This can be their phone, music apps or a radio. “By listening to calming music, you can stay focused and calm, helping your body to relax and reduce the impact of stressful situations,” he says.

“When stuck in a stressful situation, healthy distractions can be very helpful. Listening to your favourite music, chatting with friends or family, playing games on your phone, or even taking selfies to document the moment can all serve as good distractions. These activities can help you pass the time and keep your mind off the stress until things improve,” remarks Dr Shah.

With Monsoon, Comes Depression

It is true that while many enjoy monsoon, it can also have a negative impact on your mental health. Apart from the anxiety-inducing experiences while manoeuvering through water-logged roads, monsoons can also lead to depression.

“Seasonal depression tends to worsen during the monsoon due to several factors, including reduced sunlight, higher humidity, and lower temperatures. The lack of sunlight can disrupt your body's internal clock and reduce serotonin levels, which can lead to feelings of depression. Additionally, the rainy weather often forces people to stay indoors, which can increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. The natural changes during the monsoon season can also lead to physical discomfort, such as body pains and mood swings, making symptoms of seasonal depression more pronounced,” says Dr Shah.

But there are ways one can manage the depression that comes with monsoon. Dr Shah recommends that one must try to get as much sunlight as possible, even if it means sitting near a window. Engaging in physical activities and hobbies can boost your mood, as can maintaining a healthy diet. “Practicing grounding activities like good sleep hygiene and breathing exercises (pranayama) can also help. Additionally, social interactions, mindfulness meditation, and community support play a crucial role in coping with seasonal depression,” he says.

"I am not feeling happy anymore", said my friend recently and I immediately resonated. But just a few moments later, it hit me that nothing had changed in my life. I was following the same routine for years, and still my happiness had somehow reduced. It was then that I thought of investigating the reason behind this sudden plunge in my dopamine.

I found that my everyday habits, like scrolling through social media, unhealthy screen timings and seeking immediate gratification in everything that I did, had led to my brain getting resistant to the 'Happy Hormone.'

So What Drives The Dopamine Plunge?

Recently, Dr Tara Swart, a renowned neuroscientist, took to social media to explain probable reasons behind this.

Here Are Everyday Activites That Could Be Responsible For The Decline In Your Dopamine:

Constant Social Media Scrolling

Social media platforms are designed to deliver small bursts of dopamine with every like, comment, or notification. "Every swipe and notification gives you a tiny dopamine hit," she wrote. Over time, the brain adapts, needing more stimulation just to feel normal. This reduces motivation for deep, meaningful tasks.

Multi-Tasking

Switching between tasks drains dopamine and increases mental fatigue. "Your prefrontal cortex (responsible for focus) gets overwhelmed quickly," Dr. Swart noted.

How to fix it? Use time management techniques like the Pomodoro method and working in focused intervals, to improve productivity and naturally boost dopamine. "Give your brain a clear task, and stick to it. Focused work boosts dopamine naturally when you complete something meaningful," she wrote.

Avoiding Celebrations

Many people chase the next goal without pausing to acknowledge their achievements. "If you never pause to celebrate, your brain doesn't get a chance to link effort with reward," she warned.

Junk Food And Sugar

Processed foods spike dopamine rapidly but also desensitise the brain over time, making normal meals feel less satisfying and driving cravings for unhealthy foods.

Binge-Watching Shows

Watching episode after episode delivers passive dopamine hits, reducing interest in more effortful but fulfilling activities.

Excessive Caffeine

Caffeine temporarily boosts dopamine, but excessive use can lead to dependency, making people feel tired without it.

Substance Abuse

Drugs and alcohol hijack dopamine pathways, leading to addiction and reduced pleasure from normal activities.

Avoiding Boredom

Constant stimulation prevents the brain from resetting dopamine levels. “When you avoid boredom, your brain never gets a chance to reset its dopamine baseline,” Dr. Swart explained.

Over-Rewarding Small Tasks

Treating yourself after every minor task dilutes the dopamine response, reducing the reward effect for bigger achievements.

Chronic Procrastination

Delaying tasks lowers dopamine release, reinforcing avoidance behaviour.

How To Fix It?

The good news is that dopamine levels can be balanced with mindful lifestyle changes. Dr Swart suggested structured digital detoxes, nutritious eating, and celebrating personal achievements as effective ways to rebuild motivation. "Let yourself be bored. Seriously," she advised, emphasising that low-stimulation periods are essential for a healthy brain.

Intrestingly, there has been a trend of Dopamine fasting that has taken the internet by storm recently. It is a practice where individuals limit their exposure to activities or stimuli that typically provide a surge of dopamine. Whether is a complete fast or reduction in activities, a break from dopamine stimulants can definitely boost your happiness.

Skincare has become a common phenomenon among people of all ages. However, it is not a full proof way to have clear skin. Many people feel frustrated and anxious when they experience breakouts, despite having multiple step skincare routines. While a healthy skin depends on how well you eat, maintain a steady schedule and what products you use, a lot of it also depends on your mental and emotional state.

How Does Your Mind Affect Your Skin?

Research shows that your mind and emotions have a real impact on your skin. According to the British Association of Dermatologists 2016 study when you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that can cause skin problems.

Other studies from the same journal like the 2013 study on Phsychodermatology explains that people who practice mindfulness, like meditation, have less stress and healthier skin. Stress hormones can slow down wound healing, cause inflammation, and even make your skin age faster. Many people who go to the doctor for skin problems say that managing their stress is a big part of feeling better. It’s often hard for doctors to tell if skin problems cause emotional problems, or if emotional problems cause skin problems, because they’re so connected.

How Can You Build Better Skin Health?

Being mindful, which means paying attention to the present moment, can help your skin heal faster. Studies have shown that people who learn mindfulness techniques have better wound healing than those who don't. This means that when you calm your mind, your body can heal better too. The Cleveland clinic suggests that when you’re stressed, your body is in a “fight or flight” mode, and it’s not focused on healing, it is focusing on surviving. But when you’re calm, your body can focus on repairing itself. So, taking time to relax and be mindful can help your skin recover from cuts, scrapes, and other injuries.

Simple Steps To Take Care Of Your Skin

To have healthy skin, you need to take care of your mind and body. This means using gentle skincare products that don’t irritate your skin. You should also avoid things that are bad for your body, like smoking and too much alcohol. Here are some other ways to take care of your skin according to Mayo Clinic.

Mindful Skincare

As you cleanse or moisturize, feel the products on your skin. Acknowledge its role as a barrier, offering gratitude for its daily protection.

Listen to Your Skin

Observe subtle changes. Tightness signals dryness; pimples may indicate stress. Heed these cues to adjust your routine accordingly.

Avoid Toxins

Minimize intake of alcohol and processed foods. These can disrupt your body's balance, negatively impacting skin health and appearance.

Reduce Stress

Engage in calming activities like reading, music, or nature walks. These help lower cortisol levels, promoting clearer, healthier skin.

Sleep Well

Aim for seven to eight hours of undisturbed sleep. This allows your skin to repair and regenerate, resulting in a more radiant complexion.

Eat Healthy

Prioritize fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. These provide essential nutrients for skin vitality and a balanced gut microbiome.

Protect from Sun

Use SPF 30+ sunscreen and protective clothing. This shields your skin from harmful UV rays, preventing premature aging and damage.

Stay Hydrated

Consume ample water throughout the day. Hydration plumps skin cells, promoting a smooth, healthy appearance and overall well-being.

Having a morning coffee to start your day, or a midday coffee to keep your day going, is the best feeling. It energizes you and helps you get through the day. But have you ever noticed how you are left with sour notes in your mouth and a foul smell. Does that mean you have bad hygiene or is it an indicator that you should not be having coffee?

The answer is neither, it is due to some compounds in the coffee. You may have noticed that this is the case with many other strong-tasting foods like garlic, onions, boiled chicken and other dairy products. The Mayo Clinic explains that food particles breakdown around your teeth leads to more bacteria and causes a bad smell. These foods enter the blood stream after you ingest, get carried to your lungs and affect one’s breath.

While it may seem like a minor issue, it can be noticeable to others and make us feel self-conscious. So, it's important to understand why coffee causes bad breath and what we can do to get rid of it.

Why Does Coffee Make Our Breath Smell

When coffee beans are roasted, they release certain chemicals that contain sulfur. According to MedlinePlus these sulfur compounds are a big reason why coffee makes your breath smell bad. Think of it like the smell of rotten eggs, but much milder. Coffee is also acidic, which means it can change the pH balance in your mouth, making it easier for bacteria to grow.

When bacteria grow, they release even more smelly sulfur compounds. On top of that, coffee can dry out your mouth. Caffeine acts a little like a dehydrating agent, and coffee also contains tannins, which stop your mouth from making enough saliva. Saliva helps wash away bacteria and food particles, so when your mouth is dry, these things stay around and cause bad breath.

How To Fix This Issue?

The best way to avoid coffee breath is to make some smart choices about how you drink your coffee. Experts suggest drinking black coffee, without any milk or sugar, is better for your breath. Milk and sugar can feed the bacteria in your mouth, making the smell worse. If you must add flavor, try stirring your coffee with a cinnamon stick or a vanilla bean. These natural flavorings can add a nice taste without causing bad breath. If you need a sweetener, try using sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar. If you have to use dairy, whole milk or half and half are better than skim milk, as skim milk contains more sugar.

If you're willing to try something other than coffee, there are some good alternatives that can still give you a caffeine boost. High-caffeine black tea or chai tea can provide a similar pick-me-up without the strong coffee smell.

Whether you drink coffee or not, good oral hygiene is essential for fresh breath. The sulfur compounds, acidity, and tannins in coffee can all contribute to bad breath. So, it's important to brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, and use mouthwash. If you drink coffee, you might need to pay extra attention to your oral hygiene