Emotional control is something everyone learns over time. Everyone deals with things differently, some people have a difficult time controlling their emotions, while others find it easier to compartmentalize and figure out a solution. However, having an emotional breakdown/meltdown is completely different then feeling stressed or panicked. An emotional meltdown is when you feel so overwhelmed that you can't control your feelings. It's like hitting a breaking point.

You might cry a lot, get really angry, or feel panicky. WebMD explains that it's not a medical problem, but it's a sign you're under a lot of stress. Everyone has meltdowns sometimes, especially when life gets tough. It doesn't mean you're weak or broken. It just means you're human. Meltdowns happen when your needs aren't being met, like needing more rest or help. It's your body's way of saying something's wrong. You can learn to handle stress better and have fewer meltdowns.

What Prompts An Emotional Breakdown?

Many things can cause a meltdown. Not sleeping enough makes you grumpy and stressed. Skipping meals makes you feel shaky and unable to focus. Doing too much at once makes you feel overwhelmed. Big changes in your life, like a new job or a breakup, can make you feel wobbly. Not talking about problems with people you care about can also make things worse. If you have meltdowns often, think about what makes them happen. Maybe you need to eat more regularly or learn to talk about your feelings. Some things are easy to fix, and some take more time.

Can You Stop A Meltdown When It’s Happening?

When you feel a meltdown coming, stop and take a breath. Your face might get hot, your hands cold, and your breathing fast. Pay attention to how you feel. Don't try to fix the problem right away. First, calm down. Your brain can't think clearly when you're upset. Try grounding techniques, like feeling your feet on the floor or touching your fingertips together. Deep breathing helps too. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, breathe out for four, and pause for four. Do this until you feel calmer. You can't change the problem right away, but you can change how you react to it.

After a meltdown, you might feel embarrassed, ashamed, or relieved. Don't just ignore it. Think about why it happened. Did you try to do too much? Learn from it. If you're embarrassed, ask yourself why. It's okay to have feelings. If you felt relieved, it means you needed to let your feelings out. But try to express them in a healthy way before you have a meltdown. You don't have to apologize for how you feel, but you might need to apologize for how you acted. If you yelled or threw things, say sorry and make a plan to do better next time. If you have meltdowns often, talk to a therapist. Be kind to yourself; everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes.

Can You Prevent It?

You can learn to stop meltdowns before they start. Make time to relax every day. Do things you enjoy, like exercising or reading. Listen to your body. If you feel tense, tired, or have headaches, you're probably stressed. Do something to relax. Don't ignore bad feelings. Talk about them. Naming your feelings helps you control them. Ask for help from friends and family. They can help you with tasks or just listen. Spend time in nature; it's calming. Do things that make you laugh and have fun. If you're still feeling overwhelmed, talk to a therapist. They can teach you ways to cope with stress.

Consuming enough water each day plays an important role in keeping the body working as it should. It helps digestion and metabolism, supports temperature control, aids waste removal, and keeps organs and tissues in good condition. Still, whenever blood pressure rises, many people look for quick fixes, and one of the most common questions is whether drinking cold water can calm the numbers.

The idea sounds straightforward, but the body reacts to cold in more layered ways. Knowing how cold water influences the heart and blood vessels can help separate fact from assumption. To understand this better, we spoke with Dr Rajeev Chowdry, Director of Internal Medicine at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Sector 20, Faridabad.

Can Cold Water Help With Blood Pressure?

Cold water may bring down blood pressure for a brief period. Drinking chilled water can activate the vagus nerve in some individuals, which slows the heart rate and leads to a short-lived drop in blood pressure. The body also triggers a “diving reflex” when exposed to cold, such as splashing cold water on the face, and this can cause a similar short-term response.

Dr Rajeev explained, “Cold water may lower blood pressure for a small amount of time, but not enough to replace someone’s prescribed treatment for hypertension or to be trusted as a method to manage the condition.” He added that for certain people, cold exposure might have the opposite effect, causing blood vessels to tighten and raising blood pressure instead.

Blood Pressure: Who Is Most At Risk?

According to Dr Rajeev, some groups are more vulnerable to a rise in blood pressure, added strain on the heart, or other problems linked to sudden cold exposure:

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) — Cold temperatures narrow blood vessels, which can push blood pressure even higher and raise the risk of stroke or heart attack.
• Older Adults — With age, arteries become less flexible, making it harder for the body to adjust to sudden changes in temperature.
• People With Heart-related Health Issues — Cold exposure can place extra demand on the heart by raising blood pressure, changing heart rate in some cases, and reducing blood flow to the heart as blood vessels tighten. This may trigger chest pain for some individuals.
• Patients With Arrhythmias — Those with irregular heart rhythms may experience worsening symptoms, particularly with sudden contact with cold water.
• Individuals On BP-lowering Medication — Some may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or rarely faint if very cold conditions combine with medication that lowers blood pressure.

In summary, while water alone will not manage high blood pressure, staying well hydrated supports overall health and may contribute to better long-term blood pressure control. Anyone making changes to their routine should check with a healthcare professional, especially those already dealing with medical conditions or concerns about their blood pressure.

Air pollution is now recognised as a major trigger for skin problems. Dust, smoke residues, PM2.5 particles, and heavy metals settle on the skin through the day. They weaken the barrier, disturb the skin’s balance, and speed up signs of ageing. People living in crowded, high-traffic areas often notice dullness, pigmentation, breakouts, and sensitivity more than those in cleaner environments.

Two skin specialists helped us understand the early warning signs you should never overlook.

8 Signs Your Skin Is Reacting to Pollution

1. Sudden Dullness and Loss of Glow

Pollutants oxidise the skin’s natural lipids and damage its protective layer. This makes the face look tired and lifeless even when sleep and nutrition are well balanced. Many people notice a loss of glow on days spent outdoors, especially during peak pollution periods., as per Dr Geeta Grewal, Cosmetologist and Founder of 9Muses Wellness Clinic

2. More Blackheads and Clogged Pores

Dr Grewal notes that PM2.5 particles slip into pores and mix with sweat and sebum. This leads to blackheads, whiteheads, and congested skin. A rough, bumpy texture is one of the most common pollution-related concerns.

3. Frequent Breakouts

Rising pollution levels increase inflammation and oxidative stress, which disrupts the skin’s microbiome. These changes can bring tiny breakouts, fungal acne-like clusters, or painful pimples. Environmental irritants often act as hidden triggers, especially in urban areas.

4. Uneven Skin Tone and Pigmentation

Constant oxidative stress encourages the skin to produce more melanin. According to Dr Grewal, this results in dark spots, sun spots appearing sooner, and patchy pigmentation along the cheeks, nose, and forehead. Many people mistake this for sun damage alone, but pollution plays a major role.

5. Increased Sensitivity

If skincare products that once felt comfortable now sting or cause redness, pollution may be weakening your skin barrier. Warning signs include burning, itching, a warm sensation on the skin, or sudden irritation without a clear cause, as per Dr Ameesha Mahajan, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Founder, Eden Skin Clinic.

6. Early Fine Lines and Premature Ageing

Dr Mahajan explains that pollutants trigger free radical damage. This breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. Over time, it leads to wrinkles, crow’s feet, and mild sagging around the eyes and mouth.

7. Dry, Rough, or Dehydrated Skin

Pollutants strip moisture and damage the barrier, causing tightness and flakiness even in people with oily skin. When the barrier is compromised, moisturisers stop working as well, which worsens dehydration.

8. Frequent Rashes or Dermatitis Flares

People with sensitive skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea may notice more flare-ups when pollution rises. Dr Mahajan says that constant exposure can lead to rashes, bumps, and patchy irritation that keeps returning.

Avoiding pollution entirely is difficult, but protecting your skin is possible. Strengthen the barrier with antioxidants, sunscreen, gentle cleansers, and weekly detox habits. Watch for the early warning signs mentioned by the experts and act early. A strong skin barrier remains the most reliable way to maintain clear, healthy, and youthful skin despite rising pollution levels.

Male infertility remains a topic rarely discussed, often overshadowed by social pressures and hesitation. Yet, it contributes to nearly half of all cases where couples struggle to conceive. Among the many causes, varicocele stands out as one of the most silent and underrecognised conditions, affecting a significant number of men in India.

With male reproductive health still a taboo, countless men remain unaware of their condition for years. Fertility tests often reveal the issue only after prolonged delays, adding emotional stress for couples. We got in touch with Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Kolkata, who told us more about the same.

What Is a Varicocele?

A varicocele occurs when the veins in the scrotum become enlarged, similar to varicose veins in the legs. These weakened, dilated veins disrupt blood flow to the testicles, causing a gradual rise in temperature that negatively affects sperm production and quality. Most men experience no pain, which is why the condition is often undetected, earning it the label of a “silent” problem. In many cases, it is discovered only during routine infertility evaluations.

Why It’s a Common Yet Ignored Cause of Male Infertility

Varicocele is particularly concerning because it often goes untreated, leading to more serious reproductive consequences. Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya said, “The condition may not produce noticeable symptoms—no pain, no swelling—yet internally, impaired blood flow and heat buildup gradually reduce sperm count, motility, and quality. Research shows varicocele accounts for a large proportion of male infertility cases, and the condition is largely reversible if identified early.”

A lack of awareness, coupled with the common misconception that infertility is primarily a female issue, often delays evaluation of the male partner. Many men only undergo semen analysis or scrotal ultrasound after significant time has passed.

Can Surgery Restore Fertility?

The encouraging news is that varicocele is one of the few male infertility issues that can be effectively treated with surgery. Varicocelectomy, the most common procedure, involves tying off the affected veins while preserving normal blood flow. This helps cool the scrotum and allows sperm production to return to healthier levels.

Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya told us that post-surgery, many men experience notable improvements in sperm count and motility within six months. For couples, this can mean natural conception without advanced fertility treatments. Correcting varicocele can also improve sperm DNA integrity, enhancing the success rates of procedures like IVF or ICSI.

Potential Consequences of Untreated Varicocele

Not all varicoceles require surgery, especially if mild or asymptomatic. However, undetected or significant varicoceles can progressively impair sperm quality and, in some cases, lead to testicular atrophy. Delayed diagnosis can reduce the likelihood of natural conception as men age.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Men who have been trying to conceive for over a year should undergo a comprehensive fertility check-up. A simple semen analysis and physical examination are often sufficient to detect most varicoceles. “Early intervention is crucial, particularly for those hoping for natural conception or planning to start a family,” said Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya

Promoting awareness about male reproductive health is just as important as educating women on fertility. Varicocele is a silent, yet easily treatable, condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment can restore fertility and reduce the emotional and financial strain on couples. The first step toward healthier, happier families is acknowledging the issue, seeking treatment, and discussing it openly.