Posts in category: Life Style

While a new moon usually brings a moment of calm, the past few weeks have been turbulent, and the vibrations from July and August will continue to be felt into September. “The Schumann resonance, the electromagnetic wave phenomenon that can be described as the heartbeat or frequency of the Earth, has been high for days. This is a confirmation of how quickly the Earth is increasing its frequency. And we, as well as the animals and everything else that lives on Earth, are being swept along in this process. Our systems are reacting to this,” explains Jetteke van Lexmond, co-founder of the Moonsisters and their popular lunar calendar.

What’s more, the expert reports, is that it can feel as if something is pulling on us. “It’s like a pushing and pulling force around you that makes your cells vibrate and creates unusual sensations in your body. On every level, physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically, we are going through a massive transformation that can lead to exhaustion, upheaval, separation and closure,” van Lexmond says.

Get ready for more clarity and energy

These already-intense vibrations will be joined by the energy of Virgo, which begins on August 22. “Virgo is a practical, down-to-earth zodiac sign that knows how to get things done. The sign loves order and structure and has strong analytical and organisational skills,” van Lexmond explains. Furthermore, “Virgo can be critical and tends to find fault with small things. The biggest lesson and challenge for the earth sign is to use both their head and their heart and let go of the illusion of control.”

In the past week, Mercury, the ruling planet of Gemini and Virgo, has also gone direct again. After Mercury retrograde, the coming weeks will bring more clarity and energy to take action. “With Mercury, the sun and the new moon in Virgo, the veil is lifted and blockages disappear. This is a welcome development for anyone returning to work,” says van Lexmond.

Directly after the Lion’s Gate Portal, which opened between July 26 and August 12 and peaked on August 8 in the middle of Leo season, the current constellation feels like a new beginning and preparation for the eclipse on September 7-8. Van Lexmond reveals, “The upcoming total lunar eclipse is the second one this year, and having two total lunar eclipses in the same year is unusual. This rarity and intensity fit perfectly with the transformative energy of 2025. Each eclipse or equinox is a turning point, a bridge to great change.”

Take time for the changes

If you would like to start something new or change something, van Lexmond reveals that now is the right time to do so. “Connect with the energy of Virgo to implement these tweaks practically and precisely.” However, there is no need to rush; take your time for new plans and projects. “The energy of Saturn and Uranus helps you tackle karmic patterns and follow your unique soul path. This time calls for individuality, authenticity and soulful creations, rather than mass production through sheer force of will. Less business-minded and more heart-minded is how the Moon expert categorises this energy.

Cosmic tip: Instead of fearing the worst, hover above your situation to get a bird’s-eye view.

What a glorious time it was, your past. And now, you are here, stuck praying for solutions and ways out of this situation. Scorpio, take that leap of faith, surrender to the unknown, and give your ideas a chance. You may be waiting on your personal life or one sphere of life to change to make a shift in the other spheres, but what if you were meant to keep going with what is being rolled out and the parts that need fixing will change themselves or make sense in due course of time. You are ready for more, Scorps, and the Universe is ready to dish it out to you.

Cosmic tip: See the potential and go for it.

Rise above conflict and discord so that you can hear your inner voice once again, Sag. That quiet little voice is always on point and it reminds you that the right thing might not always be the loudest thing to do, say or believe. Keep grinding towards your goals—not literally, but through resolve. By the next lunar cycle, you will not only have your answers but also your winning ticket in your hands.

Cosmic tip: A consistent, reliable approach leads you to your diligently achieved victory.

Woah! A major time is being ushered in for you, Capricorn. And you, my dear, are going to fall in love with life and everything in between all over again. This is your time to go within and evaluate what it is that you really want and what you have been asking for. This is your time to not buckle under pressure but find your way through the crevices. This is your time to go for it, while keeping your inner eye open for cues and crumbs the Universe throws your way.

Cosmic tip: Take on that journey and travel—metaphorically or really.

Stop pegging your focus outside of you, Aquarius. Stop subconsciously comparing your life to others, stop silently swallowing your own voice and most definitely stop trying to keep up. You are not here for any of that. You are here to be you. And let’s get specific about it. You are here to celebrate your life, your loved ones, your tribe. You are here to share joy, but you are also here to receive the same in return. You are also here to carve your life at your own pace. You are also here to enjoy what you create for yourself. Not simply to rush through it all.

Cosmic tip: Treat each day as your first and last so that you can cherish the tiny moments in between.

Stick to the known path just for a short bit, Pisces. Yes, you want to create something of your own, and perhaps you also want to build something remarkable. However, set the foundations with a tried and tested methodology and structure. Keep your ethics in the forefront, keep your eyes on the larger picture, keep your words and intentions pure and wise. And most definitely keep your head looking for the next best thing on the horizon. One step at a time and you will get to where you wish to go at top speed. Good things are in store for you.

Cosmic tip: Strategy fused with companionship and camaraderie is the best combination for you presently.

There is a new addition to the 2025 gala calendar: This November in Doha, filmmaker and photographer Francesco Carrozzini, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, and Anna Wintour, global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast, will host the inaugural Franca Fund Gala—a fundraiser to support ongoing preventative genomics research in honor of Carrozzini’s late mother, longtime Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani.

“The bond I had with my mom—and her being a single mother for most of her life and then going so early—really made me want to do something to remember her,” Carrozzini tells Vogue, adding that his mother’s diagnosis of a rare lung cancer led him to the work of Harvard medical geneticist Dr. Robert E. Green, in hopes of finding her a cure. That Sozzani’s illness was too advanced to be successfully treated, and she died in late 2016, prompted Carrozzini to establish The Franca Fund for Preventive Genomics, alongside Green and artist and investor D.A. Wallch. The initiative supports genetic research to identify, treat, and prevent a myriad of diseases—from minor ailments to life-threatening illnesses.

Since launching in 2018 at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham, the fund has raised money through the exhibition and sale of pieces from Sozzani’s wardrobe; a Zara collection of tees and sweatshirts featuring Peter Lindbergh photos; and an awards dinner that has honored Julianne Moore, Salma Hayek, and Iman. Still, Carrozzini has often found himself thinking, “this is not enough, we need something bigger,” he says. Enter the Franca Fund Gala, which was conceived in collaboration with Sheikha Al Mayassa.

“I was looking to do something with someone who understood my mother’s values and what she did for the arts and for fashion,” Carrozzini says, noting that before her death, Sozzani befriended Sheikha Al Mayassa through those shared interests. The chairperson of Qatar Museums and co-chair of Fashion Trust Arabia, Sheikha Al Mayassa “kindly offered to host” the Franca Fund Gala, Carrozzini adds.

The evening will be held in collaboration with the Qatari cultural center M7, a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship across design, fashion, and technology. Additional details regarding the guest list, venue, dress code, and entertainment are forthcoming, but the mission, Carrozzini says, is already clear: “To promote research, and to honor someone who so many people thought was special.”

Step aside, protein—creatine for women is having its moment. Once seen as the domain of men and athletes, this powerhouse supplement is now being hailed as a game-changer for women’s health. But not everyone is convinced. For those who don’t see results—or fall for the myths—it often comes down to biology: women may need different dosing, hydration and timing to unlock its benefits. We asked experts to break down the biggest misconceptions around creatine for women.

Myth: it’s a steroid

Creatine was discovered in 1832 (long before fitness culture existed) by French scientist Michel Eugène Chevreul, who extracted it from meat. It is simply a compound your body already makes. Asad Hussain, longevity and exercise scientist, founder-CEO of Odds Fitness notes, “A lot of women believe creatine to be a dangerous anabolic steroid, but it’s not. . Creatine helps your muscles produce energy. It’s been widely studied, and at the recommended dose, it’s completely safe, even long term.”

Myth: it will make me bulky or bloated

One of the biggest reasons women hesitate with creatine is the fear of bloating or bulking. Anant Agarwal, Health Consultant, Clinical Research Scientist, and Founder of Infinite Health, is quick to correct this. “Creatine draws water into your muscle cells, not under your skin. It doesn’t make you puffy or bloated as people imagine. Many of my clients actually look leaner once they start, because creatine supports better muscle tone and fat loss.”

Atul Rajani, Founder of Be. and CEO of Dalas Biotech, agrees. Drawing on both his pharmaceutical background and experience in competitive sport, he adds, “The 1–2 kg weight gain at the start is water, not fat, and it’s actually beneficial for muscle function and recovery. Women also don’t have the testosterone to build significant mass from creatine alone. That requires specific training, nutrition and, often, genetics.”

For women sensitive to water retention, Agarwal offers a practical tweak: stick to a smaller daily dose of around 3 grams. “If any bloating shows up, pause for a week, then resume at a lower dose of 2 grams.”

Myth: it messes with oestrogen and fertility

Far from being a hormone disruptor, it’s a cellular energy booster. “During hormonally taxing phases like the luteal phase or perimenopause, creatine supports brain energetics, mood, and neuromuscular coordination. It helps improve mental clarity, stabilises mood and increases emotional resilience,” says Shradha Sounil Khanna, AVP Nutrition and Research, at Wellbeing Nutrition. What can help, though, is consistency. Hussain recommends taking it daily, regardless of the phase you’re in, to keep your stores topped up and your performance more stable throughout the month.

Myth: it’s only for athletes and body-builders

Creatine isn’t just for deadlifters. Agarwal points out that women respond particularly well, whether recovering postpartum, managing thyroid issues or just dealing with everyday burnout. Think of it less as a performance enhancer and more as a supplement to support longevity, like vitamin D or magnesium.

Myth: it causes acne and hair loss

“Hair loss and acne are typically hormonal issues that coincidentally occur when someone starts supplementing, creating a false correlation. Improved cellular hydration from creatine often improves skin quality,” says Rajani. So, if these issues crop up after starting creatine, it could be down to new skincare products, dietary changes, stress levels, underlying hormonal imbalances or poor hydration.

Myth: it works best on an empty stomach

For women, this can backfire. “Fasted dosing can cause nausea, lightheadedness or bloating, especially if magnesium or hydration levels are low. Men tolerate it better, likely because they have higher baseline creatine stores and muscle mass,” says Agarwal. He recommends pairing creatine with food—ideally carbs or a post-workout shake—for better absorption and less gastrointestinal distress. The mistake he sees most often is women starting too high, too fast: “Too much creatine with too little water is a recipe for discomfort. A better strategy is to start low—around 2–2.5 grams—take it with food, and hydrate well.”

Myth: It disrupts sleep and causes anxiety

Creatine isn’t a sedative or a stimulant, so any anxiety or sleeplessness linked to it usually comes from blends that combine it with caffeine. Khanna notes that some women do report restlessness if they take creatine late in the day, especially during the luteal phase when sleep is already lighter. Her fix is simple: “Shift to morning dosing, lower the dose temporarily and avoid pairing creatine with stimulants.”

Timing matters. Taken with food, water and consistency, creatine works with your system—not against it.

Also read:

What’s really spiking your blood sugar (and it’s not just dessert)

I doubled my protein intake and my skin has never been better

5 foods to regulate your nervous system, from vitamin D to omega-3s

Organised closets—check. Planned schedules—check. Painstaking attention to detail—check. Phew. Virgo season (August 22-September 22) is all about getting things done smoothly, yet steadfastly; yes, even through the total lunar eclipse on September 7—the longest since 2022. Keep your planner by your bedside before you turn in for the night, because inspiration might just strike during REM sleep. It’s the era of the perfectionist, and nothing less than perfection will do. Read on to know if you fall among the luckiest zodiac signs this Virgo season.

Virgo

This ruffled-feathers version of you is giving way to your default cool-as-a-cucumber energy—and why not? This is your time, after all. As you naturally thrive and swim towards your goals, your personal life also moves towards fulfilment. Virgo, your season makes you notice the specks of magic surrounding you, and you’re only too happy to lap up all of it.

Aries

Someone, something or a renewed version of yourself enters your life, piercing through the amorphous veil and propelling you forward with clarity and confidence. Although you may feel like you are between phases at the moment, take comfort in knowing that you are far beyond where you started, hurtling towards contentedness. This season helps you address stalemates, roll up your sleeves, do the work and find your way out of the abyss.

Capricorn

Teamwork, a never-shut-down attitude and an unrelenting commitment to the grind—Capricorn, you are a Virgo twin in many ways, so it only makes sense that you thrive during Virgo season. The energy surrounding you is a more meticulous and deliberate one than your own, but it helps you sort through the clutter in your life and points you towards what you really want to bring forward. Embrace the balance, warmth and even-temperedness that this season brings your way.

Scorpio

This is your chance to change things—to get the ball out of your court, to tend to your most intimate relationships, to resolve anything that you may have pushed under the rug for too long. Scorpio, you must socialise and build your community but also tend to your most personal and emotional needs within your core relationships that beget lasting peace, emotional stability and happiness. Prove to yourself that you can be fun-loving yet deeply caring; enthusiastic yet profoundly contemplative; independent yet fiercely in love.

Taurus

Your bull-headedness may need a cool, tempered knife to slice off the edges, and Virgo season serves exactly that. Tackle your volatility with the logical flair and adaptiveness this season brings, and spend your sleepless nights plotting your next move instead of fearing the worst that is to come. Things you began during Taurus season are now moving fast, and although you’ve been passively waiting on them to bear fruit, it’s time you resolutely took the steering wheel.

Cancer

You build better when you build as a team, and Cancer, a lot is happening for you on the relationships front this season—be it professional or personal. You are levelling up your psyche, intuition and creativity in so many ways. It’s almost like a rebirth for you, and just like water and earth share a beautiful, uplifting relationship in nature, you thrive during Virgo season, helping things bloom where you flow.

That’s because these milestones raise the stakes: You have less personal freedom and higher emotional (and sometimes financial) costs if things fall apart—which is why Thrall says it’s common to see people drag their feet, stall decisions or keep important parts of their lives separate (even if, deep down, they may want to take those next steps).

3. You keep looking for reasons to leave

As soon as the relationship starts to get serious, your brain might flip into “danger” mode, which is when classic self-sabotaging behaviours creep in, Jeter says. Maybe you start pulling away right when they say, “I love you,” or convince yourself that harmless quirks (the sound of their laugh, the way they dress) are suddenly red flag-worthy reasons to break up.

“I’ll especially see this with clients who have long wanted a relationship and when they finally get it, they start to panic and think, ‘Oh my gosh, I could get hurt because I really care about them,’” Jeter says. “Or, ‘I’m getting what I’ve asked for, but I didn’t consider the risk of how much it will hurt to lose this person.’” Essentially, the unspoken logic here becomes, If I push them away first, they can’t blindside me later.

4. You fixate on “what ifs” instead of enjoying what is

Even in the happiest, healthiest, most secure relationships, it’s common for commitment issues to spark a relentless loop of doubt: Things are going well now…but what if there’s someone better out there? What if I’m settling? Instead of embracing the connection right in front of you, your mind fixates on imagined scenarios, Jeter says—comparing your partner to strangers or exes, say, or daydreaming about how your life might be different with someone else.

Subconsciously, this pattern often arises as a way to prevent yourself from putting all your eggs in one basket: If you’re always half-looking for the exit, you never have to face the raw vulnerability (and heartbreak) that comes with truly investing in one person. The problem, though, is that what feels like self-protection often ends up blocking you from the very intimacy and closeness you’ve already built.

How to overcome commitment issues

1. First, get clear on what you’re really scared of

There’s a difference between struggling to make it official with anyone versus not wanting to with this particular person. So one way to tell the difference, Jeter says, is by digging deeper into what’s triggering your fears. Is it more generalised anxiety about being cheated on, say, or losing your sense of self? Or is it specific to your partner—mismatched life goals, perhaps unpredictable behaviours that make you question their motives? (The first points to broader commitment issues—which you can work on with the help of the tips below; the second could mean this connection simply isn’t the right fit.)

Cosmic tip: Carefully weigh your decisions and allow them to steer towards the compass of your heart.

You know where you need to stand tall and where you can buckle in, Sag. This is your time to have patience and tune into the core of who you are and where you are headed. Your intuition is speaking to you in the strongest, yet softest possible ways and your job, my friend, is not only to listen, but also to find the strength to take guided action in that direction. Defend your stance, hold on tightly to your belief system and don’t let the noise of the world drown you out. The odds may seem against you, but you know your returns will be even grander when you win.

Cosmic tip: Look at what you have standing next to you instead of focusing on all that is drifting away.

The recent pause in your life was temporary, and Capricorn, now that you have competing goals on your mind, different things demanding attention all at the same time, you are being encouraged to swoop in and pick up that opportunity that feels so exciting yet is not fully visible. You may be at a crossroads, and the truth is that you will only be able to pick a path if you do decide to take a walk in the first place. This is not your time for logic alone, and neither is it time for your heart—it is time to fuse both these faculties and renew your life for good.

Cosmic tip: You know what makes you thrive—so focus on that and watch it grow.

If you’ve been feeling like you’ve been riding against the current, Aquarius, you are being pushed into a space where the wheel finally spins in your favour. You may not see it yet, but your consistent, relentless effort is what keeps bringing you back to the point where the more authentically and wholeheartedly you put yourself out there, the more your inner GPS sharpens and becomes louder, and the more easily you are drawn to a life filled with reasons to celebrate. Not always is 3 a crowd—it could be a reason for celebration—your project, your partner, your baby, your pet—it could be anything.

Cosmic tip: Keep honouring your commitments.

On the flip side of your fears and feelings of being trapped, lies your abundance, freedom and ability to thrive. You’ve been microfocussed, Pisces, on a lot of things that bring you joy, happiness, stability and perhaps even recognition, fame, and long-term wealth. And while your laser-sharp focus remains intact, the cosmos urges you to stretch your wings a little more and take flight. Assert your independence and creativity to carve out your dreamscape of your happily ever after. Your pains have led you here to show you how blessed life can feel—you need not keep running back to them now and again simply to feel familiar.

Cosmic tip: Close the doors to unhealthy familiar patterns to unlock abundant ones.

You know oranges contain vitamin C. You know olive oil contains omega fats. But did you know that there’s one little fruit that contains more vitamin C and more omega-7 than both of those foods? It’s called sea buckthorn and not only is it full of amazing nutrients for the body but it can also have incredible benefits for the hair and skin.

Never heard of the benefits of sea buckthorn? Read on to find out what this orange fruit can do—and why you might want to make sea buckthorn oil or extract a regular part of your beauty and wellness routine.

What is sea buckthorn?

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is an evergreen shrub from Europe and Asia whose leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits are usually consumed in the form of juice or oil because of their powerful blend of nutrients. Sea buckthorn has long been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and has been called a “wonder plant” for thousands of years. Sea buckthorn is thought to be good for the skin, blood sugar, heart, immune system, digestion and liver.

The beauty benefits of sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn oil contains at least 190 bioactive substances, or as one study puts it, “an abundance of active substances which is unique in known vegetable oils” including vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C; flavonoids and carotenoids; as well as healthy fats such as omega 3, omega 6, omega 9 and especially omega 7.

These special omega fats are often referred to as “beauty omegas” because they contain powerful anti-inflammatories that increase collagen production, heal the skin, improve brightness and elasticity, hydrate the mucous membranes and moisturise the eyes. “Sea-buckthorn oil has a beneficial effect on skin because it is a strong antioxidant,” the aforementioned study notes, before listing an impressive range of benefits: “This oil fights free radicals, rebuilds cells and delays cell ageing, supports wound healing, reduces scars and discolorations, treats dermatoses, eczemas, ulceration, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, improves skin elasticity and structure, provides appropriate hydration of epidermis, limits excessive water loss, protects against harmful radiation (solar or x-rays), has a regenerative and anti-ageing effect.”

You may think glucose is something only diabetics need to track, but stable blood sugar underpins everything from energy and mood to skin, hormones and long-term metabolic health. Each meal breaks down into glucose, and insulin is released to move it into our cells for fuel. When glucose spikes too often, insulin works overtime and the body becomes less responsive, a process known as insulin resistance. In his book The Blood Sugar Solution, functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman has called insulin resistance “the most common health problem,” one that underlies inflammation, hormonal imbalance and chronic disease.

Across India, these issues are no longer rare. Rising cases of PCOS and insulin resistance among women in their twenties and thirties show up long before a formal diagnosis as fatigue, skin breakouts, sugar cravings and erratic cycles. Stable blood sugar, once a concern only for diabetics, has quietly become central to everyday wellness.

So where do these hidden spikes come from? Often from the very foods and habits we’ve labelled as ‘healthy’.

1. Oat milk

Oat milk is popular for its creaminess, but because it comes from a starchy grain it breaks down into sugar more quickly than nut- or dairy-based alternatives. As Jessie Inchauspé, the French biochemist known as the Glucose Goddess, has highlighted, this leads to sharper spikes than almond or coconut milk.

That’s because grains have a higher glycaemic index, meaning they’re converted to glucose faster in the bloodstream. By contrast, protein and fat slow the pace at which glucose is released.

The change: Unsweetened almond or coconut milk, or even regular full-fat dairy, contain more protein and fat, which slow glucose release. You don’t have to quit oat milk, just rotate your choices through the week.

2. Naked carbs

Until recently, my mother swore by plain toast as a “light” breakfast. But when she started adding ghee, avocado or vegetables on the side, her mid-morning cravings dropped noticeably.
Carbohydrates provide quick energy because they convert into sugar fast. The downside: sharper spikes and crashes when eaten alone. This is because fibre, protein and fat delay gastric emptying, which means glucose enters the bloodstream more gradually. Without them, blood sugar surges and then plummets, driving hunger and cravings.

A few weeks ago, I was catching up with my friend when the conversation turned to the subject of “performative male” memes that had flooded our timelines. We made the requisite jokes (“Performative male contest in my bedroom, stat!” etc.) before chuckling and shaking our heads. Calling men who drink matcha and paint their nails “performative” had always struck me as silly, but of course it was through conversation with another trans person that it would become clearer to me why the trend induces such an eyeroll: “Cis people come so close to understanding that all gender is performative,” I said to her, “only to turn right back around and reinscribe gender norms.”

The so-called performative male is nothing new. It’s this year’s take on ‘the toxic softboy’ or the ‘male manipulator.’ But in the past few weeks, the meme has reached a fever pitch. There have been meta-ironic “performative male contests” in New York, Chicago, Seattle and even Jakarta. (I keep thinking to myself, are all of these lookalike contests just drag but for straight people? But that’s a question for another essay.) The Performative Male is essentially men performing in ways meant to pander to women, downloaded from women’s observations and filtered through The Algorithm. The tools in their arsenal? Matcha, Clairo vinyls, Labubus, painted nails, tote bags, Sally Rooney/Joan Didion/bell hooks (but only ever All About Love) paperbacks—the kinds of signifiers that young modern men might adapt in order to appeal to progressive young women. Supposedly, these are all things that might trick a woman into believing that this man is not like other men. Not so violent. Not so chauvinist. Not so scary to be a subject of desire.

In today’s supposedly post-sexist era, we’re seeing a compulsory urge to taxonomize everything into the gender binary. And maybe this shouldn’t be surprising. The concept of transgender is more mainstream now than ever before, so it makes sense that these “men are from Mars, women are from Venus” style jokes would spur as the subconscious reactions to a perceived destabilisation of the traditional gender paradigm.

In Gender Trouble, seminal queer theorist Judith Butler suggests that “gender is not a noun, but neither is it a set of freefloating attributes.” Instead, gender is “performative,” constituted through “repeated acts within a highly rigid regulatory frame that congeal over time to produce the appearance of… a natural sort of being.” In other words, Butler doesn’t subscribe to the “born this way” notion that gender identity is an inherent, stable truth; rather, what we understand as gender (and sex) is produced through the continual, violent enforcement of a set of norms. “Man” and “woman” are nothing but impossible, symbolic ideals, and yet the power of these fictions is inescapable.