Raphael Stevens

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    in lifestyle and culture

    ‘Historical’ court ruling in Saudi Arabia will benefit equality for women

    In recent years, many things have changed for the better for women in Saudi Arabia.
    Now, in a recent court ruling in the Kingdom, it has been stated: “an adult, rational woman living independently is not a crime”.

    Prior to this ruling, the parents of a woman who had disappeared or was living along without gaining permission from their guardians would be able to file a report with the police, according to Gulf News. It was known as the ‘absenteeism’ law.
    However, the latest ruling that women can live independently could drastically improve gender equality in Saudi Arabia, has been hailed has “historical” by lawyer Abdul Rahman Al Lahim.

    “A historic ruling was issued on Wednesday, affirming that independence of a sane, adult woman in a separate house is not a crime worthy of punishment,” the lawyer said on Twitter. “I am very happy with this ruling that ends tragic stories for women.”
    Many things have changed for women in the last few years in the Kingdom, since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in 2017.
    Under his Vision 2030 initiative, an ambitious post-oil economic plan, there has been a major focus on women’s rights in the Kingdom.
    Just three months after he stepped into the role in 2017, the Crown Prince revealed in a royal decree, women would be able to secure driving licenses from June 2018.
    Then, in March 2018, it was announced by the Ministry of Justice that women who are divorced in the country would be able to instantly retain custody of their children.
    Under his plans, women are now also able to attend sports events in stadiums in three cities, female students in the Kingdom are now allowed to carry their phones while on campus and as of August 2019, women aged over 21 are now allowed to travel independently.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: Getty More

  • 113 Shares

    in health and weelbeing

    Are COVID-19 Outcomes Worse For People Living With HIV?

    South Africa has the biggest HIV epidemic in the world, with close to 8 million people living with the disease. With South Africa having recorded over 373 628 cases of COVID-19 positive cases so far, it’s no surprise that there have been questions around how the virus plays out in those living with HIV.
    New research – considered to be the largest study of a group of people who were both living with HIV and hospitalised with COVID-19 – looked to answer this question. According to the study, being HIV positive does not pose a bigger risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes.
    Why you shouldn’t worry
    The worst had indeed been assumed when no research into this had been done at all, and while the scientists don’t necessarily know why, they found that patients living with well-controlled HIV in their study population didn’t have any worse outcomes compared to a similar comparison group. The scientists did mention that more research would need to be done to confirm this.
    READ MORE: Everything You Need To Know About HIV As A Woman: Latest News, Treatments, Breakthroughs
    “In conclusion, we found no differences in adverse outcomes associated with HIV infection for hospitalised COVID-19 patients compared to a similar comparison group,” the study concluded.
    “Verification of this finding in other large cohorts is warranted to improve understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV. If confirmed, investigation of specific factors contributing to similar outcomes in this large group of patients with immune disturbance may provide greater insight into the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.”
    What you need to know
    If people living with HIV have been anxious about what contracting COVID-19 would mean for them, this study should ease their fears.
    “I’m telling [my patients] ‘look, take standard precautions, but there’s no reason to live in fear that having HIV is causing you to be more likely to die from COVID,” Dr Keith Sigel, lead researcher for the study, said in a statement.
    “Although this, to date, is the largest study that’s been published that has a comparison group, many of the studies without comparison groups have shown a similar finding – that is reassuring.”
    HIV awareness and education organisation Avert offers some other important points people living with HIV should take note of:
    Current evidence suggests that HIV is less of a risk factor for severe COVID-19 than other health conditions.
    People living with HIV not on treatment or virally suppressed may be at a greater risk.
    As with the general population, older people living with HIV and those with other underlying conditions should take extra precautions to prevent illness.
    Try to have at least 30 days’ supply of ART in your home. If possible, ask for three months.
    The new list of underlying conditions that up your risk
    The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recently published a newly expanded list of underlying conditions that put individuals at an increased risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19. This came after the organisation reviewed published reports, pre-print studies and several other sources of data. Here’s the updated list:
    Chronic kidney disease
    Type-2 diabetes
    COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
    Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
    Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
    Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
    Sickle cell disease
    The CDC also included a list of other conditions that might increase an individual’s risk of severe COVID-19 illness:
    Asthma
    Cystic fibrosis
    Hypertension
    Neurological conditions such as dementia
    Liver disease
    Pregnancy
    Pulmonary fibrosis
    Smoking
    Thalassemia
    Type-1 diabetes
    Cerebrovascular disease
    They clarified that these lists are living documents that may be updated at any time as the science evolves.
    New isolation guidelines for South Africans
    The minister of health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, announced that the recommended isolation period for someone who tests positive for COVID-19 is now 10 days and no longer 14 days.
    “The presence of a detectable virus when testing does not imply infectiousness – it has been proven that in mild cases, virus cultures are generally only positive for eight to nine days after symptom onset,” Dr Mkhize said in his statement.
    “The duration of infectiousness in patients with severe disease is less well established. In general, patients with severe disease may continue to shed the virus at higher levels for longer periods than patients with mild disease.”
    The new guidelines go as follows:
    An asymptomatic patient can end isolation 10 days after testing.
    A patient with mild disease can end isolation 10 days after the onset of the symptoms.
    A patient with severe disease can end isolation 10 days after clinical stability has been achieved.
    READ MORE ON: Coronavirus COVID-19 Health Health Advice Health News HIV More

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    in health and weelbeing

    Your Postpartum Periods Might Be Heavier And More Irregular Than The Ones You Had Pre-Pregnancy

    So you just had a baby, and life is pretty different and all about feeding schedules and new sleeping habits. Through all that new mama craziness (and joy!), you prooobably have a ton of questions about the weird body stuff happening to *you* in those first months, too. Example: WTF is going on with your postpartum periods?
    Your body will be adjusting back to not being pregnant for the first month or two after giving birth, and you’ll experience pretty consistent bleeding. But that’s not actually your period returning to its pre-baby schedule. The first period after pregnancy will likely take a couple of months to get back on track, though it varies from person to person, and on whether or not you’re breastfeeding. And in some cases it may be different than your periods were before pregnancy.
    Ahead, an ob-gyn explains everything you should know about postpartum bleeding, and what to expect from that first real period after pregnancy.
    The immediate bleeding after you have a baby isn’t actually your period, FYI.
    While it might feel like you’re having one long period (and using a *ton* of pads) after giving birth, the bleeding you experience is not actually your period. This post-birth bleeding, called lochia, is your uterus shedding all of the lining that was built up during pregnancy. “The blood, mucus, and discharge that makeup lochia can last up to six to eight weeks after birth,” explains Dr. Kameelah Phillips, an ob-gyn and founder of Calla Women’s Health.
    Lochia can ebb and flow (pun intended) during this postpartum period, Dr. Phillips says. It tends to start out red in colour, and then progress to pink, and then turns to a yellowish-white colour. After that progression, which typically takes a month and a half or two, you may notice your period returning, which will generally be back to bright red or the colour you’re used to seeing. Or, in other cases, it’ll take longer before you menstruate again.
    When your actual period returns may depend on breastfeeding.
    “The return of your menstrual period depends on the individual, and regularity of breastfeeding,” Dr. Phillips says. Sometimes, the longer you breastfeed, the longer it takes for your period to return to schedule. That’s because breastfeeding releases a hormone called prolactin, which can send a message to the brain to delay the hormonal process of ovulation (because you’re literally feeding a baby at the moment).
    “Lactational amenorrhea, which is the absence of the period due to breastfeeding, can last up to a year or longer, depending on the individual,” adds Dr. Phillips. Some people consider lactational amenorrhea a form of birth control (that is if your baby is under six months, doesn’t eat solid foods or formula at all, and you don’t start getting your period), but it’s *not* considered a secure method of preventing pregnancy.
    Other people will get their period back quicker, even if they do breastfeed. Your period doesn’t typically affect your milk supply, Dr. Phillips says (but, if you’re struggling with milk production or with feeding, it’s best to contact your ob-gyn, who can refer you to a lactation consultant). It does mean that as soon as your period returns, you can get pregnant; you’ll likely start ovulating regularly as soon as your period is back on schedule.
    When your first postpartum period does arrive, you can expect it to return to what it was like before you had your baby, though potentially a little heavier.
    Initially, your first postpartum period might be heavier, especially if you had a C-section, Dr. Phillips says. The uterus may still be shedding its lining from pregnancy, so there might be additional blood.
    There is not usually an increase in pain with your postpartum periods, though, Dr. Phillips says. The period of lochia discharge usually involves cramping, as your uterus is contracting and returning to its regular size. But often, your actual period, once it arrives, will be about the same in terms of pain, cramps, and PMS symptoms as it was before you gave birth (unfortunately for some people).
    In terms of regularity, you’ll most likely experience regular periods after birth, Dr. Phillips says, with a cycle of about 21 to 35 days in length (or whatever “regular” means for you). But this, too, can fluctuate based on breastfeeding; sometimes your period will stop and start a few times before getting back to normal. Your second period after birth will tend to be more like your pre-pregnancy periods in terms of flow and length, however.
    You can typically get back on birth control six to eight weeks post-delivery if you want to.
    Getting back to birth control really depends on you and what birth control you were on (or weren’t on) before getting pregnant. But it’s entirely possible that after lochia ends, you could bounce right back and get pregnant again within the first couple of months of giving birth — whether you plan to or not.
    If that’s not something you’re trying to do, talk with your ob-gyn about birth control options. “We typically start birth control six to eight weeks after delivery,” says Dr. Phillips, “but depending on the patient, we may initiate birth control immediately postpartum.” It’s entirely individualized to the patient — you have to decide what works for you, whether or not you want to use hormonal birth control, and how you’d like to space out births if you want more children.
    It’s important to have a thorough conversation with your health care provider about postpartum birth control, because it will affect your menstrual cycle and may change your bleeding patterns, too, Dr. Phillips adds.
    Ultimately, there’s a wide range of what’s considered “normal” for both postpartum bleeding and your first real periods after pregnancy.
    There’s usually no reason to worry if your periods don’t look or feel totally like what you were used to pre-baby. But if you experience any of the below symptoms, it’s a good idea to check in with your doc.
    Heavy bleeding. It’s common to experience heavier bleeding within the first couple of weeks after birth. However, if the heaviness continues beyond that six-to-eight week period, give your health care provider a call.
    Large clots. Passing clots is also normal, but if clots are accompanied by abnormally heavy bleeding and are larger than a walnut, it could be cause for concern, Dr. Phillips says. Pay attention to the heaviness of the blood as well as the size of the clots.
    Bleeding through multiple pads. You’re going to be using quite a few pads, both during the lochia period and once you start your period. But if you need two pads at a time post-birth (during lochia or once your period starts back up) and are still bleeding through them, talk to your doctor.
    Lightheadedness or fainting. If you’re feeling particularly weak, lightheaded, or experiencing fainting during the postpartum period, it might be due to the heavy bleeding. This could be a sign of anaemia, so check in with your ob-gyn to have a blood test.
    The bottom line: Most women start to menstruate again about a month and a half to two months postpartum, though it can vary and depend on breastfeeding. Your periods may initially be heavier and more irregular, too, but will likely return to what you experienced pre-pregnancy.
    This is article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com 

    READ MORE ON: Health Health Advice Menstruation Periods More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Here’s when Eid Al Adha is likely to fall

    Another public holiday is right around the corner in the UAE with Eid Al Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) set to fall next weekend.
    While there has been no confirmation in the UAE as to what the exact date of Eid Al Adha will be, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court recently announced it would fall on Friday, July 31.

    Previously, as reported by Gulf News, top UAE astronomer Ibrahim Al Jarwan also predicted the Muslim holiday would likely fall on July 31.
    “The crescent of the lunar month of Dhu Al Hijjah 1441 is to be spotted on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 9.33pm UAE time,” he told the outlet back in May.

    “July 22 will mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah month and Friday, July 31, shall be the first day of Eid Al Adha, according to astronomical calculations.”
    While there has been no official announcement as of yet, a public holiday on Sunday, August 2 could be on the cards.
    The rest of the UAE public holidays for 2020:
    Islamic New Year
    A couple of weeks later it’s the Hijri New Year. Falling on Muharram 1, it’s expected to take place on Wednesday, August 19 or Thursday, August 20.
    The Prophet’s Birthday
    The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on the 12 of the Hijri month of Rabi Al Awwal, which will coincide with Wednesday, October 28, or Thursday, October 29.
    Commemoration Day and National Day
    To close out 2020, those in the UAE will have another three-day break to look forward to with Commemoration Day, Tuesday, December 1, and National Day, Wednesday, December 2, with a day off also on Thursday, December 3.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: Unsplash More

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    in health and weelbeing

    11 Ways to Break Bad Habits That You Haven’t Tried Yet

    Our brains are just like computers (or like the iPhone 11, for all the other millennials out there). All iPhones, and all people, have some “coding” that may not be beneficial. For iPhones and computers, this looks like a glitch in the system. For humans, this looks like bad habits. Luckily, we can rewire the brain to code a little differently and break bad habits, no matter how programmed they are into our routines.Breaking bad habits, like that caffeine addiction, constant scrolling through Instagram, staying up too late, complaining too much, or procrastinating at work, can not only make your life better, but will build confidence and form good habits. Read on for 11 ways to break out of negative routines that you probably haven’t tried yet:

    1. Keep track
    The first step in breaking a habit is increasing your awareness. Maybe you know that you mindlessly check Instagram throughout the day, but you’re not sure exactly how much you’re scrolling or when you’re reaching for your phone out of habit. Maybe you know you need to quit drinking soda but are not sure how many cans you’re sipping on throughout the day.
    Without judging, start keeping track of the bad habit. Try recording each can of soda you drink or have your phone track how many times you check Instagram every day. Plus, sometimes setting measurable goals can help make changes. When you know you hit the snooze button three times before getting up, you can set a goal to hit “snooze” only twice by the next week, and use baby steps to reach the final goal (AKA not hitting “snooze” at all). 

    2. Identify the trigger and then replace the habit
    To stop the habit, identify the trigger. For example, maybe you reach for a piece of candy every afternoon like clockwork. Is it a sweet tooth craving? Keep a stash of dark chocolate so you always have a better option on hand. Is it stress? Take a five-minute break and do something relaxing instead of eating the candy. Is it exhaustion? Take a walk around the block to get more energy. Get curious about why (and when) your bad habit is happening, so you can either avoid the trigger or replace the habit with something better for you. 

    Source: @mylittlebooktique

    3. Trick yourself into changing habits “temporarily”
    There’s a reason going vegan for 22 days worked for Beyoncé; the program is based on the fact that it takes 21 days to form a habit. The key to this trickery is that you’re telling yourself that you only have to stop a bad habit (or keep up a good habit) for a certain amount of time. You’re not telling yourself to stop forever, and therefore, it feels much more doable than making drastic and lifelong changes. For a real-life example, mornings have notoriously been hard for me. A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to get a better handle on my mornings and thought that making my bed would be a good place to start (it only took 24 years, but I finally became a real adult).
    I made a goal to make the bed for 21 days straight. Sure, I could’ve returned to my same slob-kebab ways after the few weeks were up, but by that point, making the bed was already a habit. Of course, the goal was always permanent change, but staying focused on a short-term accomplishment helped me keep the routine, while I was simultaneously building habits that were better than the sleeping-in-until-the-last-second-possible habit that I had going for me before. And if this strategy is good enough for Beyoncé, it’s good enough for me. 

    4. Leave reminders where you’ll see them
    Sometimes we keep up bad habits because they’re hard to break, and other times we keep up bad habits because we don’t to remember to stop. If you want to stop mindlessly scrolling on Instagram, make your iPhone wallpaper a note that reminds you not to open the ‘gram every time you reach for your phone out of habit. If you want to stop snacking (when you’re not even hungry), leave a sticky note on the fridge or pantry door to remind you to drink some water instead. Whether you need a subtle nudge or an obnoxious reminder (my habits typically require the latter), use phone alarms, sticky notes, or signs to ensure you can’t act on the bad habit without seeing the reminder. 

    Source: @ambrasbrice

    5. Get yourself an accountability buddy
    So you’ve heard that working out with a friend will get you to work out more often, or that planning to eat healthier with your significant other will make you more successful. But when it comes to any habit, we sometimes need more than just ourselves to be accountable. If you want to break your caffeine addiction, ask your work wife if she would be down to do the same, or at least help you limit your daily cups of coffee. Knowing she’ll check in with you or see you drinking another espresso during a Zoom meeting will help motivate you to go for green tea instead.
    PS, I speak from personal experience when I say there is nothing more motivating than knowing an entire social media following (no matter how big or small) knows you’re trying to break a habit. If there’s not one specific person you can ask to be your accountability buddy, post about your goals on social media, or text about it in your group chats. Just knowing other people are aware of your bad habit will help you break it. 

    6. Make unrelated good decisions
    “Confidence” is the ability to keep promises to yourself. Mind-blow, right? Whether or not that lesson shook your world like it did mine when I first heard it, we often keep up with bad habits because we’re not confident or proud in other areas of our lives. We think, I already skipped my workout today, so why not order a pizza for dinner?, or Since my day is ruined from staying up late and watching Netflix, I’ll work on my side hustle another day instead.
    These theoretical debacles may sound silly, but how many times have a couple of bad choices in your life snowballed into more bad choices? Making good choices (even unrelated to the bad habit) will not only make you feel proud of yourself, but will make you feel confident enough to overcome whatever bad habit is holding you back. Likewise, every time you replace any negative routine with a better action, you’re keeping promises you made to yourself, and therefore, building self-confidence. 

    7. Start fresh regularly
    When you skip a workout, binge bad foods, stay up too late, or scroll through Instagram too long, it doesn’t make you bad; it makes you human. Habits are harder to break when we expect perfection. Any slip-up or “bad day” doesn’t mean you failed or are back at the beginning; it’s a normal part of the habit-breaking process. Get rid of the all-or-nothing mindset that one slip-up erases the progress you made previously. Give yourself a clean slate every day, every hour, or even every minute if you need to remind yourself that one unhealthy choice doesn’t negate all the other healthy choices. Rather than focusing on the goal of breaking the bad habit, remind yourself that anytime you just do more of what’s good for you, you’re on the right track. 

    Source: @missalexlarosa

    8. Use visualization
    Breaking bad habits is not just a physical, action-oriented process. After all, a goal needs to be more than just words on paper or an idealistic outcome. You have to see it to make it mean something. If you’re working on bad spending habits, don’t just picture yourself without the money issues, but visualize how your life would be different with more money. With any habit, visualize how getting rid of the bad habit would change your life. Will you have more time to start your side hustle or more money to feel financially stable? Will you feel more well-rested and energized to be able to accomplish the big project at work, or will you feel happier with less stress and anxiety?
    Also, change your identity surrounding the bad habit. If you keep hitting snooze, maybe you think of yourself as lazy, or a night owl instead of a morning person. Instead, start telling yourself that you are a morning person and that you do wake up energized and active. To use one of my favorite quotes, visualize your best self, and then start showing up as her. 

    9. When you realize you’re making excuses, do more
    One of the most valuable pieces of advice that I received when it came to my mediation practice is that on the days where you find yourself saying, “I have no time to meditate today,” then meditate for twice as long. We makes excuses when there’s no immediate reward and wants to stay with what’s comfortable. So if you find yourself saying, “I’ve had a really stressful day and need this Diet Coke,” that’s when you really need to drink extra water instead. If you’re telling yourself not to work out because your favorite leggings are in the laundry, add an extra five minutes to your usual workout time. Excuses are just stopping you from breaking bad habits, so counteract the excuse with even more motivation.
    Quick side note: when trying to break a bad habit, excuses are more common than reasons (“It’s a stressful day, so I’ll stop drinking coffee tomorrow instead,” is an excuse). However, if you listen to your body and decide that it’s feeling too depleted to do an afternoon workout and a relaxing bath would be better for you, that’s a genuine reason, not an excuse. You won’t be able to instill good habits if you’re not intuitive with what your body wants and needs, so learn to decipher between reasons and excuses. 

    Source: @theyusufs

    10. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you
    You’ve probably heard the saying that you’re the sum of the five people you spend the most time with (and yes, that includes your competitive coworker or judgmental frenemy). If you’re trying to eat healthier but your friends don’t know kale from spinach, or if you want to go to bed earlier but your roommate keeps telling you to stay up later to finish the second season of The Politician, breaking these habits are going to be tough.
    Your environment matters more than almost any other factor when it comes to habits, and the people in your life are what form the environment. Even if you can’t break up with the people who share your bad habit, spend more time with people who have habits you want to adopt. Ask the coworker who goes on morning runs to get a juice before work, or ask your sister what book she’s reading if she always reads before bed instead of watching TV. If your environment isn’t setting you up for success, reinvent it. 

    11. Remember the “why”
    Sure, we all have goals we want to accomplish, but we often focus on the surface-level goal, rather than the end goal. For example, you might say your goal is “to go to the gym more.” But why do you want to go to the gym more? Is it to feel stronger, live a long and healthy life, or feel more confident in yourself? Those are much more motivating goals than simply going to the gym. The same goes for habit-breaking too. Why do you want to stop drinking coffee, stress eating, or being late? Identify your reason and remind yourself of the end goal every time you’re tempted to fall back into old patterns. 

    What bad habits would you like to break? Which tips have helped you? More

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    in beauty and fashion

    25 Pieces of Breathable Workout Gear Because We Can’t With This Heat

    Whether you’re generally an outdoor workout person or not, the past few months have probably forced you to be one. Gone are the days of freezing-cold gyms and cool towels being placed on our foreheads by a yoga instructor after a brutal yoga class—these days, our exercise options are limited, and usually, that means taking them outside.Lately in Chicago, it’s been 90-something degrees every day (with a typically high dose of humidity), which means we’re sweating through everything on our bodies quicker than we can complain about it being hot out. Thick leggings and workout tanks are no longer an option—we want our workouts to be as enjoyable as possible, and that means wearing lightweight, breathable clothes.
    Ditch the days of finishing your workout with dripping wet clothes stuck to your body—these pieces are made for the heat.

      More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Stuck in a Work Rut? Here’s How to Get Out

    Every single day feels exactly the same. And it’s not just quarantine that’s causing the monotony—it’s your job. Yep, you’re in a total work rut, and it’s compounded by the fact that you’re still working from home. Every morning you sign on wearing the same pajama pants you’ve had on for two (OK, at least three) days and churn through your task list on autopilot. Rinse and repeat. You do that same thing every single weekday.You’re eager to snap out of it but, unfortunately, so much of the advice you’ve read doesn’t seem realistic in the era of COVID-19. You know things are tight at your company, so now isn’t the time to ask for a promotion or a raise. Travel is still a nightmare, so you can’t recharge with a vacation.
    So… now what? How are you supposed to claw your way out of the mundane hole you’ve found yourself stuck in? Have no fear, because we have some advice to help get you out.

    1. Give yourself a fresh view
    If you’re sick and tired of looking at the same four walls of your home or apartment (umm… aren’t we all?), allow me to remind you how much a change of scenery can boost your focus and your spirits. That’s because our brains love novelty. Working in a new environment can give you a much-needed dose of motivation.
    I know what you’re going to say, “But, I can’t really go anywhere! How could I possibly switch up my surroundings?”
    Here’s the good news: you don’t have to go far. Try rearranging the furniture in your home or office space. Or, work from your kitchen table for the day rather than your couch. Set up shop on your patio or your balcony. Even adding some new art or a plant to your desktop can help you spruce up your scenery. These seemingly small changes can have a remarkably large impact on your attitude.

    2. Switch up your tried and true routine
    Similarly, if you’re feeling like you’re stuck in a rut, I’m willing to bet that your work routine is pretty stale. You’ve been hitting the “repeat” button every single workday day for the past several months. It’s time to shake things up a little bit. Now that you’re working from home, you have more flexibility than ever—so, why aren’t you taking advantage of it?
    Try getting your workout in over your lunch break. Block off Wednesday as your meeting-free day when you can focus on your larger projects. Or, test out a time management method like the Pomodoro Technique to see if it makes you feel more productive and enthusiastic about your work responsibilities.
    Your rut is only going to get deeper if you keep doing the exact same thing day in and day out. Regularly test out some changes to your routine to help make your days feel a little fresher.

    3. Go beyond your immediate work team
    You talk to the same people at your company Monday through Friday. You see their Slack usernames in your sleep, and you have their voicemail greetings committed to memory. It’s time to widen your circle with some networking. It’s going to look a little different than it used to—you won’t be slapping on a nametag, shaking hands, and bonding over cheap wine and rubbery chicken skewers. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make meaningful connections.
    Want to know the best place to start? Within your own company. Especially if you work for a larger organization, I’m willing to bet there are plenty of fellow employees you know almost nothing about. Go beyond your immediate team and connect with that person in finance or schedule a virtual coffee date with someone from the sales team. Not only will you make a valuable connection with someone new, but you’ll also likely learn about your company on a different level—which can give you a renewed outlook and appreciation for your own work and how it contributes to the bigger picture.

    4. Take control of your professional development
    If you know that your company is just gritting its teeth and trying to get by right now, it’s likely not the best time to ask for a raise or try to secure a promotion. But, while those things might not be on the table, you can (and should!) still have a candid conversation with your boss about some of your other career ambitions.
    Maybe you want to get more exposure to other areas of the company and would like to participate in a cross-functional project that’s just getting started. Or perhaps you’re eager to beef up your SEO skills and want to see if you can get paired up with someone in your company who’s an expert. Those are things your manager could support you in doing—but only if you make your desires known.
    Remember, professional development is also something you can spearhead yourself. Whether you want to finally launch your personal website or take an online course on Photoshop, go ahead and chase some of those ambitions on your own. They might not directly impact your day-to-day at work (at least not right away), but they can help reignite some passion and enthusiasm for your qualifications and career future.

    Let’s face it: most of us have already lost all concept of time. And, being stuck in a rut at work only makes every day feel like even more of the same old, same old. You may have less career options available to you than you usually do (raises and promotions aren’t easy to come by as many companies have tightened their belts), but that doesn’t mean you need to be content with every workday feeling like a carbon copy of the one before it.
    Use these four tips to pull yourself out of your work rut and reignite some passion and excitement for your job. Trust me—you deserve that much.

    Do you have any tips for pulling yourself out of a work rut? Let us know! More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    Popular Syrian singer Assala Nasri’s daughter announces engagement

    Popular Syrian singer Assala Nasri’s daughter has announced the happy news that she is engaged.
    Taking to Instagram, Sham Al Zahabi shared two sweet photos to announce her engagement to now-fiancé Dr. Moataz Nosseir.

    The first photo was a family photo featuring Al Zahabi’s mother, Assala, and other extended family members.

    The second was of the newly engaged couple cosied up together in celebration of their happy news.
    “Family getting bigger,” Al Zahabi wrote. “Thank you for being true, being you.. and showing me a different side to life… forever yours.”
    Congratulations to the happy couple!
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    Feature Image: Sham Al Zahabi Instagram More