plus+ women's march - april 2015 issue

GOOD FAT, BAD FATKNOW THE DIFFERENCE

MEET ZOE CHAN,BRUNEI’S MULTI-TALENTED 8 YEAR OLD

3 ENERGY BOOSTING BREAKFASTSYOU SHOULD TRY

Mar-Apr 2015

Young Talents Edition

PLUS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH:

EDEN CHIAM

ONE OF BRUNEI’S YOUNGEST ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE TALENT

7 STEPS TO OUTSHINE IN AN “USFIE”

WITH AMY G

PYRAMID CHALLENGE WORKOUTAN INTRODUCTION TO HYBRID MOVEMENT

THE ART OF WUSHU

WITH KOH YUN C

WOMEN`S

ISSUE

Every car should be a sports car.Introducing our latest proof of that belief

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12

24

18

+Health6 5 common

health problems of young women

12 3 recipes for an energy-boosting breakfast

16 Why young women should eat fats

EDEN CHIAM,SINGING HER WAY TO THE TOP!

The Pyramid Challenge — A Hybrid Movement Exercise Routine

3 RECIPES FOR AN ENERGY-BOOSTING BREAKFAST

+ContEnt

2 PLUS Mar-apr 2015

MAR-APR 2015

32

30

3444

ZOE CHAN

+Fitness18 The pyramid

Challenge — a Hybrid Movement Exercise routine

+Life Inspired24 Eden Chiam, Singing

her way to the top!30 Koh Yun C, Mastering

the art of WuShu34 Meet the adorable,

Smart and Talented 8 Year Old, Zoe Chan

+Beauty38 Effects of prolonged Sun

Exposure on Your Skin40 7 Makeup Steps to Make

You Stand Out In ‘Usfie’

+Life43 Scolding and

Negativity Will Create a Negative Mind-Set

44 Talented Women— Failure is a key to Success

46 Why are Women Successful In a Home-Based Business

WHY ARE WOMEN

SUCCESSFUL IN A HOME-BASED

BUSINESS

KOH YUN CMASTERING THE ART OF WUSHU

Talented Women— Failure is a key to Success

ContEnt+

Mar-apr 2015 PLUS 3

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of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial views of the publisher or Plus.

All information in Plus is checked and verified to the best of the publisher’s ability, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistake or omission enclosed in the publication. Plus Brunei Plus Brunei

FOLLOW US ON:

+PublisherNexploit Services

+Editor-At-LargeSimon Keller

+FeatureEden ChiamKoh Lun CZoe Chan

+Creative DesignerOleh MelnykAnna ThienJohn M. Rey

Dear readers,A warm welcome to our

March issue of Plus+ Magazine, where in this

month’s Women’s edition, we are looking at a number of Brunei’s young female talents as well as our normal mix of health and fitness articles for you to enjoy.

This month, we feature interviews with two supremely talented young ladies. Zoe Chan, who at just 8 years old is an inspiration for working hard and following your dreams, shares her thoughts with us, plus we talk to 13-year old Eden Chiam, who has already won numerous awards for her singing and is well on the way to becoming Brunei’s next superstar.

On the sports front, we take a look at the Martials art of Wushu, with a guide from 12-year old Koh

Lun C, who has won medals at both national and international level.

In our beauty section this month, we cover the importance of avoiding too much overexpo-sure to the sun as well as a guide to having a proper skin care routine.

We also have some wonderful energising breakfast recipes to get you up and going in the morning and we take a look at some of the common health issues that can particularly affect young women — and what you can do to prevent them.

As ever, you can follow us for the latest updates at Plus Brunei on Facebook and Instagram and don’t forget you have until March 31st to enter our Moments with Plus+ competition, where you stand a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

Thanks again and happy reading!The Plus Team

+Supported by:Ministry of Culture, Youth and SportsMinistry of Health

Family, Children and Women Sector

Health Promotion CenterFitness Zone

+Publisher informationNexploit Services

Lot 4169, Kg Serambangun, Tutong TA 2541

Brunei Darussalam

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+For business inquiries and distribution

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+Get interactive with Plus Magazine

+PhotographerJerome Wong

Lily Bong

+ContributorsKing Seh HorngNursadiqin Misir

Anna AzizShelley Ann Busque

Lily BongAzhar Liew

Amy G

+PublisHER info

4 PLUS Mar-apr 2015

INTERHOUSE COMPANY

JAN - MAR 2015

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2. Post your entry photo onto your instagram or facebook account.

3. Tag and Hashtag of

Taking birth control pills is generally safe for young, healthy women, but can raise the risk of stroke for some women, especially after the age of 35.

COMMON HEALTH ISSUES AFFECTING YOUNG WOMEN

1. DEPREssion

We can’t be happy all of the time and every-one suffers from occasional bouts of moodiness caused by changes in hormone levels, or by stress and the problems of everyday life.

Not all episodes of sadness mean that you’re de-pressed; you can feel restless, fatigued, irritated or lose your appetite and have problems focusing or sleeping, but this doesn’t mean you’re necessarily ill — it can just

be your reaction to external events. However, if these symptoms are accompanied by extreme apathy and low self-esteem and persist for at least 2 weeks, affecting you a majority of the time, it may be time to seek help before things become more serious.

To prevent depression, it’s important to get enough sleep, spend time outdoors and undertaking activities that make you feel happy. Minimize stress and surround yourself with people who energize you and who make you laugh, as this stimulates the release of “feel-good” hormones and enhances your mood.

2. ostEoPoRosisAnother important issue that can start at young-er age in women is osteoporosis, which is defined

5 COMMON HEALTH

PROBLEMSFACED BY YOUNG

WOMENCHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE CAN HELP PREVENT HEALTH ISSUES

It’s easier when you’re young to be less con-cerned about your overall health and more preoccupied with your appearance, but it’s im-

portant to understand some of the signs of import-ant health problems that can start early in life.

Given all the changes that take place inside the body starting with puberty and the fact that hormone levels get altered, it’s normal for a young woman to experience mood changes, weight fluctu-

ations, to have an unsteady appetite or struggle with skin problems, especially in today’s busy, complicated world.

However, if some of these symptoms continue for a prolonged period, they could signal an un-derlying health issue and shouldn’t be neglected. We’ll therefore take a look five of the most common health issues affecting young women and discuss some of the best preventive measures to avoid them.

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6 PLUS Mar-apr 2015

by low bone mineral density, which gives an in-creased risk of fractures, especially in the wrist, spine and hips. It’s actually normal to experience a 0.25-1% loss of bone mass density annually as you get older, but in osteoporotic females the loss progresses faster.

Worldwide, more than 200 million women suffer from this condition, which is one of the leading caus-es of fractures. However, even if it doesn’t lead to bro-ken bones, osteoporosis can still affect one’s quality of life, by causing back pain, curvature of the spine, balance problems and by preventing you from engag-ing in physical activities or exercises that put stress on the bones and joints.

Osteoporosis often remains asymptomatic in its first stages and is only diagnosed when a frac-ture occurs, so it’s important to have occasional checkups just to make sure your bones aren’t weak and prone to fractures. Practicing strength exercises and lifting weights, as well as maintaining a healthy diet that’s rich in calcium and vitamin D can help in reducing the risks.

Additionally, you should avoid smoking and con-suming alcohol, as well as limit the intake of sugary carbonated drinks, as these can contribute to a de-

creased bone density and increased risk of develop-ing osteoporosis.

3. HEARt DisEAsEYoung women rarely worry about heart disease, but statistics show that heart-related issues cause about 1 in 3 deaths in women. One of the reasons why heart disease remains undiagnosed, leading to complications and potentially death, is that the symp-toms are often unspecific and are similar to those caused by other conditions.

If you suffer from frequent chest pains, this is an obvious example of when you should consult a trained physician, but symptoms like shoulder ache, jaw pain, nausea, shortness of breath or vomiting can also be associated with heart disease.

Women who suffer from heart disease are likely to ex-perience a sharp and burning chest pain, as well as pain in the neck, throat, abdomen or back. Palpitations, fa-tigue, swelling of the feet, legs or abdominal area, sud-den bouts of weakness, heartburn, dizziness, balance or coordination problems may also be experienced.

A healthy lifestyle with adequate rest and exercise and nourishing meals can help in reducing the risk of heart disease. Other preventive measures include keeping your blood pressure under control, get-ting tested for diabetes, avoiding smoking, keeping cholesterol levels under control and maintaining a healthy weight.

4. EAtinG DisoRDERsYoung women are generally more predisposed to eat-ing disorders than men, primarily due to the social pressure and unrealistic beauty standards set these days by the world’s celebrity obsessed culture. Expe-

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Mar-apr 2015 PLUS 7

DID YOU KNOW?Autoimmune diseases are also more common in women than in men, about 75% of ailments in this category, including diabetes type 1, multiple sclerosis or lupus occurring in women.

riencing the occasional change in appetite, or feeling guilty for indulging every once in a while, doesn’t mean you’re suffering from an eating disorder.

However if you find yourself start-ing to be overly concerned about your food intake, have an intense fear of gaining weight, start to binge eat and then use vomiting, laxatives or diuretics to avoid weight gain, then you will have begun to suffer from an eating disorder.

Anorexia, bulimia and binge eat-ing are the most common disorders that affect young women, and the easiest way to prevent these is to ex-ercise daily and eat nourishing foods, instead of overtraining and then re-warding yourself with junk products.

Also, learning about body compo-sition and the factors that influence weight is extremely useful.

Staying hydrated, maintaining a good sleep routine and keeping stress under control are all useful for avoiding drastic changes in appetite, weight gain or self-esteem issues, all these being potential triggers for eating disorders.

5. AnEMiALast on our list is anemia, a condi-tion which occurs when the blood doesn’t produce enough red blood cells, and the transport of oxygen to the body’s organs is impaired. Anemia is usually caused by an in-

sufficient intake of iron or by heavy menstrual periods.

As the amount of iron in your body decreases, you begin to feel weak and tired, your skin looks pale, you can’t focus properly and your hair and nails are affected as well. Shortness of breath and chest pain, rapid heartbeat, headaches, a sore or smooth tongue and a strange pounding in your ears are other com-mon symptoms of anemia.

The best solution for preventing this condition is to eat more foods that are rich in iron, such as meat, poultry, fish, leafy green vegetables and iron-enriched grains, pasta, ce-reals or rice. Also, taking iron supple-ments may be necessary.

All of these conditions can start with symptoms that don’t look or feel too threatening at the begin-ning, but if they occur frequently it’s recommended to see a qualified healthcare professional, as all these can lead to serious complications if left undiagnosed and untreated.

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8 PLUS Mar-apr 2015

RECIPES FOR AN ENERGY-BOOSTING

BREAKFASTTASTY AND NOURISHING RECIPES FOR PRODUCTIVE MORNINGS

If you want to start your day energized and to be able to focus on your work tasks so as

to perform at your best, eating a breakfast meal that provides protein, good fats and complex carbs

can be the best way to start your day and keep you from being tempted to have unhealthy morning snacks.

1 PROTEIN PANCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER

AND FRESH FRUITProtein pancakes can make an excellent breakfast, as they’re not only tasty but rich in nutrients; perfect for curbing the cravings for sugar that often occur in the morning, due to changes in insulin and blood sugar levels. Ingredients:

- 1 ¾ cups almond flour- ½ scoop protein powder

To feel more energetic during the day, mix carbohydrates and protein at breakfast. Protein will keep your stomach full for longer, while carbs will give you a quick energy boost.

- ¼ teaspoon salt- 2 eggs- ¾ cup milk (preferably almond milk)- Peanut butter

Preparation: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and add the milk. While stirring, pour in the almond flour, salt and protein powder until you get a uniform paste, without snouts. Measure out a scant ¼ cup of batter and pour it into the skillet. Cook until both sides are firm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter. Place the pancakes on a plate and add the desired amount of peanut butter.

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12 PLUS Mar-apr 2015

2SPINACH OMELET WITH MUSHROOMS

For those who prefer a meatless breakfast, mush-rooms are always a good idea, and for an extra serving of protein, eggs are the perfect choice. This delicious omelet will fill your stomach and keep you satisfied until lunch.

INGrEDIENTS:- 1 egg- ½ egg white- teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese- ½ teaspoon shredded reduced-

fat cheddar cheese- 1/8 teaspoon salt- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper- ¼ teaspoon olive oil- ¼ cup sliced fresh mushrooms- 2 tablespoon diced green onion- 1 tablespoon fine chopped red bell

pepper- ½ cup torn fresh spinach- ¼ cup diced fresh tomato

Preparation: Beat the egg and egg white in a small bowl. While whisking, pour in the Parmesan cheese, Cheddar cheese, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, nutmeg and pepper. In a skillet which doesn’t require oil, cook and stir the mushrooms, bell pepper and green onion until tender.

Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in the diced tomato and egg mixture. Once the eggs set, lift the edges, allowing the uncooked portions to flow under-neath. Cook for 10-15 more minutes, until the eggs set completely. Serve while warm.

DID YOU KNOW?A study carried by the University of Missouri in 2014 shows that people who eat a protein-rich breakfast experience a reduced craving for sugar and sweets later during the day. The research also found that a high-protein breakfast regulates the production of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that controls food cravings.

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3BERRY SMOOTHIE WITH

COCONUT MILKCoconut milk is one of the hottest superfoods these days, so why not add it to your regular berry smoothie? You’ll get a delicious recipe that is rich in protein, fats and carbs, therefore a com-plete meal for an energized morning.

INGrEDIENTS:- ¼ cup canned coconut milk- ½ cup water- 1 banana, sliced- 1 cup frozen blueberries- 1 tablespoon raw almonds

Preparation: Add all the ingredients to a blender cover and blend until smooth. Pour into two glasses and serve fresh.

Starting your morning with a meal

that’s delicious and nourishing will give

you more energy during the day,

while keeping your stomach full for

longer. This helps not only with productivity

but also with weight management, as

you’ll be less tempted to eat unhealthy

snacks before lunch.

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Mar-apr 2015 PLUS 15

A low-carb, high-saturated fat diet may help in weight loss and improve body composition in obese adolescence, but it’s likely to cause an increase in bad cholesterol.

WHY YOUNG WOMEN SHOULD

EAT FATSADDING FAT TO YOUR MENU KEEPS YOUR BODY HEALTHY

For a very long time, low-fat diets were considered the best for maintaining a slim body

and avoiding health issues like high cholesterol or heart problems. Young women especially are more likely to avoid fat, because they incorrectly associate dietary fat with the adipose cells stored underneath the skin, which cause weight gain, a puffy appearance, and cellulite.

However, studies have demon-strated that it’s not low-fat, but low-carb diets that ensure faster weight loss and contribute to an overall healthier organism. Dietary fat is necessary for the pro-duction of hormones, and it’s also an excellent source of energy, with each gram of fat resulting in 9 kcal, while carbs and protein only pro-vide 4 kcal per gram.

Although not all types of fat are healthy, certain categories are necessary for preventing disorders and for protecting the brain and maintaining the proper func-tioning of the digestive system. Still, these aren’t the only ben-efits of fat, so we’ll take a look at the different effects dietary fats have on the organism, and we’ll fo-cus on the benefits of this group of nutrients in young women.

DiEtARY fAt AnD YounG WoMEn’s HEAltHAlthough carbohydrates are pre-ferred as source of energy by the human body, fats are also ex-tremely important for someone who is active daily because dietary

fat is the second fuel for the or-ganism. When there’s not enough sugar in the bloodstream and the glycogen stored in muscles or the liver are depleted, the body uses fat as the main fuel.

Also, during aerobic exercises, fat is used in combination with glucose for energy production, so a first reason young women should consume fats is for powering their exercise sessions and benefiting from a healthy source of energy during the day.

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DID YOU KNOW?Cholesterol itself isn’t bad for your health. The human body naturally produces this substance in the liver, but when you eat a diet that’s too rich in saturated and trans fats, the liver starts producing too much cholesterol, and this is damaging for your health.

Then, dietary fat makes one feel full for longer, so it’s a more satis-fying nutrient than carbohydrates. A high-fat meal is less likely to cause hunger pangs and sugar cravings shortly after eating, while carb-rich and sugary products often cause this problem. If you want to feel full for hours after eating, try adding more fats to your meals.

Dietary fats are needed for the production of certain hormones, among which sex hormones, which regulate the menstrual cycle and pubertal development. Also, fats are required for the proper functioning of brain cells, these nutrients pro-viding structural support not only for the cell membranes in the brain, but also for the myelin sheath that surrounds each nerve fiber.

Another reason young women should consume fats is that these nutrients regulate the body tem-perature and help in the transport of vitamins through the body. Without an adequate intake of fats, one is more likely to have cold feet and hands; to develop vitamin defi-ciencies; and to experience tired-ness, moodiness, and concentration problems.

Fats ensure a healthier-looking skin, and without an adequate intake of these nutrients, skin can look dry and old. Finally, fat is im-portant because many of the inter-nal organs are cushioned by a layer of fat that holds them in place and prevents injuries.

GooD AnD bAD DiEtARY fAtsAlthough fat is necessary for the proper functioning of your body, not all types of fat are healthy. There are four different types of fat in food: monounsaturated, poly-unsaturated, saturated, and trans fats. Of these, only the first two are good, because they help in main-taining high levels of good choles-terol and in preventing the increase of bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

Good fats are those found in olive oil, avocado, peanut butter, sunflower oils, cashews, hazelnuts, fish and seafood, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and canola oil. Some legumes, such as tofu and soy seeds, also provide good fatty acids. Trans fats, on the other hand, are bad and can be

found in margarine, doughnuts, fast food, shortening, crackers, cookies, and other such prod-ucts. These fats are likely to build up and to cause not only choles-terol problems but also the forma-tion of plaque on the blood vessel walls.

Saturated fats are a special category because they can be con-sumed but in limited amounts only. Butter, eggs, cheese, coconut oil, cream, yogurt, lard, red meat, poultry with skin, and other such foods are recommended in smaller amounts, but shouldn’t be avoided completely because they provide other beneficial nutrients.

To sum it up, dietary fats are very important for maintain-ing a healthy body and the beau-ty of your skin, hair, and nails. All your tissues and organs re-quire fat to function properly, but not all types of fats are beneficial. Saturated fats should be con-sumed in limited amounts be-cause they can ncrease the level of bad cholesterol, and trans fats should be avoided because they’re harmful and can lead to cardiovas-cular problems and weight gain.

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1SQUAT JUMPS

Equipment Needed: None

© Cross your arms over your chest as your starting position, with your back straight, while positioning your feet at shoulder width apart.

© Squat down as you inhale, until your upper thighs are either parallel or lower to the floor, while

keeping your chest up and back straight.

© Now jump straight up in the air as high as you are able, bouncing your thighs like springs. Exhale during this portion of the movement.

© Immediately squat down and jump again when you reach the floor again.

© Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Caution: Refrain from performing this movement if you have any back or knee injuries because impact is involved. See to it that your landings are con-trolled and you land with your two feet straight, toes touching the ground first. Any wrong position when you land can result in a sprained ligament.

Options: If you are a regular gym junkie, and strong enough, you can perform with a barbell resting on your shoulders or while holding dumbbells in your hands by your sides.

THE PYRAMID CHALLENGE – A HYBRID MOVEMENT

EXERCISE ROUTINE

With so many different fitness regimes and providers now in Bru-

nei, it can be difficult to choose which is the most suitable, es-pecially if you are just beginning to take up regular exercise. Hybrid Movement was founded by Darren Chai, personal trainer at Fitness Zone, in August last year, which is a new form of “functional training”.

This type of training has its origins in rehabilitation, where physical thera-

pists selected exercises specifically de-signed for injured patients to perform exercises designed to correct move-ment disorders or rehabilitate from particular injuries as quickly as pos-sible. So Hybrid Movement takes this aim to “train with a goal in mind”, applying it to inspire a new definition of general fitness by improving overall agility, endurance, power and strength.

The Pyramid Challenge Exercise routine is designed to be performed

by anybody, specifically for begin-ners who want to engage themselves in learning basic exercise routines, and not stereotyped hyped work-outs, while still having a “challenge.”

Let’s start by familiarizing each workout routine:

Workout Routines:Squat JumpsSit-upsPower Mountain Climbers*Wall ball shots

+fitnEss


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Be Featured on Plus+ MagazineShare Your Workout Routine

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3POWER MOUNTAIN

CLIMBERSEquipment Needed: Rubber workout mat

For this workout routine, it’s called “Power” Mountain Climber because unlike the regular mountain climber exercise, it’s a bit more challenging. More specifically, it challenges your focus, balance, and strength.

© Begin with a push-up position and your weight supported by your hands and toes. Flex one your knee and hip, bring one leg up until your foot is aligned with the position of your hand, placed on the outside of your arm — like having the Spiderman ‘crouched for action’ look. This will serve as your starting position.

© Explosively reverse the positions of your legs, extending the bent leg until the leg is straight and supported by the toe, and bringing the other foot

up with the hip and knee flexed. Repeat in an alternating fashion for the number of repetitions required. You can definitely add intensity as you perform each set of reps. *

*Options: As this workout is intend-ed for beginners, it would be better to start off getting familiar with your balancing skills and focus. Instead of putting intense effort reversing each foot in front, you can take it slow setting each foot forward on a lighter pace like as what you would do when walking.

2SIT- UPS

Equipment Needed: None

© Lie down on the floor; while your legs bent at your knees place your feet either under something that will not move or by having someone to hold them.

© Place your hands behind your head and lock them together by clasping your fingers. This would be your starting position. *

© Elevate your upper body so that it creates an imaginary V-shape with your thighs. Breathe out when performing this part of the exercise.

© Once you feel the contraction for a second, lower your upper

body back down to the starting position while inhaling.

© Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

*Options: To stabilize your balance, especially for beginners, you can ei-ther place your hands on your sides or crossed on your chest.

4WALL BALL SHOTS

Equipment Needed: Wall balls/Medicine balls

For Women: 4 kg.

For Men: 8 kg.

© Grab a wall ball/medicine ball with weights at a comfortable level for you. (Usually lightest at 4 kg for beginners.)

© Stand a comfortable distance, away from a wall (about 2.5ft) with a target marked, having your elbows tucked in. This is an important posture to retain. If your elbows are flared

out, fatigue can occur fast. Keep them engaged because this will also make your shots far more efficient and allow you to perform more.

© With a decent effort of strength, toss the ball up (like tossing basketball) an average of 9 (nine) feet target (women) and 10 (ten) feet (men), while on a squat position coming

+fitnEss


a

a b

b c

experience

MOREfrom your Plus+ Men’s Issue

subscription when you orderprint for just $18 or $24.

Get 1 or 2 years of the printedition delivered straight to

your mailbox and stand achance to win a complementary

night at Star Lodge Hotel.

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INSTRUCTIONS:*10>1 (TEN TO ONE reps) — start with 10 (ten repetitions) to 9 repetitions, 8 repetitions, 7 until down to 1 for each workout routine following the sequencing.

*10 (ten) squat jumps10 sit-ups 10 power mountain climbers10 wall ball shots

*9 (nine) squat jumps9 sit-ups 9 power mountain climbers9 wall ball shots

*8 (eight) squat jumps8 sit-ups 8 power mountain climbers8 wall ball shots

*7 (seven) squat jumps7 sit-ups 7 power mountain climbers7 wall ball shots

*6 (six) squat jumps6 sit-ups 6 power mountain climber6 wall ball shots

And, so on down to five, four, thee, two repetitions, and one repetition per workout routine.

**1>10 (ONE TO TEN reps) — same performance of reps with 10>1 (TEN TO ONE), but this time, you ended with one repetition so that should be your starting point. With 1 (one repeti-tion) to 10 (repetitions):

**1 (one) squat jump1 sit-up 1 power mountain climber1 wall ball shots

**2 (two) squat jumps2 sit-ups 2 power mountain climbers2 wall ball shots

**3 (three) squat jumps3 sit-ups 3 power mountain climbers3 wall ball shotsso on until you reached TEN repetitions and then have it started with 10>1 (TEN TO ONE)

*While preforming, encourage your-self to have a goal and set a time for you to accomplish it; this Pyramid Challenge routine could be done with as many repetitions as possible. That being said, of course this will depend on a mindset and being bold to chal-lenge yourself to push your limits while listening to your body’s capability, especially, if you have any existing med-ical issues. Though functional training would really be beneficial for rehabili-tation, it is best to seek a consultation with a registered physician before pro-ceeding to any High Intensity Interval Training programs or other strenuous type of exercises. A proper guidance of a licensed and experienced fitness trainer is highly advised, too, because you can get further knowledge about functional training.

Article: Shelley BusqueFeaturing: Rachael Lee

Photography: Lily Bong

back up rep after rep. Make sure you will manage to control your hip drive to save valuable energy. To avoid fatigue and strain with your arms while thrusting the ball, support them with your hips. The hips are the strongest part of the body, so use them wisely and accordingly!

© During each repetition, make sure the arms are mostly along for the ride. The most

important function of the arms is to control the ball on the way up and hit the target with accuracy and catch back up. Focus on keeping the ball right in front of your face when catching it; back up (the bottom of the ball should be at or above the top of your chest) to maintain a good squat position.

© Repeat until aimed number of repetitions are acquired.

It’s important to get to your lim-it for each exercise, especially if you are just beginning, and stop before you reach the point that you can no longer string multiple repe-titions together.

Now that you have familiarized with each movement that you are about to perform, let’s proceed with instruc-tions with repetitions! This will sharpen your memorization as well!

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EDEN CHIAM

SINGING HER WAY TO THE TOP!

ARTICLE BY: AZHAR LIEW

Eden Chiam, age 13, is a multi-award winning artist who is on the fast track to being a superstar. In 2014, she was chosen to represent Brunei in Los Angeles

for the International Championships of Performing Arts, at which she won 2 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze plates for her original work. The humble, young, and extremely talented multi-instrumentalist hopes that her music would be able to inspire people from all walks of life around the world.

Featuring: Eden Chiam

Photography: Jerome Wong

Make Up Artist:Shahdon’s Styleicon

Venue:Jerudong

International School Arts Centre

+lifE insPiRED


When did you first start singing?

I started singing when I was about 3 years old. My mother had always told me that, when I was a baby, my cries were the loudest and the proudest and that I was destined to be a singer. I’d like to think that I started singing the moment I came into this shiny world, even if it sounded like I was crying to everyone else.

How does your family encourage you?

Curiously, my first form of motivation was when I was about 4 years of age and my sister actually told me that I couldn’t sing! However, after realizing my passion and talent for singing, my family has been nothing but supportive both emotionally and physically. It is especially rewarding when they brought me to experience music festivals and concerts.

Who are your musical inspirations?

My mother, various vocal coaches, and siblings. They are my main sources of inspiration that keep me going and we always give each other support for our acts.

lifE insPiRED+


To what kind of music do you listen?

Well, I personally love a good amount of musical theatre and Broadway. I will occasionally listen to Beethoven’s Sonatas when my siblings play them, but I’m still a teenager and I too enjoy a bit of pop and dance music.

Where would you most like to perform? Why is that?

I want to impact many people with my music so… 10,000 seater stadiums sounds great!

Do you play any instruments?

I played the piano until I achieved a grade six certification, but moved on to focus solely on singing, for which I achieved my grade eight certification and now I am preparing for a diploma.

If you could dabble in any other genres of music, what would they be?

I think I would try pretty much any genre other than heavy metal and ones with a screaming singing style.

Do you have any hidden talents?

People say that I’m a natural at posing for photographs and that I am cut out for the world of hospitality!

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What are five things that you can’t live without?

My iPhone, sushi, herbal candy, water bottle, and my traveling hippo named “Platinum Prize.” Yes, that’s actually what I named her and she travels with me around the world!

For our readers who haven’t heard your music, choose 5 words to describe it:

Powerful, soulful, moving, intimate, and inspiring.

If you could go open up to any artist on tour right now who would it be? May we know why?

Ariana Grande because her vocal range is impressive and because she is an iconic figure of the 2010 decade.

So, what else do you enjoy doing when you aren’t writing/producing/playing?

I really enjoy listening to music while at the gym because I find that helps me relax, cool down, and it’s great for boosting my self-esteem!

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Featuring:Koh Yun C

Photography:Jerome Wong

KOH YUN CMASTERING THE ART OF WUSHUArticle by: Azhar Liew

This month we have the pleasure of having Miss Koh Yun C, 12, a young, highly energetic, and ambitious student of the martial art form Wushu. With winning

bronze to gold medals at competitions both international and local, Koh Yun C will stop at nothing until she achieves her dream of being a world champion in Wushu.

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Would you mind introducing us to the world of Wushu?

Wushu is a martial arts sport event that originated in China. A literal break down of the word translates the two halves “Wu” and “shu” into Military Art. In its modern form, Wushu is considered to be more of an exhibition and full contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. Worldwide competitions are also held at events such as the Asian Games, World Wushu Championship, and Sea Games.

How long have you been practicing the art of Wushu?

I have trained with the Chung Hwa Middle School Wushu team for about three and a half years, and I am also under the training with the Brunei Wushu National Team for a year and a half.

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What challenges do you face while practicing Wushu seriously at the age of 12?

One of my biggest challenges at this age is that I have to juggle going for training sessions 6 days a week at 3 to 4 hours a session all while attending secondary school. I made sure to keep a precise time management strategy to balance my academic workload while allocating time to hone my art form.

What drove you to master the art of Wushu?

To me, Wushu is unique and unlike any other form of sports. Someone with an untrained eye may not realize that this art form requires an immense amount of stamina, strength, flexibility, precision, and discipline. It involves a trained state of mind and at the same time requiring the students to express themselves with emotion.

Do your parents play a part to your success?

They definitely do in supporting me with my passion. Sometimes my mother will give me a pep talk with immense encouragement and it never fails to lift my spirits, motivating me to keep on trying, and to never give up when I fall down. They also teach me to not be overconfident and to keep improving myself even if I am at the top.

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What is the most difficult aspect of the sport when competing on a national level?

It would definitely have to be my age. As my competitors are often a couple of years older than I am, naturally they have more strength needed to perform more complex routines and I have to overcome that by being confident in my own routine; doing it with confidence, speed, and grace.

Do you believe that passion is important for anyone to pursue their dreams?

Definitely. Passion is the driving force that you will need to overcome the many obstacles and mishaps that one will face when trying to master any skill. Passion is absolutely critical in how far you will go in the pursuit of ambition.

In 3 sentences, describe how Wushu brings a positive light in your life.

1. I have learnt to be more thank-ful for my life and respectful of my coaches and peers.

2. Perseverance. As the saying goes, “Train hard or remain the same. What you give is how much you get back.” Everyday my coach push-es me to go beyond what my mind thinks my body can do and I am always thankful for my accomplishments.

3. I also think that it’s important to be a good sport. Respect your competitors with an open heart, the sport for what it is, and never give up when faced with a loss. Pick yourself up and learn from your mistakes because that how champions are born.

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Featuring: Zoe Chan

Photography: Jerome Wong

ARTICLE BY: AZHAR LIEW

ZOE CHAN

8 YEAR OLDSSMART AND TALENTEDMEET THE ADORABLE,

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Tell us how old are you? What do you like to do?

Hi there! My name is Zoe Chan, I am 8 years old and I really love to dance!

A staff member of Plus+ Magazine, named Anna, is obsessed with her cat and constantly talks about her. Please tell us about your pets.

My family has a yellow Labrador named Cooper and we also just got a beagle pup named Fidele! My daddy says that it’s French for “faithful.” He’s just the sweetest dog; he loves to pick things up in his mouth and greets us everymorning.

Singing, swimming, performing, and calligraphy. These are just some of the many things for which the young Zoe Chan has won awards. Having been crowned a champion of calligraphy and performing twice for His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei, Zoe is no ordinary

8 year old, and today we get to take a sneak peek into her inspiring life.

How many siblings do you have and can you give them a short description?

I have two brothers, Zeke and Danniel. Zeke is a very sincere person and the bookworm of the family. He is also curiously obsessed with nun chucks. Danniel, on the other hand, is the witty one in the family. Interesting fact; he once prayed to God to turn him a power ranger when he grows up.

How did you like the photo shoot?

It was really fun and I can’t wait to see how the photos turned out in the magazine!

Is singing your favourite hobby? What are your other hobbies?

Yes I love singing, but I sometimes feel that the long practices get tough. My daddy has a saying, “There is no progress without struggle” and it gives me the push I need to keep going. I also love to swim.

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Please give us an insight to your daily routine?

My day is jam packed from early in the morning with school, additional tuition, piano and singing lessons, up to when my day ends at 9 PM after dinner. I usually take Sunday’s off to go to church and surf the internet.

We are very impressed by your schedule for someone your age. Please share some of your thoughts about it with our readers.

Truthfully, my entire family has a very busy schedule but we always try to make time for one another and we especially enjoy letting off some steam during the school holidays.

What is your mother like?

My mother has a very busy schedule filled with court cases, but she never fails to make time for us and even plan both my sibling’s and my schedules. We love her because she proves that anything is possible if you try hard enough.

If you could give your mother anything in the world what would it be? And why?

I just want my mother to know that I think she’s beautiful both inside and out.

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Afew years ago, tan skin was part of the Hollywood beauty standard, and anyone

wanting to look “healthy” and to appear slimmer and more toned would undergo artificial tanning to darken their skin a few tones.

Fortunately, things have changed, and nowadays people seem to be more aware of the harmful effects of prolonged sun exposure and over-tanning.

WHY PRolonGED sun EXPosuRE is HARMful foR YouR sKinSpending time outdoors and taking ad-vantage of natural light is surely benefi-cial for one’s overall health and wellbe-ing because sunlight is known to favor the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin layers, and to contribute to an elevated mood.

However, the outdoor temperature does matter, and one should never expose his or her skin to powerful sunrays for several hours during hot summer days because the UV rays are far from being skin-friendly.

Getting a tan every now and then is beneficial, but what most people fail

to understand is that overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can and will cause UV irradiation. When you suffer from severe sunburn, your body faces a process called immunosuppression, which reduces the efficacy of the immune system and inhibits it. This can lead to dramatic changes in the skin cells’ DNA and significantly increase the risk of skin cancer.

UV rays are classified into three categories, but only two of them have a harmful impact on the skin. UVA rays are those that penetrate the tissue and can reach the dermis, which is the deeper layer of the skin. These are the rays that irradiate your skin cells called melanocytes (cells responsible for the skin color), causing them to grow and divide rapidly. When this happens, abnormal skin growths and tumors can form.

UVB rays, on the other hand, have a less significant effect on the dermal tissues. Although they are the ones that cause redness, warmth, and flaking skin, UVB rays harm only the superior skin layer, known as the epidermis. However, this doesn’t mean they should be neglected; prolonged exposure to UVBs can weaken the epidermis, allowing UVAs to cause more profound damage to your body. This is why many dermatologists say there’s no such thing as a healthy tan.

sKin ConDitions linKED to sun DAMAGEAlthough unpleasant, sunburn is the least threatening condition caused by excessive sun exposure. Spending too much time in the sun

Quick way to recognize sunburn:

© Red, sore skin (erythema) © Flaking skin © Skin feels warm to touch © Chills © Nausea or vomiting

EFFECTS OF PROLONGED SUN EXPOSURE ON YOUR SKINGETTING A TAN EVERY NOW AND THENIS BENEFICIAL, BUT DON’T OVERDO IT

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can lead to more severe and disturb-ing health problems, such as pre-can-cerous and cancerous skin lesions, excessive dilation of small blood vessels under the skin, or psoriasis.

A chronic inflammatory skin condition, psoriasis is not caused by prolonged sun exposure, but the symptoms of this ailment can be aggravated by UV rays. How much exposure to UVs sets off psoriasis can’t be told because many psoriasis patients experience beneficial effects from sunlight. However, if the skin becomes sore, you need to get out of the sun immediately because flare-ups are easier to prevent than to treat.

Please note that if you suffer from this ailment, you should always protect your skin when going outdoors by applying sunscreen and wearing appropriate clothing. Psoriasis is not contagious, most people inherit this condition, but it

can be extremely disturbing and even disabling in more severe cases.

The most dramatic condition linked to sun overexposure is skin cancer. This occurs when skin cells multiply at an abnormal rate, and it is generally accepted that ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning booths and beds is the main cause.

Of all the forms of skin cancer currently known, three are directly linked to sunlight exposure: basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and malignant melanoma. Basal cell cancer manifests through red, hard wounds on the forehead, eyelids, cheeks, nose, and lips. It is the most common type of skin cancer and, fortunately, it is easily treated and cured.

Squamous cell cancer is set off by prolonged exposure to sunlight. It develops as rough, scaly patches located on the forehead, cheeks, lower lip, and tops of the ears.

If discovered early, this type of cancer can be cured, but left untreated can lead to open wounds that do not heal.

Malignant melanoma is the third and most dangerous form of skin cancer, and manifests through moles or pigment spots that begin to bleed, grow, or change their color, shape, or texture. If it’s not caught in time, melanoma can spread and have dangerous consequences. Again, this form of the disease can be treated and cured, but if treatment is delayed, it can be fatal.

As you can see, there are numerous types of skin conditions that can be traced back to prolonged sun exposure. The less dangerous forms are generically labeled as sunburn, while the more severe forms have their names, such as psoriasis and skin cancer. This is why it’s important to contact a dermatologist if you experience skin discomfort after spending a longer amount of time in the sun.

DID YOU KNOW?Each year, 3.5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States. It is estimated that in 2015, more than 50 million people will suffer from this condition. An approximate 75% of skin cancer deaths are from malignant melanoma.

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7 MAKEUP STEPS TO MAKE YOU STAND OUT IN ‘USFIE’

MAKE-UP TUTORIAL BY AMY G

IF 2014 IS THE YEAR OF “SELFIE “, THEN 2015 IS DEFINITELY THE YEAR OF “USFIE.” FOLLOW MY 7 MAKEUP STEPS HERE; YOUR PICTURES WILL THANK ME LATER.

3 FOCUS ON YOUR EYES

Often a classic winged liner is all we need for an “usfie” makeup. Choose your favorite gel liner, follow the upper inner rim of your eyes, then top with another layer of liquid eyeliner. This is a good trick to prevent any smudge throughout the day. If you need to conceal or correct your dark circle or puffiness. now is the time. I use Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer. It gives me a full coverage & lifted eye look. To add further dimension to your eye area, finish with a coat of Maybelline The Magnum Volum’ Express on both top and bottom lashes.

2 GO SHEER

In pictures, it is important that your skin look flawless, but you also want it to look like your skin, like Dior Star Foundation. It has been mentioned by many pro makeup artists; this foundation makes your skin still your skin, only better.

For those who wants extra glow on your face, apply 3ce Shimmer Stick above your cheekbones, the cen-ter of your nose as well as the center of your chin.

1 PREP & PRIME

Always put on your mois-turizer before you put any makeup on your face be-cause a hydrated skin base will make your makeup look much fresher and stay on much longer. Then follow by primer. Here I am using Makeup Forever HD Premier. It’ll help your makeup last all day so you can be ready for an “usfie” anywhere, anytime.

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So, if you want to look slimmer in your “usfie,” sweep your contouring powder along your hairline, over your temples, under your cheek-bones, and on the underside of your jawlines. This will give your face a more angular appearance. Then apply a bit of bronzer right above your contoured cheekbones. Bronzer should be kept more to the center of your face, so don’t blend it too outward.

For those of you who have medium to dark skin tone, this will flatter your whole look. But for those who have fair skin tone, you may skip the bron-zer step. Instead, sweep your blusher like Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush In Peach Beach over the apples of your cheekbones.

4 KEEPS BROWS FULL

Thin brows can age your look and appear too harsh in your photo. Fill in your brows with your favorite brow pencil and powder, then apply brow mascara on top so they look fuller and stay neat for the rest of the day.

5 CONTOUR &BRONZER

Whether to contour or bronzer? Should I use bronzer to contour? These are most common questions that I’ve been asked by my clients. Well, here I’m going to explain it again. Hope it can make it clear to you once for all.

Contouring is to create the illusion of more define cheekbones, strong jawlines, or even slimmer nose. Basically, it is a shadow to help you get less focus on the area of your face that you want to hide. Therefore, a contouring color shouldn’t be anything warm like orange or brown tone. It should be very dark chocolate, almost gray cool tone. And it has to be MATT!

Bronzer is to warm your skin, give it a more natural sun-kissed look. It comes in both matt and shimmer type. But, because today’s tip is about usfie, I recommend using The Balm Bahama Mama. It is a matt finish bronzer. It looks great in photos. A shimmery bronzer tends to make you look a bit dirty and “sweaty” in your photo.

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Now you are ready! Gather your friends, colleagues, and family mem-

bers, work on your best angle & smile!

7 TIDY UP

Finally, to set every-thing, gently tap a thin layer of powder. Here I use Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder. If you have dry skin, you could skip this step. For dry-to-combination skin type, apply powder only to your T-zone. Don’t forget to apply just a little bit more powder underneath your eyes to prevent your eye makeup from smudging.

6 CHOOSE THE RIGHT

LIP COLORIn “usfie,” always remember only to show one state-ment feature. Because we’ve already chosen to focus on our eyes, lips can be more natural & nude. I use Too Faced Naked Only. It is a pinky nude with slightly peach undertone lipstick, which makes my lips look hydrated and luscious as long as they can be. To make your lips look even fuller, apply 3ce Shimmer Stick on your cupids bow.

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Negative thoughts usually stem from negative attitudes. People who think such thoughts

usually react in two ways; either they keep the thoughts to themselves or voice them in an increasingly negative attitude. Both of these reactions end up causing harm to the individual and society in general.

When a person is facing some particular negative thoughts, he or she tends to use different mediums to spill it out. These include scolding, beating, taunting, or any such behavior that causes emotional trauma to the other person. This attitude can be particularly harmful in the case of children. Children tend to imitate their parents and teachers. If the child is subjected to a negative environment at home or school, it can leave a very deep impact on the mind-set of a child.

According to research, the practice of using harsh behavior toward a child as a form of punishment can actually backfire. Scolding will eventually cause a child to misbehave more. Scolding or display of any negative attitude may serve a very short-term purpose to correct the child’s behavior. However, this mode of punishment and attitude

from elders tends to leave dark marks on the child’s personality.

A child may not learn much from such adverse behavior and instead might become more aggressive toward the adult. This behavior might become a permanent part of the child’s personality, and he or she might have aggressive fits in the absence of a monitoring body.

When there are constant checks on children, they tend to get frustrated and rebellious. Angry or depressed children then become reluctant at socializing with anybody. They become moody and stubborn and adopt a defying attitude toward an authority figure.

However, in the case of bearing the negative attitudes of adults and being the victim of harsh behavior, the child experiences his worst nightmare: low self-esteem. Low self-esteem refers to how an individual looks down upon himself. A positive person with high self-esteem tends to feel positive about life and understands that he or she is capable of doing different work and is socially loved and accepted. The low-esteem person would feel

dejected, incapable of doing anything, and unworthy of love.

Children with low self-esteem tend to ignore everything around them. They build negative images about themselves and feel that they do not possess capabilities that would help them achieve their desired goals. Any change in their life is not easily accepted and they tend to refuse new things. A low-esteem person feels reluctant to admire achievements and constantly feels that he could have done much better. He always compares himself to his friends or people he knows in a negative manner. This all-negative attitude suppresses the life of an individual and weakens his moral spirit.

A low self-esteem child faces many problems not only in his childhood, but further on in his teenage and adult life, also. He may even experience family problems in his later life, and with a negative mindset might face problems such as depression, setbacks, and failures. It is thus very important to nip the evil in the bud and prevent any negative attitudes influencing your child in the first place.

SCOLDING AND NEGATIVITY WILL CREATE A NEGATIVE MIND-SET

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TALENT

ED WO

MEN–

FAILURE IS A KEY TO SUCCESS

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Living in the 20th century, we experienced numerous changes. The world has not only evolved in terms of technology, education, infrastructure, medicine, and arts; it has also enabled societies to transform as a whole. The importance of both sexes

has been recognized and given recognition in the society. In this new era, society is seen to be giving increasing significance to women and recognizing their societal participation as an important factor.

Immense changes have been observed in gender identities over the course of time. The world that used to keep the woman under the shadow of inequality has now enlightened her with both wisdom and prosperity. Women now have been given an opportunity to make their own place in the society. Shedding the narrow notions of “personal responsibilities,” women nowadays have enabled themselves to be productive in the favor of the society. These women of the 21st century are educated, aware, and capable enough to protect their self-esteem. However, even though many are as equally educated, learned, and ambitions as men, only a few women reach the top. With that being said, the world is now identifying means to attract and maintain this group of society in order to identify remarkable workers.

There is a diversity of talent being observed amongst women. Women not only possess the capability to conquer the old house work to perfection, but have shown exceptional performance in every field.

As the famous saying “failure is the key to success” goes, women, too, have learnt from their failures, and with ever-increasing enthusiasm, they are constantly striving to achieve their goals.

With every failure, there are always lessons to learn that enable us to identify our weaknesses and perform better the next time. A woman is not only strong at holding back her emotions, but is also wise at choosing the right words at the right moment. This power of speech enables women to face any obstacles they may face with poise and confidence. Hence, in many different fields today, women are believed to hold remarkable leadership qualities. They are confident, organized, and ambitious in their respective jobs.

Women usually tend to think more accurately and thoroughly about a situation and, thus, not only come up with a solution but are also able to plan alternatives. They tend to direct their attention in different areas at the same time and constantly keep the little chunks of information piled in their heads. These natural abilities of being poised, well organized, and mentally competent have enabled women to be more responsive to an immediate problem.

Moreover, women are also characteristically more prudent. They tend to make long-term plans. This specific characteristic of women makes them wiser and gives them a competitive edge in business. Their sharp insights and discerning minds enable them to be quite business savvy.

However, this change in women’s increasing capabilities has been gradual and has required a lot of determination. Women tended to fail more than men because of numerous obstacles they had to encounter at various stages in their careers. At the very start, a woman has to create an identity for herself and then strive onward from there. She might get disheartened at initial failure and may not possess the will power to move on. In such situations, it is always wise to remember that the more you fail, the more you bounce back to achieve your goal. Failure teaches you not to take a step back but to make greater efforts for the next time. Usually, the major setback or hindrance to a women’s career is “motherhood.” However, in today’s world, women are able to juggle both motherhood and their respective careers easily.

The world is becoming a global village, and women have found their place in it. Gradual lessening of language barriers, as well an increasing cultural variation alongside education opportunities have allowed women to showcase their talents in all fields. In today’s world, a woman works not only to keep herself busy or earn money, but to be socially accepted as an equal, productive member of the society who can bear huge responsibilities. The social factor also enables women to see the broader perspective of the world. They always tend to aim high and have thus made their place in the world as doctors, engineers, business leaders, and so on. Such achievements are only the beginning of what the future holds.

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WHY ARE WOMEN

SUCCESSFUL IN A HOME-BASED

BUSINESS

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Home-based businesses are flourishing nowadays and are observed to be

very popular among women. Different crafts are being practiced and carried out from the homes, such as knitting, jewelry making, art and craft, designing clothes, and baking. These are the typical skills that women may possess and would want to carry onward as a profession.

A woman may get the idea of starting her own business when she observes that her particular skill set is in demand. This could be anything from baking to stitching clothes. A small cup cake or a simple alteration of a dress may help her develop her own business with time. Working from home is not only beneficial in terms of making money, but also promotes the advantage of spending more quality time with her family. This is why most females start their business to avoid the hassle of working late hours, travelling long distances, and leaving behind cranky babies.

SOME ADVANTAGES OF WORKING FROM HOME ARE AS FOLLOWS: YOU’RE THE BOSS!What comes with the package when you work from home? You are your own boss! Ownership is entitled to one person alone and he or she is not answerable to any authorities. There are no rules and regulations, mainly until the busi-ness is wide spread and requires more time and accuracy.

CONVENIENT AND TIME SAVINGTime is money. Working on your own premises allows you to save time, eventually increasing produc-tivity and efficiency. When working in your own personal area, there are more chances of increasing the effectiveness of delivery, buying goods, catering to unseen prob-lems before hand, and making rapid contacts within such areas.

PARENTAL CONTROLBy working late hours, parents are usually unable to spend time with their children and keep a check on their activities. Therefore, mothers prefer to work from home and pay attention to their children’s needs.

SAFE AND SELECTED WORKFORCEAt some point or another, we usu-ally face issues at work. There are social problems attached for wom-en when they leave the house and work. These may relate to the inap-propriate attitude and behavior of men at work. So, when a woman works at home, she does not have to face such problems. She can hire people who are comfortable with whom to work and who follow her commands easily.

SOLE PROPRIETOR-SHIP/ LEADERSHIP QUALITIESWomen are more successful in home-based businesses because there they are their own bosses and are not intimidated by male empowerment. They are free and confident to go about their busi-ness as they wish.

MORE PRODUC-TIVITY AND LESS STRESSGetting to the workplace can often become stressful, what with traffic jams and so on. By working from home, such incidents are avoided and people can make more out of the available time. They tend to become happier when they work in their preferred environment.

SAVING MONEY IN RENTING OFFICE, SAVING TAXES, AND TRAVELING COSTSWorking from home helps you save a lot! You do not need a per-sonal space or an office to work.

Traveling cost is minimal and you save on taxes, too. Other fixed expenses are shared with the household and do not constitute much of a burden.

FLEXIBILITYWorking women from homes have more flexibility. Along with selecting suitable hours for work, they can also keep up with their regular lifestyles. They can make arrangements relative to their work according to the availabili-ty of both time and resources.

BALANCED LIFESTYLEWorking at home not only brings comfort but also adds a balance to life. A woman can work from the comfort of her own home, boost her self-esteem, and care for her family simultaneously. Moreover, getting started with her own business helps build confidence and strength to cater to different problems.

BETTER HEALTHEstablishing work at home for a woman is profitable is many ways. Working and keeping her mind off the other things helps in improving her mental and physical health. It gives an opportunity to a woman to think out of the box and establish something for herself. She can promote her work more effec-tively and efficiently when she is mentally relaxed and at ease.

To conclude, there are many potential advantages for wom-en when they opt to work and establish their own business at home. Today’s women are much more aware of their surround-ings and are more capable of identifying the best options for them. Successful home-based businesses eventually turn up to be the future big businesses that incorporate more labor and resources.

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plus+ women's march - april 2015 issue

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