Just a 45-minute brisk walk a week can improve arthritis

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1 SHAH RUKH KHAN TOOK PART IN A CHARITY FASHION SHOW BY DESIGNER ARCHANA KOCHHAR IN MUMBAI. National home sales rose 2.2% from November to December 2016 OTTAWA - According to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (Crea), national home sales were up on a month-over-month basis in December The number of homes trading hands via Canadian MLS Systems rose 2.2 % month-over-month in December The rebound recovered less than half of the drop in activity from October to November, when it posted the biggest monthly retreat in more than four years after tightened mortgage regulations came into effect. Activity was up on a month-over-month basis in about 60% of all local markets, led by Calgary and Edmonton where sales rallied following large declines in November. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) sales activity was down 5.0% in December from a year ago, when it reached the highest level ever for the month. The number of homes changing hands in 2016 was up by 6.3% annually, reflecting strong sales activity in the first half of the year that has softened since. "Sales set a new annual record last year," said CREA President Cliff Iverson. "However, tightened mortgage regulations are expected to contribute to lower sales activity this year, though the extent to which they will weigh on housing markets across Canada will vary. All real estate is local, and REALTORS remain your best source for information about sales and listings where you live or might like to in the future." "Home sales are unlikely to benefit the Canadian economy as much in 2017 as they did in 2016," said Gregory Klump, CREA's Chief Economist. "New regulations mean that in order to qualify for a mortgage, home buyers will either have to save longer for a bigger down payment or purchase a lower priced home. In urban centres where the latter are in short supply, that's likely to translate into fewer sales." The number of newly listed homes fell 3.0% in December 2016 compared to November. New listings were down in about 60% of all local markets, with sizeable declines in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, Calgary and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) TOYOTA PRIUS C: SPORTIER STYLING WITH ADDED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY MICHIGAN - One of the most affordable hybrid vehicles on the market just added another compelling reason to buy for Toyota optimized the size and weight of its hybrid technology for the Prius c platform, but that does not mean it left anything out. The system integrates a gasoline engine, an electric motor within a Continuously Variable Transaxle, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a power control unit (inverter), a DC-DC converter and a step-up converter. A hybrid control computer governs the seamless application of gasoline engine and electric power depending on driving demands and selected drive mode. The Prius c's SULEV (Tier 2 Bin 3)-rated 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine utilizes an Atkinson cycle to help increase efficiency. By itself, the engine produces 73 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque, contributing to a total hybrid system output of 99 hp. The hybrid system also yields excellent fuel efficiency with an EPA estimated MPG of 48 city/43 highway/46 combined. ECO reduces overall energy consumption by governing the climate control system and throttle operation to help enhance vehicle efficiency. Under certain conditions EV Mode allows the Prius c to be driven solely by electric power for under one mile while remaining below 25 mph. That's useful when navigating one of those huge mall parking lots, for example. The addition of the Toyota Safety Sense C system to all 2017 Prius c models is designed to help drivers avoid hazards on the road. Just a 45-minute brisk walk a week can improve arthritis NEW YORK, (IANS) Older people suffering from arthritis can remain fit by engaging in 45 minutes of moderate physical activity such as brisk walking a week, says a study. According to US federal guidelines, achieving 150 minutes of moderate activity per week helps in preventing premature death and serious illness. However, only one in 10 older adults with arthritis meet these guidelines. The team from Northwestern University conducted a study on both men and women to determine that 45 minutes per week is the magic number for seniors. The researchers measured the physical activity of 1,600 adults who had pain, aching or stiffness in their hips, knees or feet. "We found the most effective type of activity to maintain or improve your function two years later was moderate activity, and it did not need to be done in sessions lasting 10 minutes or more, as recommended by federal guidelines," Dunlop concluded. Approximately, one third of participants improved or had high function after two years. But those participants who achieved the minimum of 45 minutes of moderate activity per week were 80 per cent more likely to improve over two years compared with those doing less. TAMANNAH BHATIA MUGHDA GODSE ALIA BHATT ESHA GUPTA POOJA HEGDE

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3 MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY TUESDAY, JANUARY AUGUST 28, 17, lifestyle MidWeek 27 SHILPA SHETTY AT THE 7TH EDITION OF PRIDE OF KARNATAKA AWARDS. Menstrual cramps and Homeopathy BY AKSHAY BANKER Recently I was approached by a lady of about 28 years age complaining of severe pain during her menstrual cycle to the extent she would vomit and faint. Her family had to call 911 on several occasions due to this situation and she tried various treatments with no results. Homeopathic treatment relieved her complaints completely. So we will try to know about role of homeopathy in female problems. Let us see the most common and primary complaint of Painful Menses also called Menstrual cramps or Dysmenorrhoea. This complaint is usually seen in young girls who have started menstruating or may be present in women of other ages. It is generally a dull, throbbing or cramping pain of a mild severity or may be very severe to make the person cry out and inability to do any activity till the pain subsides. If it is mild then no treatment is necessary but if severe then it needs to be treated. Usually the complaint reduces as the girl grows older and stops after first delivery. Symptoms - include - Dull, throbbing or cramping pain in lower abdomen which may begin 4-5 days before the onset of menstrual flow, Pain that radiates to lower back and thighs, Nausea and vomiting, Loose stools, Sweating, Dizziness. There may be mood swings or irritability and crying due to the pain. Intensity and severity of symptoms also depend on individual sensitivity to bear the pain. I have seen girls to dread the nearing date of menses and they try to prepare themselves for the severe experience of pain and other symptoms. Causes - normally the pain is due to the uterus getting ready to expel its inner lining called endometrium in the form of menstruation and this process of separation along with the contractions taking place produce the pain. There is usually no pathological cause involved. In some women the cramps may be due to - Endometriosis, Uterine fibroid, Adenomyosis, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Cervical stenosis. Dysmenorrhoea is seen where there is a family history of similar menstrual cramps. Complications - menstrual cramps do not have complications by themselves except they disturb the normal daily activities till they last. Complications may arise due to the underlying pathological conditions mentioned above. Diagnosis - is usually done by medical history and pelvic examination. Hysteroscopy, Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI are advised as and when needed. Treatment - In Allopathy this condition is treated by non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs like Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Ponstel etc which take care of the pain. Hormonal birth control treatment is given to prevent ovulation which may decrease the pain. Surgery is advised for the underlying pathology. In Homeopathy the approach to this problem is different. I have seen that patients come to us because it is not good to constantly go on taking pain killers because they do have their side effects on other important organs of the body. In homeopathy we take the physical symptoms into consideration along with the mental and emotional disturbance it produces. We have seen the young girl to be depressed before menses, sometimes she fears the appearance of menses and anticipates the menses time with apprehension. A detailed history is taken in which all the complaints are covered apart from the menstrual, her mental emotional state, past history and family history are also considered and a constitutional medicine is selected. This homeopathic medicine will be helpful to put a stop to this problem of menstrual cramps, so there will be no need to take pain killers every month or to wait till the first delivery. Another advantage of this medicine is that it will also help in treating the underlying pathological conditions like fibroid, endometriosis, etc. Homeopathic medicines are useful for all kinds of diseases of women like menstrual problems, menopause, vaginal discharge, complaints during pregnancy, complaints of breast, sterility or infertility, PCOS, sexual complaints, etc. Homeopathy provides a solutions to all kinds of problems and diseases. Biggest advantage of taking homeopathic medicines is that the medicines do not have side effects, are not habit forming and can be taken even during pregnancy. Akshay Banker M D (Homoeopathy) Ex Principal, Professor [India] Nina Banker M D (Homoeopathy) Ex professor [India] Jhanvi Banker BSc.[Psychology] Homoeopath Homeopathic Clinics: 1. 93, Dundas St. E., Suite 107, Mississauga, ON. L5A 1W7. [East of Hwy 10 and Dundas, Above Dollarama] [Monday, Thursday, Friday - 10 am to 5 pm] , Queen St. E., Suite 203, Brampton, ON. L6V 1B2. [Queen and Centre street] [Tuesday, Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm] , Markham rd., Aum Beauty Clinic, Scarborough, ON. M1X 1L5. [North of Markham and Finch] [Wednesday - 4 pm to 7 pm] An official Support Centre of Dr Rohit's " in Canada. PEOPLE IN INDIA DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT WELFARE OF DAIRY ANIMALS MUMBAI - On National Milk Day, World Animal Protection research reveals overwhelming support for better welfare standards for dairy animals. A new survey, commissioned by World Animal Protection, has revealed the cruel treatment of animals in local dairies in India is unacceptable to almost 90% of people who responded; highlighting strong support for better protection of dairy animals across the country. Almost half of those surveyed were unaware that millions of dairy animals are being kept in illegal, unregulated local dairies in their cities and suburbs. Animals suffer in cruel, barren and unsanitary conditions, often deprived of their basic needs, such as access to clean water and food, and being tethered their whole lives. With almost 300 million dairy cows and buffalo, India is by far the largest dairy producer in the world. People care strongly about the welfare of animals, with 90% of respondents wanting to see better lives for dairy animals that provide milk for them and their families. The survey also reveals: * almost 90% of people surveyed strongly agree dairies should be closed if they don't consider the welfare needs of dairy animals * almost 87% think the government should intervene and bring in better welfare standards and practices to protect dairy animals * nearly 90% are more likely to buy products from a company that sources from dairies adopting better animal welfare practices * 3 out of 4 who regularly buy dairy brands, would be willing to pay 5-10% more for products that come from dairies offering better animal welfare. The survey results have prompted World Animal Protection, on National Milk Day, to call on the people of India to demand for better welfare for dairy animals in India. Gajender Sharma, Country Director of World Animal Protection India, says: "It's unacceptable that animals are living in appalling conditions, not meeting their basic needs. These results show that peoplewant better welfare for our dairy cattle, and it matters to them where their milk comes from. "This is why, we are asking people to join us in calling on the government toend the suffering of dairy animals, by committing to phase out local dairies, and ensuring better welfare standards for dairy animals in India. Illegal local dairies that disregard the welfare needs of animals need to end. These dairies keep animals in conditions most people find unacceptable, and also cause environmental and health concerns in our cities. "We'vemade great progress,since 2014,with the introduction of the first National Dairy Code of Practice for the Management of Dairy Animals in India, which offers guidance on humane and sustainable practices in our dairies. We now need to see this code implemented and enforced without delay." Major General (Dr) R. M. Kharb, Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) says: "AWBI strongly supports the adoption of better welfare practices for dairy animals in India. Implementing guidelines from the National Code of Practice, developed by the National Dairy Research Institute, in partnership with World Animal Protection, will help dairy animals live happier, healthier and more productive lives. "In 2015, AWBI issued an advisory to all state governments, recommending they implement the guidelines of the National Code of Practice to ensure better welfare of dairy cattle. This will not only promote and protect the welfare of dairy cattle, but will also lead to sustainable dairy farming." Tobacco-related deaths will rise to 8 mn by 2030: Report GENEVA, (IANS) The global total annual number of deaths linked to tobacco consumption will increase from the current six million to eight million by 2030, according to a study by the World Health Organisation and the US National Cancer Institute. Around 80 per cent of smokers across the world live in low and middleincome countries, and will pay a higher price in tackling the economic consequences of the addiction, said the study released recently. "The number of tobacco-related deaths is projected to increase from about six million deaths annually to about eight million annually by 2030," says the report, titled 'The Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Control'. Although tobacco consumption is declining at the global level, there is a great risk that WHO will not meet its target of reducing tobacco consumption by 30 per cent by 2025, the study adds. Another section of the study looks at the consequences of passive smoking for individuals and also for public health systems, which in many cases bear the cost of treatment. The report urges governments to invest more in information and prevention campaigns, due to the attractiveness of tobacco to young people, who are often not fully aware of its harmful consequences. "Effective policy and programmatic interventions are available to reduce the demand for tobacco products and the death, disease, and economic costs that result from their use, but these interventions are underutilised." The report cites high taxes on tobacco, policies on establishing smoke-free spaces, banning marketing of tobacco and campaigns to spread awareness, as the most effective but not sufficiently used measures. LUXURY VEHICLES: AUDI, BMW, MERCEDES, SPORTS CARS AND CONVERTIBLE CARS. WE ALSO HAVE 7, 8, AND 9 PASSENGERS VEHICLES

4 28 MidWeek MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY lifestyle TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017 BOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES AT THE RED CARPET OF 62ND FILMFARE AWARDS 2017 JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ KRITI SANON SONAM KAPOOR URVASHI RAUTELA Salman Khan With Shilpa and Shamita Shetty At The Red Carpet Of 62nd Filmfare Awards Shatrughan Sinha was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Filmfare Awards FIVE TRICKS TO BEAUTIFY EYES NEW DELHI, (IANS) Arm yourself with an eye primer, highlighter, mascara and more to make your eyes beautiful, says a make-up artist. Make-up artist Puja Taluja suggests how: * Eye primer: It's important to always use an eye primer before starting the make-up on the eyes. This helps to intensify the colour of the eye shadow, smoothen out the eye lids and also makes the eye make-up last longer. * Highlighter: Using a highlighter on the brow bone gives a beautiful shape to the eyes and makes them look more striking. * Mascara: Using the right mascara can really help open out eyes. And it's important to use the mascara in an outward and upward direction. * Eye liner: Depending on the look you want to choose, you can opt for that shape with an eye liner. For instance winged eyes or cat eyes. * Kohl pencil: If you don't have well defined almond shape eyes, then you should avoid filling a lot of kohl as it makes your eyes look smaller. Tweak your diet to shed extra kilos NEW DELHI, (IANS) With every New Year, many pay for a gym membership, choose a new diet plan, go on detox diets and resolve to do their best to transform their body. But few changes in the eating habits can also help you get the right frame. Delhi based Nutritionist and wellness expert Ritika Samaddar suggests few simple steps that could help in shedding a few inches. * Eat meals in descending order: Healthy eating simply means taking the right kind of food, in right por tion and at the right time. To get positive results, things need to be done in balance. Hence, it is advised to make sure you consume a heavy breakfast, followed by a moderate lunch and a light dinner. * Opt for smart alternatives: Snacking smart is a great way to start leading a healthy lifestyle. Look for nutritious alternatives, for instance, you can snack on a handful of almonds instead of consuming unwholesome snacks or opt for a healthier substitute to your daily sugar such as pure maple syrup. * Keep yourself hydrated: People often mistake thirst for hunger, so next time you feel like munching on something off-the shelf, reach for water first. This may help you steer away from unhealthy snacking.

5 MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY TUESDAY, JANUARY AUGUST 28, 17, lifestyle MidWeek 29 SRK WITH DABBOO RATNANI AT THE LAUNCH OF HIS 2017 CALENDAR. Go organic to beat dandruff NEW DELHI, (IANS) Using an essential oil as a part of your daily routine will not only treat dandruff, but will also give you healthy hair. Lemon oil, basil oil and tea tree oil are some of the oils that you can add to bid adieu to scalp issues, says an expert. Garima Singh, Research and Development Manager, Organic Harvest, lists some essential oils for better results: * Lemon oil: Enriched with the goodness of lemon and due to its clarifying properties, this oil is a wonder tonic for people with oily scalps. Besides being an antiseptic and anti-microbial, which helps fight dandruff and other secondary infections, lemon oil also renders a pleasant and long-lasting healthy fragrance to the hair. The only factor to keep in mind is that after having used this oil, one must thoroughly rinse it off before stepping into direct sunlight, since citrus is known to react to sunlight. * Tea tree oil: The other truly remarkable essential oil is the tea tree oil. It is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial in nature, enabling it to exterminate bacterial and yeast formation on the infection prone scalps. Tea tree oil is absorbed well by the scalp and can hence be left overnight to fight dandruff. It is very light on the scalp unlike other oils. However, it is advisable to apply the oil in combination with other oils like jojoba or olive oil in order to reduce its concentration, to avoid itching and irritation on sensitive scalps. * Basil oil: This is the best remedy to fight those white flakes. Besides being a dandruff remedy, it also conditions your hair and improves blood circulation promoting healthy hair growth. Apply it preferably for an hour or so by mixing it with other oils such as lavender and rosemary and see it work its magic towards attaining both, a clear scalp and glossy hair texture. * Clary sage oil: Clary sage oil is well suited for all hair types. Extremely effective on oily, dry and frizzy hair, it regulates the oil production and controls dandruff by limiting the sebum in the scalp. Known for its distinctive herbal aroma, it helps boost hair growth and reverses premature balding. It is advisable for children and pregnant women to consult a doctor before application of this oil. Concoct the most effective anti-dandruff solution, by mixing three tablespoons of clary sage oil with mandarin oil in equal measure and add five drops of lemon oil while blending.

6 30 MidWeek MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY lifestyle TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017 DABBOO RATNANI'S KIDS WITH SRK AT HIS 2017 CALENDER LAUNCH. TURN YOUR LIVING ROOM INTO WIRELESS CHARGING STATION SOON NEW YORK, (IANS) What if you can remotely charge your smartphone with the flat-screen TV in your living room? If we believe a team of US engineers, turning your living room into a wireless charging station is not a far-fetched dream. The flat-screen technology can produce a wide-range, wireless power transfer devices, say engineers from Duke University and University of Washington, adding that the technology already exists to build such a system and it is only a matter of time to design it. "Whether its headphones, cell phones, watches or even your mouse and keyboard, a major irritation for consumers is the hassle of being tethered to cords to recharge batteries," said David Smith, professor at Duke. "They always run dry at the worst possible moment. Our proposed system would be able to automatically and continuously charge any device anywhere within a room, making dead batteries a thing of the past," Smith wrote in a paper posted on the arxiv pre-print e-repository. Some wireless charging systems already exist to help power speakers, cell phones and tablets. The problem to date has been that the antennas in a wireless power transfer system would need to be able to focus on any device within a room. The solution proposed by Smith and his colleagues relies on metamaterials - a synthetic material composed of many individual, engineered cells that together produce properties not found in nature. "Imagine you have an electromagnetic wave front moving through a flat surface made of thousands of tiny electrical cells," said Smith. "If you can tune each cell to manipulate the wave in a specific way, you can dictate exactly what the field looks like when it comes out on the other side," he explained. According to the results, a flat metamaterial device no bigger than a typical flat-screen television could focus beams of microwave energy down to a spot about the size of a cell phone within a distance of up to 10 metres. It should also be capable of powering more than one device at the same time. "The ability to safely direct focused beams of microwave energy to charge specific devices, while avoiding unwanted exposure to people, pets and other objects, is a game-changer for wireless power," said co-author Matt Reynolds from the University of Washington. Smith has used this principle to create the world's first cloaking device that bends electromagnetic waves around an object held within. To achieve this on a big scale, a powerful, low-cost electromagnetic energy source would need to be developed. "I think building a system like this, which could be embedded in the ceiling and wirelessly charge everything in a room, is a very feasible scheme," Smith noted. INCREASE LONGEVITY OF SHOES WITH SIMPLE HACKS NEW DELHI, (IANS) Having trouble cleaning your suede shoes? Just rubbing a stale crust of bread and tea bags can help in removing any unpleasant smell from your footwear, says an expert. Joji Sugeno, head designer, Carlton London from Japan, has shared some hacks to maintain shoes: * Rub a stale crust of bread on dirty suede to clean it. * Use nail polish remover to clean your white sole shoe. * To break in new heels, use a blow dryer and socks. * One can also use nail polish remover to get scuff marks off patent leather. * Put dry tea bags to absorb the unpleasant odour from your smelly shoes. * Use a cotton swab and petroleum jelly to fix scuff marks on patent leather. * To get water stains off leather shoes use vinegar and a toothbrush. Beginner's guide to glowing skin NEW DELHI, (IANS) Get glowing healthy skin by using skin care products with ingredients like humectants, says an expert. Rohit Batra, dermatologist at Dermaworld Skin Clinic, has rolled out tips that will help to revive and maintain the natural glow of skin: * A moisturiser is the lifeline for a healthy skin. But if it contains skin repairing humectants, it can improve the hydration of your skin. Humectants like glycerin and propylene glycol pull water and reduce wrinkles and dry skin. * Don't ignore the eye area as it reflects the signs of ageing with wrinkles, dark circles and eye bags. Use an eye cream everyday, especially at night so that the active ingredients present in the cream nourish the skin from within. * Apart from an even skin tone and texture, retinoids are great to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and shrink pores. Retinol induced skin care products boost collagen and evens out the skin discolouration within four weeks. * Eliminate bar soaps from your skincare routine. The binders that hold the bar together are highly alkaline with high Ph balance that strip of all the moisture from your skin and makes it dull, dry and totally drained. Invest in a good face wash or a liquid lotion. * Replacing your cotton pillowcases with silk ones can definitely change your game. Since silk fabric doesn't absorb moisture, it lets your moisturiser stick to your face and keeps your skin soft and smooth. * Use high-quality cosmetics and brands that are best for your skin and offer multiple benefits.

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9 MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY TUESDAY, JANUARY AUGUST 28, 17, lifestyle MidWeek 33 Rogers Real Estate Development Limited reveals plans for Mississauga s tallest building Striking tower designed by CORE Architects set to anchor $1.5 billion master-planned community, M City Soaring 60 storeys from the corner of Burnhamthorpe Road and Confederation Parkway, M City s flagship tower will emerge as the defining landmark of Mississauga s downtown core and the city s tallest building. The first of 10 towers in a $1.5 billion, master-planned community, M City will leave an indelible mark on Mississauga s skyline in both scale and design. Mississauga has reached an inflection point and we recognize that we have a significant role to play in how this city continues to evolve, says Edward Rogers, whose family s private holding company, Rogers Real Estate Development Limited, is the owner of the project. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of a city. Urban Capital Property Group was selected to lead the development ofthe first phase of M City, having first assisted Rogers Real Estate Development Limited over the past several years to win the City of Mississauga s approval of the master plan for the whole 15-acre community. Conceived by CORE Architects, who won a design competition for the project, M City s undulating geometry results from a unique application of seven floor plates that twist the building as it rises. It s a continuation of a new era of design that was first introduced to Mississauga with Absolute Towers. Mississauga s ambition served as our motivation. The city is carving out a special portion of Burnhamthorpe Road that houses Celebration Square, The Living Arts Centre, Square One and the LRT, and turning it into a memorable downtown core says Babak Eslahjou, who is leading the design team on behalf of CORE Architects. All amenities, common areas and suites for the project were crafted by the award-winning interior design firm Cecconi Simone, who drew inspiration from the architecture s fluid form and dynamic geometry. It was important that the interiors and amenities achieved the same attributes as the architecture: fluidity, movement, excitement. Floor finishes wrap up walls, planes are folded and twisted, sunlight and artificial light are manipulated to enhance the spaces, says Elaine Cecconi, partner, Cecconi Simone. Future residents are treated to a four-season outdoor amenity space. On hot summer days, families can cool down at the kids play zone and splash pad or poolside on chaises under umbrellas. In the winter, the amenity terrace transforms into a rooftop skating rink a first for the GTA. An iconic project of this caliber would find success in any urban centre in any country, says Mark Reeve, partner, Urban Capital Group. From the striking design to the sophisticated interiors, and our future-proofed approach to integrating technology, we are raising the bar with each facet of this project. M City is Mississauga s tallest tower at 60 storeys, with 784 units ranging from 400 sq.ft. to 1,300 sq. ft. One bedroom, one plus den, two bedrooms and two plus dens are available starting from $199,900 to over $700,000. Register online at mcitycondos.com or call PICTURE COURSTESY: BRICK VISUAL

10 34 MidWeek MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY lifestyle TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017 VIN DIESEL WITH DEEPIKA PADUKONE ON HIS ARRIVAL IN INDIA. NEW MODEL TO HELP UNHOOK PEOPLE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA NEW YORK, (IANS) Like health care providers deal with smoking or alcoholism cases, internet addiction needs the same approach to help online hookers cut their time on social media, researchers report. To address this, a team of researchers has developed a framework using a theory known as cognitive dissonance which is the discomfort felt by those whose actions conflict with their beliefs. Isaac Vaghefi, Assistant Professor from Binghamton University and Hamed Qahri-Saremi, Assistant Professor at DePaul University, developed a model showing that the degree of users' cognitive dissonance can make a difference in their willingness to quit online addiction. "Dissonance is what we need to work on and what we need to help increase for users to make sure that they will do some action to limit their control," said Vaghefi. Vaghefi tested the model on data collected from 226 students at Binghamton University who said how much they were intending to either stop or continue their usage of social networking sites. The findings show that a plausible way to help individuals to reduce or quit usage is to increase their cognitive dissonance. Making users aware of their addiction, in particular the consequences on personal, social, and academic lives caused by addiction, increases their cognitive dissonance about their behaviour. "People have already looked at the role of guilt in regard to technology use and how we can change it," noted Vaghefi. It's through cognitive dissonance that a negative emotional state of mind that, once created, can actually have an impact on the actual behaviour and intention of people to stop or discontinue their usage habit. "Once people see those negative consequences, they will act on them and will be motivated to exert self-control," said Vaghefi who presented the paper at the 50th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences recently.

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