Working from home, then anyone knows an imperfect space, whether that means chattering family members, frigid temps or an uncomfortable chair, can ruin your mood and make your productivity nosedive. Luckily, there’s plenty of small things you can do to improve your workspace-to encourage a productive and happy day working from home.

Choose Furniture Wisely. 

If you have the option, choose furniture with rounded rather than sharp edges—this is linked with positive emotions, and can help boost creativity.

Lighten Up. 

When deciding a location for your home office desk, most of us all too often overlook lighting, which can actually have a huge impact on productivity and wellness. Bad lighting, for example, can contribute to eyestrain, headaches and fatigue. Natural lighting is best.

If that’s not a possibility, consider installing full-spectrum or compact fluorescent light bulbs that simulate daylight. Also, if possible, choose a workspace that allows you to alter the lighting to best suit the task at hand. This can be accomplished simply, with a mixture of overhead and desk lighting options. A small desk lamp, for example, can create a cozy glow on dreary or rainy days

Colour Matters.

The link between colour and mood has been well studied, so choose your work area colours wisely. For example, green is linked to creative thinking and is associated with growth, while blue is one of the most productive colours and has been shown to have a calming effect. Pink also can have a calming effect, while red can produce a (short-lived) burst of energy. 

It’s only Natural.

Just because you are stuck at home doing work doesn’t mean you have to be entirely cut off from the natural world. Invest in a green plant; ferns and spider plants do well with little light. As a side bonus, having natural elements in your workspace has been shown to decrease stress.

Smart Scents.

Much like colour, scent also can impact your mood and productivity.  Working from your home office, consider using aromatherapy to fuel a productive day. Some recommended scents include pine (increases alertness), cinnamon (increases focus), citrus (invigorates) and lavender (relaxes).

Noise Control.

If you’re surrounded with talkative family members or boisterous kids, make sure to have a pair of headphones on hand, and use white-noise sites, such as simplynoise.com, to block out anything impeding your focus. If you’re working at home alone and desire a little background noise (complete silence can be just as distracting as too much chatter!), consider streaming recitation, classical music or checking out coffitivity.com, which mimics the ambient noises of a coffee shop ( it will bring back the memories).

Warm vs. Cold.

Temperature is another factor that can have a huge impact on productivity. Although conventional thinking says that colder is better, newer research recommends the opposite. 

When workers are comfortable (which usually means a temperature a few degrees warmer than what most offices are set at), workers are more focused and make fewer typing errors.

Breathe Deep.

Poor air quality can make you prone to illness and bring about headaches. Make sure air filters are regularly changed, and, if possible, open windows and doors on pleasant days to get fresh air flowing. A plant also can help purify the air and remove mould and bacteria.

Mother

She used to say I was her special project, and the love she gave me made me feel special and secure, even though she has left this world I still feel she is with me.
My mother’s name is Nafeesa Akbar Khan and I will never forget the day she left the world on 18th May 2008, it was devastating for me as we were very close. Every mother loves their child, but the love my mother gave me was inexplicable. She used to wait until I got home so she could eat with me. She use to press my legs when I came home and if I told her it was my duty to press her instead of her pressing me, she use to say let me do this, it makes me feel good. My siblings often said that in our mother’s eyes “Junaid bhai came first and then us”.
When I first got married I told my wife that my only request was that if she didn’t mind that I ate dinner with my mother, as she still loves to sit with me and feed me even though I was a grown man. I told her that I could have married anyone, but my mother chose her to be my life partner and therefore she should allow me this request. My wife agreed to this.

“Every mother loves their child, but the love my mother gave me was inexplicable”

I don’t ever remember disobeying my mother, we had a special bond. When she died I had already left music and was on the path of dawah. I was in Toronto giving a lecture, when I was told that my mother had died just before Fajr prayers. It took me a year to recover and it was then that I realised the wisdom of Muslims burying their dead and visiting their graves as it helps the healing process. I visit her grave often and feel a sense of peace to be near her. I can never forget her face brightening up every time I went to see her and saying “kya haal heh ummah” and she would smile and hug me. Even when I was a grown- up she would make me sit on her lap like I use to when I was small and I would worry in case I hurt her with my weight, but she would continue to hold me saying I was part of her being.

Sister

My sister is called Muniza Javed Khan she is a wonderful person and sister. She is one of the most intelligent woman I know and we are very close. We were three brothers and one sister, so she grew up like a tom boy as we included her in all our games; she played cricket and other sports with us. She was always a daddy’s girl and very close to my father.

I remember when I was at university studying engineering she helped me to pass my advanced mathematics course. She is highly intelligent upright honest and has wonderful children whom she has brought up admirably. She is a renowned scholar now and we are all still very close and I am very proud of her.

Wife

My wife Ayesha is a great life partner; she holds the fort while I am away from the home. She takes care of the house and has raised the children well. She also takes great care of my dad who lives with us. She took great care of my mother especially near the end when my mother was quite ill. I always say to her I am sure Allah has forgiven her sins because of the way she looked after my mother. After my mother’s death I though the extended family would fall apart, but it didn’t happen like that as my wife made sure that everyone continued to meet and stay attached to each other, she is also very close with my sister, they both are friends. Our house is the focal point for all family gatherings. She has stood by me through life’s up and downs and is the best life partner I could have wished for. Even though I travel a lot when I am home I make sure I spend quality time with the family.

Daughter

Photos: Mobin Ansari

Daughters are always precious to their fathers and my daughter is one of my weak points. I remember one day one of my friends had tears in his eyes because his daughter was getting married. I asked him why he was crying, and he said something I will never forget, he said wait till Zahra grows up then you will know why I have tears in my eyes. Today Zahra is 17 years old and grown up into an intelligent lady, like her aunty. She also has inherited my mother’s good looks and personality. I have told her that when she becomes 18 she has a right to mother her old dad. I often laugh because I am sure the first thing she may end up doing when she is 18 is to curtail my activities, especially travelling.

“I have told her that when she becomes 18 she has a right to mother her old dad”

Life is a precious gift all humans have been granted, which is why it’s vital to invest in your health and well-being. If staying trim isn’t enough of a motivation, maybe your faith will be: Islam focuses on looking after not only your spiritual and emotional health, but your physical health, as well. Our bodies are a divine gift, a blessing that came to us with working organs, limbs, and a heart. This is why it’s our duty to ensure that our bodies are not neglected or abused by ill maintenance or weak and lazy habits.
The Quran includes passages on the importance of healthy habits. For example, there are hadiths that tell how the Prophet Muhammad (s) valued being physically fit and following a healthy diet. Hazrat Ibn Umar (ra) narrated that the Prophet (s) said to “teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding.”
And Islam overall is a physically and mentally spiritual practice—your brain can only be fully engaged and focused on faith if it’s healthy and not bogged down with physical ailments. You need strength to perform things like salat or Hajj, one of the most demanding and fruitful experiences in any Muslim person’s life.
Below, Nazia Khatun of Fitness Reborn reveals five benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how it relates to Islam.

Disease Prevention & Appetite Control

More than one million people die each year from coronary heart diseases, which are largely caused by poor diets and excessive eating. The Prophet (s) disliked gluttony, and described the proper amounts to eat in order to stay healthy:
“No man fills a vessel worse than his stomach. A few morsels are enough for the son of Adam (human being) to keep his back upright. But if he must eat more, then he should fill one-third of his stomach with food, one-third with drink, and leave one-third empty for the air (easy breathing).”
Finding this balance in your diet is essential for efficiently running bodies, and a light, healthy diet also helps us control our thoughts and emotions. Here’s yet another quote from Ibrahim ibn Adham (ra):
“Anyone who controls his stomach is in control of his deen, and anyone who controls his hunger is in control of good behaviour. Disobedience toward Allah is nearest to a person who is satiated with a full stomach, and furthest away from a person who is hungry.”

Food Equals Energy

In the Prophet’s (s) era, food was chosen carefully, and homemade foods made with love and affection were considered the purest. Unfortunately, modern society has brought with it the proliferation of fast food chains. Food that is made in haste and filled with chemicals slows the body down, leading to a lack of focus. To stay physically and mentally sharp so you can perform your daily duties as a Muslim, follow a diet centered on homemade, nutritious food.

A Restorative Sleep

A healthy diet and daily exercise not only help boost energy levels, but they also can help improve the quality of your sleep. Sleep is an essential part of taking good care of your body—it allows you to recover and mend. And when you’re well-rested and mentally strong, you can give your focus purely to Allah when praying.

A Solution for Depression

Besides helping you stay trim, exercise also can reduce depression, and some studies have shown it can be as effective as medication. Exercise also helps improve memory and other cognitive functions, and is thought to protect the brain against dementia. One Harvard University researcher called exercise the “Miracle-Gro for the brain.”

A Well-Lived Life

Whatever it is you love in life, whether it be your kids, travel, sports, or fashion, everything is more enjoyable when you’re feeling healthy and fit. Our creator wants us to be happy and live a fruitful life, so make sure you maintain healthy diet and exercise habits to be able to enjoy every moment. SW

Nazia Khatun,
www.fitnessrebornuk.com

Where would you like to be living your life? In the past? In the present? Or in the future?
Most would say they want to live in the present. But bad habits and thought patterns can keep you from achieving this.
Below, find insight and tips to cultivate a mindful attitude and start living in the here and now.

Past Memories

We carry with us memories of the past, and it is natural to revisit them. Your past plays an essential role in who you are today, but if you focus too much energy on it, you stop yourself from moving forward. Sometimes we fall into the habit of replaying our past hurts or best days gone by in an endless loop. When you do this, you end up missing out on the life you are living right now. The past is just that: past. You can visit there once in a while, but don’t make it your permanent address.

The Only Thing That Exists is the Present

In this present moment and with every second that passes, you are creating your future. Your future is not just tomorrow or five years from now, but five minutes or five hours from now. Your future is today! You create it, moment by moment, day by day. Actively invest your time in creating your future, not worrying about how it will unfold.
When you wake up each morning, you make a choice about how you are going to approach your day. To understand the future you are creating, start paying attention to the very first thought you wake up with. Do you wake up dreading work? Do you first notice that you’re still tired? Is a long to-do list the first thing that pops in your mind? Or are you grateful for waking up each day, with positive anticipation of the hours ahead? Whether positive or negative, conscious or unconscious, you choose the feelings that set the tone for each day that lies ahead and for each moment you live.

Each day, you are given a fresh, blank page to fill. Choose your words wisely, and fill it with a tale that is positive, happy and fulfilling.

You’re in the Driver Seat

As you interact with people around you, you create your present moment. When you smile, you bring peace and joy. When you look at your family with warmth and care, you create a wonderful present. You create the experience of your life’s journey with every thought, feeling and action. The story that you are telling yourself and the thoughts that dominate your mind become the script of the movie that is your life. You and only you are in complete control of the story that is running through your mind right now.

Write a New Story

Mahatma Gandhi said, “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” What if the dirty feet are yours? Have you ever taken the time to consider what the plot or moral of your current life story is? Are you playing the leading role, or a supporting character? Is your story of winning, coming out on top, standing tall? Is it one of adventure, rising from life’s challenges, overcoming fears, making friends, and creating a new and wonderful life? Whatever your current storyline may be, the pen is in your hand.
Each day, you are given a fresh, blank page to fill. Choose your words wisely, and fill it with a tale that is positive, happy and fulfilling. If this solution sounds too simple, think of our thoughts as a snowball. When you replay a negative memory from your past or consider the negative outcome of an upcoming life event, your mind will begin to wander and the worst case scenario will unreel in your mind. You might even begin to feel the physical signs of this negativity—increased blood pressure and heart rate, headaches, stress, and tension.
But good thoughts can snowball, too, quickly bringing joy, happiness, light and control to your life. If you are ready to begin living your life in the present moment, start by choosing positive thoughts and chasing negative thoughts out of your mind. It will take time for healthier habits to become second nature, but the positive effects will take hold immediately. SW

Wajeeha Amin is a psychotherapeutic counsellor and Relationship Coach. www.wajeehaamin.co.uk 

Tips for Being Mindful

Small actions add up, and it’s no different when you’re trying to cultivate mindfulness to live in the present. Here are some small things you can do throughout your day to keep your head in the present moment.

• Breathe – Take a quick break at work or while you’re going through your day and focus on breathing for a few minutes. Notice how the air flows in and out of your body, how your belly rises and falls.
• Eat Slow – Next time you eat, slow things down and take time to notice how your food looks, tastes, smells and feels.
• Practice – Being mindful when doing a routine task, such as dishes. How do all your senses register the task? Notice how the hot water feels on your hands, the smell of the soap, the feel of the washcloth rubbing against each dish.
• Focus on one thing – Try to spend the day focusing on one thing at a time and not letting the constant distractions of the digital age derail you. For example, if you’re writing a memo at work, don’t stop every few minutes to check email. Work slowly and deliberately.
• Walk – Take a walk. Leave your phone or on silent in your bag, and notice your surroundings.

Traveling could be more FUN if you knew what and how to pack.

Last week, we asked 20 different travellers from different nation and their top concerns when planning a trip abroad and almost 90% of them mentioned two things – ‘travel light’ and ‘look good’.

But is it really possible to travel light and look good at the same time?

Shouldn’t you pack more so that you have all the clothes to dress well throughout your trip? And doesn’t’ that make your bags bulge and heavy? Well – only if you knew what and how to pack.

“When you focus on the right priorities while packing, you will end up with only the things you need without having to waste precious suitcase space,” advises Mr. Martin, a travel photographer who’s been to more than 30 countries.

With that said, here are top 10 things you need to consider in order to travel light and look good this summer.

1. Contact places you’ll be staying during your trip, such as hotels, and ask them about the amenities. You’ll save a precious luggage space by avoiding packing things like bathrobes, curling irons, hair dryers, blankets, soap, etc.
2.  Prior to visiting any place, research its weather forecast. This will help you pack proper clothing.
3. Check your itinerary and pack accordingly.  Planning your outfit before you arrive at your destination is crucial as it this step will prevent you from taking too much. For example, if there’s only one event on your itinerary, you only need one evening wear for the occasion or one shirt for each day of your trip.
4. Pack clothes and scarves that match well with others, especially neutral shades like white, gray, black, brown, which are considered to be versatile colors.
5. Leave replaceable items like toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, etc) behind as you can always buy them when you arrive. Or just take miniature travel sized accessories.
6. Carry three pair of shoes. Pack two and wear the third. The shoe type you’ll choose will depend on the type of trip you will be taking.
7. Use compression bags to pack your clothing. Compression bags such as plastic bags let you squeeze air from pile of clothing so that they occupy less space in your travel bags/suitcases. This method is more effective than simply rolling your clothes which leaves your clothes wrinkled and occupy more space on your suitcases.
8. Tuck small accessories into other things. For example, you can roll up your ties, belts, and jewellery into shoes, makeup case, etc.
9. Place flat items like your clothing at the bottom of your bag or suitcase. Let your shoes, accessories, and other items lie on top of it.
10. And lastly select a suitcase which is light and has wheels for ease.

Any more ideas you would like to share with us then email us on editor@saverah.com

Away from the glamour world of show biz, today he is an international globe trotter whose mission is to give ‘Dawah’ and invite people to Islam. His fan base has grown worldwide and he has been continually included in the list of 500 most influential Muslims in the world, which to some extent is important as it means when ‘Junaid speaks people listen’.

What does Junaid Jamshed think of women may be difficult to fathom, however we can understand the man better if we look closely at his attitude to the 4 women who are not only constant in his life but also close to his heart.

Daughter

Daughters are always precious to their fathers and my daughter is one of my weak points. I remember one day one of my friends had tears in his eyes because his daughter was getting married. I asked him why he was crying, and he said something I will never forget, he said wait till Zahra grows up then you will know why I have tears in my eyes. Today Zahra is 17 years old and grown up into an intelligent lady, like her aunty. She also has inherited my mother’s good looks and personality. I have told her that when she becomes 18 she has a right to mother her old dad. I often laugh because I am sure the first thing she may end up doing when she is 18 is to curtail my activities, especially travelling.

Get a copy of Saverah Women for the complete interview. Buy Print addition here

You are young free and single, just at the right age to get married, or so you think, because all your cousins and friends seem to be getting married except you. And things don’t get any better when all around you, especially your aunties ask if there is any news of an engagement.

At times you feel as if all is at a standstill, because you assumed that getting married would be the next best thing you do after graduating. So if there are no wedding plans ahead then what to do next? Waiting and waiting, your life becomes suspended until future brings change. But it doesn’t have to be that way, being young, single and free from the responsibilities of a married woman you have time on your hands and a choice of what to do with it. Therefore try and make it good.

Being newly-married is a wonderful time, no doubt, and having a good husband can greatly enrich our lives. However with marriage come responsibilities and our free time and what to do with it can become rather limited. Being married often involves being responsible for the household, duties to the husband, sometimes in-laws and soon becoming a mother, the responsibilities seem endless. Which is just the opposite of a single girl – in her case, it’s the opportunities that seem endless, not the responsibilities.

Read complete article + 25 Things a Single Muslim Woman can do in latest addition of Saverah Women, click here

Everything in life comes at the right time, and we should be thankful for every day