Outdoor festivities, radiant sunlight, hygiene: Journey alongside Grilling Ambassadors
Capturing the Perseids Meteor Shower
The Perseids meteor shower, a celestial spectacle that lights up the night sky, can be photographed with just a camera or smartphone. Here are some tips to help you capture the Perseids' dazzling trails:
- Use a device with manual mode or an app that allows control over focus, exposure, and ISO.
- Mount your device on a stable tripod to minimise blur from hand movements.
- Opt for a wide-angle lens or camera setting to capture a broad area of the night sky.
- Set a long exposure time (e.g., 10-30 seconds) to capture meteor trails, balancing exposure to avoid over-brightness.
- Choose a dark location away from city lights, ideally on a clear night with minimal moonlight.
- Use a remote shutter release or timer to minimise shake.
- Focus manually on a distant bright star or infinity.
- Take multiple shots continuously to increase chances of capturing meteors.
Smartphones with astrophotography mode or apps designed for night sky photography can simplify these settings.
Health Benefits of Barefoot Walking
Barefoot walking, a popular summer activity, offers numerous health benefits. Here's what you can expect:
- Improved posture and spine alignment: Barefoot walking promotes a natural gait from heel to toe, reducing uneven pressure on the spine and aiding proper posture.
- Strengthened foot, ankle, and leg muscles: Walking without shoes activates numerous muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot, strengthening arches and improving stability.
- Enhanced balance and proprioception: Barefoot walking sharpens the body’s spatial awareness and balance by increasing sensory feedback from the feet, reducing fall risk especially in older adults.
- Reduced joint impact and back pain: Without thick soles and raised heels, biomechanical strain on joints and the lower back is lessened.
- Connection with nature and stress reduction: Walking barefoot on grass or natural terrain may reduce stress, inflammation, and improve mental clarity by grounding the body and connecting to nature’s electrons.
Tips for Starting Barefoot Walking
To start reaping these benefits, follow these tips:
- Begin on soft, clean surfaces like grass or carpet to avoid injuries from sharp objects or rough ground.
- Gradually increase barefoot time to allow your foot muscles to adapt and strengthen, avoiding overuse injuries.
- Avoid busy sidewalks or hot pavements to prevent cuts, burns, or stress fractures, especially if new to barefoot walking.
- Pay attention to any discomfort and consult a healthcare provider if you have foot deformities or chronic conditions.
Science and health-and-wellness are interconnected in the practice of barefoot walking, a fitness-and-exercise activity. Barefoot walking has numerous health benefits including improved posture and spine alignment, strengthened foot, ankle, and leg muscles, enhanced balance and proprioception, reduced joint impact and back pain, and connection with nature and stress reduction.
