Sep 25

Mindfulness won’t burn calories, but it might help you stick with your health goals

by admin in Mind & Body 0 comments
Most people know roughly what kind of lifestyle they should be living to stay healthy. Think regular exercise, a balanced diet and sufficient sleep. Yet, despite all the hacks, trackers and motivational quotes, many of us still struggle to stick with our health goals. Meanwhile, people worldwide are experiencing more lifestyle-associated chronic disease than ever before. But what if the missing piece in your health journey wasn’t more discipline – but more stillness? Research shows that mindfulness meditation can help facilitate this pursuit of health goals through stillness, and that getting started is easier than you might think – no Buddhist monk robes or silent retreats required. Given how ubiquitous and accessible mindfulness resources are these days, I have been surprised to see mindfulness discussed and studied only as a mental health tool, stopping short of exploring its usefulness for a whole range of lifestyle choices. I am a psychologist and behavioral scientist researching ways to help people live healthier lives, especially by moving more and regulating stress more efficiently. My team’s work and that of other researchers suggests that mindfulness could play a pivotal role in paving the way for a healthier society, one mindful breath at a time. […]
Sep 24

Workout is not over until you refuel: Science reveals post-exercise ‘golden window’ that boosts recovery and muscle growth

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Post-workout nutrition is crucial for recovery, not just for elite athletes. A 2025 Sports Medicine review highlights the “golden window” after exercise, when the body restores energy, repairs muscles, and prepares for the next session. Consuming 1–1.2 g/kg carbs and 20–40 g protein soon after exercise boosts glycogen replenishment and muscle repair. Proper hydration and selective supplements further enhance recovery, making refueling essential for performance, endurance, and long-term gains. If you think the work ends when you drop the dumbbell or step off the treadmill, science has news for you. According to a comprehensive review in Sports Medicine (2025), the minutes and hours after exercise are a “golden window” for the body to restore energy, repair muscle fibers, and prepare for the next challenge. The right post-workout nutrition is not just a ritual for elite athletes; it’s a biological necessity for anyone seeking strength, endurance, or recovery.   Carbs: The Fuel Your Muscles Crave During intense exercise, glycogen—the stored carbohydrate in your muscles and liver—gets depleted. Researchers led by Alireza Naderi and colleagues emphasize that replenishing these stores quickly is critical. Their review found that consuming 1–1.2 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight every hour for the first […]
Sep 23

Hacks to improve your sleep quality

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Here are some hacks that can help improve your sleep. Struggling to fall asleep or wake up refreshed? Try these simple yet effective hacks to improve your sleep quality naturally. Get Morning Sunlight: Exposure to natural light in the morning helps regulate circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep at night. Keep Your Room Cool and Dark: Ideal sleep temperature is around 18 to 20°C. Use blackout curtains or an eye mask to block light and promote deeper sleep. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, or gentle stretches before bed can calm the nervous system and help you fall asleep faster. Avoid Caffeine and Heavy Meals Late: Stop caffeine 6–8 hours before bedtime and avoid heavy dinners. Opt for a light, early meal for better digestion and sleep. Limit Screen Time before Bed: Blue light from phones and laptops suppresses melatonin. Switch to reading, journaling, or calming music at least 1 hour before bed. Stick to a Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This trains your body’s internal clock for better sleep.
Sep 22

How to breathe easy at work: The five-minute stress reset

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Breathwork micro-breaks—brief bouts of structured breathing slotted between emails and calls—switch off the body’s ‘alert’ setting and help regain composure   You don’t need a mat, a mantra or a meeting-free afternoon to feel better at work—you need five quiet minutes and your own lungs. Breathwork micro-breaks—brief bouts of slow, structured breathing slotted between emails and calls—switch off your body’s ‘alert’ setting and return you to baseline fast. A Stanford-led randomised study, published on biomedical and life sciences archive PubMed Central, found that just five minutes a day of exhale-weighted ‘cyclic sighing’ improved mood and reduced physiological arousal more than mindfulness meditation—evidence that the mechanics of breathing can be a shortcut to calm. The bigger point: tiny pauses matter. A meta-analysis in the journal PLOS ONE shows that micro-breaks of 10 minutes or less reliably boost vigour and reduce fatigue, even if your task list is brutal. You don’t need a long walk or a nap; a short, non-work activity—such as three-to-five-minute breathing set—delivers a measurable lift and helps you sustain focus through the day. Ask Aditya Kapoor, 32, product manager, Bengaluru. Staring down back-to-back stand-ups, he began pairing calendar alerts with a 4-in/6-out cadence and one long sigh each […]
Sep 21

10 minute workouts for busy people

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Here are some ten minute workout routines you can follow if you are a busy person juggling between work and relaxation. No time for the gym? These quick routines can keep you fit anywhere, anytime. Core Blast: Plank, side planks, Russian twists, and bicycle crunches, a full ab workout in under 10 minutes. Desk Stretch and Strength Routine: Chair squats, seated leg raises, and tricep dips on your chair, perfect for office breaks. HIIT Circuit: Do 30 sec bursts of squats, push ups, jumping jacks, and mountain climbers with 15-sec rests, repeat twice. Jump Rope Workouts: A 10 minute jump rope session can burn up to 100 calories and improve coordination & heart health. Tabata Training: 20 seconds of intense exercise and 10 seconds rest, repeated 8 times, tabata training is super effective for fat burn. Yoga: Sun salutations or a short vinyasa flow, improves flexibility, calms the mind, and energizes the body.
Sep 20

10 foods to avoid if you have high cholesterol

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Based on what we’ve read, heard from doctors, and seen in everyday life, here’s a list to help you out   Let’s talk about cholesterol. It might sound boring, but trust us, it’s one of those things you really don’t want to mess with. It doesn’t come with dramatic symptoms or make you feel sick right away, but over time it can cause serious trouble for your heart. The good news? There’s no need to completely overhaul your life, just being aware of a few foods you eat can make a huge difference. This isn’t about going full diet mode and eating lettuce all day. It’s about keeping things simple and figuring out which foods to avoid or at least cut back on so cholesterol levels don’t stress you out.   Fried stuff You know those crispy, golden things that smell amazing? Fries, fried chicken, pakoras, vadas… irresistible, right? But here’s the catch, they’re fried in oils that are full of trans fats and unhealthy saturated fats. These fats mess with cholesterol big time. They raise the bad kind (LDL) and lower the good kind (HDL). Basically, they’re making it harder for your heart to stay healthy. What you can […]
Sep 19

Can Eating More Fibre Help You Live Longer?

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In a recent Instagram post, a gastroenterologist shared, “People who eat more fibre live longer.”   Gut health isn’t just about digestion. It affects immunity, energy levels, inflammation – and possibly how long you live. But does the science support the claim (according to a viral Instagram post) that more fibre increases lifespan? How Fibre Helps Fibre works in multiple ways: it feeds beneficial gut bacteria, supports healthy digestion, helps control cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and reduces constipation. Together, these effects may explain why people who consume fibre-rich diets appear to live longer and healthier lives. That said, experts caution that while the link is strong, most of the evidence comes from observational studies, so it shows an association rather than absolute proof of cause and effect. What The Evidence Says On Fibre And Longevity In a recent post where Dr Saurabh Sethi, gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, Stanford, was sharing tips to improve gut health, he shares, “eat more high-fibre foods. For example, chia seeds, berries, and oatmeal. These are all high in fibre. People who eat more fibre, live longer and have less acid reflux and less constipation. Aim for 30 grams of fibre daily.”   View […]
Sep 18

Celebrity Fitness Expert Shares Simple Pre And Post-Workout Tips

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Yasmin Karachiwala has shared simple pre-workout and post-workout movements.   In the world of fitness, even small adjustments to your routine can make a big difference. Celebrity trainer Yasmin Karachiwala is making it easier for everyone to train smarter. She has provided viewers with simple and practical movement-based guidance to improve their pre- and post-workout routines. In an Instagram post, she has spoken about the significance of using functional preparation to warm up the body. She recommends warm-up exercises and dynamic stretching as pre-workout motions in the post, captioned, “Power up before, loosen up after. That’s how you train smarter, not harder.” To support recovery and long-term progress, Karachiwala showcases static stretching, cool-down exercises, and simple yoga poses like Malasana (also known as Garland Pose or the Yogi Squat) that can help maintain motivation and keep your routine evolving.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yasmin Karachiwala | Celebrity Fitness Instructor (@yasminkarachiwala) Benefits of Pre-Workout Movements: Warm-ups and dynamic stretching increase circulation, which helps working muscles receive oxygen and nutrients. Effective warm-up exercises can increase range of motion and lower the chance of injury while exercising. Energy levels, concentration, and general workout performance can all be […]
Sep 17

How to increase the memory power of children: 4 science backed formula

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Parents can boost their child’s memory through simple methods. Adequate sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Active recall is more effective than re-reading. Physical activity enhances blood flow to the brain. Mindful nutrition, including omega-3 fatty acids, supports memory performance. These habits help children study smarter and build lasting memory skills. These methods do not require expensive supplements. Does your kid find it hard to remember multiplication tables or recall stories for exams? Well, good news for you that their memory can be strengthened and trained. Memory is the invisible superpower that fuels a child’s learning journey but memory is not just about genetics. Neuroscientists have found that the brain is highly adaptable in childhood and everyday habits can significantly enhance a child’s ability to store and retrieve information. Take a close look…Increasing memory power in children is not about expensive supplements or endless tuition, it is about simple and science-backed habits including proper sleep, active recall, regular physical activity and brain-friendly nutrition. Here are four science-backed formulae every parent can try to help their child sharpen memory power.   Sleep is non-negotiable Memory consolidation happens while children sleep. Studies reveal that sleep strengthens neural connections formed during the day, […]
Sep 16

Foods that can naturally support better sleep

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Foods that can naturally support better sleep Good and healthy sleep has become a privilege in our era. Closing eyes is not enough today, the quality of our rest is shaped long before bedtime. Lifestyle, environment, and diet all play a role in how deeply and peacefully we sleep. While no single food is a cure-all for insomnia, certain foods contain compounds that can help regulate hormones, calm the nervous system, and set the stage for more restorative rest. From tryptophan and magnesium to natural melatonin, what you eat may gently guide your body into slumber.   Tart cherries Tart cherries, particularly varieties like Montmorency, are rich in natural melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep–wake cycle. Studies have shown that drinking tart cherry juice can extend total sleep time and improve sleep efficiency, especially for people struggling with insomnia. Their antioxidant compounds may also reduce inflammation, which can contribute to better rest.   Almonds Almonds offer a powerhouse combination of sleep-promoting nutrients, including melatonin, magnesium, and zinc. Magnesium helps relax muscles and calm the nervous system, while melatonin directly influences sleep timing. Research shows that a mix of melatonin, magnesium, and zinc can improve sleep quality, particularly in older […]
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