May 14

Brain health: 7 everyday habits that secretly affect your mental health

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Brain health tips: Your daily habits, like sleep, diet, and stress management, greatly affect your mental health and brain function. Here are a few expert recommended tips to help improve them.   Are you feeling low, stressed, or anxious more often than usual, without any major reason? Sometimes, the little things you do every day, without thinking twice, can negatively impact your mental health. While these habits might seem harmless, over time they can add up and take a toll on how you feel, think, and function. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), mental health can be influenced by a combination of lifestyle factors including sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and social connection. When these areas are neglected, even slightly, your brain starts to send warning signs. Common symptoms include feeling overwhelmed, unusually irritable, tired despite resting, unable to focus, or disconnected from others. Left unchecked, these patterns can lead to anxiety, depression, or emotional burnout. Your everyday routine plays a huge role in your mental wellbeing. From sleep and diet to how you manage stress, these factors are deeply connected to your brain’s health. “Staying up late scrolling on your phone might seem harmless, but it disrupts your […]
May 13

Stress-Relieving Exercises to Help You Feel More Relaxed and Empowered

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Stress is an unavoidable fact of modern life, but that doesn’t mean you have to take it sitting or lying down. You can regularly take steps (pun intended!) to relieve stress to prevent it from taking a toll on your physical or emotional health. Among the very best ways to alleviate stress and anxiety is exercise, which brings a host of other health benefits too. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. From dancing to martial arts to walking, different types of exercise can help relieve stress. In fact, a review of studies in a 2023 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that various forms of physical activity – including aerobic, resistance training, mixed-mode and mind-body exercises – can improve psychological distress, anxiety and depression in adults. Trust me. As a certified Spinning and Pilates Reformer class instructor, which I do as a side gig, I can see the difference in my participants after each workout. They routinely leave the studio in a more upbeat mood, looking and feeling more relaxed. But it’s not just them – I personally get the same benefits. Pilates and Spinning regularly help me blow off steam, as well as make me feel strong […]
May 12

What’s the difference between probiotics, prebiotics? Dietitian explains

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Both probiotics and prebiotics are said to encourage a healthy microbiome – a healthy community of different microorganisms that live in or on your body. If you walk through your local pharmacy or supermarket you’re bound to come across probiotics and prebiotics. They’re added to certain foods. They come as supplements you can drink or take as a pill. They also occur naturally in everyday foods. You might have a vague idea that probiotics and prebiotics are healthy. Or perhaps you’ve heard they’re good for your “microbiome”. But what actually is your microbiome? And what’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics anyway?   First, some definitions The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the World Health Organisation, define probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit”. These microorganisms are the bacteria and yeasts in food such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and kombucha, and in supplements. But prebiotics refer to the “food” probiotics need to survive and replicate. Prebiotics are better known as dietary fibre. They include specific types of fibres called inulin-type fructans, galacto-oligosaccahrides, resistant starch and pectin. Prebiotics occur naturally in plant foods, are added to foods (such as bread and breakfast cereals) and […]
May 11

Fitness coach shares how to lose 10 kg even if you sit for 10+ hours a day: Check out meal plan, diet and workout tips

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Struggling to lose weight with a desk job? Fitness coach shares simple tips and a diet plan to help you shed 10 kg, even if you sit for 10+ hours daily.   If you’re someone who spends most of your day glued to a desk or working from home, losing weight can feel like a tough challenge. After hours of sitting in front of a screen, the thought of finding time or energy to hit the gym might seem impossible. But even with a sedentary lifestyle, you can still shed those extra kilos without overhauling your routine. Fitness coach Sunil Shetty frequently shares health and weight loss tips with his Insta family. In his May 9 post, he reveals how to lose 10 kg, even if you’re sitting for 10+ hours a day. “Think you need hours in the gym? Think again. It’s NOT about being perfect from Day 1, it’s about starting small, showing up daily, and improving by just 1% each day. In a year, you’ll be 37 times better than your current self,” Sunil says in his post. He further shares simple tips and diet plan to torch fat without spending hours in the gym:   View […]
May 10

8 best and worst foods to start your day on an empty stomach

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Having the correct food in the morning can improve digestion, boost metabolism, and make you energetic. On the other hand, having the wrong foods may cause bloating, acidity, or a sugar crash. The majority of people are not aware that their morning choices might harm their health. Certain foods are gentle on the stomach and high in essential nutrients, whereas others upset the digestive system. It is useful to know what can be eaten and what must be avoided on an empty stomach so that one may enjoy better gut health and overall well-being. The following are eight foods that you can eat comfortably on an empty stomach and eight foods that you must not. 8 BEST FOODS TO EAT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH 1. Soaked almonds: Soaked almonds are rich in fibre, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. They boost digestion, fill you up, and improve brain function. 2. Warm water with honey and lemon: Warm water with honey and lemon, if taken, improves the expulsion of toxins, boosts metabolism, and improves digestion. It also keeps the skin healthy. 3. Papaya: Papaya contains more fibre and digestive enzymes. Papaya cleanses the stomach and prevents constipation. 4. Oatmeal: Oats provide you […]
May 09

5 Kettlebell Shoulder Workout for Broad Shoulders

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When it comes to building broad, defined shoulders, few tools are as effective—or versatile—as the kettlebell. Unlike traditional dumbbells, kettlebells challenge your stability, engage your core, and promote functional strength that translates into real-world movements like lifting, pushing, and pulling. Beyond aesthetics, strong shoulders improve posture, reduce injury risk, and enhance overall athleticism. “Broad shoulders aren’t just about looking good—they’re about feeling strong and confident in everything you do,”   If you’re ready to sculpt powerful deltoids, improve your posture, and build a physique that commands attention, these five kettlebell shoulder workouts are your ticket.   1. Kettlebell Overhead Press The kettlebell overhead press is a foundational move for building strong, defined shoulders while improving posture and core stability. Hold a kettlebell in one hand at shoulder height, palm facing inward, with your elbow tucked close to your body. Press the kettlebell overhead until your arm is fully extended, keeping your core engaged and avoiding excessive arching of your lower back. Lower the kettlebell back to shoulder height with control, then switch arms after completing your set. Perform 3 sets of 8–12 reps per arm, using a weight that challenges you without compromising form. “This exercise isolates the shoulders while […]
May 08

Calm your mind with these breathwork techniques

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Breathwork is one of the easiest yet most effective ways to manage stress, naturally. By concentrating on breathing techniques, you can calm your mind and body, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. These techniques are beginner-friendly and can be practiced anywhere with no special equipment. Learn how to harness the power of your breath for the best improvements in your mental well-being.   Deep breathing Diaphragmatic breathing Diaphragmatic breathing means taking deep breaths involving the diaphragm instead of shallow ones using the chest. This technique increases oxygen intake which can reduce heart rate and blood pressure. To practice, sit or lie down comfortably, placing one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Inhale deeply through your nose such that your abdomen rises more than your chest. Then exhale slowly through pursed lips.   Structured breathing Box breathing technique Box breathing is a systematic technique that involves inhaling, holding your breath, exhaling, and pausing for equal counts. Usually practiced with counts of four seconds each step, this technique regulates the nervous system and reduces stress levels. It is often used by professionals working in high-stress environments owing to its calming effects.   Balanced breathing Alternate nostril breathing Alternate nostril […]
May 07

Does TikTok’s 3-2-1 Fitness Method Actually Work? We Asked the Experts

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Social media loves a workout trend. Just look at the 12-3-30 workout, the 75 soft challenge, or even the 30-30-30 rule. We can’t quite put our finger on it, but include a number in the name, and watch the workout go viral. Maybe the numerals make the routine sound more official (although we know to be careful when taking advice from fitfluencers). Or maybe the numbers offer some much-needed structure. Either way, there’s another numeric fitness trend gaining traction, and we think it’s time to talk about it. Enter: the 3-2-1 method. The 3-2-1 method is a weekly workout routine that calls for three days of strength training, two days of Pilates, and one day of cardio or conditioning. This combination is supposed to deliver consistent, impressive results (and with six days of exercise . . . it better). The regimen first began trending on TikTok in early 2023, but it’s maintained a stronghold in the fitness zeitgeist ever since, with influencers touting it as a universally effective workout plan. 3-2-1 has even inspired a few workout challenges, including the Alo Moves Reset. At first glance, this trend certainly seems legit — but is it really? And if the 3-2-1 […]
May 06

How Many Pushups Should You Be Able To Do?

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The number of pushups you can do depends not only on your strength but also on a lot of other factors as well. Known as the simplest yet most effective exercise in your workout arsenal, pushups are a quintessential upper-body exercise that trains multiple key muscle groups. According to fitness experts, your ability to do push-ups indicates more than just how muscular your arms are — the number you can do also offers clues about your overall health. Recently on social media, people have been going gaga over the 11-push-up challenge, which was started by Mel Robbins, a longevity expert and orthopaedic surgeon who believes “everyone should be able to do 11 push-ups—regular push-ups.” The clip took off on TikTok with thousands of women accepting the challenge and posting videos of their attempts at completing 11 push-ups from their feet. But where does this number come from, and are there any markers of overall health? How many push-ups are ideal for you? According to a study conducted by Harvard researchers, middle-aged men should be able to perform at least 20 push-ups to get a significantly lower all-cause mortality risk over ten years. The study highlights the importance of maintaining muscular […]
May 05

If You Want to Transform Your Life, Build These 10 Habits

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Research shows that about 40% of our daily activities are simply habits—automatic behaviors that shape our lives in profound ways. While we often think major breakthroughs come from dramatic changes, the truth is that small habits, consistently applied, create the biggest transformations over time. These aren’t just random behaviors but scientifically backed practices that can completely reshape your life when followed with dedication. Building effective habits isn’t about willpower or motivation alone. It’s about understanding how your brain works and leveraging that knowledge to create lasting change. The average new habit takes about 66 days to become automatic, not the 21 days often cited in pop culture. By focusing on the proper habits and implementing them strategically, you can create compound effects that transform every aspect of your life.   The Science of Habit Formation Habits are actions triggered automatically in response to contextual cues we’ve associated with their performance. They follow a simple loop: a cue triggers a routine that delivers a reward. For example, feeling stressed (cue) might lead to checking social media (routine), which provides an emergency distraction (reward). Understanding this loop is crucial because it allows us to replace bad habits with good ones. Your brain […]
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