Jun 26

Cutting back on calories? Eating less may take a toll on mental health

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A recent study reveals a potential link between low-calorie diets and increased depressive symptoms, particularly affecting men and overweight individuals. The research, analyzing data from thousands of adults, found that calorie-restrictive diets correlate with higher cognitive-affective symptom scores. Experts emphasize the importance of balanced nutrient intake, including glucose and omega-3 fatty acids, for optimal brain health and mental well-being. Feeling the blues lately? It might be time to look beyond your emotions. This time, look into your plate. What you eat, or more specifically, how little you eat, could be impacting your mental health. Yes, you read that right! A recent study found that cutting back on calories may increase the risk of depressive symptoms. According to a new study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, following a low-calorie diet is linked to a heightened risk of depressive symptoms.   What is a healthy diet A ‘healthy’ diet incorporates lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, and fish. The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the best diets in the world for its health benefits. This diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and heart-healthy fats like olive oil.   Diet and […]
Jun 21

10 Daily practices that can boost your mental health

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Daily habits impact mental health. Procrastination and social media use can be harmful. Cultivating healthy habits is essential for inner peace. The article suggests ten ways to improve mental well-being. These include embracing change, practicing self-forgiveness, and pursuing personal goals. Learning from failures and taking action are also important. Focus on long-term contentment and self-reliance for a joyful life. Our daily activities have a big impact on our physical appearance and overall health. How we think, speak, perform our daily tasks, or present ourselves. If we are not intentional about forming healthy habits, we run the risk of falling into patterns that deprive us of our inner peace and happiness. Common behaviours that can harm our mental health include procrastination, excessive social media use, negative self-talk, and comparing ourselves to others. By recognising and breaking these habits, we can create a more contented and joyful environment for ourselves that aligns with our goals and values.   Ways to improve your mental well being   1. Put Perspective Above Circumstance Life will inevitably involve frustration and inconvenience, but how each person responds to these circumstances is different, their reaction determines the outcome. Instead of reacting with anger, jealousy, or fear, adopt […]
Jun 19

Doing this 10-minute walk before heading to office can offer 7 health benefits

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Take 10 minutes to start your day by walking barefoot on the grass early morning, if you can. It can calm your mind, uplift your mood, and recharge your energy levels. Mornings are often rushed. Once the alarm clock rings, and we step out of the bed, activity rarely stops until the next sleep cycle. But before you dive into the chaos, how about giving yourself just 10 minutes of calm? Walking barefoot on grass may seem too simple to make a difference, but this grounding practice can do wonders for your physical and mental health. It connects you with nature, clears your head, and offers a gentle energy boost—all before your workday even begins. Whether it is a garden, park, or a patch of lawn, spending a few quiet moments with your feet touching the earth can reduce stress, improve focus, and even support better sleep. Wondering how? Know its benefits to convince yourself to follow this underrated morning ritual.   Health benefits of walking barefoot Here are 7 advantages of walking barefoot on grass for just 10 minutes before heading office:   1. Reduces stress Walking barefoot on grass is a natural way to calm your mind and […]
Jun 16

​7 ‘cool’ habits young adults must ditch for good mental and physical health​

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Adulting is not easy, but it is not so tough, as well! Let’s be real: adulting is hard. Between trying to make rent, staying “on brand” for the ’Gram, and ordering oat milk lattes on autopilot, young adults today are juggling more than ever. But somewhere in this chaos, a few habits that feel totally normal — even trendy — are quietly messing with our health. They may seem harmless, even cool. But these daily choices are often loaded with long-term consequences. So if you’re in your 20s or 30s and still thinking, “I’ve got time,” well — now’s the time to read this list. Here are 7 ‘cool’ habits you need to ditch right now if you want to protect your sanity, gut, sleep, heart, and future self.   1. Living on 5 hours of sleep and calling it “hustle culture” We get it. You’re working late, building your brand, maybe even hitting the gym at 6 a.m. — and somewhere in the middle, you’re surviving on iced coffee and vibes. But let’s not romanticize sleep deprivation. Running on 4–5 hours of sleep every night doesn’t make you tough. It makes you moody, forgetful, bloated, and at higher risk […]
Jun 15

Top 6 Healthy Habits To Train Your Brain To Be Happier!

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By integrating these positive habits into your life, you won’t just be creating a stronger and more optimistic brain, but you will also be gaining access to a greater, more enduring sense of contentment and happiness. In today’s fast-moving world, it seems like happiness is a distant dream. We may seek it through outward success, material things, or momentary indulgences. But really sustainable happiness is not something outside of us; it’s something we can develop from within by consciously training our brains. Just as you’d go to the gym to make your muscles stronger, you can practice habits that are good for building your mental toughness, creating positive emotions, and actually rewire your brain for more happiness. Here’s how to begin training your brain to become happier:   1. Harness the Power of Gratitude It sounds simple, but the impact of gratitude is profound. Regularly acknowledging the good things in your life, no matter how small, shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. How to practice: Keep a gratitude journal, list three things you’re grateful for each morning or evening, or simply take a moment to appreciate something positive that happens during your day. Brain benefit: Gratitude engages […]
Jun 13

Not just mind & body, experts say yoga can prevent and help manage chronic diseases

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The popularity of yoga has grown tremendously in the past decade. More than 10% of U.S. adults have practised yoga at some point in their lives. Yoga practitioners spend on average US$90 a month, and the yoga industry is worth more than $80 billion worldwide. Yoga is now a mainstream activity in the U.S. and is commonly portrayed as a healthy lifestyle choice. I am a behavioural scientist who researches how physical activity – and specifically yoga – can prevent and help manage chronic diseases. Many people attribute improvements in their physical and mental health to their yoga practice. But until recently, research had been sparse on the health benefits of yoga. As the body of rigorous research on yoga grows, more and more work is showing the many health benefits of a yoga practice.   What is yoga? The name “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuj” meaning to unite, join or connect the mind, body and soul. The first text on yoga was written by the sage Patanjali over 2,000 years ago in India. Patanjali described yoga as “citta-vrtti-nirodhah,” or “stilling the mind.” This was achieved through a mix of breath work, meditation, physical movement and body […]
Jun 10

How to be more intelligent: 8 ways to sharpen your mind

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How to be more intelligent: 8 ways to sharpen your mind Intelligence isn’t something that is fixed; it grows when you feed it right. From what you consume to how you challenge yourself daily, sharpening your mind is less about natural talent and more about consistent habits. These eight simple but powerful strategies are backed by science and practised by lifelong learners everywhere. Whether you’re looking to think more clearly, remember better, or boost creativity, these habits can help. Intelligence isn’t just IQ, it’s adaptability, awareness, and continuous growth. Start with one habit today and watch your mind expand in ways you never expected.   1. Mind diet Just like food affects your body, your mental diet affects your brain. Each day, challenge yourself with something that stimulates your mind: Read a thought-provoking book, solve a complex puzzle, or listen to a deep podcast. Choose content that stretches your thinking and keeps you curious. Avoid passive scrolling and mindless content that dulls your attention. Instead, aim to consume at least one piece of mentally nutritious material daily. Your brain craves novelty and complexity, it’s how it grows. The more demanding the input, the stronger and sharper your mental capacity becomes. […]
Jun 05

Prevent weight gain, stay active if you don’t have time for daily exercises

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Exercise tips: If you want to lose that extra fat, you can. If you’re not a morning person, no need to worry, here are some unique ways to include physical activity to your lifestyle. Find what works best for you and make it a consistent part of your day.   Getting active is essential for maintaining good health, but sometimes fitting in a morning walk or workout can feel impossible with our busy lives. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), adults should aim for at least 45 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day to help prevent weight gain and stay healthy. If early mornings aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to stay active without having to start your day with a walk. Maintaining regular physical activity doesn’t always require a strict workout routine. The key is consistency. Even if you can’t commit to long walks, there are small, simple ways to integrate movement into your day. Research suggests that small bursts of activity can be just as effective as longer, more intense workouts. This means that no matter how busy or unpredictable your day gets, you can still stay […]
Jun 02

Mental Fitness Tips to Train Your Brain and Improve Well-Being

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A psychologist shares simple, daily habits that can help manage stress and boost resilience. We often hear about the importance of physical fitness — working out to help our bodies stay strong and healthy — but should we also be prioritizing mental fitness? Just as regular exercise helps keep us physically fit, proactively taking care of our mental health is also critical to improving our well-being. “Mental fitness is about feeling mentally sharp, emotionally steady, and able to respond — not just react — to whatever life throws at you,” says Dr. Shannon M. Bennett, the associate director of the Center for Youth Mental Health at NewYork-Presbyterian. “The good news is, there are small habits you can incorporate into your day that make a real difference over time.” Dr. Bennett shares simple everyday strategies that can help strengthen your mental health and build long-term emotional resilience.   1. Plan regular check-ins At least a few times a day, pause and check in with yourself. Dr. Bennett recommends scanning your body from head to toe and noticing how you feel mentally and physically. Then, take a few slow deep breaths to release any tension. “It can help to tie this practice […]
May 29

Top 9 Benefits of Exercise (and How Much to Do)

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You hear it all the time: Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It’s “the closest thing we have to a miracle drug,” says Gene Shirokobrod, DPT, co-founder of Recharge in Ellicott City, MD. “It has significant benefits and very few side effects.” Those benefits go far beyond your physical body. Exercise can boost your mood, help you sleep better, and keep your body humming smoothly, not to mention reduce your risk of chronic disease. Nearly half of WebMD readers polled say they exercise at least once a day. How much does it take? For adults, experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week (which you can split up any way you like, such as 30 minutes a day 5 days a week) and 2 days of strength training activities. You don’t have to lift a certain amount of weight or run a specific number of miles. And if you’re not active now, start slowly. “A little bit goes a long way to getting started and building good habits. It makes a big difference,” says Mark Hutchinson, MD, president of the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation. Here are […]
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