Jan 16

The best kind of workout? One that trains both your body and brain

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We already know exercise is good for our bodies, but it’s also an essential tool for managing mental health. Yet many people still separate physical fitness from mental wellness, viewing them as two different goals rather than parts of the same whole. Too often, workout routines are designed with only the body in mind, focusing on burning calories, building strength or improving flexibility. What’s often missing is intentionality — movement designed not just to make you sweat but also to help you feel better mentally and emotionally. Research shows that consistent physical activity can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, sharpen executive functioning and improve sleep quality, a key factor in emotional regulation and overall mental health. But not all movement is created equal when it comes to mental health. The type of movement — and how you approach it — matters. As a mind-body coach in professional sports for more than two decades, I have helped elite athletes build durable, mobile bodies while also supporting their mental resilience — using movement and breath to regulate the nervous system, stay grounded under pressure and maintain sharp focus. These same tools and principles can help anyone strengthen body and mind, improving […]
Jan 15

6 Warming Foods For Winter And Recommended Portion Sizes To Avoid Weight Gain

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Winter can feel like a metabolic slump, but a thoughtful approach to food can turn that chill into an internal warmth advantage.   As winter grips much of India and the rest of the northern hemisphere, the drop in temperature isn’t just about bundling up in layers, it also nudges our bodies to crave warmth from within. Cold weather naturally slows metabolism, reduces physical activity and often leads to heavier eating, which can collectively contribute to unwanted weight gain over time. But certain foods don’t just taste warming, they truly boost internal heat production, support digestion, and can even subtly influence metabolism. Modern science is beginning to catch up with age-old wisdom, examining how specific foods and spices activate thermogenesis (heat production) and metabolic pathways and crucially, how you can enjoy them without tipping the calorie scale. Here’s a deep dive into 6 warming foods and practical portion guidance to keep winter weight gain at bay.   6 Warming foods for winter with portion tips to avoid weight gain 1. Ginger Ginger’s active compounds (gingerols and shogaols) trigger thermogenesis, the body’s calorie-burning heat response and improve circulation. It also enhances satiety and reduces feelings of hunger. A cup of hot […]
Jan 12

Sleeping Less Than 7 Hours? New Study Says It Can Shorten Your Lifespan

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A new study says that getting good sleep can help to increase longevity and poor sleep can shorten your lifespan. The study was conducted by Oregon Health & Science University and published in the SLEEP Advances. Sleep plays a very crucial part in your overall health and well-being. When you get the required hours of sleep, it benefits your brain, immune system, memory, physical health and more. It also reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart issues, and obesity. A new study says that getting good sleep can also help to increase longevity and poor sleep can shorten your lifespan. The study was conducted by Oregon Health & Science University and published in SLEEP Advances. For the study, the researchers analysed a large national database wherein they studied survey patterns related to life expectancy across counties throughout the United States. They also compared county-level life expectancy figures with detailed survey data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2019 and 2025. When the researchers analysed lifestyle factors linked to their longevity, they found sleep to stand out. The link between sleep and lifestyle factors was stronger than that of diet, physical activity, or social […]
Jan 05

5 Yoga Poses for a Calm and Peaceful Mind

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In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and anxiety often take the forefront, it’s crucial to find effective ways to maintain mental well-being. Yoga, with its rich history and mindfulness practices, has become an invaluable tool for calming the mind and achieving inner peace. By incorporating specific yoga poses into your daily routine, you can not only reduce stress but also improve focus and emotional stability. Here are five yoga poses that can help you cultivate a calm and peaceful mind.   1. Child’s Pose (Balasana) Child’s Pose is a gentle, restorative yoga posture that encourages deep relaxation and reduces stress. This pose is ideal for unwinding after a long day or before bed, as it helps release tension in the body and calms the nervous system.   How to Practice Child’s Pose: Start on your hands and knees, with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Slowly lower your hips back towards your heels, reaching your arms forward on the mat. Let your forehead touch the ground, and relax your chest towards the floor. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for 1-3 minutes, allowing your body to relax with each exhale.   The forward fold […]
Jan 03

7 morning habits of people who live a happier life than 95% of the population

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Have you ever noticed how some people just seem to radiate contentment? They walk into a room and bring this quiet energy that makes everyone feel a bit lighter. I used to wonder what their secret was, until I realized it wasn’t one big secret at all. It was a collection of small, deliberate choices they made every single morning. After years of observing these naturally happy folks (and yes, doing my fair share of trial and error), I’ve discovered that the happiest people share remarkably similar morning routines. These aren’t complicated rituals or expensive habits. They’re simple practices that anyone can adopt. The difference? Consistency. While most of us hit snooze three times and stumble toward the coffee maker, these people have already set the tone for a day that feeds their soul rather than drains it.   1. They wake up at the same time every day (yes, even on weekends) I know, I know. Sleeping in on Saturday feels like a divine right. But here’s what I learned the hard way: your body doesn’t understand weekends. It craves rhythm. The happiest people I know treat their wake-up time like a sacred appointment. Not because they’re rigid control […]
Dec 31

Don’t Want To Workout? Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Maintain Weight During Chilly Weather

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Weight maintenance relies more on daily habits than short bursts of exercise, especially during colder months. In winter, the body naturally conserves energy to maintain core temperature. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, cold environments increase fatigue perception and reduce muscle efficiency, making the same workout feel more strenuous than it does in warmer weather. Reduced sunlight also disrupts circadian rhythm. Joint stiffness is another overlooked factor. Add to this the seasonal rise in respiratory infections, reduced vitamin D levels, and increased appetite driven by hormonal changes and winter becomes a perfect storm where workouts feel disproportionately hard. Fortunately, weight maintenance relies more on daily habits than short bursts of exercise, especially during colder months. Below are easy lifestyle changes that can help maintain weight during chilly weather even when formal workouts feel unmanageable.   10 Lifestyle changes that help maintain weight during winter   1. Prioritise daily movement over “workout thinking” Studies from the NIH show that total daily movement (NEAT—Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) plays a larger role in calorie balance than structured workouts alone. Simple actions like walking while on calls, using stairs, light household chores, or short mobility breaks every hour can prevent metabolic […]
Dec 29

11 Tips for Overcoming Gym Anxiety

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Fitness is for everybody. But not everyone feels comfortable at the gym. For some people, the idea of working out at a gym triggers worry, fear, or self-consciousness — a phenomenon sometimes called “gymtimidation” or gym anxiety, explains Kate Cummins, PsyD, a California-based licensed clinical psychologist. This can happen for many reasons, including embarrassment about not knowing the ins and outs of the gym, fear of working out in front of others, or worries about being judged, says Hannah Holmes, PhD, a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. These fears can create a vicious cycle: Research shows that fear of judgment in the gym is linked to a higher body mass index and lower exercise frequency, which can make starting or returning to the gym even harder. But with a few helpful strategies, the gym doesn’t have to feel so intimidating.   1. Do Some Research “Gym anxiety often stems from feeling out of control,” Dr. Cummins says. Do some research before you go — for example, check out the gym’s website or social media — to take back control and ease your nerves. “For people who worry they may embarrass themselves […]
Dec 27

5 Yoga Poses That Reduce Stress Stored in the Body

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Stress is not just a mental experience. It shows up physically in the body as tight shoulders, stiff hips, a locked jaw, an aching lower back, shallow breathing, and a pounding heart. Chronic stress can lead to tension that feels like a permanent physical weight. Yoga is one of the most effective ways to help the body release stress because it combines movement, breath, and mindfulness. With regular practice you can calm your nervous system, improve circulation, ease muscle tightness, and reduce the tension that builds up over time. In this article you will learn five yoga poses that target stress stored in the body and how to practice them correctly so you feel better in both body and mind.   Standing Forward Fold for Spinal Release Standing Forward Fold is a simple but powerful posture for releasing stress and lengthening the spine. When we carry tension in the shoulders and back we often tighten the muscles that support the spine. This pose helps relieve that pressure and encourages blood flow to the brain which calms the nervous system. To begin stand with your feet hip width apart and let your arms hang by your sides. Inhale and lengthen your […]
Dec 24

The Art Of Being Positive: 13 Simple Habits Of Naturally Positive People

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Naturally positive people don’t just hope for the best — they practice it daily. There is a severe lack of positivity right now. And somewhere between wanting to bury our heads in the sand and feeling deeply concerned, if not genuinely worried, about the state of the world, can we learn to see the bright side of life? The answer is “yes,” you can still maintain a balanced state of mind that isn’t affected by all the negativity we are constantly being bombarded with daily, if you learn how to harness the power of positive thinking and become a more naturally positive person.   Here are 13 simple habits of naturally positive people:   1. They choose what they take in and absorb If the negative starts outweighing the positive, it’s time to change the channel or switch the station. You may not be in control of what’s going on in the world, but you’re in control of the TV remote.   2. They read more than the front page of the newspaper There are other sections of the paper that feature articles that can actually make you smile and feel hopeful about people and the world.   3. They […]
Dec 21

4 Simple Yoga Poses to Improve Your Posture (On and Off the Mat)

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Much is said about good posture, which plays a crucial role in balancing and preventing muscle aches and injuries. But perhaps even more is said about how most of us have less-than-perfect posture. In our desk-sitting, car-driving, Netflix-watching society, it’s easy to get used to the sensation and, let’s be honest, comfort of slumped shoulders. That is, until the knots in your neck, tweaking in your lower back, and overall meh feeling start to kick in. Although you’ve probably been told countless times to “stand up straight,” figuring out your ideal posture is a more nuanced process than just that. Good posture depends on your unique anatomy and finding a neutral position that feels sustainable rather than forced. What if there were a way you could tap into better posture and allow your body to find its optimal position based on how it feels? There is a way. And it’s yoga for posture.   4 Best Yoga Poses to Check Your Posture (On and Off the Mat) These poses shared by YogaRenew teacher Melie Purdon help you connect with the muscles that support better posture so you can carry that alignment with you long after you leave the mat. They […]
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