Category:

Wellness

3 Simple Steps to Amazing Results: World Health Day Inspiration

by Roopa April 7, 2025

written by Roopa

We focus easily on assets that are visible and tangible, while overlooking the truly essential things that can’t be seen or touched—like our health, for instance. Today, World Health Day, would be a good day to bring our focus on this topic and make a beginning, wherever we are on this journey.

3 simple steps we need to do:

Nourish Our Body – Eat Right
Exercise – Move Our Body with Joy to Keep Fit and Strong
Rest & Reconnect – Sleep well and recharge in Nature and in Silence.

1. Nourish Our Body
Eat right, choosing real food for health, not just for taste. Eat when hungry, eating mindfully with adequate hydration. Let our meals be a celebration of wellness, not just a routine.

2. Move with Joy
Whatever be the choice – yoga, power walking, dancing, sports or cycling – energizing, strong movements should be a daily joyful ritual. Not as a burden, obligation or punishment, but a celebration of what our body can do and be.

3. Rest and Reconnect
It is essential to prioritize sleep, unplug from screens, and reconnect—with ourselves, with nature, with silence, our friends and families.

Good health doesn’t demand perfection. It begins with intention, followed by consistent action. Consistent small smart choices accumulate into a life of good health.

So today, let us set our intention firmly to :

Eat only that which truly nourishes us.
Move our body every day, in a way that brings us joy.
Disconnect from useless energy and time drainers to reconnect with ourself, with nature, with stillness.

सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ! May All be Healthy, Disease-Free!

April 7, 2025 0 comment

Mind Matters Personal Growth Wellness

There’s Loads of Money now, But…Where’s the Happiness ?(Part 2)

by Roopa March 15, 2025

written by Roopa

In part 1, we saw that money is no guarantee of happiness, we cannot buy it. Rather, we need to build all the other aspects of well-being in order to feel good. In this post, we explore how one can take charge and develop the physical, emotional, social, mental & spiritual aspects of well being. Can we be more aware of what is happening within us and take progressive measures? What attitude changes will help us grow? Delve Deeper !!

Watch out! These can make you feel low despite you having loads of money !

1. Loss of Purpose in life – When we have no idea what the Purpose in our life is, all the earned wealth offers no fulfillment, internal peace or comfort. Despite luxuries all around, a person wonders what their life is all about. This leads to loss of self-confidence & self worth, leading to sadness. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to discover and if necessary, ‘re-discover’ their purpose in life through self -awareness and self-evaluation.

2. Feeling unvalued or undervalued – Reflect upon – Where does my sense of self-value come from? When the worthiness is external, i.e., comes from others’ validation, instead of own, internal, any negative change in the others’ view can cause unhappiness. If we look often to others to approve or appreciate our actions, we will be in for disappointment and frustration.

Check for yourself if you are ….

3. ⁠Feeling unloved/replaceable – Every human craves being loved in a particular way, feel wanted, and in turn have some people around to love and care for. When WE care for others and make them feel valued and cherished, we are doing a world of good for others and ourselves.
4. Selfishness – Everyone has needs. When our lives are full of I ,Me Myself, working just to fulfill our own desires without being cognizant of the needs and feelings of people around us, it alienates us from others’ affections. Doing what we can to help others in small ways without any expectations brings great joy because these kind of acts release the ‘feel good’ hormones in the brain.

money cannot buy these aspects of wellness

Too many Expectations (money can’t stop our feelings)

5. Expectations vs Reality : People may behave in ways different from how we want them to. This discrepancy between expectation & reality leads to terrible frustrations. Life moves from simplicity to complicity. Hence, it is better to keep expectations low and accept that people do not behave or act the way we want them to, without analyzing why this is so. Similarly, when WE do not respond or act in the way others want us to, we can hope to be understood.

6. Inability to deal with stress – Stress is what our mind makes of a situation. If we view our circumstances positively, there’s no stress but when we view something negatively, as a burden, compulsion, obligation or purposeless, we feel stressed. Stress leads to a feeling of helplessness. This can be disturbing, draining, and lead to mental and physical health problems. Learning to change our thoughts/attitude to deal with stress in empowering ways can make a positive difference to our health.

No Genuine Connections (money can’t buy them)

7. Inability to connect with oneself – Being in a state of distraction is convenient but unhealthy. We need to mindfully give ourselves the time and space for our needs and do activities that make us calm and cheerful. This self-care is essential, failing which, we are bound to deteriorate in all aspects. Indeed, it could be as simple as sitting down to enjoy some Silence everyday, reading a book or going on a trek.

⁠8. Inability to connect with a higher power – Just being able to make this connection alone can work wonders for many people. Whether it is with the Divine, a Higher Power or the Universe, when we explore some aspects of spirituality/ Divinity/ Nature, above all, we have great Peace within, a confidence and a Purpose. People with such a connection can be recognized by their vitality, positivity and ability to be comfortable with Silence.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind!

9. Physical Fitness/Health – We need a body to live in. Our body is our ‘home’, we cannot live elsewhere. Just as it is uncomfortable to stay in a dirty, shabby, unkept house, we live less happily in a body that is uncared for. Ill-health can never make anyone happy. Keeping fit and healthy is our foremost duty. We need to respect and feel gratitude for the supreme intelligence of our bodies. 45-60 minutes a day to tone, stretch & strengthen our bodies, from whichever fitness routine we choose, keeps it supple and disease-free. In addition, we need to work on our minds as well, rejuvenating it regularly with periods of silence.

Your thoughts !

What are your thoughts on this topic? Are there any personal experiences/tips you want to share? Do write in the comments section below!

March 15, 2025 6 comments

Money can't buy peace, health or happiness

Mind Matters Personal Growth Wellness

There’s Loads of Money now, But…Where’s the Happiness ?(Part 1)

by Roopa February 1, 2025

written by Roopa

Money = Happiness. This is what most people think. So if you have a lot of money, are you naturally happy? To extend, the richer one is, the happier he/she must be, but is this true really? Apparently not. When a friend, who by any standards can be called wealthy, broke down and wept, stating he has neither happiness nor peace, it made me wonder where the void in his life is. Truth is, those with plenty of money may not be happy at all. In fact, they may be terribly unhappy with no peace of mind or joy in their lives.

Riches, Money and Happiness: Related?

How nice it would be to shop for 24 kgs of happiness, 18 liters of peace and 63 tons of health!

It is common belief that being financially well off is a pre-requisite to happiness, whatever the definition of happiness may be. True, financial adequacy and stability ensures a certain standard of living, comfort and security essential to human well-being. However, no amount of money can ensure peace of mind or joy. This is because wealth needs to be balanced with, and connected to other aspects of well-being to lead to happiness. Far from being happy, wealthy people may suffer from physical illnesses as well as mental ones such as depression, anxiety and other stress-related issues.

The other aspects of well-being are equally important

Well-being, by definition includes many aspects of life, of which financial wellness is just one. The others are physical, professional, mental (emotional), spiritual and social wellness. When we focus on building only one aspect of our life and neglect developing the others, at some point we end up not feeling good at all. The absence in the other areas of our lives is felt deeply. A person who has spent most of his life in the pursuit of money, neglecting the other equally important aspects of life, might have problems in his relationships, spiritual growth or physical health.

Feeling low despite a fat bank balance? Check these for yourself !

The Physical Aspect : How fit and healthy are you? Are you energetic or tired during the day? Do you fall sick frequently or rarely? Are you a sound sleeper? Do you take care of your health with any regular exercise/fitness/yoga routine that includes aerobic, strength & flexibility training? If the answer is no, not yet; remember it is never too late to start something good for yourself. “Health is Wealth” is true, today and always.

One can always take up any form of fitness from the multitude of options available. Physical health affects mental health greatly. A healthy mind resides more easily in a healthy body. In fact, physical activity is a prescription for mental conditions like depression. Remember, money can never buy health.

“Happiness is the highest form of health” – Dalai Lama

The Mental/Emotional Aspect : How often do you smile or laugh in a day? Can you say that your mind is often in the present? Are your thoughts always in the past or the future? Do you worry a lot? Is stress a constant companion or can you respond to difficult situations and changes in a calm rational way? Are your thoughts mostly unproductive (negative) ones or productive (positive) ones that help you grow into a better version of yourself? The answers to these questions determine your mental health status. If you are feeling low most times and can find no joy in your daily life, you need to seek professional help. Do not hesitate.

The Professional Aspect: Does the work you are engaged in or spend most of your time at give you reasonable satisfaction? What is your motivation to work? Do you find yourself mostly wishing you were doing something else? Or do you have a sense of pride in what you do, and how you contribute to the world at large with your work? The state of our minds and level of involvement in our profession can elevate or depress us. Either find your purpose in what you are doing or consider a change to find your purpose elsewhere.

People are more important than money or things – Randy Pausch

Social Aspect: Do you have some dependable, trustworthy friends and colleagues who make you feel loved, wanted and valued? Do your relationships make you feel safe and secure? Is your home environment pleasant and loving? Are there people around you that will help you out when the need arises? Are you in turn a person that supports, helps and are a true friend to other people including your family, your spouse?

We humans are social beings and do not do well in isolation. Hence we need to be with family and friends, making connections with people at work and elsewhere. If there is a deficit in this area, you need to work on developing and keeping relationships by changing your attitudes and habits. Although money can attract people around you, it cannot help form deep relationships.

“Discard who you are not ” – Deepak Chopra

Spiritual Aspect: Do you have Inner Peace? A clear sense of values? Is there a Higher Purpose in your life? Is ‘giving’ more joyful than receiving? Do you feel an interconnectedness with Nature? With the Universe? Are you connected with the Divine? Do you have faith that your life is heading the way it is meant to? Is there a quest to find out “Who am I?” Can you find solace in prayer and meditation?

Developing and recognizing an understanding of something beyond oneself leads to purposeful, higher levels of living. It leads to an understanding of life, what stage we are at, and where we are meant to go.

How can one take charge and develop these aspects of well being? Can we be more aware of what is happening within us and take progressive measures? What attitude changes will help us grow? Delve Deeper !!

Do watch out for the next part of this post !!!

What kind of connection do you have with wealth? With well-being? Do write your thoughts about anything in this post that you connected with in the comments section.

February 1, 2025 5 comments

FITNESS Wellness YOGA

Magic In The Journey Down To Touch The Toes!

by Roopa January 5, 2025

written by Roopa

In Yoga, the asana where one bends down to touch one’s toes is Paadahastasana. Some people, and even some kids do not find this easy to do. Over time, with practise and improved flexibility, this asana becomes possible. It can be quite a journey down there, one of exploration, self-discovery, awareness and improvement. This first post of 2025 is about the journey the kids from my Sunday Kids Yoga sessions are enjoying !

Yoga for Kids

Teaching yoga to kids four and a half decades younger than me is the joy and highlight of my Sundays. If people wonder whether kids can practise yoga as the two seemingly don’t go together, the answer is a resounding ‘yes, they can, and indeed should’.
It is easy to complain that with the exposure to the digital world very early on, the children of today lack focus and mindfulness. Most adults think that kids are hyperactive and restless, incapable of sitting still and silent let alone observe their minds. My experience with the children at my kids’ yoga classes prove otherwise. Children take to yoga naturally and joyfully. The body and mind awareness they cultivate brings a world of benefits to them.

An Exciting Journey!

Laughing and talking noisily, the girls, aged between 8 and 10 years come running up the stairs a few minutes ahead of the class. Rolling their yoga mats out, they are eager to experience what I have in store for them. Only after they excitedly tell me all about the ‘interesting happenings’ of the week, they are ready to ‘settle in’ ! With my instruction to inhale and exhale deeply as they close their eyes, our class begins. They observe their breathing and sit still and composed as we chant. Yes, occasionally a kid will get distracted and open her eyes to see what the others are doing but most times, the chanting immerses them deeply.
Even as newbies, the kids quickly get a hang of what comprises a yoga class and follow the instructions attentively. They soon want to progress to the advanced versions of the asanas. The balancing asanas being the trickiest, there’s much giggling as they watch each other wobbling about while they learn to focus their gaze on a single point.
Not only are the kids able to focus, chant, meditate and breath mindfully while enjoying the physical exertions, they are also able to observe the calmness and stillness of their minds after the pranayama. The mindfulness games I play with them are much in demand.

Adults usually come to yoga when their mental or physical health fails.

Unfortunately, in the case of adults, most enroll in yoga classes after they are diagnosed with lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes and other stress-related or mental issues. They come because they have no go but to finally take care of their health, and then, when they stay on this path and practise sincerely, realise that their yoga practise gives enormous mental as well as physical health benefits, beyond their expectation.
Since adults already carry a certain amount of baggage when they enroll in these classes, they take time to build confidence in themselves as well as in the practise itself. Children are spontaneous in their learning and responses; they do not analyze what they are asked to do nor are they self-conscious. They are also more intuitive and with gentle nudging grasp the purpose of the activities we do in class.

A World of Benefits!

Few parents are aware of the benefits of yoga for children. Some know about the benefits because they practised when they were younger, some send their kids to yoga class to get some free time for themselves!

Whatever be the reason, kids benefit enormously from yoga classes that include pranayama, asana, relaxation and mindfulness practices. When children learn to recognise their mental states and are empowered to regulate their moods and emotions through breathing and mindfulness techniques, they grow up to be balanced teenagers and adults. This is the kind of generation we need in our society. “More yoga in the world is what we need” – Diane Lane. And it would make a wonderful difference if we start with yoga for children.

As the kids bend down to touch their toes, they discover more than just flexibility on the journey down. There’s a world of wellness and joy there. Indeed, for these little ones, the journey down to touch their toes is a magical one.

Happy New Year Everyone !!

Wish you all a year filled with good health and all else you desire.

Do share your thoughts on this post here below !!!

January 5, 2025 4 comments

Mind Matters Personal Growth Wellness YOGA

The true essence of Yoga lies beyond 108 Surya Namaskars

by Roopa July 3, 2024

written by Roopa

On International Yoga Day, June 21st, the commonest activity we see all around is the announcement of 108 Suryanamaskar ‘challenges’! Yes, performing that many Suryanamaskars (Sun Salutation sequences) at a stretch requires stamina and long-term practise. Such publicity, however, gives a layperson the impression that Yoga is perhaps about doing a certain number of Suryanamaskars! The essence of Yoga, however, lies beyond physical practises.

Going beyond Sun Salutations in Yoga

Yoga is much more than practicing or performing Suryanamaskars. Indeed the physical or exercise aspect of Yoga finds only a brief mention in the Patanjali Yogasutras as well as in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, both revered texts of Yoga. Traditional yogic practices are all directed towards finding the calmness and stillness required to sit and meditate. These practises encompass a) Pranayama which includes breathing in a variety of ways to energize, balance or calm the mind and body b) full body relaxation techniques, c) mindfulness practices like chanting & japa d) meditation, the ultimate goal of yogis and d) Yoga Nidra which rejuvenates the mind and body. Yoga thus includes practises that combine mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and ethical aspects of a human being.

A typical yoga class

Only a portion of an hour-long yoga class by a good teacher is directed to physical postures or asana practise. Yes, the practise of Surya Namaskars is a part of the class, depending on what the teacher wants the student to do on that particular day. The rest of the class is used to direct the students’ awareness to their inner self, to find a balance in their emotions and responses with the tools described above.

Finding Equanimity

In Chapter 2, verse 48 of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that Yoga is finding ‘equanimity’. “Samatvam Yogah Uchyathe”. This relates to many aspects of life.

For example, it takes time and maturity to treat success and failure, acceptance and rejection with equal composure. In the meantime, we can turn inward to recognise and celebrate our Divine side. Being able to feel One with Nature, and recognizing our Oneness with the Universe can make a great difference to our attitude to life, our relationships, our words and our actions. This is the basic aspiration of a Yoga practitioner.

While doing 108 Suryanamaskars is definitely a physical feat worthy of admiration, consistent and sincere practise of all the limbs of Yoga by many can lead to a peaceful and joyful society.

The real test is off the mat

While the asana or physical practise is essential to make our bodies strong enough to be able to sit still for long periods of time, finding true ‘balance’ needs an inner and outer awareness that should hold strong in all our interactions off the mat, outside the yoga class as well.

Do share your experiences with Yoga practise in the comments section below 🙂 ! What part of your practise do you find challenging/easy ?

July 3, 2024 2 comments

Earth Connection Earth Matters Mind Matters Wellness

Desperate Need of the Hour-Earth Warriors

by Roopa April 22, 2024

written by Roopa

Today is World Earth Day.
The theme this year is Planet & Plastics.
This is not a day for somebody else outside or ‘others’.
You, Me and Everyone else can live ONLY on this planet.
We have nowhere else to live.
Hence it is for You, Me and Everyone else individually as well as collectively to keep our ‘home’, our beautiful planet Earth liveable, clean and available for ourselves and our future generations.
Our lives and well-being are deeply connected with nature and unless we wake up at least now and make amends, we will have conditions worse than just heat waves, floods, cyclones and typhoons.

What is it that makes humans stupid enough to exploit and destroy their very home and imagine that they are the most intelligent of all creatures? I find it difficult to fathom this misunderstanding.

Till our last breath on Earth, we must ….

Understand and imbibe how we depend completely on soil, trees, air, water and the natural world for our survival.
Treat ALL these resources – air, water, soil, trees, the forests, the entire living world around us – with utmost loving, respectful care.

5 Simple Action Steps, Wherever on Earth you are…

Use water mindfully, and as carefully as possible. Reuse water where possible. Every time I need to wash vegetables, fruits and grains, I put a bucket under the tap and feed this water to some plants.
Carry your own reusable bags with you and never accept plastic covers from any vendor whether in a mall or a local vegetable/fruit market. I keep foldable, reusable cloth bags in my vehicles and make sure my husband carries them in his car always.
Recycle ALL plastic and recyclable items. Use the services of such service providers. Find such services close to you. I segregate waste and give out trash just once a month because I recycle or compost almost everything we use. One such provider – https://www.bintix.com/
Carry your OWN water bottle from home wherever you go. This should become a HABIT. Whether you are attending a party or just going shopping, just making sure you drink from your own reusable bottle is going to make a great deal of difference to your plastic consumption. We ALWAYS carry our own water bottle whenever we step out of our house.
ALL the organic waste needs to be composted. Simple small composting bins will take care of the composting process wherever we live. This compost can be used to grow our own tomatoes, basil or mint in small pots at home. Children learn to enjoy taking care of plants and learn a lot. EVERYTHING organic in my home is composted and used in our garden to grow our own vegetables and fruits.

What YOU DO Will Make A Difference!

Of what use is education and money if we do not have a planet to live on, if our kids have to struggle to breathe and get drinking water and our planet is destroyed?

We MUST make sure ALL children learn to make a habit of the 5 simple steps listed above.

If you think ‘someone else’ is going to save the planet for you so that you can live happily, you are terribly terribly mistaken.

April 22, 2024 3 comments

FITNESS Mind Matters Wellness

Lose weight quickly with this one movement!

by Roopa April 19, 2024

written by Roopa

Many people assume that practicing Yoga may not help them lose weight because of the slower and more purposeful movements,. This is far from the truth. You can lose weight with just this one movement !

This movement in Yoga, one from the group called Greeva Sanchalana, is probably the one you need to practise to lose weight.

It is a simple neck movement really! Whenever a plate of food is offered to you or is in front of you, you just make the following movements in the sequence given below. Make sure to do it mindfully and with a smile 🙂

Take a deep inhale, and exhale completely.
Inhale and as you exhale, move your head to the right.
Inhale and as you exhale, move your head to the left.
Repeat the above movement briskly and whoever offered you the food will quickly get the message and take the plate away.
If you do this movement regularly enough when you are tempted to eat more that you should, you are sure to lose weight in a surprisingly short time.
🙂 🙂

Yes ! This simple movement that indicates ‘NO’ is the movement most overweight people need to do !

The ONE reason that leads to weight gain and obesity is simply OVER EATING. That is all there is to it.

People find it difficult to say No to food – for whatever reasons. It is easy to just give in to food cravings and keep eating even though our bodies as adults need only moderate amounts of food, not more than once, twice or max thrice a day, to keep us energetic.

Over a period of time, eating larger quantities becomes a habit. With a sedentary lifestyle, this excess consumed food piles up and sits in the body as fat. Food that should nourish us then becomes a danger! Sad, isn’t it? Thus, awareness of how much we eat at every single meal is essential!

You might be surprised to know this – food is an addiction. Yes. It is. Just like any other undesirable addiction. Our minds have to be strong to overcome it.

What food is. And how you can lose weight by actually eating.

Food is meant to nourish us, give us energy and keep us healthy physically and mentally. Food uplifts us, keeps us active and assists in our longevity. After we eat we must feel energetic, not dull and lethargic. Eating should be a mindful, joyful experience for health and not just to satisfy and appease the 2 inches of taste buds on the tongue.

When we respect ourselves enough, we are particular about what we put into our bodies through our mouths and how much we eat. Whatever we eat must have enough Prana (vital energy in the form of absorbable, fresh nutrients) to replenish our bodies and minds. Examples of such Prana-filled food are – all fresh fruits & vegetables, sprouts, whole grains, millets, seeds, and pulses.

We must use our common sense and eat both raw food (salads) as well as cooked/baked/steamed food. When we eat stuff that is stale or unhealthy, it destroys our health as these have no Prana in them. Instead of healing and nourishing, unhealthy foods damage our organs. Such so-called ‘food’ must be avoided completely.

When you eat real food, it is unlikely that you will overeat because both the mind and body feel satisfied with the plentiful nutrients! So eating only good food will actually help one lose weight.

The fact is that when our body gets ALL the nutrition it needs from real food, we will be content and the tendency to over eat reduces in just a matter of days! We need to be committed to our goal to lose weight and get healthy.

Be firm and learn to say NO to food when:

You have eaten within the past 4 hours
You are mostly inactive physically
You know the food you are offered/eating is not really ‘food’
It is past 7 pm (say yes to water instead!).
The food is stale, has no nutrients or is only going to satisfy your tongue!

You are definitely worth the time and effort to stay healthy for your own sake !

(Of course, diabetics and people with other diseases need to join guided weight loss programs)

Do write in to say what you feel about this post… and also to share your stories of how you overcome the tendency to overeat.

April 19, 2024 6 comments

FITNESS Personal Growth Wellness

One Simple Way to Keep the Child in You Alive

by Roopa March 26, 2024

written by Roopa

I turned 53 recently and to celebrate my birthday ran 4-miles early that morning. It is possible to run marathons at age 60 and beyond, so my 4-mile run is not an achievement in that sense. My happiness springs from the fact that I have kept the child in me joyously alive by the simple act of running regularly ! Children run easily, it is natural for them to run about here and there, but many forget how to run (I mean physically!) when they reach adulthood.

On the road, a runner can be peacefully alone, unless they prefer running with company. The focus is on the breath, the patterns of inhales and exhales in musical synchrony with the sound and rhythm of the running legs as they go a steady thump-thump on the road. There is total awareness of how one’s body is moving, stride by stride. After the initial half-mile, one gets into a zone, a delightful flow of ease and acceptance both in body and mind.

Be a Child – Just Imagine …and Become !

Then, like children, who in their imagination change shapes and take different forms to become whatever their mind creates, a runner can become a deer, dainty and light, or a panther, all power and speed, or a bird, smooth and effortless. Running, thus, literally feels like poetry in motion! It is akin to meditation and feels beautiful.

There is the mindfulness and enjoyment of the breeze and the sense of freedom as a runner covers mile after mile. Then there is the mind game, the internal dialogue and determination to achieve one’s goal, and the subsequent learning about oneself every time.

The high after a run is real. I have huge smiles then, as all runners do. It comes both from a sense of achievement when I reach the target I set for myself at the beginning of each run, as well as from the sheer pleasure of the experience. While I enjoy running on the treadmill when I cannot run outside, outdoor morning runs are a different experience. There are the lovely smiles and waves I get back when I smile at other joggers on the road. These add beauty to the poetry and music of running.

Just Start !

For most people, the beginning of their first run starts with walking. With consistency and determination, the brisk walks alternate with short 2-minute runs. This progresses to a 5-min run and then to a continuous 1 km run. The excitement of newbie runners at this achievement of a non-stop 1 km run is a joy to behold! 5k runs are then not far behind. Many new runners take up this challenge and continue to progress in their runs. Those that recognise the mindfulness and music in running continue to enjoy it for as long as they can.

Everyone in decent health can experience the immense joys and benefits of running if only they take it up. One need not run marathons or even half a marathon. Running even 1-2 kms every day or atleast regularly makes a great positive difference to one’s physical and mental health.

I feel the same as Haruki Murakami who in his inspiring book ‘What I talk about when I talk about running’ wrote “I’ll be happy if running and I can grow old together.”

Originally published in The Hindu dated Feb 25th 2024 at link below:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-many-joys-of-running/article67861673.ece

Do share your experiences with the activities that you do mindfully and joyfully ! What keeps the child in you thriving ?

March 26, 2024 2 comments

Top Youthful Living Tips Wellness

One simple key to happy aging!

by Roopa February 28, 2024

written by Roopa

Is there anything called ‘happy aging’? Really? ! Can the words aging and happiness go together at all? Read on to find out what the one simple key to aging happily is!

Age affects individuals differently.

My aunt, all of 80 years old, sure is amazing! She is sprightly, alert, and can engage in interesting conversation on a variety of topics. She hosts a popular podcast on mental health and is super active on Facebook where she has a huge fanbase. She took to the internet easily, learning quickly how useful it could be for her research in Kannada literature. “I am thrilled to share my experiences with thousands of people! I could not have imagined this just a decade ago” she smiles, tying back her all-silver hair into a knot.

On the other hand, my friend’s mother, also 80, barely manages to make a phone call on her basic phone. She is confined to moving around within her house, and hardly interacts with anyone except family members.

The reality of how age affects individuals differently became even clearer when I watched a viral video of yesteryear actress Vyjayantimala Bali dancing on her (supposedly) 90^th birthday to a Tamil song. A twinkle in her eye, graceful, elegant, and perfect in her poses and steps, Vyjayantimala is a delight to watch. There is so much engagement with life, and with her art. Her zest to live with vitality, to express, to still put herself out there to perform to the best of her ability is there for everyone to see. Her attitude amazes and inspires!

What is the differentiating factor?

What makes some people give up on life just in their sixties, becoming disinterested and indifferent, while some others enjoy life to their best, living each day joyfully and purposefully well into their nineties and even longer? What makes some people complain about their health, finances and everything else while some others of the same age with similar issues hardly grumble! The findings of some research papers are interesting.

Life Satisfaction! We ourselves are the judges.

One of the most critical aspects of successful aging according to many studies is one’s own perception of ‘life satisfaction’. How a person rates his/her level of satisfaction or contentment in life with regard to a few basic aspects can help predict how happily a person will age. Higher the perceived level of satisfaction in life, the happier we are as we age.

Surprisingly ‘life satisfaction’ is not a parameter measured by external standards set by researchers, rather it is defined as “a person’s quality of life according to his/her own chosen criteria”. This means that as we age, what is important is how satisfied WE are with life, based on our own perception of the different areas of life that are important to us like health, family, finances, relationships and activity levels! It is not important that Mr. A is not as wealthy, healthy or socially connected as his neighbor Mrs. B. What matters is what Mr. A feels/thinks about HIS situation.

We need to do what will give US the sense of contentment that translates to feeling ‘I am satisfied with my life’ and thus age happily! This is the one simple key !! We need to train ourselves to have a realistic view of life and check the ‘satisfied’ box more often.

‘Perception of Aging’ also matters

An interesting finding was that a positive perception of aging, as also a positive outlook towards the future and life in general enhanced life satisfaction. It was found that the elderly did not need anything more than basic comfort to make themselves feel good. They did not need luxuries and did not rate material things highly. When the seniors believed that they had higher levels of activity, financial independence, friendships, and social circles, they rated themselves as happy.

If they ‘thought’ they were happy, they were! It didn’t matter whether they met any externally set health, social and finance parameters.

There is a huge lesson in this, especially for those whose definition of success and happiness comes from comparisons and external validations. Also for those to whom ‘contentment’ may be a strange feeling!

Increasing numbers of seniors

By 2050, the number of elderly people in India is expected to be 350 million. In Indian culture, to a great extent, the sons and daughters take care of the parents and the elderly in the family. Consequently, this automatically means that an even larger number of relatively young family members will be involved in, and will invest their time, money, and effort in the care of this large number of aging people.

When the seniors are healthy, independent and can actively help in any way they can, it makes a lot of difference to the caretakers. It is also a great relief to be around seniors who sport a cheerful, positive attitude rather than a sad, negative attitude for whatever reason. What then are the factors that determine happiness in the elderly?

What can we do for the elderly?

As caretakers, what can we do to ensure that our seniors have an optimistic and positive attitude towards the future?

1. Make sure they stay active, useful and relevant by instilling confidence in them and letting them live independently for as long as they can. 2. Encourage them to explore opportunities to be part of active hobby clubs or spiritual communities with common interests. 3. Spend time to talk to them and make them part of our activities when possible. 4. Encourage the kids in the family to talk to them and more importantly, listen to what they have to share. 5. Facilitate actively so they do and enjoy what keeps them happy. 6. Remind them, if required, of the wonders of an ‘attitude of gratitude’.

Maintaining a youthful psychological profile for ourselves!

Since ageing is inevitable for every one of us, what can WE do to retain a youthful psychological profile?

It is essential to take care of our bodies, minds and spirits. This can be done only on an individual level, no one else can workout for you nor smile for you or meditate for you 🙂 !

Being playful, light in our Being and cultivating an attitude of thankfulness keeps us positive. Doing more health-giving and purposeful activities that we enjoy – one way to recognise this is to check whether we are smiling when we are doing that activity – keeps us enthusiastic, alert and joy-filled.

To quote Mark Twain “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” 🙂

It is never too late !

After I insisted that she try every day, my mother, at 78, was astonished that she could again climb up the stairs after a decade-long break. She makes sure to practise her music daily and eagerly orders and enjoys her favorite dishes from her caterer. The team lead for our recent 4-day forest hike was a 65-year-old with remarkable agility and stamina. These people, including Vyjayantimala and my aunt, are doing what keeps them active and happy.

Ageing happily is scientifically proven to be a matter of the mind over matter.

What are you doing to feel comfortable as you age? What are your thoughts about ageing happily ? Do share in the comments below!

February 28, 2024 8 comments

Mind Matters Wellness

The Rights of Friendship

by Roopa November 14, 2023

written by Roopa

We are a group of 10 college friends who have been in touch with each other for the past 35 years. We meet once a year at one of our homes and we look forward to this day with great excitement! It is usually a mid–morning to evening affair with lunch served by the host. It takes weeks of planning, sometimes even months, if one of them has plans to visit India. It has been long since all ten of us met together because four live abroad.

Still, for those of us who are able to make it, it is a day filled with lots of laughter, teasing, sharing, and caring. We are all in the early 50’s, having graduated together from a women’s college. For each other though, we are just 17 years old, the same age we were when we all met. Many of our kids are married, a few in our group are grandmoms as well, but anyone who watches our banter would wonder if we are even grown-ups! We are fortunate to be happy, enthusiastic people with interesting stories to share.

There is usually this one friend Ms. M, who claims to be ‘too busy at work’ and cannot make the time to meet, though she lives in the same city. This time too when she said she might not be able to make it for the get-together, feisty Ms. R would not hear of it. “We meet once a year and you are saying you are going to miss it? What is wrong with you? You have to come and that is an order “, she declared.

What another friend said to this is worth sharing and it sealed the deal. She said – Dosti ke haq ke liya ladna mohabbat hai.

Translated it means – “To fight for your rights in friendship ….is love.”

It is all right in friendships to step up and insist that our friends make the time to meet and spend time together. To reminisce about good times further creates beautiful memories. When we laugh and listen to each other as we share our highs and lows with old friends, we feel valued and cared for. We learn to appreciate each other even more for what we have grown to become. Time just flies by as we discuss our hobbies and share tips on mindfulness, health and many other topics.

By being a little more courageous and proactive in our friendships, we show that we care. We must do what is good for the other, not just for ourselves. Simple gestures like picking up the phone and calling friends to wish them on their birthdays or anniversaries rather than sending them emojis on WhatsApp is a wonderful way of showing love. It brings a lot of positivity to both giver and receiver.

Friendship also means that we do not gossip about each other ever, we respect each other’s belief systems and sensitivities. We are empathetic and understanding if anyone has any worries. We are allowed to use humour to brush off anything that is being taken more seriously than it should be.

We need to invest time and effort to enjoy our friendships and keep them lively and strong. The look in a friend’s eyes and the energy (or lack of it) in their voice conveys more than words on text messages ever would, if we actually look into their eyes and listen to their voices. Sadly, these days friendships are mostly over phone screens.

Humans only need food, water, air and shelter to survive. But as C.S. Lewis said “Friendship has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”

This article was originally published in The Hindu Sunday Magazine Open Page on November 12th 2023. The link is below:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-rights-of-friendship/article67525282.ece

What feelings does this post bring to you? How do you keep your friendships alive and strong?