Drinking water first thing after you wake up is advised by ayurveda.
Behind every happy person is a good habit. Eight of them offer tips for taking.
1. Multi-vitamin Tablet
Monica Dogra, 31 Actor and musician
For the last six months, I have been taking a multi-vitamin tablet every day. I’d fall sick often and face bouts of fatigue. Late night performances and constant travel were doing me in. The vitamin dose has helped build my immunity. To that I have added fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Expert Dr Krishnakant Dhebri – GP speaks
Given Monica’s schedule, taking a multi-vitamin is a good choice. The combination of all vitamins in therapeutic doses isn’t harmful. In fact, a multi-vitamin can replenish the body with vitamin D and vitamin B12, which are sometimes observed to be low among those who are vegetarian. That apart, she must ensure that her blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels are all within normal parameters.
2. Play an oudoor sport
Karan Wahi, 27 Television actor
Although I am a gymming enthusiast, and do cardio exercises and heavy weight training five times a week, I make sure I play an outdoor sport like soccer once a week at some Bandra ground. Most of my days are spent confined to a closed studio. So, this is a refreshing change.
Expert Dr Pradeep Bhosale – HOD, orthopaedic department, KEM speaks
Bones are covered with cartilage. However healthy you are, its wear and tear is imminent. For those who don’t exercise, playing a high intensity sport like soccer just once a week can cause shock to the body, but because Karan gyms five times a week, he can cope with a strenuous sport. The lesson to here is to be consistent, and not indulge in arduous exercise all of a sudden.
3. Drink water
Yuki Ellias, 34 Theatre actor, Drama teacher and Corporate trainer
The first thing I do when I wake up is drink a litre of water. I didn’t always have good skin. I tried this to beat the acne that had developed during my adolescent years, and it seems to have worked. Being hydrated also helps keep my vocal chords in shape, especially when I have a show. Besides, drinking water is a good way to beat the urge to reach out for aerated drinks.
Expert Dr Narendra Bhatt – ayurvedic physician speaks
Drinking water (especially after storing it in a copper vessel) first thing when you wake up is advised by ayurveda. The quantity can be anything from 500 ml to one litre. What this does is wash away the previous day’s post-digested residual matter from the body. This leaves you feeling rejuvenated and fit.
4. Go jogging
Rohan Shrestha, 28 Fashion Photographer
You can call me health conscious. I play semi-professional football and tennis, which is why I watch what I eat. But my best healthy habit is that I make time in my crazy schedule to jog three times a week for an hour all the way from Pali Hill to Carter Road. I end up covering close to 10 kilometres, and rely on an app to help me keep count.
Expert Dr. Dev Pahlajani – Cardiologist speaks
For Rohan, or any young person, jogging is good exercise. When you exercise regularly, it leads to energy consumption. The muscle mass improves and fat build up is reduced. All this in tandem helps you remain slim. By exercising regularly, you also condition your heart to beat at a faster rate. Over time, it gets used to doing the same activity but at fewer beats per minute. This is an effective way to make your heart work more efficiently.
5. Reduce alcohol intake
Amish Tripathi, 39 author
I am an early riser and sleeper (I wake up by 5.30 am and hit the sack by 11 pm). Six years ago, I suffered a slipped disc, and that was my wakeup call. I realised I needed to keep my weight in check, and strengthen my muscles. I now have a personal trainer who comes home every day. I indulge in kick-boxing, jogging, and weight training. I have also cut down on alcohol. I stick to wine, and that too only at social dos.
Expert Dr Poonam Bajaj – physiotherapist speaks
Amish has chosen the right methods — exercising and cutting down on alcohol — to keep his weight in check. Indian men tend to accumulate fat on their abdomen, which puts a direct strain on the spine. A weak core and protruding belly are big risk factors. Just one word of caution: Since he has injured his back in the past, I’d advise him to go slow on the kick-boxing.
6. Practice yoga
Anand Kabra, 39 Fashion Designer
When I found my work getting to me, I turned to Ashtanga yoga. I practise it thrice a week, and have realised that it not only keeps me fit, but also has helped me stay composed. In addition to asanas, I squeeze in five to 10 minutes of meditation in each session.
Expert Dr Kersi Chavda – psychiatrist speaks
Any sort of physical activity helps you de-stress. And yoga is the perfect exercise to not only stay fit, but also remain calm in challenging times.
7. Don’t wear too much make up
Namrata Soni, 33 make-up artist
I don’t wear too much make-up, and never use a face wash. After rinsing my face with fresh water, I apply a skin softener, which helps close pores. I then dab on some Vitamin C serum on my face, then put on a plain moisturiser, followed by sunscreen and an eyecream. All of this is done within a matter of 10 minutes. On returning home from work, I rinse my face with water, apply Argon oil and let it remain on my skin for the entire night.
Expert Dr Sushil Tahiliani -dermatologist speaks
Not wearing too much make-up is good. Makeup can clog skin pores. Vitamin C serum has skin lightening properties, but no effect if you expose yourself immediately to the sun. Those with an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) should avoid moisturisers that contain comedogenic or acnegenic ingredients like lanolin. Read the labels of products you buy. Argon oil may help hydrate the skin overnight, but its other benefits haven’t been confirmed scientifically.
8. Eat at regular intervals
Shilpa Gupta, 37 Artist
I maintain a time-table of my daily meals. I start my day with a light breakfast at 9.30 am. It’s usually toast, poha or upma. Lunch is between 1 and 2.30 pm, tea at 5.30, pm and dinner at 8.30 pm. My lunch and dinner are home-cooked vegetarian meals comprising sabziroti-dal. I rarely breakaway from this eating schedule and avoid snacking in-between meals.
Expert Sukhada Bhatte – registered dietician speaks
Shilpa’s habit is an effective one if you want to beat unnecessary hunger pangs. This way, the body settles into a rhythm. Skipping a meal leaves you hungrier, tempting you to have a larger portion when you eventually get your hands on food. This leads to a sudden spike in insulin levels, paving the way for diabetes and blood pressure.
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