Yoga Archives - Ifrah Waqar

Isolation Diaries: Top Tips for Mental Health | Lockdown Day 04

All right, time to showcase a tiny bit of positivity, and believe me its not something that comes natural to me. Here are my top 3 tips to boost mood, build resilience, and improve your mental well-being when the world outside is changing dramatically.

Tip 1: Start your Day with Movement

I could not recommend this more; you know all that crap you read on the Internet about the benefits of exercise, and how when you exercise, your body releases chemicals called Endorphins which result in feeling happier – turns out its all true. Before those 30 minutes on my Yoga Mat, I see the future collapse right in my living room but soon after, I am ready to take the world head-on. Start with a 15-minute stretch and gradually find your groove with a bit of help from YouTube.

Tip 2: No Social Media Past 09:00 PM

They say in today’s day and age the constant consumption of information can be overwhelming, well what do you know, they were right about this too! Honestly to let go of mindless scrolling down one’s Twitter feed or Insta stories is nearly impossible especially when you know very well there is nothing else to do. However I’ve personally experienced the difference in the way I approach isolation as well as my sleep patterns when I forbid myself from social media. I understand that in uncertain times you cannot completely forsake your phone but try to limit the use of social media throughout the day and disconnect before hitting the hay.

Tip 3: Do Something You’re are Good At

Dedicate a part of your day when you are not looking for jobs online and calculating your savings. Impossible, right? But take my word for it, do something that comes naturally to you, something that you know you cannot fail at; opt for doing something that you absolutely love and it will do wonders for your mental health. Indulging in an activity you’re good at, and achieving positive results boosts self-esteem and helps you focus better on the things that need your attention for the remainder of the day.

Start with may be one and slowly venture into the world of bliss! And feel free to share your tried and tested formula to a positive mind-set. Kudos!

The brains behind Kareena Kapoor’s size-zero figure; Rujuta Diwekar is back in the news with her third book, Don’t Lose Out, Work Out! And boy was it a read or what especially when I spent half of my life ‘assuming’ I don’t need to work out owing to my slim and slender body shape. *clears throat*

The book starts with the ‘Maut aur tatti kabhi bhi aa sakti hai’ punch and leads to a fitness journey filled with much of Indo-Pak lingo reeling you in even if you have no previous knowledge on the subject. The Mumbaiya-language in a book based on an international subject was surprisingly refreshing and provided a one-on-one experience to the reader. I felt I was talking to my instructor before starting a gym/yoga/swimming/running regime throughout the book.

In the book, Diwekar basically decodes the science behind fitness, health and nutrition. 15 years of knowledge and experience has come together in one publication and is aimed at making people understand the difference between going to the gym and leading a healthy lifestyle. The book is divided into 6 chapters starting with a prologue necessary to bring yourself into a position where you can not only motivate but also commit yourself to a serious work out.

Diwekar simplifies terminologies and helps a common man understand what really goes inside one’s body when you opt to wait for your car to come to the door or wait for the elevator in your chair. The book is filled with secrets and anecdotes that will leave you smiling to yourself and perhaps connecting to your personal experiences as well.

As the book proceeds, the author attempts to unravel myths and fads related to exercise including: walking is the best exercise, more time in gym = better body and Cardio on an empty stomach (my personal favorite). Each chapter is aided with tables and charts helping the reader not only understand the discipline behind it all but also use as references to devise up one’s own system. Rujuta Diwekar establishes her credence that science has the potential to combat many of today’s lifestyle disorders including diabetes and obesity in way that is believable and practical. Her writing is levelheaded and does not over-promise anything when it comes to matters of your body and mind.

The ‘what to eat pre and post workout’ tables are particularly notable and I am seriously contemplating on forwarding them to my boss who is somewhat of a fitness freak. I was however a little disappointed when I did not find any photographic content to aid work out sets explained primarily in the chapter dedicated entirely to Yoga titled shrewdly as Yoga – Rethink and Relearn.

I will suggest this book to anyone who is dealing with a demanding boss, a difficult partner, heartbreak or even a failed business venture. I give Don’t Lose Out, Work Out! 3.5 out of 5 stars, I am holding back half a star because it would have been nice to have images alongside the charts. And I am thankful to Liberty Books for sending me a title that I am certain I would have never picked out myself believing I am already healthy.

If you are interested in reading a book that does not promise you weight loss but a healthy heart, order you copy today. You can find the book at:

Liberty Books
Website: www.libertybooks.com
Twitter: @LibertyBooks_

And keep up with the pioneer in the field of nutrition, Rujuta Diwekar at:
Website: www.rujutadiwekar.com
Twitter: @RujutaDiwekar

Posts tagged Yoga

BOOK REVIEW – Dont Lose Out, Work Out!