Deepika Rathod

I want to talk to you from the heart about something that affects so many of us. Many people have seen how harshly smoking hit people's lungs. Particularly around the pandemic, people realised how much their smoking habit was hurting their lungs, damaging healthy cells, and even affecting the body at a DNA level, raising the risk of serious illnesses like cancer.

When we think of vitamin C, the first thing that usually comes to mind is its role in boosting immunity. But did you know that vitamin C does so much more? Not only does it help strengthen the immune system, but it also benefits our skin and overall health.

Our brain works quietly in the background every single day, and it is the silent commander of every thought, emotion, decision, and memory. It never rests, yet we often take it for granted until fog, anxiety, or forgetfulness appear. Brain health shapes how clearly we think, how calmly we handle stress, and how fully we live. When it is neglected through poor sleep, chronic stress, or nutrient gaps, fog, anxiety, and fatigue quickly follow. Brain health is not optional or a luxury. It is the foundation of how we think, feel, remember, and show up for the people we love. Here is how you can start caring for it through simple, consistent changes in your routine.

Travel is that beautiful escape we all look forward to, right? We pack our bags, leave the usual routine behind, and just want to relax, explore, and soak it all in. But nourishing food and a little movement don't have to feel like extra work. Let's look at some simple, doable travel tips to help you eat with care, keep your system feeling light, and still enjoy the journey.

The pelvic region is simply the space between your hips, and keeping it strong matters more than most people realise. It supports women through childbirth, helps men maintain good prostate health, and protects the spine and the organs that sit in that area. Today so many of us feel discomfort in this region because of how we live. Long hours of sitting, chairs that keep us in unnatural positions, very soft mattresses, and Western toilets have all played a part. Our parents and grandparents used Indian toilets that required squatting. They sat on the floor far more often and ate meals cross-legged in Sukhasana. Those simple daily habits kept the pelvic muscles contracting and relaxing, which is exactly how they grow stronger.

We all know by now that our body is made up of trillions of cells. What we sometimes forget is that every single one of those cells needs the right amount of oxygen, every moment, to work the way it should. Winter is on its way, and with it come the usual colds, coughs, and flu-like symptoms that put extra pressure on our lungs.

Every year the monsoon arrives in India like a much-needed breath of relief after the harsh summer. While the rains cool the earth and fill our rivers, they also bring a noticeable shift in how our bodies feel and function. Humidity rises, the air becomes heavier, and our digestive fire often slows down. Many people notice that the same foods they ate comfortably in summer now cause bloating, heaviness or mild discomfort. The body works harder to regulate temperature and fight the extra moisture in the environment. This makes us more vulnerable to infections and inflammation if we do not adjust our habits.

Many people struggle to eat enough vegetables because of personal dislikes, busy lifestyles, reliance on processed foods or a lack of knowledge about preparing vegetables in appealing ways. While vegetables contain cellulose, which the body cannot fully digest, thorough chewing, cooking or blending can make them easier to process. Among nutrient-rich vegetables, carrots stand out for their range of health benefits.

Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year. The calendar is filling up with celebrations, sweets, late nights, and big meals. Homes are being cleaned, lights are going up, and menus are being planned. But while we prepare our houses, how often do we prepare our bodies? After days of richer food, irregular timings, and less movement, the digestive system, liver, and immune system carry an extra load. A simple, intentional cleanse before and after the festivities can help the body reset without extremes. Two gentle yet powerful tools are intermittent fasting and dry fasting.

I want to talk to you about something I keep seeing everywhere right now. Food trends are moving fast. One week it's millets, the next it's seed cycling, then high-protein everything. Social media is full of colourful bowls and “functional” ingredients. And while some of this is genuinely helpful, I need you to pause and think carefully. Food is no longer just about taste or convenience for many people. That's a good shift. People are starting to ask how food makes them feel. Energy. Digestion. Inflammation. Mental clarity. Long-term health. We're seeing more interest in real, minimally processed ingredients. Fermented foods, colourful plants, turmeric, ginger, bone broth, etc. Ordinary families and working professionals are paying attention, not just fitness enthusiasts. People are tired of feeling tired. They want food that supports them instead of working against them.