You hear of the upcoming review meeting and your heart pounds loudly in your chest. Your mind flashes back to the unpleasant memories of the last one. You are gripped in fear of the unknown fueled by imagery of the past.
If you resonate with this feeling then here are 5 simple ways to handle the moment anxiety strikes. But before we go ahead remember these are only few self help methods. Examination by a specialist/ therapist is non negotiable.
1. Pause and observe: pause your thoughts for a moment and observe the noise in your mind as if you are an onlooker. Do not engage just ask yourself what am I feeling right now? why am I feeling this? What can I do about it? Write down all the thoughts and answers.
2. Deep breathing our breath is tied to our emotions. Breathe in and exhale slowly. With every breath feel your self relaxing. Relax your face, jaw, forehead, shoulders, arms and your whole body. This helps you relax.
3. Take a walk or run. Movement of the body helps in improving our mood and releasing feel good hormones
4.Talk to a friend or a family member. This is very therapeutic and helps you relax instantly by breaking the thought patterns in your mind
5. Listen to music or read a book or quote that motivates you. Recollect the times when you have successfully overcome such emotions. Remember you are stronger than your emotions. Surrender the future to a higher power and do your duty.
Practices like meditation, breathwork and mindfulness on a daily basis help deal with our emotions in the long run.
Most of the times our imagination portrays a small event into a much larger calamity. It is necessary to stop it by creating a pause. Reflecting the thoughts and responding by taking a few deep breaths.
From writing on clay tablets and Papyrus to printed media and digital media the way humanity has progressed in its ways of expression and knowledge sharing is awe inspiring.
A few decades ago the idea of a digital device was unimaginable. People spent hours bent over books in large libraries, However today knowledge can be whispered directly into your ears!
Yes, I am talking about the advent of audiobooks, a format that is Transforming how people learn, grow and experience stories.
The first, truly digital, portable audiobook experience was created in 1997 with the “The Audible Player” by Audible.com.
This device, was a handheld player, with “Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus” often cited as one of the first titles downloaded in this new digital format.
Today the industry has exploded with
1. over 74,000 audiobooks produced annually as of 2021.
2. Over half (51%) of American adults (approx. 134 million people) have listened to an audiobook as of 2025,
3. Globally, monthly average audiobook listeners are estimated at 270 million in 2024
4. Listeners are generally younger, with 57% under age 45.
Clearly indicating the rising popularity of the audiobook experience amongst the masses.
But how are audiobooks actually transforming the way people consume knowledge, stories and even education?
Conversion of dead time into growth time: due to easy availability of audiobooks through platforms like audible and spotify people are able to learn during commutes, cooking, exercising, walking etc. Thus, making the in between moments of the day productive.
Increased accessibility of books to wider range of people including people with visual impairment, those with dyslexia or reading difficulties and even busy professionals. It is also a boon for people trying to learn new language thus helping them gain mastery over comprehension, pronunciation and communication.
Bringing stories to life. This is perhaps the most magical aspect. Books narrated in the authors own voice makes the experience deeply personal. Narration, voice acting, and sound design turn books into immersive experiences much like podcasts or cinema than traditional reading.
Revival of reading habits: people who stopped reading due to lack of time find audiobooks a convinient way to restart the journey. Young audience can now use audiobooks as tools for study, learning and research.
Expanding global reach of authors through the various digital platforms: An author is now able to reach global audience in various languages and cultures, breaking the confines of geography.
Thus audiobooks are now converting passive time into a time for knowledge and growth. It is a perfect solution for busy individuals wishing to learn and grow too.
Driven by high smartphone penetration, multitasking convenience, and rising subscriptions, the audiobook experience is projected to grow rapidly.
I am always fascinated by the ocean. The way it laps at the shore, gently clearing all the debris and bringing freshness to the beach with every sweep. Returning again, and again and again…
Relentlessly, Consistently, Patiently.
And maybe that is the secret behind every person we adore.
Many people think success is just fate, good luck or great timing, but they fail to see that behind every visible success story there is an invisible ocean of discipline and consistency.
Raj Shamani, one of the best Podcasters in India, started out by managing college, scaling the family business, and building a personal brand at the same time. Just imagine the intense discipline and the insanely long working hours he must have put in.
Robin Sharma’s first book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, was rejected by many traditional publishers. But instead of backing out he self-published and then become the revered brand he is now.
Virat Kohli transformed his lifestyle, diet and mindset to become one of the fittest athletes in cricket, through strict discipline.
They did not become successful overnight, or easily. Only through consistency, dedication and discipline.
So when you want to give up remember,
Success is not a wave, its the ocean.
The daily effort no one sees, the quiet endurance that keeps you going and the courage to rise after every fall.
Be like the ocean. Consistent. Patient. Unstoppable.
Endure the highs and lows of life but never let the deep peace and patience inside waver.
Most people quit at the shore line. The successful ones keep showing up like the waves of the ocean.
Emotions drive everything. Weather it is the love that makes you go down on a knee or grief that makes you cry at funerals. The revenge that makes you lash out or the commitment and determination that makes you work out in the gym. Emotions drive all our actions and desires.
Arunima Sinha the first woman amputee to scale mountain peaks was driven not by fame or recognition but her determination to conquer her limitations. Being thrown from a moving train in 2011 she scaled the summit of mount everest in 2013.
Our every tiny act and desire is fueled by an emotion, and hence emotional control is of paramount importance especially in today’s world. The world where we are stressed more often, where we are pressurised to be Instagram worthy as well as be a perfectionist in all our aspects of life.
So how do we create that control or emotional balance in our world?
The first step is awareness and observation. Yes. Being aware of our emotions and observing them helps us understand our self. We can see the turmoil, the stress, the pressure we experience. We can also become aware of all the negative thoughts that engulf us and the positive ones that try to uplift us.
So here are 3 things we can do to become aware of our emotional state
Close your eyes and observe the thoughts like birds flying in the sky. As a witness without engaging
Writing: This helps to put our thoughts and emotions into perspective and hence guide our decisions
Talk to your family and friends. This can act as therapy if done with the right person. It helps us vocalise our thoughts and gives them a new perspective.
Never give anyone the power to control what you are within. Become aware and understand yourself. Your Peace of mind is much more important than that perfect personaity, instagram popularity or stress of responsibility.
Conquer your emotional roller-coaster with the power of your awareness and willpower
As the world moves forward pulling us with its inevitable flow, we fail to stop and experience. We fail to watch the way our emotions are scattered, the way we respond to people and circumstances and also we fail to observe how we feel within ourselves. What are the thoughts occupying our minds constantly, how are they influencing our behavior and actions and how we as people are working towards making our mind a better place.
With the endless routine of work, deadlines, responsibilities and tasks, somewhere we are losing touch with the most beautiful place that exists within ourselves. Instead we are overwhelmed with burnout, stress, anger, overthinking and the like. Our acts are hurried, our words rushed, relationships compromised and our peace devastated.
In this hustle bustle of life we have forgotten to live!
How do we reclaim our emotions and relationships? how do we balance our life and yet create an inner stability? How do we skip burnout and embrace peaceful focus and productivity?
Here are Five simple strategies you can incorporate in your life.
Introspection and reflection: spend a few minutes daily to observe and understand your thoughts, behavior and actions. You can even write them down for better understanding. This will provide you with clarity and help you focus on your goals.
Physical Exercise and Healthy Diet: these are non negotiable inclusions in your daily routine. Only a healthy body can support you in your goals and aspirations as well as prevent sicknesses.
Mindfulness practices: Mindfulness can be as simple as observing nature with full attention. Gradually the process calms the mind and decreases the constant flow of thoughts.
Breathwork: our emotions are connected to our breath. An easy breath in happy moments, a deep sigh during sadness, a shallow breath while anxious are someways that show the connection with Breathwork. Deep breathing exercises help regain our emotional control.
Seva/ service: self less acts done for the benefits of other people without any expectation beings us true joy and gratitude. One small act of service daily will boost your morale and help you build your emotional resilience.
Its time we stop searching for peace outside and discover the fountain of peace within. Create a self care routine and adhere to it and find yourself blossom into a content,peaceful and resilient person. Let your acts determine your peace!
Get ‘The 1 -Second Shift to Emotional Resilience’ – A guide to overcome anger, overreactions and discover inner peace
I believe the concept of wild animals itself has changed in today’s world. At a time of massive deforestation and habitations encroaching forests and jungles wild animals are increasing become a common sight in the neighborhood.
Recently instances of monkeys, leopards, cheetahs, crocodiles and panthers entering villages, destroying crops and cattle are becoming increasingly prevalent. Snakes have become a routine sight with both poisonous, non poisonous and large pythons spotted at various locations.
This sometimes makes me think about the Paradox that we are living in. A few centuries ago people lived in hutments in the forest and today the wild are slowly getting to us in the cities!!
The line between forests and residential areas are increasingly getting blurred to a level where we would soon need to learn the cavemen skills of defending ourselves from the creatures of the wild.
Unless we rebuild the forests and let the animals there live in peace that day wouldn’t be far where we would be making policies for our protection from wild animals.
This Sunday morning as I travelled with Google maps as my guide i found myself circling the destination again and again untill finally I called the Art of Living teacher who was organizing the follow up session i was to attend.
A full 30 minutes late, i noted as i hurried to the hall. After the session I was to attend a workshop where again my navigation skills failed and I ended up on a road that was a dead end. Again reached the venue 30 minutes late.
The old me would have reacted and labelled the day to be doomed. Afterall it started with a unpleasant occurance. The second episode would have further pulled me down actually settring me into a bad mood for the rest of the day.
But that day I only smiled and wondered at how my navigation skills were being tested. I did not let a couple of unfavorable occurances to dictate my inner peace.
The message here is that it is not the mere circumstances that make us bitter,angry or reactive but the response we give and carry within ourselves that does!
Although the day had 2 setbacks it had a lot of wins too. I had a close interaction with the fellow volunteers of Art of Living, and also had a very educative workshop later.
The only thing we need to stop a bad moment from becoming a bad day is a shift of our perspective!
snippets of my interaction with AOL volunteers. The calm and bliss on our faces is a proof of the wonderful Sudarshan Kriya and Meditation session we experienced.
Stress is a condition which everyone goes through at some point in time. A study published in 2024 said that 1 in 2 urban Indians felt stressed. Stress is also more prevalent in younger age groups. Long standing stress can lead to anxiety, lack of concentration and depression. stress is also a contributing factor to chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, heart disease etc.
As a Public Health Specialist, i believe Managing stress at root levels and prevention of complications is essential. Although physical exercise, breathwork, meditation etc are said to be the first line of self care many people are not aware on how it has to be done and incorporated in our daily lives.
Thus, merely a talk in stress management and emotional regulation is not enough, proper techniques, and hands on training along with a support system is essential. People also need to be aware on when self care is not enough and Specialist help is necessary. This is the primary objective of starting the stress management workshops. providing individuals with practical tools, simplifying the routine and creating awareness on when to seek help.
Sharing snippets from first workshop conducted yesterday.
You close the doors and windows to shut out the noise outside. You turn down the fan and use silent gadgets to reduce the sound indoors. But what do you do to silence the forever noisy mind? How do you stop its chatter? How do you handle overthinking?
Yoga Vashistha the ancient Indian scripture compares the restlessness of the mind to a monkey jumping about in the forest. The monkey mind that Swings from one thought to another and yet another. You start with something you desire but end up with thoughts that were never the destination.
This continued array of thoughts leads to overthinking due to rumination of thoughts. This leads to waste of time and energy and can lead one to dangerous conclusions of trivial matters.
So how do we stop this incessant chatter and tame the wild thought monkey? A best way is to pause and observe. Do not engage with the thought. Neither encourage not push it away. Just observe.
As soon as you put your attention to it the mind stops its wondering and is yours to work with. It just takes a second’s shift and consistent practice.
Lord Krishna also says that through practice and Detachment mind can be conquered.
The 1 second shift to emotional resilience has the exact steps to silence your mind.
What is one step that you have taken to discover the power of silence?
The moon represents a distant dream or a pausible reality depending on how you wish to see it.
But if asked what is it that I would pay so much as traveling to the moon would be investing in myself.
Yes, invest not in clothes or grand jewelry but invest in learning skills I would like to hone, passions I would love to persue and most importantly invest in conquering my dreams.
Just like a thirsty man needs to get to the river to quench his thirst, so do we need to get to the resources that will fund our dreams.
It may not always be making wealth or learning the stock market tricks. It can be simple things like learning how to deal with setbacks or how to keep moving when life feels the most horrible.
In Bharat, we have a saying that goes, ” money is like the dirt on our hands and hence insignificant. It keeps coming and going…” (paisa Hatton ki mail he)
Thus in addition to learning the skills of survival and money making I believe in learning the following skills
Gratitude
Forgiveness
Self love
Selfless service to others
Means to reach a level of inner peace that is not disturbed by external situations.
I invest my energy in daily micro practices which build and create my inner world. I have been to the rock bottom of my emotions in depression and also reached a level of inner peace where emotional disturbance is minimal.
All my practices and process has been now printed into a self help book ” The 1 second shift to emotional resilience”. It also gives you a 45 day starter guide to begin your journey right away.
Book launch on 1st Nov.
Meanwhile ponder on what is it that you would need to invest in yourself?
Leaders are the ones that lead people to better conditions and places. It may be a health situation, a career growth option or any other cause that the group or clan adheres to.
Traditionally we had gurus and strategic leadership like kings. Later on corporate structures took hold.
But what pains me is to see in today’s world everybody wants to lead. With the rise of social media connection is become easy, with AI content generation is easier, thus every person irrespective of expertise or leadership qualities wants to create smaller communities and lead them towards a vision that he or she envisions for them.
However, I feel that a leader has the more important role of taking the group with him. Not just showing the way but holding hands and guiding them through rough patches.
Their focus is on authentic well being of the individual and not just on seeing the community as a cash builder. The members need to connect on a personal level and not feel inferior to a leadership that is focussed on expansion alone.
At times communities may start off with a sincere goal of helping people however they may eventually end up actually trapping people in a situation they do not wish to be.
Hence, coming back to the question do i want to be a leader? It depends if my friends and people who share my passion join hands we can become a mutually benefitting community. But if I am a leader in such a situation i would definitely not want someone to stick with Me even when we have drifted only because they feel obliged to continue due to contractual or financial obligations.
Also, being a leader to me is sharing the hardwork, the joy and loss. Maintaining a team spirit that always prospers. Guiding, surrendering and understanding yet being compassionate with some strict discipline. Because a leader without decipline cannot lead.
Movies are not merely a source of entertainment but an influencer in our day to day life. If you don’t believe that movies can influence our real world let me give you a few examples
Fashion
What do you say is trending and available in every retail shop is it not the ones created by popular movies and serials of that time. I remember during my childhood various styles were names after the movies they were depicted in Ashique hairbows, Maine Pyar Kiya caps, polka dots, bell bottoms all an influence of the movie world. You think you had a choice, it was the only choice you had.
2. Concepts
The movie Hum- Tum based on hatred and friendship between Saif Ali khan and Rani Mukherjee drove home the idea that a boy amd girl can never be friends. I am sure most people who loved the movie still think the same. The idea was convincingly put forward and stuck long after the movie faded into the shadows.
In Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam our hearts were heavy with the realization that mothers always understood their children.
3. Slangs
Many slangs till today are the dialogues from movies. Like Bhiku matre Kitna aadmi the re?, Mgambo khush hua, Mr India etc. They still bring bitter sweet memories to the fore.
4. Trend setters
I hardly remember friendship day and friendship bands being popular before koi mil gaya. Thus from bell bottoms, to our speech and trends have been to some extent influenced by movies.
In today’s generation the effect that movies had 20 years back has been multiplied manifold by social media, OTT platforms and other entertainment domains. While some may be harmless but some trends like casual drinking of wine, casual approach to relationships, subtle inclusion of western cultures like choice of clothing etc subtly create a shift in mindset, Normalizing concepts that were once forbidden or bizzare.
Hence, in a world of manipulative choices and trendsetting tendencies we need to ask ourselves ” is this what we want our future to be?” Let’s look at our binge worthy serials and our trending movie nights with a pinch of salt, knowing not all we see is what we want.
What is the very first thing you do when you wake up? For millions, the answer is roll over, grab the phone, and let a tidal wave of emails, breaking news, and social media notifications crash into their barely-conscious mind.
You begin your day in a state of reaction, stress, and information overload. You’ve lost the day before it has even begun. But what if you could reclaim those first few minutes and use them to intentionally calibrate your entire day for focus and calm?
Ancient traditions, understood the profound power of a morning ritual. I remember my grandmother rising at dawn and offering prayers to the sun after a bath. One may think it superstitious but it has the benefits of overcoming laziness and feeling fresh after a bath, sun prayer ensures you start your day with vitamin D, sun salutations ensure that your daily fitness regime is already taken care of in the morning, thus leaving you free for the rest of your day to go about your daily work.
Our school teachers always told us to start and end the day with a smile and a prayer of gratitude. So much wisdom this advice carried! Today we are on the brink of mental health crisis and we wonder where did we go wrong. We have in fact lost the ingrained habits that kept us grounded and calm.
Be it the morning bath, making your bed as soon as you get up, organizing the room before going to sleep, sweeping and mopping the house before starting breakfast etc were some ways that helped keep cleanliness, hygiene and prevent both physical and mental clutter.
However as citizens of a modern world we have given up traditions that kept us healthy in the name of superstitions or time constraints. Its time we start creating a healthy morning ritual to take control of our health once more.
This isn’t about adding another chore to your list; it’s about creating an anchor. From a modern healthcare perspective, a consistent morning ritual has two key benefits.
First, it reduces decision fatigue. By making your first few actions automatic, you conserve precious mental energy for the complex decisions that lie ahead.
Second, it intentionally shifts your nervous system. Instead of jolting directly into the “fight-or-flight” sympathetic state, a mindful ritual allows you to gently activate your “rest-and-digest” parasympathetic state, setting a baseline of calm that you can return to throughout the day.
Imagine starting your day feeling grounded, centered, and purposeful. Imagine having a clear sense of your priorities before the demands of the outside world rush in. This is the effect of a dedicated morning ritual. It creates a buffer against the chaos. You’ll find you have better focus, you’re less emotionally reactive to stressors, and you end your day with a greater sense of accomplishment rather than just exhaustion.
Start small.start with the easy steps and build on them later on. It’s the highest-leverage thing you can do to transform the quality of your entire day, and it takes less time than it takes to brew a cup of coffee.
I’m giving you a simple, science-backed ritual you can start tomorrow morning.
1.One Minute of Breath: Before you even get out of bed, sit with your back straight on your bed and take five deep, conscious breaths. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Your only job is to feel the movement of breath in and out of your body.
2. End with a Gratitude prayer for being able to see a new day today which many people around the world may not have been lucky to.
3. Do a few stretching exercises preferably in a place that recieves the gentle rays of the morning sun. It has the dual benefit of sun exposure and movement.
4. Take a mindful pause and reflect on your previous day and the day ahead.
5. Intention setting : Take a piece of paper (not a screen) and a pen. Write down one thing you are genuinely grateful for, and one “Most Important Thing” you want to accomplish today. Just one. This clarifies your focus for the entire day.
That’s it. Five minutes. Breath, Light, gratitude, movement, Reflection,Intention. Try it for one week and witness the transformation.
Share with friends and family who wish to reclaim their mornings.
That ache in your chest. The nights spent staring at the ceiling, wondering what’s wrong. The guilt you often felt for not being “on” for your family or at work. Was there a time you cried yourself to sleep or the time you refused to get out of bed because life was just too painful?
It’s a silent, heavy feeling we all carry at some point. You’ve tried self-care, breathing exercises, and even bought a new journal, yet the feeling lingers. We all have our share of bad days or even bad weeks, but when is it that we need to move from self-help to seeking professional support?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a persistence of symptoms beyond two weeks is an indicator to seek professional support. However, even a single thought of self-harm or suicidal ideation warrants professional mental health help immediately. Your life matters, and you are not a burden. Let’s take a closer look at the warning signs that tell us it’s time to seek help.
Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore
* You Feel Overwhelmed Most of the Time: If daily tasks you once handled with ease now feel like climbing Mount Everest, it can signal emotional burnout, depression, or anxiety that needs professional intervention.
* Your Mood Swings Are Unpredictable: Going from calm to furious, or happy to hopeless in minutes, can be more than just stress. It might indicate deeper mood regulation issues, possibly linked to anxiety disorders or depression.
* Sleep No Longer Feels Restorative: Whether you’re lying awake for hours or sleeping excessively yet waking up exhausted, disrupted sleep is a common red flag for declining mental health.
* Your Appetite Has Dramatically Changed: Overeating for comfort or barely eating at all are often signals that your mental and emotional well-being are under strain.
* You’re Withdrawing from People: If calls from friends go unanswered and social invitations feel like a burden, you might be self-isolating. This is a common coping mechanism when struggling emotionally.
* You’re Experiencing Physical Symptoms with No Clear Cause: Headaches, stomach issues, and muscle tension can all be stress responses. If your doctor rules out physical causes, it may be your mind’s way of asking for help.
* You’ve Lost Interest in What Once Brought You Joy: When hobbies, passions, and people you loved now leave you feeling numb, it’s a sign that your emotional health is struggling.
* Your Coping Mechanisms Have Become Unhealthy: Leaning more on alcohol, food, endless scrolling, or other numbing activities can mask the pain, but they never address the root cause.
* You Feel Drained, Tired, or Lethargic: This can be an effect of factors like nutritional deficiencies or other medical conditions. If these causes are ruled out by a professional, persistent lack of energy may not be laziness but a sign to see a mental health professional. Moving Beyond Self-Care
Although some of these symptoms can be relieved in the initial stages with self-care tools like exercise or meditation, persistence beyond two weeks is a cause for concern. In these cases, self-care is just a complementary tool, not a replacement for chronic or severe mental health conditions.
The strongest thing you can do is ask for help.
Immediate Action Required: When to Seek Help Right Now If you have had thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness—even fleeting thoughts like “it would be easier if I wasn’t here”—these are serious and require immediate professional support. You are not a burden. Your life matters.
If daily tasks and activities are hampered, you are unable to take care of yourself and others like you usually did, and thoughts of suicide and self-harm loom, seek help immediately.
The Benefits of Seeking Therapy * Identifying the Underlying Cause: A professional can help you uncover the root of your struggles. * Providing Effective Tools: Therapy offers evidence-based strategies to help you deal with situations in a way that self-care alone can’t. * A Safe, Judgment-Free Space: A qualified professional provides a confidential and supportive environment for honest conversations.
India has a toll-free helpline, Tele MANAS (14416 or 1-800-891-4416), dedicated to mental health support in 20 regional languages. As of Feb 2025, this service has handled over 1.81 million calls since its launch in 2022. Qualified counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists can help provide one-on-one sessions and necessary treatments. Remember, therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all and needs to be tailored to individual needs.
Ignoring the signs makes recovery harder. Seeking help early is a strength, not a weakness.
If you would like help with self-care practices for emotional well-being, click Here Read my bestselling book on depression to self-discovery, The Arjuna in Me: Here Follow me on @drsarojsalelkar on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for more insights.
When was the last time you said something in the spur of the moment and regretted it instantly? The needless scolding to a child or the uncalled for fight with a friend. Our moments of over reactions have put us at loggerheads on quite a few occasions.
These instantaneous actions are part of our reflex mechanisms and brain wiring. The part of the brain called amygdala is responsible for these reactions. This amygdala hijack is caused by situations that trigger a fight or flight response leading to automatic behaviours to take control in the event of perceived danger.
In view of the of emotional dominance, the thinking part of the brain i.e. the prefrontal cortex is overwhelmed leading to difficulty in thinking clearly amd thoughtfully.
However the consequences are borne by our strained relationships, hurt, regret, guilt, shame and mental stress.
Here are 5 simple strategies which through consistent application can help break the Cycle of reflective response and action.
Pause: Before reacting stop and observe. Realise what you are feeling. Try labeling the emotion, fear, hurt, anger frustration etc. This act slows down the reactively of the emotional mind and prevents amygdala hijack
Breathe and count to five. This gives the brain time to engage the prefrontal cortex or the thinking cap of the brain and prevents amygdala hijack
Use cognitive Repraisal: change your interpretation of the trigger. Ask yourself why am I feeling this? Is it about now or something that has built up. Framing the situation differently reduces stress and Emotional escalation.
Self distancing: removing oneself from the situation or thinking in a way of why the other person would have done it shifts our perspective and reduces impulsivity.
Use sensations like touch, sight or smells to ground yourself and gain clarity
Although these are effective strategies they are not an instant mix. They require persistence patience and practice to bring about the desired change within ourselves.
Take the first step today. If you notice a trigger pause, name the emotion breathe, reframe.
Make an entry in your journal and compliment yourself for trying a little today.
Stopping overreactions isn’t about suppressing emotion it’s about retraining your brain.
Ancient Wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita says that
” Just like the ocean remains unmoved though water enters it from all sides, so does that (tranquil) individual attain peace in whom all desires enter”.
Thus maintaining peace of mind under various circumstances even in the presence of desires to say something hurtful can lead to mental clarity and peace.
Through labeling, pausing, reframing, and grounding, you can move from reactive to responsive and reclaim emotional control.
You can also read my free guide on 5 Transformational Practices that help you build emotional resilience Here
I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I remember staring blankly at the ceiling unaware of the day or time it was. My body felt exhausted, but my mind was blank. I wasn’t just tired I was hopeless, overwhelmed and sinking.
It wasnt just the baby blues. it was deeper and unrelenting. This was postpartum depression and I didn’t know it then.
In the world today, 1 in 7 mothers experiences postpartum depression (PPD), yet many suffer in silence, brushing it off as fatigue, hormones, or even personal failure.
Let’s break the silence and support mothers by understanding the emotional symptoms of postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is much more than sadness. It’s a silent crisis that can affect your ability to bond with your baby, maintain relationships, and take care of yourself and is commonly disguised as normal new mom struggles.
Some of the most common emotional signs of postpartum depression are:
1. Persistent Sadness or Emptiness
Not just a emotional moment or two this is constant, lingering sadness that refuses to lift.
2. Guilt and Feelings of Worthlessness
You always feel “You’re not a good mother.” You intepret other well meaning advice through the same lens. That voice is lying but it feels all too real.I felt it myself.
3. Anxiety and Restlessness
You may find yourself constantly worrying about your baby’s safety, your decisions, or the future. Sometimes this anxiety escalates into panic attacks.
4. Irritability and Anger
Anger is one of the most under-recognized symptoms of PPD? You may feel short-tempered, enraged, over small things and then feel deep guilt afterward.
5. Disconnection from the Baby
You may go through the motions feeding, changing, rocking but feel no joy, bond, or connection.
6. Loss of Interest or Pleasure
Things you once enjoyed—music, food, friends—may no longer interest you. You may feel emotionally numb or detached from life.
Being a singer and lover of music I actually started detesting it and all food tasted the same.. unpalatable.
7. Hopelessness or Thoughts of Self-Harm
Feeling that things will never get better. Some mothers have intrusive thoughts or even suicidal ideation. If this is you, please know you deserve help, and help is available.
We often assume that if a mother is functioning feeding her baby, showing up, smiling she must be okay.
But I was that mother.I looked fine on the outside. But inside, I was drowning.
Recognizing emotional symptoms early could save months of silent suffering. With help, your brain can heal, your emotions can regulate, and your joy can return.
The brain is neuroplastic. That means, with practices like meditation, breathwork, and mindful reflection, we can literally rewire our emotional responses and create new patterns and habits.
If any of the symptoms above resonate with you, don’t wait. Talk to your healthcare provider. Speak to a therapist. Confide in a friend.
As a doctor, author, and mother who has walked the path of healing through both science and spirituality, I’ve realized that true wellbeing lies in the small habits we build daily. These are not quick fixes, but consistent practices that shape our physical, emotional, and mental strength. Here are 5 strategies I follow every single day to stay healthy, centered, and focused.
1. Watch What You Eat 🍲
Food is the substance that provides us with nourishment and energy. But eating harmful processed foods, fast foods, etc., as well as food rich in refined sugars, palm oil, etc., are not healthy. Thus, read labels, be aware of your cooking ingredients, and include a balanced diet.
2. Adequate Sleep 😴
This is where the rejuvenation of the body occurs. A sound sleep of 6–8 hours keeps us active all day.
3. Breathwork and Meditation 🧘♀️
These help me keep my inner calm and process my day skillfully.
4. Hydration 💧
Adequate water intake is essential for body functions. Around 2–3 litres is optimum.
5. Physical Exercise 🏃♀️
Walking, running, or any other exercise done on a regular basis helps maintain our physical health as well as control stress levels.
🔄 Your Turn
What are the strategies *you* follow daily to stay well — physically, mentally, or spiritually?
👉 *Share yours in the comments below. Let’s build a conscious, healthy lifestyle together.*
These daily practices echo the wisdom I share in my book, The Arjuna in Me a journey of healing, transformation, and responding to life with strength.
Stay tuned as I continue to share insights on health, mindfulness, and spiritual strength through my blog and books.
Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy
Bhagavad Gita
I remember the time when I got admission into medical.college. I was happy and elated. I believed all my doubts are over and my life is all set. But when i entered the college I realised that this was just the beginning of a very long grind of hours of study, clinics and practice. As students we heard of many other colleagues getting frustrated and finding it difficult to handle. Some quit, some took a break and some attempted suicide. All these decisions were made by the same mind.
The mind that once accepted the challenge felt weak at a later moment. The one that was self confident felt defeated and the one joyful was wallowing in frustration and desperation.
When the mind can take us where it wants at its whims how can we control what happens?
The answer lies in becoming the master of the mind rather than allowing it to dictate to you.
It may feel unbelievable or insane at first but it’s possible.
Start with a small practice of observing your thoughts and their flow. Gradually you will see how they are different from your own being. How they stimulate our mind to act in a particular way.
Over a period of time observe the thoughts like guests entering a building. They come and go as they wish. Just observe amd do not follow or entertain them. Gradually you will notice the inner chatter of the mind has decreased, your thoughts are diminished and you will be able to distance yourself from negative thoughts. Thus slowly mastering the trickster the mind.
I led a life feeling trapped and caged. I felt the deep gorges of depression and frustration. The smells of futility and despair surrounding me like ugly monsters. I felt Positivity was a far cry that would never reach my ears.
But everything changed one day. The day I decided to take charge of myself. The day I decided to come out of my cage and face my monsters head on.
How did I do it?
It required courage and strength to work on my inner self. It required a motivation that would keep me going and it also needed a commitment, a promise that I made to myself never to give up.
The courage came from the tiny innocent faces of my children who looked upto me with so much love and trust.
The motivation came from my grounding practices of yoga, meditation and Sudarshan kriya.
And the promise is what kept me going through thick and thin. Every day Every moment evolving, learning and being a better version of me. Effects of my Personal development and self transformation was leaving it’s mark in my world.
The caged mind that once bothered me, was now a free bird with consistent discipline.
What are the practices that keep you grounded and in touch with your emotions?
Every creature in the cosmos comes with an expiry date. Some live for a few moments whereas others persist for eons. But one reality is certain that death is inevitable.
Change and impermanence is a part of life. Our opinions today could change tomorrow, our situations will definitely change some day. No wonder it is said that nothing is permanent except for change.
The expanding galaxies to the contracting black holes, everyone will be one day swallowed into the belly of the timeless passage of time.
This realization is something that we need to keep close to our hearts. The knowledge that we are mortal beings, the understanding that the next moment maybe our last, the comprehension that time may not always be our friend.
When this fact is linked with our daily activities and interactions, we start to live more joyfully, savouring every minute like the blessing it is.
Getting into arguments and fights, taking guilt trips or selfish actions are of to no use as ultimately they will disappear into the clutches of time. However, what will remain behind is the memories we live behind.
Have we been loving or considerate or rude and selfish. Understanding and compassionate or spiteful and arrogant. Just as our actions precede us similarly they also survive the longest.. even beyond our time.
So does it mean we give up?
Absolutely not. It means we live up. Live up more. Observe life with so much interest and awe, plan your goals and missions with aim to create positive repercussions even after you no longer exist. Make positive changes and take care of the precious life you carry.
Don’t let it wilt with laziness or jealousy neither let it pass away with guilt and uncertainty.
Take the steps walk the actions. Let them be imperfect let them be full of challenges and learning. It will only help you grow stronger to better serve humanity for the time you are on earth, leaving behind a void too large to fill.
One day not long ago around the 1990’s when people couldn’t afford vehicles and passing examinations were important for all divisions to reach the next class. and when children still suffered from measles and chickenpox, I remember my father carrying me to my school to answer my exams.
I remember wondering why is he carrying me on his arms. to the school premises?
I was 7 year old and in class One now,a big girl. A big sister to my younger siblings 5 and 3 years old. why is he carrying me all the way?
We usually walked hand in hand and I remember swinging them to match my footsteps. and i knew for sure , if only my father allowed me and being the big girl I was I could run accross the busy street to reach the school all by myself.
His hand must be hurting surely. I asked daddy to put me down I can walk I must be too heavy for you. No dear he said and carried on.
I thought I have had fever so many times and I know to handle it myself. but this time there were funny looking boils all over my arms. they were glistening and released a small amount of fluid when squeezed. it was like a game I was happy to play. Mommy said they were on my back too.
But still that doesn’t mean I should make daddy carry me all the way. his hand could hurt then how would he be able to care for all of us? Actually it was my fault as I did not want to miss my exams. Daddy wanted me to stay home but I insisted that I have to answer my exam or else teacher would fail me.
So I told him again, daddy put me down, I want to walk. looking at me tenderly he said “no dear I will drop you in class and wait till you finish your paper. After that we need to go to the doctor to get your fever and rash checked out”.
i remember sitting in a secluded room far away from my friends who were busy writing. feeling sad and lonely. I wrote my paper and finished it with a satisfactory smile on my face. As I had finished before time I was the first to leave and surely enough daddy was waiting right there to carry me back.
Looking at this incident now, all these years later I realised uncompromising is the love of a parent and a child in her innocence or arrogance can never fathom its depth.
Today as a parent I realize parenting is not a single decision and neither is it perfect. It is just a series of decisions sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes Unpredictable but the choices are based for the betterment of the child, to provide better opportunities and create better childhoods one decision at a time. Taking imperfect actions with a one pointed goal, to provide the best for the children.
What are your thoughts? Do put them in the comments below. I would love to read them.
As a child who spent countless hours immersed amidst the pages of books my heart still leans towards the little girl who found joy and sense of purpose through the Nancy Drew series.
The world of mystery and finding lasting solutions filled her with a sense of accomplishment much more than grades could ever do. Finishing one book within a day and heading for the next one soon after kept her occupied, engrossed and deeply motivated.
These books have influenced the lives of many children and book lovers of that generation and are fondly remembered with bittersweet memories.
The writer went by the name Carolyn Keene, however more recently I learnt that it was a pen name used by multiple writers!
The myriad variety of writers still managing to keep the true essence of the story telling intact and engrossing for it’s young readers is a commendable job by itself and truly justifes Shakespeare when he says, ” What’s in a name?”
Are you one such reader like me who loved some books just too much? Do let me know.
Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?
Research suggests that physician mothers may experience higher rates of depression especially post partum depression and burnout than non physician mothers.
A variety of factors contribute to the same. These include
1. Work life imbalance: The erratic duty hours and high stress levels of a doctor can affect family life leading to stress and conflict. There is hardly any time for rest, recovery and self care leading to burnout and mental health issues.
2. The post partum stress: By itself post partum period is stressful enough due to the increased physical amd emotional demands following child birth. Added to it is the increased strain of early return to duty, managing long hours of work and inadequate sleep.
3.Stigma around mental health and potential barriers to treatment as well as fears of losing jobs can lead to women suffering in silence rather than seeking health care.
4. Social demands of managing the household and professional responsibilities is an unseen pressure which leads women to perform their best at the cost of their health and wellbeing.
These factors can lead to decreased well.being of the mother as well as ability to provide adequate patient care. What can be done
1. Need for support: identify and ask for help and support from family and friends
2. Medical institutes and workplace should provide support to post partum physician mothers including flexible working hours, leave and mental care facilities.
3. Creating a support network of friends and family members with whom one can share their concerns
4. Adequate, nutrition sleep, hydration, exercise etc help in mental well being
5. Seek counselling’s and treatment options when needed
Remember only a healthy mother can tend to her professional and family duties with better focus and clarity.
As a doctor and new mother, I missed my own signs. Healing was a long journey through art of living courses and revisiting the Bhagavad Gita — and seeing myself in Arjuna’s moment of crisis
That journey became the inspiration behind The Arjuna in Me.Buy Here 📘 For any doctor who’s ever felt isolated in their emotional struggle, this book is a gentle reminder: Being strong doesn’t mean never breaking. #DoctorDepression #MentalHealthAwareness #WomenInMedicine #PostpartumHealing #TheArjunaInMe #MotherhoodUnmasked
It is believed that up to 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression (PPD)? Yet over 50% go undiagnosed. And worse — many never speak of it.
As a doctor, I knew the textbook symptoms. As a mother, I missed them in myself.
What makes PPD especially dangerous is that it’s often masked by “pretending to be normal” We keep working. We keep smiling. We keep showing up. All the while quietly drowning.
But it’s not only medical treatment that may be needed. But counselling and a shift in Perspective is very vital. introspection, practice of gratitude, speaking to someone, exercise, meditation reading motivational books etc are different ways to get there.
That’s why I wrote The Arjuna in Me. It’s not a medical guide. It’s a mirror — for the mother, the professional, the healer, and the woman within.
This Mother’s Day, if you know a colleague, patient, or friend silently struggling — Consider giving them a story that makes them feel seen.
Because healing isn’t always about the medicines, it is also about the patient’s will power, determination and inner strength. The willingness to fight, the willingness to discover the inner warrior.
Happiness contrary to popular belief is not a future promise But it is a reality of day to day living.
If one believes he wishes to be happy somewhere in the future he is deluded. Just like a mirage which appears to exist but disappears soon, happiness cannot be achieved by those who believe it to exist in a future time frame.
Happiness lies in the small acts that brings one satisfaction and joy.
Here are 5 powerful practices through which I stopped. Chasing Happiness but started living it.
Stress reduction: mental stress is a significant cause of lack of happiness. Stress reduction can be achieved by following a few practices daily to recharge your mind. These include meditation, journaling, deep breathing techniques.
Mindfulness: these practices help us appreciate the beauty of every object around us. Being mindful of nature’s creations leads to a sense of awe.
Gratitude Practice: Practicing gratitude leads to us counting our blessings and focusing on the positives rather than the negative situations we go through
Creative persuits: creative pursuits like writing, drawing or any other hobby that gives us a sense of fulfilment go a long way in creating a sense of satisfaction and boosts self esteem.
Taking care of our physical health through proper diet, exercise and medication is a need of the hour. Accepting our short comings and working towards them while keeping a positive mindset contributes to happiness and joy.
What are the practices you follow. Do let me know
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?
One day Shivkrupananda Swami ji happened to visit a tiny barbershop for a haircut. When he arrived the shop was not yet opened. He waited for a while till the owner arrived.
Once the owner came he opened his shop did the puja and started his business. He gave swamiji a haircut and shaved his beard. After he finished swamiji offered his payment. However, the barber refused it.
Surprised swamiji said, ” Just because I am an ascetic you shouldn’t refuse money from me.” However the barber continued to refuse. He said” swamiji everyday i dont charge my first customer. It is my simple way of doing social service and giving back to the society”
This story is from the Autobiography of Shivkupanand Swami, “Himalay ka Samarpan Yog”.
In life we take up jobs to fulfill our basic needs but as we progress we become more engrossed in gaining, collecting and accumulating our money and wealth.
Some people realise that they have enough and give to charity too. But a person like a barber who strives on day to day income can be thoughtful enough to give back to the society in some form then why do we ignore it?
I believe Social service should be done in by all individuals. It can be a small act like adding a thoughtful quote to your social media daily or helping out at a centre.
The benefits of social service
Personal growth: A person who does regular social service can realise the importance of empathy and help allivate suffering of others
Gratitude: helping someone else shifts the focus from one self to another person’s issues and creates Gratitude towards what we have and reducing mental health issues
Sense of fulfilment and purpose
Building of a better community amd society due to your tiny efforts.
Tiny efforts lead to mighty impacts. What is your tiny efforts towards the society? Do let me know in the comments below.
Our personalities are diverse and multifaceted. So much so that one may not exist without the other. Like our tenacity will determine our motivation, our inner peace will determine our resilience so own and so forth. Thus putting all these multidimensional facets together and picking one out is a difficult task. In fact it will again be determined by what mood or mindset I am in at that moment.
Nevertheless, if I would describe myself in one word or phrase it would be a “Life- long-Learner”
I am sure that this is true for most of us. We always keep learning from the people and situations around us. We are influenced, motivated, demotivated by all the events that affect us changing and moulding us in the process.
Thus, as the saying goes, change is inevitable and so is learning. Thus 3 things that i learn on a regular basis include
1. In addition to the life lessons, as a doctor I strive to keep up with the changing scenario in the medical field.
2. I also constantly try to learn topics that interest me like writing, spirituality and culture.
3. I also learn to upgrade my skills or acquire new ones. Like content creation
What are your views about learning. What is one thing you are learning right now? Do share in the comments below.
Negative emotions and feelings are part and parcel of life. But if not worked upon can lead to mental stress, anxiety and depression.
These are 5 strategies I use to cope with negative feelings
Observe the thoughts as a witness: observing the thoughts and writing them down helps to destress the mind.
Physical exercise: physical exercise helps release feel good chemicals like endorphins as well as create distraction hence help to relieve stress and manage negative thoughts. Physical exercises can include a brisk walk, exercises like running, dance etc.
Talk to a friend or trusted person: this will help you view your thoughts in new light. It will also help you relieve stress
Pranayama and meditation practices helps keep mind focussed on the present moment increasing mindfulness and decreasing stress and negative thoughts
Change your narrative: engage in positive self talk.
Do let me know what are your strategies to cope with negative thoughts.
What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?
Do you think all superstitions were baseless and a bunch of non sense actions? Or do you see them as something that is beyond your understanding?
Picture this you are living in a large city and you are crossing the road. U see a black cat. What will you do? Turn back?
Or imagine you are staying in a well lit apartment will you avoid cutting nails at night?
Now imagine
You are leaving over 500 years ago in the tropical forests of the Indian subcontinent. There are more animals in the forest than people.
Now a black cat crossed your path. What would you do? Will you trace back your steps?
Will you light a fire in the evenings near your hutments?
Will you avoid dangerous activities like handling sharp tools even if it was for cutting nails?
According to me Superstitions are something that were a necessity to the way of life in the bygone era, however some may not hold any importance today. But totally disregarding them without understanding the context is utter foolishness.
Another reason we consider some things to be superstition can be because the modern day science has not yet found evidence of the scientific knowledge our ancestors used long time back.
Examples to this effect include lighting a ghee lamp. Ghee is believed to bring about positive changes in the ether where it Is lit, toe rings amd earrings are excellent acupuncture points, or the significance of bindi both for men and women lies in the cooling effect of Chandan applied by men and the medicinal effect of vermillion applied by women.
Hence before we jump to conclusions we need to ask ourselves what is the context with which this point of view was created? And could there be a greater scientific theory behind it? Let your minds ignite and work a little of the rusted brain cells to come out with reasons much convincing for the era at that time.
If you are reading this it means you have achieved a remarkable feet. Pat your back and bask in the glory of your achievements. Not everyone lives to see 36500 sunrises.
You must have done something right to achieve it. And if your healthy and disease free except for missing teeth and wobbly feet it is a very Commendable achievement indeed. Given the age and times you have lived through. The era of fast foods laced with microplastics, the era of slowly poisoned air and water and the era of tremendous stress.
I am sure the spirtual practices initiated during early thirties still play an important role in your life because they had already become a routine to you.
But what about your goals? Have you published the books that were overflowing in your story vault and crowding your mind? Have you managed to add value to the lives of people around you that you strongly desired? Moreover did you perfect the art of work life balance? And what about the kids? Have they turned out as you desired or do they continue to be the little brats they were?
There are so many answers I seek as a sneak peek into my future destiny. But alas these are all fantasies that will turn into very different realities.
I would rather focus on the present and get working on the goals of my future.
Till then.. Keep me motivated and focussed so that I have more good deeds and none of the negatives that bind me to fear and timidity.
What are the three things without which life would not be possible? Or rather existence would not sustain? I would like to call them the 3 pillars of our life! We are dependant on them yet we continue to ignore them taking them for granted.
First and foremost is the breath. If you take out a few minutes for yourself and observe your breath, gradually you will realise it is such an important task that our body performs effortlessly. So much so that we never pay any attention to it! Our breath is the line that ties us to life! When we are born, we take the first breath… INHALE… and when we die we leave the last breath…EXHALE. What ever happens in between these events is what we call life! We cry, we grieve, we desire, we succeed or we fail however it is our breath that supports us all along the way. Give a few moments of reverence to your breath daily. Express gratitude for its presence in you..
Diet: Your food is what sustains your body. Hence a nutritious food is what will complement your body and help it lead a long and healthy life. However, the irony of modern times is such that we put a lot of garbage (unhealthy foods) in our guts in the garb of food fads and then complain of health issues and decreased longevity. Think before you eat is the mantra we need to follow.
Relaxation of the mind: to live a healthy life it is necessary to relax our mind too. However, the constant chatter of the monkey mind jumping from one train of thought to another leaves us confused and agitated. It leads to stress, confusion and loss of direction. To bring peace and clarity to the mind practice techniques like deep breathing, meditation, journaling, prayer etc. Physical exercises also help in refreshing and rejuvenating the mind along with keeping the body fit.
Which of these practices will you be incorporating in your life as soon as possible? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
Favoritism is something that can change in the blink of an eye. The colours you once liked as a child you may dispise them now, or the food you hated could have become tolerable today. According to me these are just ways to keep us restricted and limited to our beliefs. If something is your favorite you will stop trying out new stuff and you would restrict yourself to the same old flavours.
What If we could do away with likes and dislikes? What if we could give up favorites and non favorites? Would we not be open to more options? Would we not love to explore?
I believe Love, hate, beautiful ,ugly are all delusions created by our mind. Every piece of creation is beautiful you only need to let go of your preconceived notions and look at the world through a different lens.
I believe favoritism is a limitation which we need to shatter so as to discover newer possibilities. What do you think? Do let me know your views too.
As a child I struggled to build relationships. I didn’t have many friends and not many people close to me. But as life happened a variety of friends kept appearing and disappearing jn my life leaving their imprints on my mind and heart. Giving me solace in distress, a patient ear to my ramblings and a accepting me with all my flaws. Friends make life worth living.
Today I may not be in touch with most but their love for me still resonates with my being. Their presence will stay ever fresh in my memories.
I am ever grateful for my friends both online across various platforms and offline. My life would not have been the same without you. ❣️
A little beauty nestled in the woods With only Serenity amd peaceful neighbourhood A place where friends are plenty My dream home is what it is
Where the ills of technology are absent Where children are understanding and creative A place where all work in unison My dream home is where it is
But alas... There are hardly any woods to be found Or freindly neighborhoods to be around Ills of technology wreak havoc in all homes And children are all too addicted to phones My dream home seams to be a distant dream As long as we all do not unite as a community
Wake up and see the depleting greens The harmful effects of industrialization And the dim wit children who have lost their creativity Due to being immersed in games and social media Adversity
Wake up before its too late... Lets restore the fragile stability Of nature and man and man and technology Find a balance and we shall prosper Or else doomsday is much more near
The most scary part of doing something Is the feeling of not having done enough I try my best but perfection eludes me Unfulfilled obligations and duties staring back at me I feel in my heart.. I want to get there But an unknown force restricts my expanse I stretch and yearn trying to reach it Only to realise that it's too late to be breached
Dejection frustration and worthlessness clouds the mind
As I push to the horizons with all my might.
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
Believe me, I understand when you say that motherhood feels like going through a hurricane. When Sleepless nights are blurred into endless days. When your mind whispers cruel narratives: “You’re not good enough. You’re failing.”
But realise that motherhood isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, even when you’re broken and you feel that you’re barely holding the pieces together.
I learned that struggling doesn’t define my worth as a mother. Nor does the expectations from society. My worth is in the midnight feedings, the endless care during illnesses, the soft lullabies sung off-key. My worth is in my relentless love.
Every mother carries an invisible strength. We are warriors, not because we’re flawless, but because we keep going. We adapt. We learn. We grow. We try our best. We sacrifice, we are hurt yet we always show up.
To the mother reading this right now: Your messy, imperfect journey is beautiful. Your tears are valid. Your exhaustion is real. But know that you are not alone. Share your story. Lets Heal together.
Follow @drsarojsalelkar on Instagram and facebook page Dr Saroj Salelkar for more such content and sharing. Let’s make motherhood memorable.
Our life is filled with unwanted clutter… both physical and emotional. Physical clutter is what we can still deal with but how do we handle the mental and Emotional baggage we have?
I once met a woman whose son suffered from thalassemia. He needed frequent blood transfusions. She had a daughter who was hale and hearty and often prayed to God to cure her brother. But what happened later was tragic. The daughter who was barely 5 years old died of a brief illness! This woman was devastated. Even though it was a few years back she still carried her grief… fresh as ever. She looked at my daughter and said that her daughter was just like mine. My heart went out to her. What could we do other than sympathise and provide a bit of counseling!
How do we deal with such situations? How do we deal with grief? Can we ever find peace and happiness after being through such situations?
All we can do is try. It is difficult to let go of memories, to let go of guilt, to let go of the feelings attached to loved ones and situations. However that is the first step towards healing.
We need to forgive ourselves, we need to realise that living through those moments repeatedly only causes more suffering to us. We need to learn to live life… We need to allow ourselves to heal. The void left behind by the absence of a loved one can never be filled but learning to live with it is the key.
Hence today start with writing down all the thoughts that are filling your mind. The good,bad and ugly. Ponder on each of them. If they are your past forgive yourself and the situations. Write down next to the thoughts… I forgive myself and the people involved as well as the situation.
Forgiveness is the first step in finding peace of mind from a turbulent past. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t fight for justice. It only means that the past circumstances are not a cause for your suffering anymore.
Let’s not let our past destroy our present and future.
Favoritism and hatred, likes and dislikes, beauty and ugliness these are all perceptions created by the mind. Every creature on the planet has been born with a specific purpose. Every tiny living being even microscopic bacteria fulfil a purpose. It may be simply converting food into compost or it may be just transferring pollen from flowers. Unknowingly they play an important part in the ecosystem.
But what about humans? Why are we caught in the web of love and hatred? Why are entangled in the concept of “what people will say?” Why have we made life, that is a simple ocurance for every being, complicated for ourselves?
We are too stuck in the dramatics of our mind to see how beautiful life is. To notice the tiny incidents that make our life worthy. We value neither the good that we take for granted nor the bad that leaves us with learnings.
I feel having a favourite animal or a pet is just how we want to imagine them to be. Unlike people they are non manipulative. However being in the company of people who test your patience is a challenge that one goes through to emerge stronger.
Hence, every moment be mindful of the ticking time. You never know how much more you have left. Be grateful for still being able to survive the negativity around, because not every one will survive the next moment. Talk to yourself… know your thoughts… bring your mind to the centre of your being. Every night before going to bed.. know that you are loved and blessed.
Start your mindfulness practice today and witness a change in the way you see the world.
As a I child I suffered from repeated attacks of bronchitis. My parents tried every doctor they could find. Traditional medicines as well as ayurveda and homeopathy. We even visited doctors outside the state in search of permanent cure for repeated infections. I remember being subjected to the ppd test multiple times by different doctors to search for tuberculosis as a cause back then.
Thus, I always had the desire to find means to cure and control illnesses that were causing stress to people like my parents. They had to plan and rethink about taking vacations and holidays, I couldn’t learn swimming as my parents feared the cold water would trigger my episodes. Sports that were my favorite till primary school had to be sacrificed due to wheezing episodes that occured due to exercise or the dust from the playground. Ice cream and soft drinks were a big NO in my house due to the aggravating effect it had on me.
Thus it was but natural that I was attracted to a profession of being a doctor. However in my professional journey spanning over 19 years I realised that there is a limit to what we can do. A limit to what any human can do. I saw patients die inspite of best efforts and I have seen patients from the death bed walk out hale and hearty. Thus I realised that there is a superpower above us all that has a final say in all matters.
My journey through depression and negative thoughts during my early motherhood days made me realise that mental health is a concern for everyone. I was having difficulty in balancing my motherhood duties as well as my professional responsibilities. I felt overwhelmed and was ready to give up.
It was in this moments that I encountered spirituality. These moments opened me up to possibilities. I realised that the superpower was none other than the eternal energy of the universe we know as God. I realised that it was through a mixture of our will power and the energy of the universe as well as the small but tremendous portion of it that is present within us that determines everything in life.
We may start our lives as kings and end as paupers or we may start as paupers and die as kings. The ultimate fate depends on our Actions, faith and the will power of the universe. The more we keep ourselves in a positive frame of mind the more likely that we go through life in a balanced and happy atmosphere.
Thus, having realised this, my Misson in life became clear. I wanted to empower people with the strength that they have within. I wanted them to align their life with the energy of the universe. I wanted people to feel the bliss rather than misery that life offered. I wanted every person to experience life as a positive and happy occurance.
I found refuge in the words of Bhagvad Gita. It was when I read this great ancient text that I realized the great values it has been imparting. I realised that these are so very relevant to the modern world. I realised the gems of wisdom that it offered. Thus I took up a mission. To add value to the lives of people through my professional skills, spiritual experience and the wisdom of Bhagavad Gita.
I seek the blessings of my guru as I embark on this journey. My initial steps have just started and I have a long way to go. My book “The Arjuna In Me” has been the starting point on this mission along with my blogs and social media posts.
I know I may not be able to touch every life… but I do know that Transforming even a single life is a great achievement. Thus, just as lord Krishna says ” Your right is to Action and not to its fruits”,I continue to act knowing that the fruits will automatically happen.
As we step into a new year a big set of unaccomplished desires stares back at me. I regret not following my resolutions last year. But at the same time I relish some beautiful and unexpected victories that came to me.
My 5 biggest challenges I wish to tackle this year are:
Fitness goals: I wish to start and follow a fitness regime of daily exercise and meditation. Although I do it regularly, off late I have not been sticking upto them on daily basis. The reasons I give myself are many but not any more. I have to prioritize my health this year.
Daily writing: of late I have not been able to keep up to my daily writing habit too. This is a challenge I take up this year to write atleast a few pages per day to keep exercising my writing muscle and creative thinking
Mental Exercises: I plan to start with mentally stimulating exercises like chess and word games.. but still lack the time and motivation. Need to focus on these areas now.
Procrastination: there are some issues which have been left unattended and some tasks unaccomplished. I wish to deal with them at the earliest.
Service to people: I wish to be of more service to people in the world either through direct help or counselling or adding value through my social media posts, blogs or books.
What are your biggest challenges this year? Do let me know in the comments below.
As the sunsets on yet another year, I am filled with gratitude and love for a year well lived.
Facing tough times and personal battles… I managed to emerge a winner… just as is rightly said, you are always given battles that make you stronger.
Leaving behind the negatives I March into the next year a little courageous and confident then I was before. A little achievements gathered on the way…
Making an Bestselling Author with my first book “The Arjuna in Me ” was the greatest achievement of this year! I remember last year this time I was reading the Bhagavad Gita, however I had never imagined I would be writing a book based on its teachings!
Another feather in the cap this year was my kick start of instagram account.. right from posts to reels and live talks… I am going strong here too..
Also, this was the first time I shared my personal journey on the global platform of PechaKucha at Goa.
But all these achievements are not complete without blessungs from our spiritual gurus. Hence, this year the most significant achievement for me was seeing two spiritual Guru’s I.e. Gurudev Sri sri Ravishankar and Shri Shivkrupanand Swami in person. Making me realise how blessed my life truly is.
Over all… this year came bearing a lot of fruits…and I carry forward the wishes, blessings and good will recieved into the new year as well.
How has your year been? Do let me know in the comments below.
But remember… however bad it may have been… tomorrow is a new beginning. Do not let the dark shadows of the past engulf your rising future. Wish you a very happy new year!!
Sometimes I wish to sit,near the ocean Deep within the pages of my favorite text And experience the thrill and enthusiasm Lost to the world in a sea of knowledge and wisdom ....
Yet at times, I wish The quiet of the sleepless nights The rush of ideas the urge to write Bringing thoughts to life Creating sensations, emotions and connections A masterpiece being moulded to life.. Within a cozy nook of the writers paradise...
As the battle ground was filled with enormous armies on both sides with brave and valiant soldiers. Fearless, courageous ready to kill and be killed… as death lurked on all sides and thirst for blood evident… as the largest battle of eons was ready to be raged… a powerful soldier lost his heart, lost his will to fight! Emotions engulfed him and he let go of his foremost duty of being a warrior.
He was filled with remorse and regret seeing his loved ones on the other side… ready to shed his blood. The ones who once loved him and bestowed him with blessings and nurtured him with utmost love stood before him ready to fight.
He lost his strength and the will power to pick up his beloved bow… his eyes filled with tears and throat choked with emotions he couldn’t express.. he refused to fight…
He refused to perform his duty, he refused to destroy the evil, he refused to recognize himself and his responsibilities.
In such a state he turned to his friend and charioter, his relative and idol, he turned to Lord Krishna for guidance… thus the Bhagavad Gita was born.
A storehouse of profound wisdom and learnings, a manual for daily living, an elixir of life for the ones ready to surrender and learn.
The one ready to break free from preconceived notions, ready to uplift oneself from the day to day rut and misery, the one who has tried and failed and doesn’t have the motivation to keep going… the one who is disheartened, discouraged and in despair.
It was in a similar state that blessings came to me. First in the form of a Guru and then in the form of the Bhagavad Gita.
The teachings of this great scripture still resonates with the world centuries later. I realised that every one even great people like Arjuna have been through the depths of negativity and risen stronger. The Gita is not for any-one it’s for everyone. Being a spiritual text it is also a self help guide. Right from imparting the values of meditation , importance of your duties and the need for discipline it teaches you how you can traverse this world of uncertainties and misery. How to uplift oneself and others.. how to be and behave…
On the occasion of Gita Jayanti I request you all to imbibe the teachings of Bhagvad Gita. We may not get there 100 percent in one go… but we can surely take baby steps towards our own happiness.
We can start with meditation, mindfulness forgiveness and willingness to learn and slowly and surely live a life of fulfilment and abundance.
A few lines of wonder for the people who are an inspiration to Me. Their untiring efforts and relentless work with a undying smile sometimes makes me wonder….
Are they always calm and poised? Or do they just appear to Are they as decisive as I think Or are they bit confused too Do they regret or fret ever Or are they forever collected I wonder about others Are they like me too?
Sometimes fidgety, sometimes anxious Sometimes confused sometimes sad Sometimes hopeful sometimes happy Somwtimes confident sometimes scared
All the experiences I go through Do they experience them too?
What is something others do that sparks your admiration?
Be it a travel journey or just an usual day at work, the moment I set foot into my home I automatically go into relax mode. The familiarity and the safety of the space coupled with the love and support of its inhabitants keeps me rejuvenated.
But this was not always the case. Being a working mother is not easy. I remember when my children were just toddlers, I used to be overwhelmed by the duties that awaited me at home. A tired body and mind that needed to work again taking care of duties of being a mother.
My lovely children used to fondly run into my arms and insist on me feeding and bathing and caring for them. They used to miss me so much that they wouldn’t let me go for a long time. Hence, motherhood brought with it the joys and sacrifices too.
Thus, as I pulled into the driveway after a long day at work, I used to gear my tired body and mind into working the next shift. The only thing that kept me moving was the unwavering love and affection my children showered on me. The love in their eyes and heart melted away my tiredness and motivated me to perform my duties.
Today 10 years later as I look back I realise how much those efforts have paid off. How much my children are still attached to me and that is proof that I must have done something right towards them.
My family has been a pillar of support in my life including my author journey too, providing me with the space and time needed to write. Hence my favorite place is where my heart is … my home filled with all the members of my family. It is my safe space.
It is easy for us to be critical and hard on ourselves. If given a chance we could drown ourselves into negativity and depression just on thoughts of how incapable and worthless and incompetent we are. But do we ever stop to think and appreciate our selves for the positives? Do we realise our self worth?
As humans we are more attracted towards the negative. Just as the saying goes, 100 good deeds are sidelined by a single bad one. But keeping our morale and confidence high in this competitive world is a challenge and more so appreciation of one’s capabilities.
Thus right now let us stop for a few seconds and ponder over 5 things that you feel you are good at and need appreciation.
Let me Go first.
Truthfulness: I value truthfulness as a virtue and I am proud of it
My writing skills: I know I still.have scope for improvement yet I try to impart value to my readers through my book, blogs and social media posts
Endurance: my ability to endure in trying situations has made me capable of facing life in its extremes
Commitments: I am very stubborn with my Commitments and I try to fulfill them to the best of my ability
My passion to learn: I like to read and learn new skills and information. Thus making me empowered.
Take a few seconds now and quickly list down your positives and realise your self worth. Know that you are also a gem and worth cherishing. Find the diamond within and polish it to perfection.
Our body is composed of various organ systems. These run in a specific cycle based on our activities. Example: The heart rate, the respiratory rate, the ovarian cycle are few examples of the cyclical nature of our body.
Another important cycle that affects us is the circadian rhythm. Most of our body activities are based on this. It is also known as the biological clock. It controls the sleep wake cycle which is the reason why we sleep at night and wake up in the morning. This cycle also affects various body functions like metabolism, hormonal secretion, body temperature, digestion etc.
Why is this cycle important?
Disturbance in the circadiam rhythm of the body is believed to lead to various disorders like sleep disturbance, diabetes, obesity, mental issues etc.
Lack of adequate sleep also leads to decreased reflexes, reaction time making it hard to focus leading to accidents at workplace, home and the roads. Further, it can cause anxiety, mood swings and depression. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases etc.
How can the circadian rhythm be affected?
This rhythm is based on darkness and light.
Lack of regular sleep routine, use of screens and devices during bedtime, working at night etc can affect the circadian rhythm.
How can we maintain our circadian rhythm?
Maintain a regular sleep wake cycle
Avoid using screens and devices before going to sleep
Adequate rotation of shift duties
Daily exercise
It is necessary for us to prioritize our health by way of good habits and routines. As a healthy body is able to perform tasks more effectively.
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