From skin to sleep: 6 tiny tweaks for a healthier life
It's the small things we do daily, not occasionally or when life calms down that quietly shape our health, energy, skin, and spirit.
As a dermatologist and wellness coach, I often say: your skin reflects your routine, not your one-off resolutions. And wellness isn't built on extremes, it's built on consistency. Here are some simple, realistic daily habits that go a long way, with no apps, exotic ingredients, or early morning guilt is required or helpful in this journey.
1. Start Your Day Before the World Does
Before emails, messages, or the news hijack your nervous system, claim the first 10 minutes for yourself. Sit in silence, sip warm water, do a few stretches, or just breathe. This isn't about being 'Zen' , it's about giving your brain a chance to reboot before it goes into performance mode. A calm start can change the tone of your entire day.
2. Eat Food That Feels Like a Friend
You don't need a trendy diet. Just aim for meals that are familiar, seasonal, and close to the earth.
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Think dal chawal with a spoon of ghee, sabzi that actually tastes like vegetables, or curd rice with a pickle your grandmother would approve of. Add fibre, protein, and colour and take five minutes to actually chew. Your gut, hormones, and even your skin microbiome will thank you.
3. Move, But Don't Make It a Mood
Not every day will be gym-worthy and that's okay. Dance while folding laundry, take the stairs, stretch while watching Netflix. Walk and talk meetings, housework, or chasing your kids around count too.
The goal is to keep your body in motion & not to make fitness another task to feel bad about.
4. Hydrate Without the Hype
You don't need chlorophyll water or fancy bottles with hourly reminders. Just drink plain water through the day. Add a slice of lemon or tulsi if you must. One glass when you wake up, one mid-morning, one before each meal and it adds up. And it shows up on your skin before any expensive serum does.
5. Create One Screen-Free Hour
This might be the hardest one but also the most powerful.
Block just one hour a day when no one can reach you, and you're not scrolling, swiping, or replying. Use it to read, walk, cook, listen to music, or do absolutely nothing. Mental rest is not laziness, it's how you build emotional stamina.
6. Sleep Like It's Your Skincare
Want glowing skin, fewer cravings, and sharper focus? Sleep is your real anti-ageing secret. Try to wind down at the same time every night. Dim lights, shut down devices, avoid that second helping of WhatsApp.
Even if you can't control how well you sleep, you can control your sleep hygiene.
Wellness isn't a fancy plan, it's a feeling. And when your daily life includes small acts of care, your body starts to trust you. It doesn't take perfection. It just takes presence. Show up for yourself every day in these small, consistent ways and over time, they'll show up for you.
(By Dr. Aparna Santhanam – Dermatologist, Wellness Coach & Author)
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