Why early natural care builds strong immunity in young pets during monsoon
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
21-07-2025
- India Today
7 simple rituals to enhance memory, mood, and mental energy
In today's world, where technology dominates our lives, it's easy for our minds to feel overwhelmed and undernourished. Many people find themselves experiencing moments of forgetfulness, mood swings, or mental fatigue, often dismissing these feelings as just a side effect of modern like physical fitness, maintaining brain wellness involves daily practices. The key to improvement lies in nature. Simple, gentle rituals grounded in natural health and holistic support can lead to significant enhancements in memory, mood, and overall mental health. For expert guidance, consider insights from Padmashri Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Dr. Batra's brain wellness Brain wellness means the optimal functioning of memory, emotional stability, mental clarity, and cognitive flexibility. Together, these mental powers help to make decisions, remember events or information, reduce stress and confusion, and remain emotionally steady under pressure. An individual, when not well-supported with sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management, brain wellness can become compromised, resulting in mental fog, forgetting information, irritability, fatigue, etc.. The solution to these doesn't lie in quick fixes or over-the-counter medications. Instead, developing a sustainable brain-healthy lifestyle, supported by gentle routines and natural remedies, can help rebuild mental vitality from resistance training fuels mental energyResistance-based exercises are strong tools for cognitive wellness. Even light lifting, yoga, or resistance band training at home increases blood flow to the brain, stabilises neurotransmitters, and enhances attention and memory. Recent studies indicate that resistance training has an effect on total cognitive performance, especially memory, executive function, and attention. The primary mechanism of these effects is greatly influenced by increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports cell growth in the brain. Even having a 10-to 20-minute daily routine of resistance training improves mental and emotional resistance, and it can act as a key brain ritual at any support brain functioning, recovery of physical fatigue and mental fatigue, several natural and homoeopathic remedies can be integrated into daily care:Kali Phosphoricum: Best suited for nervous exhaustion and "brain tiredness" from mental or physical vomica: Good for stress, irritability, and cognitive overload from busy sativa: A popular remedy for recovering from physical and emotional gentle supports complement the body's natural ability and offer restorative care alongside movement's brain-enhancing bodily The foundation of mental energyGood sleep is restorative; it does more than offer rest. During deep sleep, the brain clears metabolic waste, consolidates memory, and rebalances stress hormones. Over time, lack of sleep has been shown to reduce memory, slow reaction times, and increase emotional liability. For many, not using devices for an hour before bed and having a regular sleep schedule can be life-altering. For many people, simply staying off screens an hour before bed and sticking to a sleep routine can be life-changing. Here are some safer aids that can help with this:Coffea Cruda: Calms the mind when racing thoughts prevent Calms irritability and nervous Eases restlessness and helps initiate natural natural supports work along with a healthy lifestyle to support a smoother and more consistent transition into deep, restorative for Focus: Nourishing the brain-gut axisNutrition is very important for brain development. Whole foods with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, magnesium, and B vitamins can help generate neurotransmitters, reduce inflammation, stabilise mood, and promote mental clarity. Research has revealed that gut bacteria can affect mood, stress responses, and even impulse control by changing brain chemicals such as serotonin. A healthy, diverse gut microbiome is closely related to cognitive resilience and emotional help maximise this brain-gut connection, consider eating:Fermented foods, like yogurt, kimchi, or kanjiFibrous vegetables, like spinach, carrots, or beetsPrebiotic foods like garlic, onions, oats, and additional support, some homoeopathic tonics support digestion and improve mental performance:Lycopodium – For bloating, accompanied by sluggish thinkingAnacardium orientale – For forgetfulness, fatigue of mind, and 'brain blocks'.Taraxacum officinale – Supports liver function and mental clarity through improved with mindful eating and gentle homoeopathic support, a balanced internal environment can be created where both the gut and brain can thrive brain resilience through mindful habitsShort moments of stillness, through breathwork, meditation, or quiet reflection, offer significant cognitive benefits. These rituals lower cortisol, sharpen focus, and create space for emotional clarity. Practising just five minutes of deep breathing before starting the day or taking screen-free pauses between tasks can help rewire mental patterns and improve deepen the calming effect:Ignatia: Useful during emotional stress, grief, or Helps manage mood swings and emotional time in nature and sunlight naturally boosts serotonin, regulates melatonin for better sleep, and reduces stress. Morning walks in green spaces, gardening, or even sitting near a window can enhance both mood and supports for low mood include:Natrum muriaticum: For individuals prone to sadness and album: For energy dips and mental hygiene for cognitive clarityExcessive screen time is one of the most overlooked threats to mental wellness. The constant notifications, multitasking, and blue light exposure overstimulate the brain, disrupt sleep, and fragment rituals like morning phone-free time, tech-free meals, and shutting down devices an hour before bed help reclaim mental space and restore screen-induced overstimulation:Gelsemium: For dullness and slow thinking under vomica: For mental fatigue due to overwork or digital brain resilience, and gentle preventionFor those experiencing age-related memory changes or chronic stress, gentle interventions are especially important. Studies show that individuals with lower baseline cognitive performance may experience greater improvement with moderate resistance training combined with supportive remedies that support cognition in aging include:Baryta carbonica: For memory decline and reduced biloba: Traditionally used to support memory and acid: For mental dullness following exhaustion or gentle step at a timeBrain wellness isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about consistency with the small things. Daily movement, nourishing meals, deep rest, emotional regulation, and natural remedies, when practiced with intention, can dramatically transform memory, mood, and mental energy over gentle rituals honour the body's rhythm, respect the mind's limits, and restore a sense of inner balance that empowers mental vitality at any age.- Ends
News18
21-07-2025
- News18
World Brain Day: Natural Ways to Improve Brain Health and Build Mental Resilience
By gently stimulating the body's natural healing mechanisms, homeopathic therapy addresses the root causes, whether stress, dietary deficiency, emotional trauma, or chronic fatigue The power-packed kilogram and a half of soft tissue in the human body is the most extraordinary and complex object in the universe, offering endless possibilities for problem-solving, innovation, and invention. Yes, the brain is fundamental to all our conscious experiences, yet not everyone takes the right measures to improve brain health and build beneficial pillars for its optimization. 'The brain is a muscle that can move the world," the words of one of the great novelists, Stephen King, reflect how the brain is a powerful tool that can unlock the full potential of the human body. Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Dr Batra's Healthcare, says, 'Over the years, lifestyle changes have led to early degeneration, and individuals suffering from excessive chronic stress. It is thus imperative that the quality and quantity of brain health are supported by beneficial evidence-based approaches which, when practised consistently, can improve brain function, help prevent decline, and build the adaptive mental strength needed to thrive in a complex world." An in-depth report by the World Health Organization's (WHO) Brain Health Initiative outlines strategies to improve brain health worldwide. The framework, known as the 'neurological quadrangle,' emphasizes prevention, healthy lifestyle, cognitive stimulation, community engagement, and equitable access to care as core pillars in optimizing neurological health at national and global levels. Modern neuroscience and ancient homeopathic principles both provide real, natural means for optimizing brain health and neutralizing the sensitivity of the stress receptors present in the brain. Both show striking alignment in their approaches to brain health, particularly through their shared emphasis on individualized, holistic care and measurable physiological outcomes. Combining these evidence-based lifestyle interventions with holistic, individualized remedies creates a robust, low-risk approach to enhance cognitive function, resilience, and lifelong mental well-being. Cognitive strength has nothing to do with age; it is all about daily routines. Loading the body with appropriate foods, emotional health, and consistent rest are some minor modifications that significantly enhance brain health. Dr. Batra shares some tested and proven methods of ensuring clear thinking, eliminating stress, and enhancing brain functioning overall. Prioritize Deep and Restorative Sleep Sleep is the repair time for the brain. This is when it deletes toxins, consolidates memories, and recalibrates neurotransmitters. Chronic sleep deprivation can impair judgment, decrease attention span, and affect emotional control. Consistent deep sleep is non-negotiable for mental health. From a homeopathic standpoint, sleeplessness caused by racing thoughts can be addressed with Coffea cruda, while Nux vomica helps those who suffer from disturbed sleep due to mental strain. These are natural remedies that promote a return to restful sleep without causing any dependency or side effects. Eat for Your Mind, Not Just Your Body Nutrition fuels the brain. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential vitamins supports memory, concentration, and mental vigor. Including foods like walnuts, flaxseeds, berries, leafy greens, eggs, and whole grains helps sustain neurochemical balance and fight inflammation. Brain fog and burnout caused by poor nutrition or overexertion can be alleviated with homeopathic Phosphoric acid, which is especially useful for students and working individuals experiencing mental exhaustion. Move Daily — Even a Little Goes a Long Way Exercise oxygenates the blood, wakes up mood-boosting endorphins, and maintains cognitive function, all of which rely on brain oxygenation. Low-key activities such as brisk walking, swimming, yoga, or even dancing for just 20–30 minutes daily can make a difference. In cases of sluggishness or mental fuzziness resulting from inactivity, Calcarea phosphoricum is generally prescribed to rouse the body and mind. Although technology offers convenience, unregulated screen time creates information overload, attention deficit, and increased anxiety. Creating screen-free breaks throughout the day—during meals, before bedtime, or for an hour a day—gives the brain a chance to decompress. For those overstimulated by excessive digital exposure, particularly children, Sulphur in homeopathy helps quiet irritability and restlessness and restore the body's natural rhythms. Create a Culture of Learning and Curiosity The brain stays engaged and alert through lifelong learning. Tasks such as reading, solving puzzles, or learning a new instrument or language stimulate neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to adapt by creating new connections. Homeopathic Anacardium orientale is effective for cases of poor memory, confusion, or declining mental sharpness, especially in older individuals or students under academic pressure. Strengthen Social Connections Daily interaction with family and friends, working in groups, or having quality conversations activates parts of the brain linked with emotion, memory, and attention. Positive relationships help buffer stress and strengthen mental resilience. For individuals with social withdrawal or performance anxiety, Gelsemium sempervirens is known to alleviate the fear of anticipation and boost confidence. Manage Stress with Purposeful Intent Chronic stress reduces the size of the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Deep breathing, mindfulness, journaling, or spending time in nature can calm the nervous system. The homeopathic remedy Ignatia amara is commonly used to support emotional steadiness during times of grief, sorrow, and emotional distress. Make Time for Creative Rest and Hobbies Apart from mental stimulation, the mind also requires unstructured time and creative rest. Leisure activities like gardening, painting, music, or writing provide much-needed relief from logical processing and trigger emotional and intellectual refreshment. In cases of mental burnout or fatigue due to excess intellectual activity, Picric acid assists in rebuilding mental acuity and focus. Practice Breathing Techniques for Brain Oxygenation Slow diaphragmatic breathing oxygenates the brain, reduces stress hormones, and stabilizes emotions. Simple exercises like box breathing or alternate nostril breathing, even for five minutes a day, can clear mental fog and increase concentration. These breathing exercises naturally complement homeopathic remedies that work to calm nervous system hyperactivity. Consistency Over Intensity Consistency is one of the greatest and most rewarding principles of life and medicine. Overambitious resolutions tend to fade, but small daily habits — going to bed on time, staying active, managing emotions, or taking constitutional remedies — build long-term neurological benefits. Homeopathy helps when remedies are taken regularly under professional guidance, suited to an individual's physical, mental, and emotional constitution. top videos View all Brain well-being is not a privilege; it's a necessity in today's world of challenges and better yet, it's accessible. With the right balance of rest, movement, mindful living, nutrition, and holistic care, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and intellectual strength can be developed at any age. For almost 50 years, the combination of holistic therapies and homeopathic understanding has helped patients reclaim their mental health naturally. As stressors evolve, so must we. These brain-boosting habits, supported with gentle homeopathic care, offer not just relief but the potential to thrive in a complex world. By gently stimulating the body's natural healing mechanisms, homeopathic therapy addresses the root causes, whether stress, dietary deficiency, emotional trauma, or chronic fatigue. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 21, 2025, 12:25 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness World Brain Day: Natural Ways to Improve Brain Health and Build Mental Resilience Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
07-07-2025
- NDTV
Explained: What Is Heat Anxiety And Why Is It On The Rise In India
"Heat anxiety" refers to worry, discomfort or apprehension triggered by hot weather or high temperatures. It is also known as "heat stress" or "heat-related anxiety". Exposure to long durations of heat results in putting the human body in a stressful state. This activates the body's fight-or-flight response, resulting in increased adrenaline and cortisol levels, which trigger anxiety, agitation, mood swings, and disrupt sleep patterns," Padma Shri Dr Mukesh Batra, Founder-Chairman Emeritus, Dr Batra's Healthcare, told NDTV. The clinics have seen more than a hundred psychiatric cases, mainly anxiety and mood disorders in young adults during the 2025 heatwave, Dr Batra added. What are the symptoms of heat anxiety? Sweating, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or nausea because of heat are some of the physical symptoms. Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or anxious when exposed to hot environments can lead to some emotional distress. People start avoiding outdoor activities or social events due to the fear of heat-related discomfort. "People with existing mental health conditions like anxiety or depression may feel worse during extremely hot weather," Dr Harini Atturu, Senior Psychiatrist, CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, Hyderabad, told NDTV. "Even those without any history of mental illness may start to feel emotionally low or stressed." Just like cold and gloomy weather can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in some people, long periods of harsh summer heat can also lead to emotional and mental health challenges. "Complicating the situation further, dehydration and heat exhaustion can produce symptoms that mirror or amplify anxiety disorders, creating a dangerous cycle where physical and mental health deteriorate simultaneously," Dr Kunal Kumar, Senior Consultant, Psychiatry, Sharda Care Healthcity, told NDTV. Why is heat anxiety on the rise in India? A study, published in March 2025, highlighted how heat effects on mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) could vary from effects found in Western or high-income countries. Most LMICs lie in the Global South, and their populations are exposed not only to on average hotter but also more humid climatic conditions. The mental disorders have doubled since 1990 in India, with one in seven Indians suffering from mental illnesses, the study noted. The care for mental health is limited in India, and there's a treatment gap of 80% for common mental disorders. A Lancet study projects a 23% rise in India's mental illness burden by 2025, linking it to climate-related stress. The Journal of Affective Disorders recently found that heat waves significantly worsen mental health among rural students. "During the 2025 UP heatwave, hospitals saw 100-150 daily psychiatric cases, highlighting the urgent mental toll of rising temperatures," Dr Batra said. "Among urban and semi-urban populations exposed to sustained heat stress during summer, there is a clear rise in anxiety-like episodes, psychosomatic complaints, and mood dysregulation." Dr Kumar added that the crisis is acute in urban environments, where densely populated cities trap heat and limit access to cooling spaces. He said that the "heat island effect" intensifies psychological strain on residents, creating what researchers describe as a "perfect storm for mental health challenges". As per Dr Batra, adolescents and young adults are vulnerable because of their increased hormonal effects, digital overstimulation, academic pressures and social disconnection, all of which worsen the "psychological effects" of heat. Children and the elderly are also affected due to their decreased ability to control body temperature, and the issue could change into grave mental health matters if not managed carefully. "Mental health and weather are closely linked. As our climate continues to change, we need to start recognising the emotional impact of extreme seasons, not just the physical effects," Dr Atturu said. As climate change continues to drive temperature extremes across the region, addressing heat anxiety represents a crucial intersection of public health and mental wellness that demands immediate attention from both healthcare providers and policymakers.
