Working out keeps me sane and positive, says Sophie
Like many musicians from his fraternity, singer Papon, too, serenaded his fans on social media during the Janta Curfew last Sunday. He received a lot of “appreciation messages”, while some of his friends texted saying how it was required as he doesn’t go live often on social media. Talking about the pandemic and the 21day lockdown, he says, “The only thing right now you can do is to stay home. There is no point worrying more than that, instead be positive, spend time with your family, and stay safe.”
He has been at home for the past 12 days, and as they asked the house help to take a break too, Papon, his wife Shweta and their kids are managing all the household chores. “We have literally locked ourselves and we don’t even step out of the door of our apartment. We have set a timetable, and are able to do things that we couldn’t find time for earlier due to deadlines or other work commitments. As parents, we are teaching the kids basic household chores. My duties are to wash the utensils, do the dusting and mopping in the house, and watering the plants,” he grins. As for spending time with his family, he is glad to have got the time. “I am loving spending time with my family. It’s great,” says the singer.
Not just household chores, he is also teaching his daughter to play the piano. “Since we are at home, my daughter showed interest in playing the piano. So, I suggested that she use an application and read the music and learn. She is picking it up really well. And, of course, I help her with the piano, too. I am really happy about it as our kids are not exposed to the world of Bollywood. I have not imposed music on them either. They are like normal kids. We try and keep them away from surfing on the phone and TV but they do get one hour a day, and later, they are involved in other activities. Early morning, we enjoy the beautiful sun rays that come into our house, sit and read books or comics. In the evening, we have an hour of a fun workout session. We put on music — mostly Micheal Jackson songs — and dance and jump,” he signs off.
Sophie Choudry is a fitness enthusiast and her social media account is proof. Hence, it’s a no-brainer that as she practices social distancing during the Covid-19 outbreak, the former VJ is spending her time in a rather productive way by engaging in workout sessions at home. “Working out is helping to keep me positive and healthy right now. I’m following my trainer Yasmin Karachiwala’s YouTube videos and I keep posting stuff on my Instagram,” she shares.
The host of a fitness show, Work It Up With Sophie, she believes that working out helps one stay mentally healthy during self-isolation. She says, “This virus can affect your mental health before it becomes physical. It can lead to anxiety and fear. Working out keeps me sane and positive.”
She’s also spending her time engaging in her hobbies. “I’m actually quite a homebody and it’s amazing how the day flies by between doing house chores, chatting with friends, reading and just coming up with ideas for the future,” says the Baby Love singer.
Choudry feels that amid our busy schedules, the lockdown is helping all understand the importance of slowing down and living life. “Someone I know said this should happen for 10 days a year. Can you imagine how, in just 10 days, it could benefit the planet, the environment and humanma beings? W all pursue simple hobbies we love, learn a new skill, focus on ourselves and our loved ones. Slowing down has made us all go back to the basics,” she says.
She says that she would rather look for the silver lining. “The perks (of the lock down) are that, hopefully, we become more thoughtful and more kind human beings. By slowing down we’re being forced to realise that we cannot take things for granted and that we have abused the planet,” she signs off.
Since we are at home, my daughter showed interest in playing the piano. So, I suggested that she use an application, and read the music and learn.
PAPON, SINGER