MISSION FIT INDIA: MATTERS OF THE MIND TAKE CENTRE STAGE

As MFI enters its second phase, experts from Suniel Ki Sena speak about the importance of mental health and destressing

That a healthy mind resides in a healthy body is well-known. However, with channels of stress proliferating with each passing day around us, giving rise to mental health issues and even suicides, how easy is it to keep the mind healthy?

Well, worry not. To help you keep your mind and body fit, Mission Fit India, an initiative by Fever FM and My FM, has trainers from actor Suniel Shetty’s team, called Suniel Ki Sena, discuss and provide useful tips via radio stations and social media platforms. As this campaign enters its second phase, the trainers speak about the significance of keeping the mind healthy.

“Till now, we have learnt that aapki value tab hogi jab aap kisi se better hoge. That’s the first factor, and the second is money; aapki value tab hogi jab aapke paas kisi se zyada paisa ho… Why are we comparing all the time?” says Vrinda Mehta, mental fitness expert. “The understanding should be, ‘If I’m alive and breathing, I have tremendous value, and I’m a star.”

The trainers also discussed the harms of negative energy, and our propensity for irritation and stress. “Simple example, socks nahin mile, irritation hui, you have an irritated energy field around you. Toh aapka next experience jo hoga woh irritation wala hi hoga, because we attract the same kind of energy. After that second negative experience, you will attract more negative experience,” she adds. “Aapko rickshaw ya train nahin milegi, till you take a pause without a cigarette — you don’t require a cigarette — and just remind yourself, ‘I need to change this frequency because it’s not going to give me a very happy day. Then, breathe, simple pranayama jaise anuloma viloma karo, and tell yourself, ‘I’m calm, I’m at peace, and today is a beautiful day’.”

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev expounds further on the benefits of breathing exercises. “Anuloma viloma hypertension, migraine, depression, insomnia, stress, heart problems, aur nervous system ke liye adbhut hai. Kapalbhati aur anuloma viloma — ye do pranayama hum 5-5 minute ke ek-ek round se le karke 10-15 minute samanya rogon mein, asadhya rogon (incurable/chronic diseases) mein adha ghanta, aur cancer jaisi diseases mein ek-ek ghanta bhi karwate hain.”

After de-stressing the mind, it is imperative to nourish it with food and rest. Dr Nikhil Lad, pain and posture expert, advises proper exposure to sunlight, especially in the period after sunrise. “Take it in the eyes, because your Omega-3D DHA levels, it’s food for the brain; Omega 3D is what we get through sea food, mushrooms, flaxseed oil.”

YOGA GURU RAMDEV SHARES THAT PRANAYAMA, OR SIMPLE BREATHING EXERCISES, CAN RELIEVE STRESS AND ANXIETY

PHOTOS: HTBS Mental fitness expert Vrinda Mehta says we shouldn’t compare ourselves all the time Above: Nutrition consultant Neha Sahaya Left: Actor Suniel Shetty is leading a team of trainers, called Suniel Ki Sena, in Mission Fit India