Help! My brain goes blank at the craziest of times—just before an exam, for example. What should I do? —Despo Divya
There’s no need to be despo, Divya. Most important: don’t over-think yourself into a frenzy by building up horror scenarios. In fact, follow the actions of cool champs before entering the examination hall:
1. Eyes closed, take 10 deep breaths. As you inhale, think “Hum”; as you exhale, think “So.”
2. Imagine you’re with a person who cares for you and connect to that ‘safe’ feeling.
3. Now power your brain with this thought: “I’m intelligent and well-prepared. I’ve written the best paper of my life.”
Gyaan : The “I’ve written” instead of “I’m going to write” is the confident winner in you saying “I’ve won” and going on to win the game.
Daily workout : Spot-jog @ 100 quicksteps per minute for 20 minutes to enhance alertness.
I walk 30-45 minutes every morning except Sundays. I’ve lost 2 kg and want to lose another 5. What diet should I go on? I don’t drink coffee or tea. Milk is okay. Am a vegetarian. —Lokesh
Follow this diet:
Pre-walk: Half apple.
Post-walk: 1 bowl cornflakes with skimmed milk; a bowl of papaya cubes.
Mid-morning: 1 glass coconut water. Lunch: 1 helping rice or 2 rotis; 1 helping each of dal, vegetables, salad, curd/buttermilk.
Between lunch and teatime: 1 glass fruit juice.
Teatime: 2 oat biscuits, 1 glass lime sherbet with stevia, not sugar.
Dinner: 2 rotis/ 2 slices whole wheat bread; 1 helping each of vegetables, dal /thick soup.
Gyaan : Don’t skip meals. If you become too ravenous, keeping yourself from eating indiscriminately can be tough.
What’s the best time to exercise? —Sunny
The body is most flexible and geared to exercise between 3 pm to 5 pm. However, don’t let that restrict you, Sunny. Choose any time six hours before bedtime and calculate backwards. If you sleep at 11 pm, then exercise any fixed time before 5 pm. Fixed because it instills discipline and helps you honour your commitment to your chosen activity.
(The writer is co-author of the book Fitness for Lif e.)
savurs@rediffmail.com