10 Indian women reveal the one thing they swear by for good health

We all make resolutions, don’t we? But how many of us stick to them for a whole year, or even six months? Let’s make this even more simple — how many of us manage to do it even for a month? We are sure only a handful of you can answer in the affirmative. 

What we don’t realise is that our resolutions don’t have to be gigantic. They can be simple, and when you start practising certain habits, you will realise how they can transform your life in more ways than one. 

Do you remember when the lockdown started in 2020? Most of us were spending time with our families, trying out new recipes, cleaning our homes, doing home workouts, and so much more. Today, none of that exists in our life! 

That’s why we decided to speak to some women, who have made some minor changes to their routine by adding certain habits.

Let’s know a little more about them:  

1. Sipping water first thing in the morning

Poonam, 35, self-employed

“I know it might sound silly, but it is one of the best things that I have done to my body. I used to be a bed tea person and that too not so long ago. But because of this habit, my gut gave me a hard time. My mother pushed me to drink a litre of water first thing in the morning. Trust me, it was damn hard. But now after almost five months, I have seen considerable changes in my bowel movement, my skin tone and energy levels.”

2. 20-minute deep breathing exercise

Vancha, 30, entrepreneur

“After my pregnancy, I was a little restless and didn’t know how to help myself. That’s when I came across an article that recommended sitting in silence for a few minutes, and breathing deeply. Initially, I was a little sceptical, because I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right, but I was hellbent on sticking to it no matter what. I saw so many tutorials, and now it is a habit that’s a part of me, whether I’m at home or any other place in the world. It really helps me stay calm, especially with a kid around.”

3. A walk-break during a phone call

Manika, 32, business Analyst

“Yes, I have been working from home, like most people. It was a few months ago that I realised sitting all the time had made my muscles so stiff. In fact, it got so bad that I had to take leave a few times. That’s when I decided to walk around during phone calls. Frankly, this little habit has changed everything for me. I no longer have muscle or back pain.”

4. Setting a water alarm

Nirali, 28, PR executive

“I know water is really crucial, but I just can’t remember to have it. So, this is what I did. I began setting my alarm clock, and every time it rang after an hour, I made sure to drink at least a glass of water. Now, even my body clock understands this; trust me, I look for my water bottle, even before the alarm rings.”

5. Deleting unhealthy snacks from the grocery list

Vibha, 24, student

“Previously, my grocery list was filled with all sorts of junk — chips, namkeen, chocolates, and everything else. And you won’t believe I gained almost 10 kilos in one and a half months. That’s when I realised if I don’t keep these things at home, it might help. So, I began cutting out junk from my list. Initially, it was hard and I would go and buy something or the other, but after a point, I felt too lazy to get up and go. And thankfully, I’ve been able to manage my weight.”

6. Decluttering

Aastha, 32, painter

“I’m a painter, all you can see is paints, brushes, and canvases around me. But I didn’t realise how it added to the clutter. The lack of space at home made me so anxious that I lost interest in my work. That’s when my therapist asked me to declutter my room. You won’t believe how much of a difference it made! In fact, now I can find everything at the right place, which saves me a lot of time by the way.”

7. Applying sunscreen every two hours

Geetika Mohan, 25, MBA student

“I love following beauty influencers on Instagram, and if there’s one tip everyone recommends – it is applying sunscreen. So, I thought of giving it a shot, and I am glad I did. This has now become a part of my beauty routine. I apply sunscreen on my face after every two-three hours to ensure my skin stays protected from the harsh rays of the sun. For those who didn’t know, it also guards your skin from the light emitted by gadgets.”

8. Eating three fruits a day

Komal, 32, homemaker

“I have never been a big fan of eating fruits, so I would opt for juices. But it didn’t help in any way and I began gaining weight. That’s when I decided to eat fruits every day. I started with one fruit a day, after a month, that increased to two, and today, I make sure to eat three fruits without fail. Trust me, I feel so much better now! My skin looks good, my gut feels great, and my weight is on track.”

9. No more phone during bedtime

Namita, 34, marketing professional

“I started this rule for my kids, a no-phone policy in the bedroom. But your kids will only stick to the rules, when they see you following them. So, for their sake, I tried to do it too, and I literally feel it was a blessing in disguise. I can now sleep so well without my phone buzzing. And maybe because there’s no radiation around me, I feel more energetic. My migraine has also become so much better.”

10. Correcting my posture

Ira, 29, content specialist

“Trust me, it was so hard. I would ask everyone to pinch my back, every time they saw me stoop. And my god, they would do it all the time! Frankly, I did this to improve my posture, plus I didn’t want severe lower back pain. Thankfully, this has become a habit now.”