Stop chasing time & spend some with yourself. The quiet moments,believe doctors have the power to energize,de-stress & improve your health
It’s that time of the day when Hitesh Verma is oblivious to the world around him. No phone calls,no plans,no conversations,no chores. He walks to the end of the lake every evening after work and simply unwinds,with himself,a ritual that the banker has been following for a year. A high-stress banking job,constant competition,investment and future plans,in the pursuit of happiness I was losing my peace and sanity. I was becoming irritable,was putting on weight,was complaining so often and despite a fat bank balance,wasnt having any fun, Hitesh recalls how hed forgotten to enjoy the simple things in life like reading,listening to music,cooking or simply lazing around. So,he began walking,which gave his body and bones a new lease of life and on the way back simply stared into nothing! Not that its been a magical transformation,but there is a new me that I discover everyday,I have time to look beyond work,people,material things and simply enjoy the quiet moments, Verma prescribes this dose for everyone.
With increasing commercialization,constantly chasing time,competing with ourselves and the desire to be at par with the good life,we punish ourselves,stressing our bodies and soul,agrees Dr Arun Kochar,a consultant interventional cardiologist. Continuous levels of stress are detrimental for health,for the body releases hormones to combat stress and there is a rise in blood pressure,glucose levels and heart rate. Studies indicate that this race against time makes you look older,feel more tired and takes a toll on your emotional well-being as well, warns the doctor. Blank out your thoughts for half-an-hour a day,prescribes the doctor,who says that we must use this time to soothe our nerves,be ourselves,nurture our passion and forget about gains and losses. In a recent WHO survey,good health was described as not only physical,mental,social,but spiritual also. Get in touch with your inner-self and help your body heal. This will release endorphins which are good for health, Dr Kochar practices the therapy each day.
Being far from the madding crowd,nods Dr Sandeep Chatwal,is the need of the hour. Unwinding alone helps you introspect,sort out issues,especially where improvement is required,for ones routine doesnt give any time for positive autosuggestion. Its an advice the doc gives to his patients and follows himself. Away from everybody,even if its in my room,charges,energizes and elates me. And on other days,I simply wander off with my camera, Dr Sandeep believes that each one of us has an untapped potential to feel on top of the world. Seek,and you will find, he smiles.
Ask Dr Nirja Chawla,a gynaecologist what she enjoys doing after work and her reply is simple,Nothing. Just sitting,watching and observing is my window to a brand-new me, the doctor recalls that one day she made a conscious decision to be with herself and feel each moment and minute. You can understand whats happening inside your body and mind once you focus and bring your attention to yourself. It has such a calming effect. Dont try and shut your mind,for you will create a fight. Watch it jump and after a while the thoughts will stop and there will be immense peace and absolute state of health, the doc sounds philosophical,but practices it daily. Pains,aches,stomach problems,gynae troubles,the underlying cause for most of these health problems is stress,our inability to deal with issues,flow with whats happening,accept what is and will be. In the beginning,you may find yourself brooding,but with time it will change and you will be at peace. Just put everything at the back and you in the front. Take the aid of yoga,breathing techniques,pranayam to help you be happy with you and then it will become a habit, Dr Nirja is now looking forward to join Bharat Thakurs artistic yoga for care of her body and soul. Go on,look within.
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
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