The Hindu Business Line : Take control of your life

Stress. What a hazardous word it is! If you feel perpetually tired, it could well be a symptom of unattended stress, alerts Seema Sondhi in Yoga to Fight Fatigue, from Wisdom Tree (www.wisdomtreeindia.com). Fatigue, true to its source from Latin fatigare (meaning `to cause to break down'), can become chronic, which is when "even small tasks or chores become difficult to complete". How long will the symptoms last? "From six months to almost as long as it takes the body to heal and come on track."

The first step towards healing is to get a grip on your problem, says Sondhi. Consult a doctor, therefore, to find if there is `a medical cause for fatigue'. Take control of your life, exhorts the author. "Give yourself time to recognise and express your feelings such as anger, unhappiness or frustration."

More importantly, "Take time to smile and laugh and basically have fun." Also, remember that healing takes time. "Maintain a healthy attitude; not one of competition," advises Sondhi. But why yoga? Because it is a complete science; "it is the oldest system of personal development in the world, encompassing the body, the mind, and the spirit."

A chapter on `energy points' explains how seven vital charkas link the various parts of the body. "The charkas are vertically aligned and run from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra is an energy channel." And yoga helps in `returning energy to these seven points', by unclogging the channels.

"As you become increasingly aware of your own energy system, you will be able to tell immediately when energy is leaving your body through a negative thought or action." You don't have to overstretch yourself to master the asanas (yoga postures) at the physical level. Rather, allow yourself to watch what the asanas teach you, cajoles the author.

Get a grip on life by making changes, if necessary, to "your diet, sleep, relaxation, attitude, and the daily work schedule." Pace yourself, counsels Sondhi. "Do everything according to your own level of energy." Also, pamper yourself, by going on a vacation and spending time with nature.

"Bring some rhythm into your life," by working on your routine. "The main goal is to bring a few changes in life that will help you cope better with all the reasons that have led to fatigue."

Energetic read!

Make exercise an enjoyable routine

For a `comprehensive handbook on fitness and health' you don't have to search beyond Doctor at Home, from EastWest Books Madras Pvt Ltd (ewb@touchtelindia.net). Authored by Doctors John and Jagjit Daniel, the book begins with `Fitness' before dealing with different types of illness.

Can we not keep doctors away with an apple a day? Not quite, say the authors. "Your efforts in several ways can help you achieve fitness, maintain good health, and reduce the chances of illness." Four areas they focus on are immunisation, diet, exercise, and lifestyle. "An annual flu shot before the monsoon can be helpful to those who have a history of chest infections, particularly those with respiratory or other chronic illness like diabetes, and the weak and elderly."

About diet, a wrong notion is that you get diet right by calculating food weights, calories and nutrients. "It is neither easy nor essential to count calories and so on in each meal," advise the authors. "A healthy diet means eating the right kinds of foods in approximately the right quantities." One indication that you are in good health is that body weight remains more or less the same.

You can start exercise at any age, counsels the book. Only, be careful not to exceed your own physical limits. "Often when people can easily exercise, they don't care to; and when they want to exercise, they can't do enough because of problems such as arthritis." More than the amount of exercise, what is important is regularity. "Walking or jogging is easy and inexpensive. On a regular basis there's nothing better." Make exercise an enjoyable routine, exhort the Daniels. But, avoid turning your exercise time into a `talkfest' with friends. "You should do good deep-breathing instead."

For a healthy lifestyle, other contributory factors are hygiene, moderation, relaxation, closeness of the family, and shared love. Have a reasonably ordered daily activity, because disorganisation adds to tension. However, "A variety of interests and recreational activities, including reading, watching movies, sports, travelling, and a general curiosity about life, nature and the world around us help strengthen the body and mind." Healthy addition to your bookshelf.

Send in your health queries to: BillOfHealth@rediffmail.com