Scholar-Journalist of the Week: Healthy mind resides in healthy body

Health is the biggest wealth – we are all aware of this common saying and some of us take steps to keep ourselves fit and healthy. But Shweta Arora, a student with Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus, diligently follows a healthy routine everyday to keep diseases at bay. Born and brought up in Jalandhar, Punjab, Shweta is a dancer, loves to travel and is always keen on discovering new things in life. Her healthy mantra is, “To engage in more physical activities, follow a good diet, and not miss the cheat day as our body needs everything in equal amounts.” And so, in her recent scholar-journalist article she shares a few steps for her readers on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Read the edited excerpts of the interview:  

Why did you pick to write on health and well-being?

I chose to write about health and well-being because I think that’s one thing, especially after Covid, everyone must focus on life. Your physical and mental health must be taken good care of. More than ever before, people have now become aware about how they are leading their lifestyle, conscious about what all they are consuming; if they are eating well. They are releasing the need to remain mentally and physically fit while building a strong immunity to fight any sort of disease. Thus, I wanted to reinforce the same thought through my article.

Steps you take to maintain a healthy lifestyle? What is your healthy mantra?

As I have already mentioned in the article, a few steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle include: Clean eating and Regular exercising. Not only these steps must be followed on a regular basis, but frequent body checkups must be added in order to know better. 

Covid has impacted the lifestyle for many students who are still struggling to maintain a balance between studies and health. What shall they do?

It’s true that Covid has created a big impact on everyone’s lifestyle. Here are simple steps to be followed by students to maintain a balance between study, work and health: 

– Finishing work on time and not carrying it further to the next date . This will definitely be a great stress release for you. 

–  Secondly, you can finish your work in college itself (if possible). This will leave you with ample time to spend with your family members and friends – and that is certainly better for mental health. 

– Make walking a key and regular part of your life, even while in college or offices. Stretching on a regular basis must be included while working as well . 

When did you start your writing journey?

I started my writing journey a few years ago when I realised that penning down certain incidents of our lives is better, especially when we are unable to share it with anyone else. Not only this, but also writing has always created a room for me to improve in life. An incident I would like to share is from the COVID-induced lockdown times, when we all were free and had nothing much to do.
Going through anxiety and feeling low  sometimes I started writing down my daily experiences. I got appreciated by many of my friends and well-wishers who encouraged me to write more. 

What inspires you to write?

The things and happenings around me  inspire me to write and jot down certain aspects in forms of memories. Also, my inner self motivates me to write. It’s greatly said that “Jo cheeje bol kar bayaan nai ho sakti vo likh kar bayaan ho jati hai “ . 

Key  learnings from your writing journey? 

While writing, my interest towards reading also developed. So, my vocabulary improved overall and I became more expressive in terms of my emotions and feelings. 

Steps you take to improve your writing skills 

I write more and more on any topic that hits my mind or catches my eye.  I try to read regularly in order to improve my writing fluency and vocabulary. 

What does writing mean to you? 

Writing has a major impact on my life. At times when I am unable to express myself with words, it plays a great role for doing so and compensating my emotions as well. I would definitely love to continue with writing in the future even in my busiest times because it has become one of my habits that I would never want to quit pursuing. 

What kind of books interest you? Last book you read?

The kinds of books that interest me include fiction, fantasy, magical realismand motivational . Last book I read was 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.