Last week, just after I wrote my piece on pre-mediating evil, I fell sick. Thanks to some stale/spoilt mackerel (bangda) that landed in my frying pan. I was craving for a nice Bangda Rawa Fry so I ordered some fish via Dunzo. It didn’t taste right, I had a gut feeling about it. I ate it anyway. Never give into temptation. And within a few hours, my gut was screaming I told you so while it gave up in its fight against the histamine laden fish tissue in my tummy.

Over the next two days I spent writhing in agony, guilt and remorse of the decisions I had had made. As I sat there in bed, nursing a tall drink of Electral solution, I pondered over the State of My Health in these past few months. COVID19 in July, a bad bout of ice-brew induced cold in November and now this food poisoning in March – I was playing the Sick Role too frequently for my own liking.

Thanks to the kindness of a few and some good food I finally recovered. During the course of this week, I have spent a lot of time researching on the secrets to being fit while working a desk job. Here are the macro level findings.

Sleep

As a young man I truly discounted the power of sleep. I took pride in pulling off all nighters and functioning on barely a few hours of sleep. But at 33, I am beginning to understand the power of sleep. Multiple studies – here, and many others mentioned this excellent book Why We Sleep – Mathew Walker, prove the importance of sleep. To sleep better, stay off the blue screens, skip caffeine post lunch and avoid prolonging confrontations. Nothing kills sleep like an anxious mind.

Diet

The moment I was back on normal diet I felt better. My mood was elevated and I was not as depressed as before. Good food not only lifts your mood but can help sustain it. A well balanced diet which takes care of both macro & micronutrient requirements of the body can work wonders for your health. This one was a no brainer. Just a friendly reminder to myself to cook more meals at home and eat slowly, mindfully.

Working Out

The next captain obvious point. But often overlooked by me. Because I walk to work for about 2 km overall I feel I don’t need to be working out. Though a few days of lifting weights a few regular jumping jacks made me feel very alive especially before work. The endorphin release can be addictive. But sustaining a good workout while being mentally stressed is very difficult. This one is a personal struggle for me.

Stress Control

Cortisol is bad for you. This is clear. However, some amount of healthy stress is important. But there is a thin line between total burnout and optimum stress that keeps you on your toes. Hence, knowing when to stop is important. Meditation, hobbies, good relationships, food, vacation trips and therapy – all are known to help. Do what suits you, keep the cortisol low.

Finally

The heart, brain, mind, gut all live in one system or so it seems. When my gut was giving up, I felt depressed and sad. It took effort to keep my spirits up. But the moment I started to feel better, my mood lifted. I found myself with a renewed appreciation for life. I stood by the window watching the sun set, throwing glorious colours in the summer sky as it went down the horizon. I even stood under the pink trumpet trees which are currently in blossom in Bangalore and saw its delicate flowers dance in the wind.

They say May we live in interesting times, I say may we live in interesting and healthy times.