“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough. -Oprah Winfrey”
Life, with its intricate moments, unfolds in a symphony of unexpected turns. It is a journey marked by twists and bends, each presenting an opportunity for growth, resilience, and profound beauty. In the grand tapestry of existence, it is the unpredictable nature of life that adds vibrance to our experiences, shaping the very essence of who we are and who we become.
It orchestrates a myriad of events, both joyous and challenging, guiding us through the ebbs and flows of existence. At times, we may find ourselves soaring on the wings of success, basking in the warmth of accomplishment and deeply fulfilled. Yet, just as swiftly, we may be confronted with adversity, tested by the winds of change and uncertainty.
These times of uncertainty are when our true essence come to light. Our ability to deal with life’s unexpected twists and turns reveals a great deal about our bravery, perseverance, and adaptability. Adversity presents us with a choice: we either give in to despair or overcome it by seeing the difficulties as chances for personal development and transformation.
Our best ally in negotiating life’s curveballs is the skill of improvisation. We learn to harmonise with life’s rhythm, much like jazz musicians do, and embrace creativity and spontaneity even in the face of uncertainty. When we improvise, we unearth our inner strength and ingenuity and find beauty in the unwritten songs of life. The art of improvisation is a must to learn as some situations might be daunting and we would not give in, but if we flow and adapt, we meet the silver lining.
“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.” — Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
More often than not, we find unanticipated treasures and blessings in the middle of unexpected twists in life. Our life is enriched in ways we could never have predicted, that bring us to new chances, relationships, and experiences. We go closer to our actual purpose and fulfilment with each curve acting as a stepping stone.
Indeed, the very essence of life lies in its unpredictability. For it is through the challenges and triumphs, the laughter and tears, that we come to understand ourselves and our place in the world. Living is about accepting the trip in all of its complexity rather than just getting somewhere. It involves letting go of control and having faith that every event, no matter how unexpected, has a bigger meaning in the bigger picture of our lives as they develop.
We find our greatest clarity when things are chaotic, so let’s enjoy the beauty of life’s unexpected turns. Let us embrace the rhythm of life and learn to improvise with grace. And may we never forget that the ultimate fulfilment of life’s essential purpose—to live, to learn, and to love with all of our hearts—our journey, with all of its ups and downs.
The study of neuroergonomics has grown in importance in a time when technology permeates every aspect of our lives and our workspaces are becoming more dynamic. The study of neuroergonomics examines the ways in which the layout of our surroundings affects mental health and cognitive function. In order to build environments that maximise brain function, this multidisciplinary area blends design concepts, psychology, and neuroscience. In addition to covering current developments in neuroergonomic research, we will specifically examine elements like lighting, furniture, and workspace organisation.
Lighting: Recent research in the field of neuroergonomics has highlighted how important lighting is for cognitive function. Exposure to natural light has been associated with enhanced mood and alertness since it is known to affect circadian rhythms. Workplaces may now replicate the natural variations in daylight thanks to advancements in lighting technology, such as circadian lighting systems, which improve focus and reduce fatigue. A bright, well-lit room with dynamic lighting that changes colour temperature during the day can improve both sleep and general wellbeing.
Furniture design has traditionally placed a strong emphasis on ergonomics, but neuroergonomics goes one step further by taking into account how furniture affects cognitive functions. Users can now frequently transition between sitting and standing at adjustable desks. One of the most recent innovations is smart furniture that has sensors built into it to track posture and recommend posture corrections to improve alignment, lower the risk of musculoskeletal problems, and improve cognitive focus.
Workspace Organisation: The configuration of a workspace has a big impact on how well people think. Open-plan workplaces, which were formerly believed to promote teamwork, have come under criticism for being distraction-prone. Research on neuroergonomics highlights the significance of offering adaptable workspaces that accommodate personal preferences. A setting that is more flexible and psychologically helpful can benefit from the inclusion of quiet zones, places set aside for collaboration, and ergonomic furniture configurations.
Workspace organisation has advanced recently with the use of biophilic design principles. With this method, natural elements like plants, organic materials, and water features are included into the workspace. It has been demonstrated that biophilic design lowers stress, increases focus, and improves mental health in general.
Air Quality and Temperature: Neuroergonomics acknowledges the influence of environmental elements on cognitive performance, such as air quality and temperature. The usage of intelligent HVAC systems that adjust temperature based on occupancy and personal preferences is one of the most recent innovations. Better air filtration systems lower the amount of contaminants that can harm cognitive function and improve indoor air quality
Noise Management: Workplace noise levels can either improve or impair cognitive performance. Sound scaping techniques have been developed as a result of recent neuroergonomic research, which uses white noise or background sounds to muffle distracting noises. Focus and concentration-enhancing surroundings increasingly need careful consideration of acoustic design elements, such as the positioning of noise-cancelling devices and the use of sound-absorbing materials.
The more we learn about neuroergonomics, the more equipped we are to create surroundings that promote mental health and cognitive function. The optimisation of interrelated factors such as lighting, furniture, workstation organisation, temperature, air quality, and noise control can create an environment that is neuroergonomically sound. Current developments in science and technology continue to influence how we plan our environments, which in turn affects our daily thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Adopting neuroergonomics is a comprehensive strategy for improving the coherence between our minds and the environments we live in, not only an ongoing trend.
With an alarming rise in the prevalence of lifestyle diseases in recent years, the global health landscape has undergone a substantial transformation. Recent census shows that the prevalence of diseases including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and multiple cancers has increased to unprecedented levels, raising concerns about the long-term effects on public health.
The term “lifestyle diseases” refers to health conditions that are primarily caused by an individual’s daily habits and choices, including but not limited to diet, physical activity, and stress levels. These diseases are often associated with long-term exposure to risk factors related to personal behavior and lifestyle choices, rather than infectious or genetic factors. Examples of lifestyle diseases include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancers.
The Growing Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases in India
Over a tenth of the population in the nation has diabetes, 35% have hypertension, and 28% have excessive cholesterol, according to a ten-year study supported by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). Although these situations are more common in cities, they are also rapidly expanding to rural areas.
Even though these are commonly referred to as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the way they spread is comparable to the infectious diseases. According to data gathered by the National Health Mission, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are causing a greater burden on healthcare systems than communicable diseases (CCDs).
The census data reveals a concerning trend: a consistent increase in the prevalence of lifestyle diseases has been observed in a wide range of demographic groups. Poor eating habits, elevated stress levels, and sedentary lifestyles are found to be major causes of this increase. According to estimations from the World Health Organisation (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 71% of deaths worldwide, with lifestyle diseases being a primary driver of this statistic.
Cardiovascular disorders are now impacting people at younger ages, despite traditionally being predominantly linked with ageing. The prevalence of diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, is rising, with an increasing number of cases recorded each year. The prevalence of obesity has increased to epidemic levels, increasing the risk of numerous illnesses. These figures highlight the critical need for comprehensive measures to slow the rising influence of lifestyle-related illnesses on global health.
Charting the Trajectory of Lifestyle Diseases in a Post-COVID Era
According to data, the post-pandemic era is seeing an increase in lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Non-communicable diseases have become increasingly prevalent in India, where they accounted for 66% of all fatalities in 2019. This is concerning. The link that COVID-19 and NCDs share—that is, their mutual exacerbation of each other’s effects—has come to light over the past three years. The leading causes of the growing healthcare burden are noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) that affect the cardio-renal-metabolic systems, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular illnesses. Furthermore, with approximately 1 in 4 deaths in our Indian population being attributable to cardiovascular disorders, these conditions rank as the primary cause of death.
Anxiety, depression, and other mental health illnesses have been recorded at higher rates since COVID-19, which has had a substantial effect on mental health. The quality of life may be significantly impacted by certain chronic, long-lasting diseases.
Covid-19 may increase the chance of developing different types of cancer because it targets several proteins involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. According to a new study, the Covid-19 virus interacts with p53 and related pathways, which may cause oxidative damage to DNA and cells.
Since Covid-19 predominantly affects the respiratory system, even after recovering from the virus, some people may continue to have respiratory symptoms such exhaustion, shortness of breath, and cough. Furthermore, breathing in contaminated indoor air can raise your chance of getting respiratory diseases.
Post covid varying age groups have shown an increased prevalence in hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The Power of Prevention: A Roadmap to Healthy Living
It becomes clear that early prevention is essential to the fight against lifestyle illnesses. Even if treatment options have improved due to medical advancements, prevention is still the most important factor in addressing the underlying causes of many disorders. Preventive strategies can greatly lessen the financial burden that lifestyle diseases place on healthcare systems around the world. Lifestyle diseases are very expensive to cure.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: The mainstay of prevention is pushing people to have better lives. Stress management, a healthy diet, and regular exercise should all be highlighted in public health initiatives. Having the knowledge to make wise decisions about their diet and exercise habits can enable people to take charge of their health.
Screening & Early Detection: Regular health examinations and screenings can help identify risk factors for diseases linked to a lifestyle that may develop later in life. Early detection enables early treatment and lifestyle changes, which stops the advancement of diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. These can be managed or monitored through various apps like MyFitness pal, HealthifyMe, FitBit.
Workplace Wellness Programmes: Considering how much time people spend at work, putting in place wellness programmes at the workplace can make a big difference. These programmes, which promote a culture of health within organisations, can include fitness activities, stress management courses, and nutritional counselling.
Together, we can prioritize prevention through early identification, supportive policies, and lifestyle improvements, resulting in a more resilient and healthy global population. Since prevention is still the most effective weapon we have against the growing epidemic of lifestyle diseases, the time to take action is now.
Mobile phones have now become the portable multiverse in our hands, transporting us to every corner of the world, connecting us to multiple dimensions. As much as it has made us close to people, place and improvised virtual relations, it has distant us from the real life. The 15×16-inch screen has become a portal through which we vicariously live the journeys, receive advice, learn, and witness trends and talents of others, inadvertently detaching ourselves from our own lives.
The impact of COVID-19 has been a catalyst for change, prompting a collective realization during lockdown to slow down and appreciate the present. But little did we know, it made us too comfortable to isolation that even post lockdown people have become self contained units or a combined entities with their phones. Consequently, the consumption of screen time has soared to unprecedented levels.
Parks are filled with people who have earphones plugged into their ears strolling through their own lives, youth focused on pictures or updating social media, the little normalcy seen, in the older age groups who still come together talk, and indulge in group activities. Yet, a lingering question remains: how sustainable is this semblance of normalcy? These technologies were made to simplify life or bring people closer, but seems like it, that humans themselves are turning into technology and all we meet are AI Bots.
Let’s take a break and be present, be patient and breathe. Moderation is needed to reclaim humanity. Digital detox to periodically detach from screens to recalibrate and reconnect with the immediate surroundings. Be conscious of the content consumed on digital platforms, opt for meaningful, educational, or inspirational content that enhances personal growth, rather than mindless scrolling or comparison. Set specific time blocks for screen usage, allowing for intentional and focused interactions. Inculcative reading, relish art, create a schedule that accommodates both digital engagements and moments of genuine connection with the physical world.
Finding a balance between connectivity and reality is crucial in a society where the digital multiverse’s appeal rules. Through the application of these tactics, people can effectively navigate the evolving terrain in a moderate manner, guaranteeing that technology continues to be an adjunct to life rather than its replacement. In the digital age, embracing our humanity means making deliberate decisions, making relationships with purpose, and remaining steadfastly devoted to the richness of the present.
