Missing Body Basics

Growing up in India during the 80s and 90s, most of us had two phrases deeply embedded in our DNA: "hard work" and "honesty." In our quest for recognition, fulfillment, and achievement, we prioritized these values so much that we overlooked other "Basics" that define us as logical and thinking mammals, such as health and the instinctive rights of our body.

Then came the 2000s, the "kar lo duniya mutthi mein" era, during which virtually everyone gained easy access to the internet. These "Basics" were further relegated to obscurity as the "Mobile" emerged as a captivating personal device with endless possibilities. The foundation of being a thinker and emotional being was transformed. Everything we felt, saw, and perceived was packaged, labelled, and resold as eye candy in the gizmo-gyred virtual world through various social media apps. The internet glorified the ordinary and fueled a rush for validation from a sea of people who didn’t really matter in real time and space.

We all play our parts in this story, recognizing that at some point, we too experienced or are still struggling to realign with "The Missing Body Basics" — sleep, clean air, health, and happiness.

Elementary school level economics taught us the principle of "demand and supply." Look around you! Isn’t the marketplace full of "life coaches," "health gurus," and "fitness coaches"? Isn’t the world overflowing with "air purifiers," "dehumidifiers," "sleeping aids," "oils," "blended teas," "creams," and "sleep-enhancing music"?

Isn’t the world around you booming with an entire section reconnecting you back to what you already know and have experienced as a child?

We must all ask ourselves: Where did we lose the thread?

With solutions and multiple options for everything being just a click away, we have lost the innate quality of being patient and giving everything some time to heal and recover. The most common response to any problem typically comes with another question - "Where is the time?"

There are multiple reasons which have led us to where we are as a generation. The prospects could be grim, as the famous AC/DC song suggests, this might be the "Highway to Hell" if we don’t recognize this and take control of our precipitous dive into depths from where good health, healthy sleep patterns, and happiness seem like impossible rebounds.

Initially, we have labelled ourselves as "brand X," attributing to this brand attributes that are, sadly, mostly cosmetic—how we look, the way we dress, the houses we buy, the cars we drive, how we talk, and the holidays we take. However, this "brand X" often overlooks how we feel, and that is where the imbalance begins.

We are struggling to check all the boxes in the mental report cards we have created for ourselves, and everything in it is time-bound. Thus, we are always pressed for time, always trying to fit too much into too little time. The result is a sense of achievement, but it is laced with unhappiness and discontentment.

A recent survey by McKinsey & Company reveals that one of the most promising domains for economic growth is the Sleep Health Economy, bustling with products ranging from mattresses and pillows to sleep monitors, trackers, temperature and humidity control systems, ambient light setups, white noise machines, relaxing bathing products, and sleep apparel—all continuing to grow.

India has a rich heritage of practices embedded in its ancient texts that could lead the world in rediscovering these Body Basics. From the holistic health science of Ayurveda to the physical and mental discipline of Yoga, the subcontinent has offered up a wealth of knowledge that remains relevant today.

1. Yoga: India's gift to the world, which includes specific exercises to heal the body of various ailments and improve breathing and relaxation.

2. Pranayama: Popularized by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, these are breathing techniques that enhance the circulation of Pran Vayu (oxygen), ensuring optimal function of all organs and immense health benefits.

3. Meditation: Various forms of meditation bridge the gap between the real and the spiritual world, playing a significant role in establishing emotional and mental stability.

4. Ayurveda: Simple principles, such as drinking warm milk with turmeric before bedtime or oiling the soles of the feet, can induce deep sleep and boost the immune system.

Traditionally, oxygen is referred to as "Praanvayu" in Hindi, meaning the air that gives us life, now a priced commodity. In 2023, The World Bank reported that 100% of India’s population is exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant. The stemming of air pollution in India is a multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional challenge.

Recognizing the importance of clean air, the Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). But should the air we breathe be a concern for the government alone?

Reconnecting to this Body Basic is not an overnight change. It's a steady, conscious process that requires consistency, commitment, and continuous progression to ensure that we are not stepping out of our homes with gas masks attached to oxygen cylinders.

How can we contribute to making the air more breathable? Here are a few reminders of things we are already aware of...but as they say, little reminders go a long way:

1. Protect the existing green cover at any cost.

2. Plant at least 10 trees every birthday and ensure they survive!

3. Say NO to the burning of plastic and rubber.

4. Switch to solar power wherever possible.

5. Car pools save fuel, time, and effort.

6. Use public transport wherever possible.

Globally, much is being done to improve the quality of ambient air, but we cannot be mere spectators in this grand opera. It’s our Body Basic, hence our responsibility.

Happiness is a relative term, but surely, everyone loves to be happy and craves happiness 24/7. As optimistic as it sounds, it isn’t impossible. In today’s world, where we have surrounded ourselves with so many boxes to check, so many parameters to fulfill, and so many things to accomplish, we often concoct a sure recipe for unhappiness.

And at the cost of sounding philosophical, it is only wise to reconnect with our basic teachings to fix this "body basic."

Listening to Raga-based music (vocal or instrumental) can heal- try RagaYaman Kalyan and Raga Hansdhwani for a start; Eating well-balanced meals at the right times, in the right quantities can nurture; Praying can strengthen our spirits; Bathing properly can rejuvenate; Limiting screen time can restore our natural rhythms; Practicing silence can refresh our souls; and engaging in hobbies can bring joy.

Every great person who ever walked the earth did so because of the choices they made. Let’s make better choices and live a life of contentment, fulfillment, and rediscovery of our Body Basics.