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ShareBangalore: Yoga, meditation, gym routines, jogging, walking -- they are all how-tos we've heard of a zillion times over. How about something whacky to unwind with? Nidhi Bhushan asks Bangaloreans how they destress.
1.Bicycle diaries
Yes, all you need to do is just get on to those two-wheels and pedal around to unwind. KS Dinesh, founder of Wildcraft, swears by it. To him, cycling around the city and its outskirts gives him that much-needed quality 'self' time. "I've been doing this every week for the past two years," says Dinesh. "By riding around the countryside, I've learnt how it doesn't take much for people to be happy. They might have very little to offer or to live on, but, they have smiles on their faces. Each time, I'm overwhelmed." Cycling also keeps Dinesh physically fit, which by the way, is essential for a 100% relaxed state. These trips have also been a way of building some strong bonds and relationships for Dinesh. He says: "I befriended Shivalingiah, a farmer, on one of my trips and have since been meeting him and his family." So, while on his quest to unwind and escape from city life, Dinesh has a new story to tell each time he's back. He thinks, makes friends, gets his share of exercise, and forgets his worries and does much more--just by cycling around!
2. Another recipe to unwind
"I won a cooking competition hosted by Karen Anand some time back, and she asked me if I was a closet cook," says renowned photographer Wasim Khan, adding that he won a year's supply of beer that day, "but since I don't drink, my friends are enjoying it".
Among other ways of unwinding like hanging out with friends, sitting around in hotel gardens, walking down Bangalore roads, 46-year-old Khan particularly likes cooking.
"From washing the vegetables, to frying them, I enjoy the entire process--the dish has to be my creation," he says. Khan is known for experimenting with Mediterranean and Greek cuisines. "I try to keep the food as healthy as possible, whether the ingredients are fatty or not." Khan finds his cooking time extremely enjoyable and comforting. He says:
"The colours, the fragrance, the sizes and shapes are enough to relieve me from any kind of stress." The fact that Khan can proudly call the dish 'his own' also gives him a much needed high after a lengthy work week.
3. Golf to the rescue
Golf can help one destress and escape from the daily hustle and bustle for a good 4-5 hours. Tarun Hukku, 45, the founder of Global Golf Network, is one who takes heed in golf to put a lid on his stressful life. "Being able to switch off one's phone for at least five hours is an achievement in today's world and golf requires me to do that," says Hukku.
Hukku's passion for golf began a couple of years ago when his friend introduced him to it. "I was taken by surprise when I started as I believed that it was an easy sport. So, in the beginning, I went on and off constantly. However, when I started again, I had a more realistic approach to it and learnt how to play it gradually." Being in the open, taking in the fresh air, and seeing green everywhere are a few other aspects of golf that help Hukku get his mind off work. "The best part about the game is that you don't need to be dependent on anybody to play, you can get your share of relaxation with or without anybody," says Hukku, who also believes that golf makes a person calm. "Today, I know that I'm a better driver!"
4. Hey kidDo, where art thou
Did you know that the constant chatter of your children can be one of the best ways to unwind? "I have two daughters -- one seven-year-old and the other three-year-old. Spending time with them is one of my favourite ways of unwinding over the weekend or even after a hard day's work," says 39-year-old Adarsh Parekh, who is a management consultant. His stressful hours come to a happy end when he spends quality time laughing and sharing jokes with his daughters. "The older one has recently bought a joke book, which we read out and laugh, even if the jokes are bad -- some of them are terrible."
5. Games people play
Shooting virtual enemies on screen can be a little gory but it also has its benefits -- it's another way to unwind. Sandeep Banga, PR consultant, says: "I play almost every day to forget about work. Gaming helps me focus on the task at hand -- win the game!" To satisfy his recreational hunger, Banga has a PS3 and plays single player games mostly. "I unwind this way with my friends too at times, but mostly I'm by myself." Some of the games that have been his support system in stressful times are FIFA 2010, Uncharted and Grand Theft Auto 4 (GTA 4). Even though gaming tournaments are held frequently, Banga has participated in only one Counter Strike tournament so far. "I'm not into tournaments, I just play to spend time with myself and have fun without depending on anybody else," says Banga.
6. Into the wild
One of the most innovative and interesting ways to unwind, we thought, is TG Ramesh's. This entrepreneur explores wildlife. He goes out into the wild every month. "My interest in the wild began 15 years ago when my car was chased by elephants on the way to Ooty from Mysore," says Ramesh, who proudly calls himself Tiger. For him, just the thought of going into the wild is relaxing. "When I actually indulge, the high is just amazing. It takes my mind off work each time I go," he says. Initially, Tiger was no more than a tourist exploring the jungle. "But now, I sit in the jungle and wait, follow the calls and try to spot tigers and other wild animals." He has spotted more than 15 tigers to date. This unique way to unwind has taken Tiger places, literally. "I go to the jungles of Africa at least once a year and visit Indian forests once every month."
7. Gallop away from worries
It's been over six years since Dr Renu Arora, lifestyle physician, Columbia Asia Hospital, took to horse riding. "Horse riding, among other activities like painting, writing, sketching, playing saxophone, is something I do four times a week to forget about work and spend quality time with my daughter," she says. Dr Arora had initially sought horse riding classes for her daughter but couldn't resist getting into it herself. "Horse riding is so relaxing that even on days when I was at my grumpiest in the mornings, I came back smiling from the session," she says. "I'm a very restless person, and this activity helps me calm down to a great extent--it's like meditation for me."
8. Exercising to unwind
We all know that our body releases happy hormones while working out at a gym, doing yoga, or simply walking in the park. It turns out that these hormones released can help our stress levels go down to an extent. Seema Malhotra, city-based fashion designer, says: "I make sure I go to the gym at least 5-6 times a week. It helps me be absolutely stress-free through the day," she says. "I also go for a massage once a week--feel rejuvenated within minutes." Apart from taking all these steps to avoid a burn-out, Malhotra also loves spending time with her children. "Their non-stop, innocent jabber makes my worries go away--I can listen to them for hours," she says.
9. Cinematic magic
For Gouri Kapur, make-up artist and grooming consultant, innovation is the mantra. "Creativity is the basis of my work and it can be mentally taxing," she says. Asked what she does to destress, she says: "I make it a point to play scrabble on Facebook in the evening and watch a movie every night, before going to bed." Watching happy movies--comedies, romance and sometimes drama--can be a good way to distract oneself from something that is bothersome. So, why don't you also pick up your favourite movies from the DVD store today and try it out?
Ways to unwind at the workplace
1 Read a chapter from a novel while you're on a break
2 Meet and talk to your colleagues
3 Have a cup of tea or coffee
4 Solve a puzzle or do a crossword
5 Listen to your favourite song
