Rupali MANIAR responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire.
Your view on beauty?
Beauty is god, also everything in nature, like the mountain, the calm sea, the changing colour of the sky — the list is endless. For me, the key aspect is inner, or ‘bespoke,’ beauty. It is the sublime reflection of a generous heart and a compassionate soul. It’s about being there for others, offering kindness and understanding when they need them the most. True beauty, likewise, comes from helping people feel safe and valued in your presence and creating the right milieu of warmth and comfort around you. It’s about lifting others up and spreading positivity. This is because the real essence of beauty is mirrored in the way we treat one another and the love we give — without bias.
Your ‘take’ on fitness?
For me, fitness is about balance and consistency — ‘what you sow is what you reap.’ Your body and mind respond largely to what you eat — 90 per cent from food, and 10 per cent from exercise. I follow a simple and wholesome diet that my mother and grandmother espoused, while focusing on home-cooked meals. In my childhood, we ate traditional staples, like jowar, bajra, and ragi bhākari, paired with leafy vegetables, dal, salads and fruits. We were never allowed to waste food; we were taught to finish what was on our plate, a tradition that has stayed with me always. While growing up, I played sports every day, and my mother made sure that curd and eggs were a part of my diet — this regimen has kept me healthy and youthful. My inspiration were my parents, who worked hard and never ever stayed idle. My motto, therefore, is — to stay active, whether it’s being on my feet through the day, or practicing yoga at least three times a week. For me, staying connected to my roots and the habits I grew up with are the best ways to maintaining lifelong fitness.
Your view of health and wellness?
Health and wellness are two sides of the same coin — nurturing your body and mind through mindful and physical balance and simplicity. I believe in seeing the positives in every situation. This holds the key to a healthy mind-set and optimal well-being. “Life,” as George Santayana said, “is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.” It is full of challenges. What, or how, we choose to respond defines our experience. There is always something to learn from in the most difficult of situations. I always remind myself that positivity is not about avoiding the negatives too; it’s about finding the light within it.
Your ‘take’ on work-life balance?
It’s a fact that women often work either by choice, or out of necessity. The important thing is — life is about finding the right balance. It’s essential to getting your priorities right, while ensuring that work, family, and social commitments are well-managed. Striking the right balance leads to a more fulfilled and happy life. Whether it’s dedicating time to career growth, being present for your loved ones, or nurturing personal relationships, ‘playing’ the right note in each aspect is crucial for a happy, vibrant life.
Your mantra to beat stress?
Stress is an integral part of our life; it’s imperative that we learn to manage stress smartly. Yes, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Diverting your mind and doing activities that you love helps reduce your stress levels. I love gardening and cooking with music — to forget stress, or, more importantly, my stressful thoughts. One must take time out to doing the activities one likes, viz., painting, cooking, catching up with a friend over a call, tending to your garden, smelling the natural freshness of grass and so on. I love being with nature — this is one of the reasons I picked up golf as a focused, also relaxed pursuit, not just sport. When I play golf nature helps me to heal and ‘jazz-up’ my mind. The big advantage is: golf can be played alone, while the best part is you get your much-needed ‘me-time’ too.
