Anushka SHARMA on beauty, health, fitness and wellness.
Anushka Sharma, the enormously charming and talented Indian film actress, producer and model, needs no introduction. She was first signed by Aditya Chopra for a three-film contract with Yash Raj Films. She made her acting debut in Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. It did not take a tad long for her to receive critical acclaim for her role as an ambitious wedding planner in the romantic comedy, Band Baaja Baaraat.
The two films earned her best actress nominations at the Filmfare awards. She later gathered critical appreciation for her performance in the romantic drama, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, which also earned her the Filmfare award for best supporting actress. Her roles in a host of movies — including PK — have earned her critics’ plaudits as also popular acclaim.
Your view on beauty?
For me, beauty is being truly happy and confident from the inside. The key to getting that glow on your skin is eating right. I make sure that I have a fruit, or two, every day for my ‘portion’ of antioxidants. I drink 2-3 litres of water to flush out the toxins just as well.
Your ‘take’ on fitness?
I swear by yoga to maintain my physique. I’m, in fact, hooked to yoga, as it does wonders for my flexibility, along with rejuvenating my mind after a long working day. Dancing is fun and so refreshing for me too. This is just one of the ways I shed those extra carbs. I dance for about 30 minutes daily to exercise my cardiovascular system. Well, this is surely one thing we all can do. Who doesn’t love dancing, after all? I mix weight training with strength training, four times a week, and I go for a walk, or a quick sprint while I’m away on shoots.
Your view of health and wellness?
Oil pulling is an ancient practice that helps remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. All you need to do for this is take a tablespoon of coconut, or olive, oil. And, swish it around the mouth and spit it out after five minutes in a trash can. Also, you’d make sure to rinse your mouth with water before eating, or drinking anything.
I take turmeric and black pepper tea for immunity. I think having turmeric and black pepper tea is something I and Virat are doing to boost our immunity during the pandemic. Besides, drinking a lot of water, eating alkaline foods is also good and easy on the stomach. Regular exercise is a must too.
I’m a committed vegan.
Your ‘take’ on work-life balance?
It all depends on how you’d want to bring balance. There’s isn’t one ‘perfect’ way to achieving such balance. You need to find that out for yourself; not from a self-help manual.
The first thing on my mind when I wake up. My schedule for the day.
I’m always in two minds about. Whether to comment, or not to.
I’m lucky [something I tried thrice]: Touch wood. I have been lucky with the kind of films I’m doing.
Your mantra to beat stress?
I practice transcendental meditation. Without it, I have a tendency to become ’a tad grumpy.’ Remember, the mind is a powerful tool and is constantly at work; it’s important to give it rest. Meditation works wonders for me when it comes to beating stress. I meditate, twice a day, once early morning and once before going to bed, at night. It has a calming effect — this translates into better health.
Music and my all-time favourite songs to work out to. The tempo of my workout drives the music I play.
Gimme-5 [My workout essentials]. I do weight training four times a week to tone my body. Eating right and healthy is the most important part of my wellness routine. Yoga rejuvenates my mind and gives my skin that inner glow. Sufficient rest is also important for the body to recuperate and keep stresses at bay.
Yoga. Eight days a week [my favourite indulgence].
On Cloud-9 [My favourite ways to de-stress]. I always have such a stressful schedule that I really appreciate the simple, relaxed things in life, like gossiping with my mom, while she gives me a nice head massage, or lunching with my friends.
Last thing I do before tucking in. Wash my face and gently massage [champi] with coconut oil.
