Alia BHATT on beauty, health, fitness and wellness.
Your view on beauty?
I think of beauty as being representative of both substance and strength, also character, and the ability to work for important causes. As the poet John Keats said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” This is what makes us all beautiful — in our own individual ways.
Add to it the love and relationships you share with people around, and you take your own beauty, in your mind and heart, not just face, to the next level.
Your ‘take’ on fitness?
I start my morning on a ‘clean slate,’ so to speak. I don’t even look at my cell phone, or social media, when I wake up. I reckon this is a great start to dodge the lure of littering one’s mind as soon as one gets up.
I quickly read the newspaper on an app called Flipboard on topics that I’m interested in. I opt for a basic healthy drink, for a start — it is usually lemon and warm water. This bids fair for a little walk around my home, or wherever I am.
I hit the gym 3-4 times a week. Cardio workouts, such as running, cycling, kickboxing, swimming, and dancing, are part of my fitness regimen. I also practice yoga to build up my strength and flexibility. Apart from yoga, I am into ballet dance to make my body svelte. I am also into beach running and functional training.
Your view of health and wellness?
All of us have that added pressure of performance and the dread of ‘fading’ away from fame, which can also get into the skin of one’s thought. Celebrity or not, your physical, emotional and mental health, as also wellness, should never be taken casually.
I just say ‘no’ to junk and unhealthy foods, although I prefer one day a week to appease my appetite for ‘craved’ foods. I stick to high-quality and nutritious foods to make my body sleek and skin glowing, because I know for a fact that low-quality, fried foods would make anyone look pathetic.
I also abide by my diet chart: low carbs and a high protein diet with bountiful nutrient-dense foods, such as oatmeal, papaya, salads, chicken breast etc. I love dosa, idli sambhar, dal etc., in my diet, no less.
Besides, I sometimes allow my sweet tooth to savour rabri and kheer. However, moderation is my secret prescription. I drink herbal tea, without sugar, a few times a day and, most importantly, I keep myself well hydrated.
Breakfast: Poha, eggs, and sandwiches
Lunch: Homemade food, consisting of lentils, roti, rice and salad
Dinner: I just can’t do without my favourite curd rice.
I’d recommend that all of us should stick to a balanced diet with a good, yet proportionate mix of carbs, proteins and fats in our diet. Some people desist carbs, because they consider them ominous, or calorie-adding foods, while the truth lies contrary to the lop-sided idea. The key is to know what you eat, and also what your mind, body, and soul, would need for optimal health and wellness.
Your ‘take’ on work-life balance?
I’ve had my ups and downs, and I have learned a lot from them. I am extremely passionate and focused vis-à-vis my career, films and art.
However, I fully recognise the fact that one should strike the right balance and not be too attached, or obsessed to, or with, success, or failures. I believe in keeping my head down, working hard and giving my best.
This is simply because we all know that, at times, things fall into place and at other times they just don’t.
Your mantra to beat stress?
I’ve had my rendezvous with anxiety and depression. No matter how ruthless they were, at times, I just let myself feel them, even when I felt like crying for no reason. I’d just allow them to pass.
I was, early on, a little confused. I’d constantly hoard reasons for that low feeling to work or, maybe, I’d think I’m tired, or not been able to meet people you’d want to spend quality time with.
I spoke to friends and others about it. The best advice they all gave me worked — that you’ve got to realise that it will all go away. Remember, the best thing to do is to accept things, but never say that you’re fine when things are not okay.
If you’re not feeling good, you should just say you’re not feeling all right — and, try to bring balance to life without going ‘overboard.’ So, I just ‘let go’ things I can’t change and live life to the full.
