Feeling stressed? Start an activity

New Delhi: Suffering from eating disorder, skin problems, hair fall and drinking - it could be because of stress at work or emotional void and experts suggest that the best thing to get out of the stressful life is to indulge in some activity.

Psychiatrist Sanjay Chugh says stress can lead to unhealthy lifestyle and even depression, so people should try to keep themselves busy in something that gives them pleasure. "Cultivate a hobby because this will give you pleasure and peace of mind. So while you can keep your worries aside, you will be meeting new people and make friends," Chugh told reporters. Options are many - one can take up dance or music classes, join foreign language sessions, watch international movies, read books, take cooking classes, indulge in gardening or may be start teaching poor kids. The idea is to do something that relaxes people. What is seen in most cases is while women binge during depression, men start drinking. How we feel on the inside could affect our looks. Studies have proved that professional stress can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to skin, hair or nail problems. According to Apollo Hospital senior cosmetic surgeon Anup Dhir, stress can manifest itself on one`s appearance in many ways, but primarily it shows on skin. "Premature aging due to radical load happens in this case. So one should make changes in lifestyle and eat well-balanced meal. No cosmetic surgeon can help you in this case, it has to be from within," he said. Pooja Gupta, 28, a software professional, was fed up of her monotonous life - a routine job and limited friend circle. One day she decided to give some time to herself and joined salsa classes. There she made friends and the change in the routine did wonders to her mind. "What happens when you are not living with your family, you come back home and start talking to walls or else doze off after a heavy day`s work. I was facing the same problem. One day I decided enough is enough. I enrolled for a dance class, made sure that I attend it regularly," Gupta said. "It took me some time to get this hobby into my daily routine, but to be very frank, it is a refreshing change. I have new friends who sometimes drop at my place for dance practices; it is fun," she added. Some feel exercise too helps in decreasing the release of stress-causing hormones such as cortisol. Nicholas Kraal, business development manager at the Mumbai-based True Fitness India Pvt Ltd, said: "Physical exercise improves blood circulation and increases blood flow to your brain which can rejuvenate and relax your mind. "Certain forms of exercise, such as yoga, breathing exercises can relax your tense muscles and free your mind." This Mumbai-based fitness centre has also brought to India the popular Bikram hot yoga (a form of yoga done in 40 degress room temperature) that has a cult following in the West; Hollywood A-listers like Madonna and Jennifer Aniston have endorsed it. So, time for you to discover your interest area, pursue it and live a stress-free life IANS