Anupam Kher calls working out his meditation: ‘Tiny new muscles mushrooming’

Renowned actor Anupam Kher, 71, has likened his workout routine to a form of meditation. In an Instagram post, the veteran shared a clip of himself engaging in strength training, captioning it: "The joy of seeing tiny new muscles mushrooming!🥹 For me, working out is meditation!! A small triumph of the human spirit. Any age, any stage. Jai Ho!"

Dr M Narayana Swamy, Director of Neurosurgery at PSRI Hospital, explains that while exercise is commonly linked to heart health and weight management, it also plays a crucial role in brain health. Regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. Even a simple 30-minute brisk walk daily can yield long-term benefits.

Clinical psychologist Dr Shweta Sharma further elaborates that working out helps combat anxiety by providing a distraction from overthinking. Exercise reduces muscle tension, increases blood flow, and releases endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, which can alleviate chronic anxiety symptoms. However, Dr Sharma advises that this doesn't mean encouraging anxiety patients to engage in rigorous workouts or push them towards overly ambitious fitness goals, as it could instead trigger additional anxiety.

Exercise also helps regulate the release of stress hormones like cortisol; excessive cortisol can contribute to feelings of anxiety.