Page 47 - The Indian EYE 091826

HEALTH & WELLNESS SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 | The Indian Eye 47

The 9-to-9 Workday Is Taking Ladakh Turns

Wellness
a Toll on Health Destination

he growing culture of working
from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. is raising With Sakasa
Tconcerns over the long-term
health costs of extended working Festival
hours, with experts warning that pro-
longed stress, inadequate sleep, pro-
longed sitting and poor eating habits adakh is hosting the Saka-
can collectively affect both physical sa Wellness Festival, a new
and mental well-being. Lhigh-altitude event that brings
The impact of long workdays together yoga, wellness sessions, elec-
goes beyond fatigue at the end of tronic music and local art along the
the day. Regularly extended working banks of the Indus River. The festival
hours can interfere with sleep, phys- is designed as an alcohol-free space
ical activity, nutrition, relationships for people looking to step away from
and recovery, creating a cycle that can stressful urban routines and focus on
gradually undermine overall health. wellbeing and rejuvenation.
Cardiovascular health is among Set against Ladakh’s dramat-
the key areas of concern. Long work- ic mountain landscape, the festival
ing hours have been associated with combines traditional wellness prac-
an increased risk of coronary heart tices with contemporary cultural
disease and stroke. While extended experiences. Yoga and wellness ac-
work itself does not mean that every tivities form a key part of the pro-
worker will develop heart disease, gramme, while electronic music
persistent workplace stress, insuf- provides an unconventional evening
ficient sleep, sedentary behaviour movement throughout the day. meals. Meanwhile, constant work experience. Sessions led by wellness
and unhealthy lifestyle choices can Sleep is often among the first ca- connectivity can leave the mind feel- experts also offer participants oppor-
together contribute to increased car- sualties of an extended work sched- ing “always on”, contributing to ir- tunities to explore health, mindful-
diac risk. ule. Late-night emails and unfinished ritability, concentration difficulties ness and personal wellbeing.
The physical consequences of tasks can push bedtime later, while in- and emotional exhaustion. The festival reflects a growing
prolonged sitting are another con- adequate sleep can affect concentra- Experts emphasise that health- interest in experiences that combine
cern. Spending hours at a desk with tion, mood, energy and productivity, ier work routines do not necessarily travel with wellness rather than con-
little movement can contribute to potentially creating a cycle of longer require drastic changes. Adequate ventional entertainment alone. By
poor posture, muscle tension and working hours and reduced efficiency. sleep, regular movement breaks, bal- bringing together movement, music,
neck and back pain. Experts recom- Dietary habits can also suf- anced meals and clear boundaries cultural expression and wellness,
mend breaking up long periods of fer as employees skip meals or rely between professional and personal Sakasa seeks to create an environ-
sitting with short walks and regular on packaged food and quick office time can help. ment where visitors can relax while
engaging with Ladakh’s distinctive
landscape and culture.
R Madhavan’s Mumbai Home Turns are also part of the festival, giving
Local art and cultural elements

Into a Mini Organic Farm visitors an opportunity to experience
the region beyond its well-known
tourism attractions. The setting along
the Indus adds another dimension to
the event, connecting the festival’s
ctor R. Madhavan has turned His interest grew from concerns the water used by traditional meth- focus on wellbeing with the natural
an unlikely part of his Mumbai about the use of chemicals and ge- ods. The approach highlights how ur- environment.
Ahome into a productive organ- netic modification in modern food ban gardening can be adapted even Earlier this year, the region
ic garden, with his balcony supplying production. He began experimenting in a densely populated city such as hosted an International Festival of
nearly 70 per cent of his household’s with growing vegetables at home and Mumbai. Yoga and Meditation featuring ac-
seasonal vegetable requirements. gradually expanded the effort into a Madhavan has also spoken about tivities including yogathons, medi-
The actor’s approach to urban gar- larger terrace garden. the personal value of growing food tation sessions and youth outreach
dening has brought together sustain- The garden has produced a at home, suggesting that cultivating programmes.
able living, water conservation and variety of vegetables, including to- even a single vegetable can help peo- With its combination of wellness,
home-grown food. matoes, broccoli, aubergines, lady’s ple understand the effort involved music and culture, the Sakasa Well-
Madhavan, whose Mumbai resi- finger, cucumbers and bitter gourd. in farming. His experience offers a ness Festival signals an emerging
dence is reportedly valued at around Rather than relying solely on conven- celebrity-led example of how small approach to mountain tourism—one
₹17.5 crore, began exploring organic tional watering methods, Madhavan urban spaces can be used to encour- that places experiences, mindfulness
farming while spending time at home has also used drip irrigation, which age sustainable and more self-reliant and rejuvenation alongside sightsee-
working on a film script. he has said requires only a fraction of food habits. ing and adventure.

www.TheIndianEYE.com