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    HEALTH & WELLNESS                                                     AUGUST 07, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 41

             Healthy Habits Can Increase Stress                                                                     IIM Bangalore

                                                                                                                            hosts
                           Hormone Levels: Experts                                                                 Happiness and

                  eople striving to lead healthi-                                                                   Wellness Fest
                  er lifestyles may unknowingly
            Pbe  triggering  higher levels  of
            cortisol the body’s primary stress                                                                          he Indian Institute of Man-
            hormone through certain well-inten-                                                                         agement  Bangalore  (IIMB)
            tioned habits, according to nutrition                                                                 Ttransformed its campus into
            experts. While balanced eating and                                                                    a vibrant hub of creativity, mindful-
            regular exercise remain essential                                                                     ness and community engagement as
            for  overall  health,  experts caution                                                                it hosted its Happiness and Wellness
            that excessive or poorly timed rou-                                                                   Fest, an initiative aimed at encour-
            tines can have the opposite effect,                                                                   aging holistic well-being among stu-
            contributing to chronic stress rather                                                                 dents, faculty and staff. The event
            than reducing it.                                                                                     underscored the institute’s growing
                Nutritionists say one of the most                                                                 emphasis on mental health and emo-
            common  mistakes  is  engaging  in                                                                    tional resilience alongside academic
            intense workouts  without allowing                                                                    excellence.
            the body sufficient time to recover.                                                                      The festival featured a wide
            Overtraining places prolonged stress                                                                  range of activities designed to help
            on the body, prompting sustained                                                                      participants unwind, connect and
            cortisol  production  that  may  lead   also place physiological stress on the   Symptoms such as persistent fatigue,   express themselves creatively. Art
            to  fatigue,  muscle  breakdown  and   body by limiting essential nutrients   irritability, poor sleep, difficulty con-  installations, music, dance, interac-
            disturbed sleep over time. Similarly,   needed for hormone balance.  centrating and unexplained weight   tive workshops, storytelling sessions,
            prolonged fasting or skipping meals   Health  professionals  emphasize   changes may indicate chronically el-  games and wellness activities encour-
            in the pursuit of weight loss can sig-  that healthy living should focus on   evated cortisol levels and should not   aged attendees to step away from the
            nal the body to release more cortisol   consistency rather than extremes.   be ignored.               pressures  of  academic life and  en-
            to maintain blood sugar levels.   They recommend incorporating bal-     Rather than chasing perfection,   gage in experiences that fostered joy,
                Another habit linked to elevat-  anced meals with adequate protein,   nutritionists stress that sustainable   reflection and collaboration.
            ed cortisol is excessive caffeine con-  healthy fats and complex carbohy-  lifestyle habits tailored to individual   Several sessions focused on
            sumption, particularly on an empty   drates, scheduling rest days between   needs are more effective for long-  mindfulness, stress management
            stomach. Experts explain that while   strenuous workouts, avoiding exces-  term health. A balanced approach   and emotional well-being, highlight-
            moderate coffee intake is generally   sive caffeine intake, and prioritizing   that combines nutritious eating,   ing the importance of maintaining a
            safe, consuming multiple cups early   quality sleep to help regulate cortisol   moderate  physical activity,  stress   healthy work-life balance in demand-
            in the day without food may amplify   naturally.                    management and sufficient recovery   ing educational and professional
            the body’s stress response. Restric-  Experts  also  advise  paying  at-  remains the most reliable strategy for   environments.  Organisers  said  the
            tive diets that eliminate entire food   tention to the body’s signals instead   supporting overall well-being while   festival sought to create an inclusive
            groups without medical necessity can   of following rigid wellness trends.   keeping cortisol levels in check.  space where members of the IIMB
                                                                                                                  community could celebrate creativi-
                                                                                                                  ty while strengthening interpersonal
            Balanced Breakfast Key to Sustained Energy                                                            connections.
                                                                                                                      The initiative reflects a broader
            A                                 satiety and reduce the likelihood of   in maintaining a healthy metabol-  shift among higher educational insti-
                                                                                                                  tutions towards integrating wellness
                  balanced breakfast rich in
                  protein, whole grains, healthy
                                              mid-morning energy crashes.
                                                                                ic rate. While no single food can
                                                                                                                  into campus culture. With concerns
                                                  Nutritionists also advise choos-
                  fats and fibre can help sustain
                                                                                                                  receiving increased attention nation-
                                                                                balanced meals containing protein
            energy levels, improve concentration   ing minimally processed foods over   dramatically “boost” metabolism,   over student stress and mental health
            and support healthy metabolism, ac-  packaged breakfast items that are   and fibre contribute to diet-induced   wide, universities and management
            cording to nutrition experts. Rather   often high in added sugars, sodium   thermogenesis—the energy the body   institutes are increasingly investing
            than relying on sugary cereals or re-  and saturated fats. Whole grains   expends while digesting food—and   in programmes that support psycho-
            fined  carbohydrates,  health  special-  such as steel-cut oats, bran cereals   help support long-term weight man-  logical well-being in addition to aca-
            ists recommend meals that provide a   and whole-wheat bread provide fibre   agement.                  demic achievement.
            steady release of energy throughout   that supports digestive health and   For people with busy schedules,   Participants described  the  festi-
            the morning.                      sustained energy, while protein-rich   experts recommend preparing quick,   val as a refreshing break from rou-
                Experts  say  breakfast  should   foods including eggs, yogurt, nuts   nutrient-dense breakfasts such as   tine, with many appreciating
            combine slow-digesting carbohy-   and seeds aid muscle maintenance   overnight oats, fruit-and-yogurt par-  the opportunity to engage in ar-
            drates with a quality source of protein   and keep hunger at bay.   faits or smoothies blended with fruit,   tistic pursuits and collaborative ac-
            and fruits or vegetables. Whole-grain   Research further suggests that   yogurt and nuts. They stress that   tivities in a relaxed setting. Creative
            toast with eggs, Greek yogurt topped   metabolism  is  influenced  by  sever-  making healthier breakfast choices   performances and experiential work-
            with berries and nuts, or a bowl of   al lifestyle factors beyond breakfast   consistently, rather than following   shops drew enthusiastic participation
            oatmeal with fruit are among the   alone. Regular physical activity, ad-  fad diets, can improve overall nutri-  throughout the day, reinforcing the
            recommended options. These meals   equate sleep and avoiding overly   tion, heart health and daily produc-  idea  that  learning  extends  beyond
            help stabilize blood sugar, promote   restrictive diets play a greater role   tivity.                 classrooms.

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