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Need a mental boost? Try these 5 Japanese tricks to keep your brain sharp
Lifestyle

Need a mental boost? Try these 5 Japanese tricks to keep your brain sharp

by jummy84
written by jummy84

If you are looking to enhance your memory and sharpen your mental skills, trying some tricks that have helped the Japanese achieve the same might be useful. For young and old people, keeping their mind sharp and alert can be a real challenge. But, there are certain games, foods and methods that can help you achieve this goal in life.

Consider adding these five Japanese methods to your daily routine to sharpen brain memory.(Adobe Stock)

Here is a look at five Japanese tricks to keep your brain sharp:

Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy)

Calligraphy is not simply writing; it is a combination of artistry and precision. While calligraphy is present around the vast continent of Asia, the Japanese have developed it into a form where it can improve the sharpness of your brain.

Shodo involves dipping a brush into ink and carving the kanji and kana characters. Even though pens have become widespread and are used for writing now, shodo remains a valuable cultural practice that is taught to kids. The precision and concentration required to execute shodo is certain to sharpen one’s brain.

Zazen meditation

Meditation is an intrinsic form of focusing the mind across cultures in Asia. The Japanese, too, have created a unique form of meditation that has several benefits for its practitioners.

In this form of meditation, sitting on the floor is advised and the meditator is expected to adopt the seated Buddha posture. There are several positions that one can take. However, the key is to keep the spine erect and focus on the breath.

This form of meditation can have a profound impact on a person’s mind.

Anki

Anki is a technique created with flashcards that is used to sharpen memory. It is even used by doctors to memorise medical terms. With spaced repetition, a person can optimize his memory and recall ability.

Also Read: Fitness coach emphasises the importance of sleep for safe and sustainable workouts, shares 3 tips for smart training

This program utilises an algorithm that assesses a user’s ability to recall information through a stimulus. Based on the input, the program then challenges the user to remember things which he is most likely to forget.

Sushi puzzles

Puzzles are known for stimulating the brain’s sharpness by forcing it to draw on logic and pattern recognition. Sushi puzzles present different parts that have to be assembled in the right order by figuring out the right composition. By being based on a popular dish, these puzzles are both visually pleasing and intellectually stimulating.

Also Read: Exclusive | Medical student Hitarth’s ‘stop mistreating your body’ takes the internet by storm: Just spreading awareness

Goroawase

Goroawase is a type of wordplay where a link is drawn between numbers and words. It is essentially a mnemonic technique that is used to improve memory. It is a complex game that can be especially useful for students who need to memorise dates, events, names, etc.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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World Mental Health Day: Deepika Padukone Appointed Ambassador By Union Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare
Bollywood

World Mental Health Day: Deepika Padukone Appointed Ambassador By Union Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Deepika Padukone, Actor and Founder of The Live Love Laugh (LLL) Foundation, has been appointed as the first-ever ‘Mental Health Ambassador’ by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). This development marks a landmark step by the Ministry to inspire a more supportive mental health ecosystem in the country.

Deepika Padukone Appointed Mental Health Ambassador By The Union Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare

On the occasion, Shri J.P. Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, stated, “The partnership with Ms Deepika Padukone will help widely disseminate awareness about mental health issues in India, normalise discussions to reduce stigma, and highlight mental health as an integral aspect of public health.”

Deepika Padukone On Becoming Mental Health Ambassador

“I am deeply honoured to serve as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador for the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made significant strides in prioritizing mental health care. I look forward to working closely with the Ministry to build on this momentum and further strengthen our nation’s mental health framework,” said Deepika Padukone.

In her new role, Deepika Padukone will work closely with the Ministry to:

  1. Raise mental health awareness and promote de-stigmatisation efforts.
  2. Encourage help-seeking behaviour and preventive efforts.
  3. Promote Tele MANAS (Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States), and other government-approved mental health resources. She will also collaborate with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in building other strategic interventions for equitable mental health care access.

About The Live Love Laugh Foundation

The appointment comes as The Live Love Laugh Foundation, Ms Padukone’s charitable trust, completes 10 years of service and impact. Over the last decade, LiveLoveLaugh has built pathways of care through its flagship Rural Community Mental Health Program for more than 21,931 Persons with Mental Illness (PWMIs) and their caregivers, in 15 districts in eight states. LLL has also led pioneering nationwide public awareness campaigns, such as “Dobara Poocho”, “#NotAshamed,” and programs like “You Are Not Alone” for adolescent students and a “Doctors Program” for general practitioners. LLL recently launched a corporate mental health and well-being program.

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone FINALLY Breaks Silence On 8-Hour Work Debate Amid Kalki Sequel, Spirit Exit Row; Says, “I Have Fought My Battles Silently”

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World Mental Health Day 2025: Psychologist suggests 5 creative ways Gen Z can manage stress
Lifestyle

World Mental Health Day 2025: Psychologist suggests 5 creative ways Gen Z can manage stress

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Published on: Oct 09, 2025 09:28 pm IST

World Mental Health Day 2025: Gen Z can shake off stress with the help of creativity, from doing spontaneous activities to opening up through art. 

World Mental Health Day 2025: October 10 is observed as World Mental Health Day. On this day, awareness related to mental wellness is encouraged, aiming to promote open conversations about emotional wellbeing. In recognition of this day, let’s take a closer look at one of the vulnerable groups, Gen Z, who may be silently struggling with emotional stress.

Creating abstract art helps to uplift mood. (Picture credit: Pexels)

Shruti Padhye, senior psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, agreed that yes, Gen Z nowadays carries the weight of multiple pressures. She told HT Lifestyle that the world is more volatile with a multitude of issues like academic pressure, social media information overload, economic changes and identity development. With so much going on, Gen Z barely gets a moment of ‘time out.’

ALSO READ: Psychiatrist explains how ‘human library’ builds empathy and human connection with the power of storytelling

Amid the constant buzz of life with a whirlwind of demands and pressure, how can Gen Z carve out a moment of respite? A much-needed time out from the relentless pace of life? Shruti recommended tapping into creativity as a way to combat stress.

“As a mental health professional with over 7 years of experience, I find that youth-led initiatives can promote deep engagement and creativity with young people and their emotions. These activities can create safe corners for emotional expression, which provide connectedness with self and others, meaningful in and of themselves,” the psychologist explained.

Often, life can get isolating amid all the hustle. Particularly for Gen Z, who are right at the cusp of building their careers, may let the stress pile up and leave them feeling cut off. This is where creativity and the sense of unity can act as an outlet to release stress.

Shruti suggested these 5 creative ways Gen Z can unload stress and feel energised emotionally:

1. Drama therapy

  • Role-play and improvisation enable Gen Z to illustrate emotions; words may be tough to express.
  • “Putting down the mask” allows them to explore identity, address fears, and rehearse coping mechanisms in a safe space

2. Slam poetry

Slam poetry is an event where participants read out their poems to an audience. (Picture credit: Freepik)
Slam poetry is an event where participants read out their poems to an audience. (Picture credit: Freepik)
  • Raw, unfiltered poetry addresses the unexpressed truths we hold.
  • Slam poetry, verbal or on paper, advocates emotional authenticity and dismantles the shame surrounding mental health concerns such as anxiety, grief, or self-worth

3. Ad film making

  • The film-making process- developing a screenplay, shooting a video, and editing nurtures creativity, while allowing Gen Z to move outside of their online persona.
  • Making a film as a group encourages co-creation, empathy, and emotional connection.

4. Abstract art

  • Exploring texture, colour, and form to display what it feels like to be trapped in the chaos of the mind can be deeply healing.
  • Abstract art gives therapy a non-verbal, emotional display before understanding what those emotions mean

5. Extempore expression

Extempore expression is any performance that is spontaneous and done in front of friends, from a singing performance to an impromptu ventriloquist act. (Picture credit: Freepik)
Extempore expression is any performance that is spontaneous and done in front of friends, from a singing performance to an impromptu ventriloquist act. (Picture credit: Freepik)
  • Verbal expression on a personal topic allows authenticity yet forces clarity of emotional content.
  • The experience of practising vulnerability around peers builds confidence in Gen Z voices and perspectives

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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Can disagreements with seniors at work hurt your mental health? 3 easy ways to resolve them safely
Lifestyle

Can disagreements with seniors at work hurt your mental health? 3 easy ways to resolve them safely

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Disagreements at the workplace, especially if it’s with your seniors, can feel like walking on a tightrope. One may feel uneasy about calling out their senior or boss for fear of conflict, repercussions or appearing insubordinate. To avoid the potential tension, a simple, obedient nod shoves all doubts under the carpet. But bottling up frustration leaves employees stressed and weighs down on their mental wellbeing.

Know how you can navigate workplace disagreements with bosses. (Picture credit: Freepik)

ALSO READ: 10 reasons why employees are scared to talk to HR and how AI may help bridge the gap

HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to understand the potential consequences of suppressing workplace concerns and how employees can safely handle disagreements at work.

How it harms mental health

A toxic boss can affect the psychosocial climate of the workplace.(Picture credit: Freepik)
A toxic boss can affect the psychosocial climate of the workplace.(Picture credit: Freepik)

Disagreement with bosses can harm not only mental health but also affect the entire atmosphere of the team. Dr Ajit Dandekar, head of mental health at Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai, told HT Lifestyle that how managers handle disagreements with their team can shape the psychosocial climate of the workplace. It also influences the employees’ stress levels and overall job satisfaction.

He explained the repercussions on mental wellbeing, “If the manager is inconsistent, supportive one moment and dictatorial the next, his subordinates are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety and exhaustion.”

According to Dr Dandekar, the most successful teams are those where open and honest communication is encouraged without employees being afraid of being disobedient. He added, “In such teams, the manager and his subordinates are ‘in agreement’ to achieve a common, single goal and there is no tug-of-war of egos in discussions.”

And most importantly, if the manager insists that their opinion or views are right, Dr Dandekar noted that employees may hesitate to share their thoughts, and in turn, this affects both their mental health and hurts the team’s overall performance.

The doctor highlighted the importance of ‘corporate listening,’ a soft skill that helps alleviate workplace stress, reduce misunderstanding and support employee wellbeing. This fosters open communication.

3 easy ways to handle disagreements with seniors

Right managers help employees be more productive, showing support.(Shutterstock)
Right managers help employees be more productive, showing support.(Shutterstock)

Ravi Kaklasaria, co-founder & CEO at edForce, suggested that upskilling is an effective strategy for managing workplace disagreements. He said, “Disagreements are inevitable, especially between junior and senior team members. Upskilling, especially in communication, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking, helps individuals navigate these tensions constructively.”

He also shared with HT Lifestyle 3 easy ways to settle disagreements with seniors:

1. Lead with curiosity, not assumption

  • Instead of reacting emotionally or defensively, ask clarifying questions. “Can you help me understand the reasoning behind that approach?” shows openness and respect, and often de-escalates tension.
  • This strategy positions you as someone seeking collaboration, not confrontation.

2. Use data to ground your perspective

  • Rather than framing your disagreement as opinion, support it with relevant data, outcomes, or examples.
  • Senior leaders are more receptive when they see that your viewpoint is informed, not impulsive.
  • This also shows that you’re thinking from a business perspective, not just a personal one.

3. Acknowledge experience while offering a view

  • Start by validating the senior’s expertise. A simple line like, “I know you’ve seen this from a broader lens,” builds trust. Follow it with, “Here’s another angle I’d love to explore…”
  • This respectful framing encourages dialogue, not dismissal.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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Tomorrow X Together and UNICEF team up to launch youth mental health campaign
Music

Tomorrow X Together and UNICEF team up to launch youth mental health campaign

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Tomorrow X Together have teamed up with UNICEF to launch a new youth mental health campaign – find out more below.

On Tuesday (September 30), Tomorrow X Together (TXT), their label Big Hit Music and global charity organisation United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) announced a new partnership through the launch of a youth mental health campaign.

Launched at the UNICEF headquarters in New York, the campaign – titled Together For Tomorrow – will aim for TXT’s growing fanbase to encourage and promote open conversations and support for mental health among young people.

Tomorrow X Together. Credit: Big Hit Music

Through the partnership, TXT and Big Hit Music have pledged US$1.4million over two years to UNICEF, with plans to raise additional funds through fan engagement and other activities. The funds provided and raised by TXT will go towards various mental health programmes and efforts to provide children, teens and their caregivers with practical ways of taking care of their mental health. It will also support the training of professionals working with young people and used to fund research for mental health data.

Tomorrow X Together said in a statement: “Whenever we faced struggles in our lives, empathy, kindness and inclusion have helped us build stronger connections and find our way forward. With far too many young people today experiencing mental health challenges, we are proud to join UNICEF in encouraging young people to have respectful interactions, celebrate diversity, and support peers who may feel isolated. Together we can build the supportive relationships young people need for a compassionate, resilient tomorrow.”

tomorrow x together txt deja vu minisode 3 tomorrow interview
Tomorrow X Together. Credit: Big Hit Music

In late July, TXT released ‘The Star Chapter: Together’, a collection of solo tracks from each member of the group. Tomorrow X Together’s ‘The Star Chapter: Together’ scored a four-star review from NME, with Rhian Daly writing: “Whether subtly or explicitly, as on ‘The Star Chapter: Together’, you can expect TXT to continue to emphasise and explore connection, and use it to form a bright spot in our dark world.”

Since then, it has been announced that all five members of the group have renewed their contracts with Big Hit Music.

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Weezer Bassist's Wife Gets Mental Health Diversion in Shooting Case
Music

Weezer Bassist’s Wife Gets Mental Health Diversion in Shooting Case

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Jillian Lauren, the bestselling author and wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday and was granted the right to enter a two-year mental health diversion program.

If she completes the program as ordered, a judge is expected to dismiss the two felony charges filed against her in connection with the wild exchange of gunfire with LAPD officers that left her wounded in her own backyard on April 8. Officials say she fired first.

“We think this was the right resolution,” Lauren’s lawyer, Hilary Lee Potashner, tells Rolling Stone. The attorney and her co-counsel, Georgina Wakefield, said Thursday they’re both “very pleased” that Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Susan J. De Witt found Lauren eligible for the opportunity to have the case dismissed.

According to court sources, the program will require that Lauren participate in regular counseling and submit to random drug and alcohol testing. She also cannot possess any firearms.

Lauren, 52, previously pleaded not guilty to charges she willfully fired at several police officers who were shouting at her over a fence while searching for hit-and-run suspects allegedly attempting to hide in neighboring backyards in her Eagle Rock neighborhood. No officers were hit, but several fired their own weapons during the chaotic scene captured on video.

According to the LAPD, Lauren racked her gun and fired it during the alleged standoff with officers who were on the other side of a fence, searching for the hit-and-run suspects. Body-worn camera and home-surveillance video released by the LAPD on YouTube showed the minutes leading up to the shooting.

In the nearly 22-minute compilation, multiple officers are heard repeatedly yelling at a woman, instructing her to drop her gun. The woman is not seen or heard in the video recorded by the officers. The fence was too high for the height of the officers’ body-worn cameras, and the scene appeared hectic, with the loud drone of a police helicopter overhead. Toward the end of the exchange, one officer identifies himself as “police” while another shouts that he’s with the California Highway Patrol. It’s not clear if the officers’ uniforms could be seen over the fence.

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A separate video from Lauren’s home-surveillance system, also released by the LAPD, gives a different perspective. It shows Lauren exiting her house holding a black handgun and walking around the perimeter. The video appears to show Lauren manipulating and firing the gun, but it’s recorded from a distance and has no sound. After appearing to slightly recoil, Lauren walks away, looking relatively calm.

According to the police footage, as soon as an officer warned, “Oh, she racked it,” police opened fire, unloading a barrage of ear-splitting shots. Oddly, in her home-surveillance video, Lauren does not appear to react to the volley of shots or exhibit any injury in the seconds after she allegedly fired.

About an hour after the shooting, Lauren exited her home and was arrested without incident. She was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to her arm. She was later booked on suspicion of attempted murder and released on $1 million bail. Prosecutors ultimately charged her with firing a gun with gross negligence and assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

In a 911 call also released by police, someone inside Lauren’s home can be heard telling an operator that Lauren was apparently shot by one of the suspects of the manhunt. Lauren is heard talking in the background, explaining what happened. “I had my gun, and he said, ‘Put down that gun. Put down that gun.’ I said, ‘Put down your fucking gun.’ And then he shot me,” Lauren says in the call released by the LAPD. “There are three men out at the other side of this fence here.”

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According to police, investigators recovered a 9mm Glock handgun and a spent shell casing from Lauren’s residence.

Lauren, who has not commented publicly on the shooting, released her first memoir, Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, in 2010, and her second, Everything You Ever Wanted, in May 2015. A few days after the incident, Shriner performed with Weezer at Coachella.

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Jay-Z's S*xual A$$ault Accuser Says Her Mental Health May Suffer If Her Identity Is Revealed
Celebrity News

Jay-Z’s S*xual A$$ault Accuser Says Her Mental Health May Suffer If Her Identity Is Revealed

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Jay-Z’s S*xual A$$ault Accuser Says Her Mental Health May Suffer If Her Identity Is Revealed

After stepping away from her lawsuit against Jay-Z, the woman behind the now-dismissed claims is asking the court for something else: the right to stay hidden.

According to AllHipHop, in a recent court filing, she expressed fears that revealing her identity could trigger harassment and cause serious harm to her mental health and family life.

Her psychiatrist, Dr. John T. Olsen, backed the plea with a strong warning to the judge.

Olsen went further, adding that the risk of relapse is high and could deeply affect her long-term stability.

While Jay-Z continues to pursue a defamation claim against her, she’s now fighting for her anonymity.

Should she stay a Jane Doe?


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Geriatrician shares 4 tips for older adults to improve mental health: From solving puzzles to doing meditation | Health
Lifestyle

Geriatrician shares 4 tips for older adults to improve mental health: From solving puzzles to doing meditation | Health

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Updated on: Aug 23, 2025 08:09 pm IST

Mental health needs to be supported with healthy habits to ensure overall wellbeing in older adults.  

Mental health is closely connected to physical health, with factors like the gut-brain axis making it even more prominent. On top of that, as one ages, mental wellness can decline due to stress from major life events, such as the death of a spouse, chronic illness or retirement. Along with this, old age also carries the natural risks of cognitive decline. All these make taking care of mental health during old age a non-negotiable priority.

Elderly people are recommended to socialise and exercise to keep their minds active.(Shutterstock)

ALSO READ: Well-rounded diet for older adults: 5 nutrients that improve muscle strength, gut balance and overall health

To address the concerns of old age mental wellness, Dr Prasun Chatterjee, Chief of Geriatric Medicine at Artemis Hospitals, shared with HT Lifestyle how to keep the mind healthy and resilient during old age.

He said, “Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health as we get older. A healthy mind keeps older people independent, active, and happy. Small, regular efforts can make a big difference in helping seniors. Every stress kills some important memory cells, so managing stress in middle age and later life is very important for a healthy mind. ”

Here are 4 tips he shared for older adults for better mental health:

1. Stay mentally active:

Solve puzzles to keep your brain active.(Shutterstock)
Solve puzzles to keep your brain active.(Shutterstock)
  • Stay mentally active by reading, doing puzzles, playing memory games, or learning new things. This will keep your brain sharp.
  • Doing things that make your mind work can slow down cognitive decline and help your memory.

2. Maintain social connections:

  • Being alone and lonely can be bad for your mental health. Talk to family, friends, or community groups on a regular basis.
  • Being social makes you feel better, lowers anxiety, and helps keep you from getting depressed.

3. Put your physical health first:

Stay physically active with yoga and stretching exercises.(Shutterstock)
Stay physically active with yoga and stretching exercises.(Shutterstock)
  • Eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly all have a direct effect on how your brain works.
  • Walking, doing yoga, or light strength training are all good for your brain because they increase blood flow to it. This helps with memory and thinking.

4. Practice mindfulness and relaxation:

  • This helps you clear your mind when you’re stressed or anxious.
  • Meditation, deep breathing, or gentle hobbies like gardening can help you relax, focus better, and feel better emotionally.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.

News / Lifestyle / Health / Geriatrician shares 4 tips for older adults to improve mental health: From solving puzzles to doing meditation

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