TOI Health Plus

Times Of India

A deep dive into everyday wellness These curated podcasts offer in-depth conversations with senior doctors, nutritionists, health coaches and domain experts on a variety of topics ranging from toxic lifestyle habits, skewed sleep cycles, midlife maladies and vitamin deficiency to burnout, gut health, mental health dilemmas, mindful practices and many more. We also have celebrity guests sharing their health stories, tips and tricks that keep them at the top of their game. Be sure to get answers to all the frequently asked questions. Tune in for some riveting revelations and home truths.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Brain Rot or Just Digital Overload? How To Tackle Screen Addiction In Kids

    Is your child spending too much time on screens? Does endless scrolling, binge-watching and short-form content really affect children’s brains, or is the viral term ‘brain rot’ more hype than science? In this episode, host Kritika Sharma, an Assistant Editor with The Times of India, explores one of the biggest parenting concerns of the digital age with developmental therapist and play practitioner Lavina Nanda, who heads the developmental centre at Children First, a mental health institute in Delhi. Joining the conversation are two parents with different experiences — lawyer and reading advocate Richa Pandey, and architect Sushmita — who share practical strategies that have helped their children develop a healthier relationship with screens. The discussion examines why screens are so addictive for children and adults alike, what ‘brain rot’ actually means from a psychological perspective, and whether excessive screen use affects attention span, emotional regulation, sleep and learning. The guests also explain why it is so essential for kids to get bored, because this way they spend some time just figuring out what to do next instead of just picking up the screen. They talk about why play is essential for healthy brain development, and how parents can cultivate a home environment that naturally encourages reading, creativity and curiosity instead of constant digital stimulation. The panel also addresses common parenting dilemmas: Should screens be banned altogether? Can educational content be beneficial? Why can children spend hours watching videos but struggle to focus in a classroom? And most important, how can families build healthier digital habits without turning every conversation into a battle over screen time? Packed with evidence-based insights, relatable parenting experiences and practical takeaways, this episode offers a balanced perspective on raising children in a technology-driven world. Whether you’re a parent, educator or caregiver, you’ll leave with simple, actionable ideas to help children build healthier relationships with technology while nurturing their emotional, cognitive and social development. Do check out the nutrition power tip by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/) in the end. Chapters: 00:19 Introduction: What is brain rot? 01:04 Why do kids get addicted to screens? 05:15 Can the Brain Recover from Excessive Screen Time? 05:51 Parents Join the Conversation 07:21 Are Parents Responsible for Screen Addiction? 09:27 Why Children Need to Be Bored 12:05 Can Reading Replace Scrolling? 13:07 Creating a Culture of Reading at Home 17:08 Play Is a Child's Occupation 19:16 Parenting a Six-Year-Old in the Digital Age 24:21 Why Can Kids Focus on Screens but Not School? 29:24 Screens Are Here to Stay — Now What? 32:45 One-Line Definition of Brain Rot 38:10 Final Takeaways

    Brain Rot or Just Digital Overload? How To Tackle Screen Addiction In Kids

  2. Jul 15

    Are your health apps helping you stay healthy — or making you anxious?

    From step counts and sleep scores to heart rate alerts and daily streaks, wearable devices and wellness apps have become part of everyday life. But when does healthy tracking become an unhealthy obsession? In this episode, host Jahnavi, a senior digital content creator with TOI, speaks with Dr Naveen Chandra GS, interventional cardiologist, and Neha Cadabam, mental health expert, both from Bengaluru, about the growing phenomenon of health app burnout. They explain why so many people become fixated on numbers, how wearables can trigger unnecessary anxiety, and where these devices genuinely improve healthcare. The conversation also explores the psychology behind streaks and dopamine, why smart watches can sometimes do more harm than good, and practical ways to use technology without letting it take over your well-being. Don’t tune out before listening to the nutrition power tip by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/). Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Are Health Apps Making Us Healthier? 01:45 – Are We Tracking Too Much? 04:16 – The Psychology of Streaks, Guilt & Notifications 06:21 – When Wearables Trigger Health Anxiety 10:03 – Who Is Most Vulnerable to Overtracking? 11:49 – Why Wellness Apps Become Exhausting 16:04 – What Health Metrics Actually Matter? 21:02 – Finding a Healthy Balance with Technology 23:12 – Rapid Fire: Health Tech Myths & Habits 25:19 – Closing Thoughts & Takeaways

    Are your health apps helping you stay healthy — or making you anxious?

  3. Jul 8

    Sunshine paradox: Unpacking Vitamin D Deficiency In Sunny India

    We have enough and more sunlight in India, then why do we lack in the one vitamin that sunlight provides — vitamin D? Is it because of our modern indoor lifestyle, or the rising pollution levels? In this episode, host Anuja Jaiswal, a Senior Assistant Editor with TOI, has a candid chat with Dr Ravinder Goswami, AIIMS professor and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize-winning endocrinologist. Together, they unpack the ‘sunshine vitamin’ paradox: why vitamin D deficiency remains widespread in sunny India. Dr Goswami breaks down the vital, interconnected roles that vitamin D and calcium play in maintaining a healthy skeletal system and supporting functional biology. The conversation highlights the mechanism behind natural UVB absorption through the skin, the limitations of food fortification, and why common modern lifestyles — like working long hours indoors behind glass windows — hinder natural vitamin D production. Listeners will also gain crucial, practical insights into safe supplementation practices, navigating seasonal variations, and managing deficiency risks associated with aging, obesity, and specific medications. Before you tune out, be sure to listen to the nutrition power tip by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/). Chapters 01:01 - Skeletal and Functional Role of Vitamin D 01:51 - Natural Synthesis of Cholecalciferol in Skin 02:48 - Sunshine Requirements: UVB Rays and the Optimal Time of Day 03:37 - Sun Exposure Myths vs. Realities (The Surya Namaskar Distinction) 04:17 - Why Window Glass Blocks Vitamin D Synthesis 04:48 - Nature’s Safety Valve Against Vitamin D Toxicity 05:15 - Impact of Winter Weather and Urban Pollution 06:19 The Limitations of Dietary Sources (Fish, Eggs, and Mushrooms) 08:15 - Food Fortification Strategies in India 10:03 - High-Risk Groups: Medical Conditions and Drug Interactions 13:57 - Lessons from History: The AIIMS Groundbreaking Studies (1998) 19:13 - Supplementation Schedules and the Danger of Injectables 26:13 - Understanding Biological Feedback Loop (PTH & Hypercalcemia)

    Sunshine paradox: Unpacking Vitamin D Deficiency In Sunny India

  4. Jul 1

    Jonty Rhodes Shares Fitness Secrets & How He Lives Sweeter Without Sugar: Flying High at 56

    Jonty Rhodes’ eyes just light up when he sees a red cricket ball. You throw one at him, he catches it cleanly and then pretends to throw it back, startling the daylights out of you. This is Jonty that world’s top cricketers had come to fear in the 90s and early 2000s. He was lightening quick in the outfield, could pluck impossible catches out of thin air and hit the stumps from any angle. At the centre of the terror he created on the field was his incredible fitness – a facet of cricketing discipline not many players then appreciated. Those were the years of pot-bellied Ranatungas and lazy geniuses like Inzamam-ul-Haq. Fielding, and thus top-notch fitness, was not counted as a core requirement for a cricketer. Jonty changed that forever. At 56, now long retired from international cricket, Jonty is still incredibly fit. He now spends a lot of lot of time in India, mostly by the sea in a Goa fishing village. In this podcast, we ask him about his fitness secrets, why the Rhodes don't stock sugar in their kitchen, and why he prides himself in being the best sleeper in the family. Don’t forget to listen to the nutrition power tip in the end, by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/) Chapters 00:48 - My fitness is functional…it’s about mobility 02:10 - There is no sugar is our house 05:10 - Movement for my family is exercise 07:02 - Jonty’s three mantras to keep fit 09:00 - Your food is your medicine 12:00 - Some supplements are necessary 13:24 - Recovery is just as important as exercising 14:30 - I am not biohacking to live to be 150

    Jonty Rhodes Shares Fitness Secrets & How He Lives Sweeter Without Sugar: Flying High at 56

  5. Jun 24

    The Second Brain: Navigating Gut Health and Happiness

    Why do we get “butterflies in the stomach” when we’re nervous? We have all felt that at some point in our lives, right? It’s because our gut microbiome directly communicates with the mind. That’s why the gut is often called “the second brain”. In this episode, host Srirupa Ray, an Assistant Editor with TOI, dives deep into the fascinating world of the gut-brain axis. Joining the conversation is Dr Prateek Sharma, a leading gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Kansas, United States. Dr Sharma, also president of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, explains more about that “gut feeling” we all get, and how a healthy gut can keep both the body and mind on track. While acknowledging that 95% of the body’s serotonin (happy hormone) is associated with the gut, Dr Sharma clarifies right at the beginning that a healthy gut isn’t a silver bullet for happiness. Instead, mood and well-being are part of a complex “team effort” that relies heavily on sleep, stress management, and physical activity. Under the microscope, a truly healthy gut is defined by three pillars: diversity, stability, and resilience. The conversation also tackles modern dietary habits, from midnight cravings and the global “GLP-1 weight loss drug boom” to the widespread over-reliance on over-the-counter acidity pills and packaged probiotics. Dr Sharma dispels common social media myths regarding “gut detoxes”, emphasising that India’s rich tradition of fermented foods — like curd, idli, and kanji — offers far superior, natural benefits compared to processed supplements. Ultimately, the episode highlights that a sluggish gut cannot be fixed by diet alone. True digestive wellness requires looking “beyond the kitchen” to establish consistency and simplicity. To keep our second brain functioning at its best, Dr Sharma champions a return to foundational, non-food lifestyle rituals: honouring regular meal times, prioritising sleep, avoiding the traps of ultra-processed foods, and practicing the time-tested habit of taking a short, gentle walk after meals. Don’t forget to listen to the nutrition power tip in the end, by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/). Chapters 00:14 – Demystifying the "Gut Feeling" 01:05 – Physical Reactions to Stress 01:32 – Serotonin and the Gut-Happiness Link 01:52 – The Complexity of Mood and Happiness 03:35 – Anatomy of a Healthy Gut 05:51 – Do Microbes Control Our Food Cravings? 06:55 – Cravings as a Team Effort 08:24 – Beyond Clean Eating: Mindful Practices 09:40 – The Gut’s Love for Rhythm and Movement 11:22 – The Chicken-and-Egg Stress Dilemma 12:28 – Identifying Stress-Induced Symptoms 14:18 – The Global Issue of OTC Pill Abuse 16:16 – Dispel the Myth & Spot the Warning Signs 18:05 – Balancing Protein, Fiber, and Water 20:35 – The GLP-1 Weight Loss Boom

    The Second Brain: Navigating Gut Health and Happiness

  6. Jun 17

    Strike a Pose on World Yoga Day

    Anxious, agitated, angry? Does this describe your day? It doesn’t have to be that way. Yoga coach Pragya Singh speaks to Himanshi Dhawan, senior editor with The Times of India on how to move beyond Instagram-worthy poses towards meditation, pranayama, and stillness. Singh, who is a founding member at Lifeyoga, an immersive yoga centre in Delhi, shares how yoga is far more than a physical workout. Drawing from her journey from corporate life to a full-time yoga teacher, including working with trauma patients in Canada, Singh makes a compelling case for why modern, overstimulated minds desperately need yoga's deeper practices. She answers questions on how to develop a curious mind, be aware and present in the moment. Pragya also introduces her signature hammock sound bath sessions, where participants lie suspended in hammocks while being immersed in healing sounds and vibrations. The experience triggers a profound sense of safety and release, with most participants reporting simply feeling "light" afterwards. In a world where our attention is constantly fragmented, she argues that focused awareness is our most underused and precious resource. With India and the world celebrating World Yoga Day on June 21, it is time to take a deep breath and centre yourself.  Don’t miss the nutrition power tip by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/) in the end. Chapters 00:41 Yoga, a journey in curiosity 3:17 How yoga can help to battle stress, anxiety 4:25 Intimidated by the discipline required for yoga? Here's how to start 6:11 How Indians are reclaiming yoga from the West 8:09 The doorways to yoga 10:26 What is sound healing? 11:36 What is a hammock sound bath? 13:31 What happens when you surrender to an experience like a hammock sound bath? 14:20 Advice to people who may want to experiment? 15:57 How to be present in your everyday life?

    Strike a Pose on World Yoga Day

  7. Jun 10

    The Monday Hangover: Decoding Social Jet Lag

    Feeling jetlagged on Mondays even though you haven’t flown across time zones? It’s called social jetlag, where you have to literally drag your sleepy self to work after a weekend of partying or OTT binge. It’s not just your mind refusing to wake up to the grind, it’s also your body telling you it’s not ready for the rigour yet. In this episode, host Srirupa Ray, an Assistant Editor with TOI, explores the science behind the “Monday blues” and the phenomenon of social jetlag — the shift in our internal body clock caused by late-night weekends and screen time. Joining the conversation are two experts: Dr Manvir Bhatia, a senior neurologist and sleep specialist from Delhi, and Rohini Rajeev, a senior psychotherapist from Bengaluru. Together, they delve deep into how digital habits, blue light exposure, and doom-scrolling suppress melatonin (sleep hormone) and trigger cortisol (stress hormone), disrupting our circadian rhythm. They outline the extensive toll this takes on health, connecting social jetlag to inflammation, metabolic stress, emotional instability, and cognitive decline. Finally, the experts share practical recovery strategies, emphasising the importance of a gradual transition, digital sunsets, and anchoring a consistent morning wake-up time to realign the body’s internal rhythm. Cherry on the cake? A nutrition power tip by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/). Chapters (00:00) - Introduction to Monday Blues (01:37) - What Exactly is Social Jet Lag? (02:40) - Rise of Connectivity & Doomscrolling (03:22) - Revenge Bedtime Procrastination (04:04) - Blue Light and Melatonin Suppression (04:55) Cognitive Bleeding: Why We Can’t Wind Down (05:41) - ‘Executive Sunday’ & Midpoint Sleep Shifts (07:55) - The Myth of ‘Catching Up’ on Sleep (09:08) - How Circadian Disruption Triggers Hyper-Arousal (10:48) - Orchestra of the Body: Light, Food, & Activity (14:48) - Mental Health Toll & The Impulsive Brain (17:25) - Crafting a ‘Digital Sunset’ & Cognitive Downloads (20:25) - Rewiring the Clock: Gradual Shifts & Sleep Diaries (28:26) - Final Pro-Tips: Anchor Your Wake-Up Time

    The Monday Hangover: Decoding Social Jet Lag
  • 7 Episodes

About

A deep dive into everyday wellness These curated podcasts offer in-depth conversations with senior doctors, nutritionists, health coaches and domain experts on a variety of topics ranging from toxic lifestyle habits, skewed sleep cycles, midlife maladies and vitamin deficiency to burnout, gut health, mental health dilemmas, mindful practices and many more. We also have celebrity guests sharing their health stories, tips and tricks that keep them at the top of their game. Be sure to get answers to all the frequently asked questions. Tune in for some riveting revelations and home truths.

Information

  • Creator
    Times Of India
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Times Of India
  • Show Website
    TOI Health Plus

You Might Also Like