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While popular landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and the Colosseum attract millions of visitors each year, countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites are still relatively unknown. These hidden gems are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. This 11th-century stepwell, with its intricate carvings and multiple levels of underground passages, is an architectural wonder. It stands as a testament to India’s advanced engineering and artistic excellence.Rani ki Vav, Patan (Photo: Wikipedia)MeteoraFamous for its monasteries perched atop towering rock pillars, Meteora offers a surreal mix of natural beauty and spiritual history. The dramatic landscape feels almost otherworldly.Wadi RumWith its vast desert expanses and striking sandstone formations, Wadi Rum is often called the “Valley of the Moon.” It’s a haven for adventure and nature lovers.Tsingy de BemarahaKnown for its sharp limestone pinnacles, this site is both visually striking and ecologically significant, home to rare species found nowhere else on Earth.AlberobelloThis charming Italian town is known for its unique cone-roofed trulli houses. Walking through its streets feels like stepping into a fairytale.LalibelaStory continues below this adCarved entirely out of rock, Lalibela’s churches are architectural and spiritual wonders. They remain active pilgrimage sites to this day.Biete Ghiorgis, Lalibela (Photo: Wikipedia)PapahanaumokuakeaOne of the largest marine conservation areas in the world, this remote site is rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, though access is limited.Great ZimbabweThese These ancient stone ruins reflect the power and sophistication of a medieval African kingdom, offering insight into a lesser-known chapter of world history.Gobekli TepeStory continues below this adOften referred to as the world’s oldest known temple complex, Gobekli Tepe dates back over 11,000 years. The massive stone carvings and pillars of Gobekli Tepe challenge conventional views of early human civilisation. It is one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites. It is less visited but has immense cultural and historical significance. It offers a powerful and sobering view into a crucial period of global history.
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Anurag Kashyap recalled how Ranveer was dedicated to acting, even when shooting Lootera, the second film he made. (Image: Still from Lootera).Hailing Ranveer’s dedication to his craft, Anurag Kashyap recalled recently that the Dhurandhar star has always pushed himself beyond his limits, even in Lootera. In a recent interview about how Ranveer is making headlines because of a fight scene in which Arjun Rampal and he hurt each other, Anurag Kashyap said: “But Ranveer, in his second film Lootera, where I was the producers, when he got shot in a climax, and to feel like he gets a shot in a climax, and to give it a right feeling, he took a video without telling anyone and cut himself, “He went so far to create that as an actor, that we had lift him by helicopter to take him the hospital.” What Kashyap found most striking was that Singh did not tell anyone. “It’s that man’s passion and dedication to his craft, like he kept it secret. He didn’t share his pain. He told MissMalini that nobody knew until he was unable to move.
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‘Can’t take this on my head’: What Nana Patekar’s decision to shoot an action sequence with a 102-degree fever reveals about psychology of high performersA fine line between dedication and riskThere is also a psychological layer to this intensity. This kind of dedication is driven by a desire to stand out in a competitive field where audiences pay attention to even the smallest details. Story continues below this ad. Experts warn against such extremes which can be risky. ” Many experts today encourage safer ways to achieve realism without physical harm.”Overall, this level of dedication comes from a strong inner drive to create meaningful art, connect with audiences emotionally, and achieve excellence in their performance,” Dr Sharadhi concludes.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine.

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New-age problems require new-age solutions. ‘Retardmaxxing’, a response to excessive thinking, has become viral in the latest edition of What’s Hot Online. The term is a response to a modern and very real frustration: feeling stuck, despite wanting progress. The idea behind the term is simple: stop waiting and start doing. Instead of endlessly planning, the focus should be on starting imperfectly and immediately. Do the work and adjust along the way. Let action, not overanalysis shape the outcome. People argue that it is not about being reckless, or ignoring the consequences. It’s choosing mental gridlock over momentum. The philosophy resonates because chronically overthinking is familiar. Overanalyzing conversations, replaying past decisions, and spiraling into ‘what ifs?’ can feel productive. Excessive analysis can increase stress, disrupt sleep, reduce focus and strain relationships. The cycle drains mental energy and leaves people emotionally tangled. But from a psychology perspective, why are so many people prone to chronic overthinking.Sonal Khangarot is a licensed rehabilitation counsellor, psychotherapist at The Answer Room. She tells indianexpress.com that “from a psychological standpoint, chronic overthinking develops often as an unconscious coping mechanisms. The brain believes that by analysing a situation repeatedly, it can avoid pain, failure or rejection. Overthinking can cause mental traffic to get stuck in loops of the past or future. This pattern is also known as analysis paralysis and gives the illusion of preparedness and control. For people with anxiety, trauma or insecure attachment styles she says overthinking temporarily shields from uncertainty because it keeps them mentally busy. “However it draws attention away from the moment, increasing stress and indecision. Over time, your brain learns to worry more than act. Breaking this cycle involves learning emotional regulation, tolerance for uncertainty, and grounding methods that gently bring the attention back to now. Khangarot explains that anxiety is a result of avoidance. When we delay taking action, our brain interprets it as dangerous and increases fear. “Taking small, deliberate steps creates corrective experience that shows the mind that the task is manageable. This reduces catastrophic thinking and builds self-efficacy. It also interrupts rumination cycles, shifting attention away from imagined outcomes and towards real feedback in the moment. Healthy action still requires basic reflection on safety, values, and consequences. As long as you combine awareness, realistic planning and emotional regulation, starting before you are ready can reduce anxiety by breaking the paralysis. Story continues below. Strategies to help people balance thoughtful preparation with decisive action Evidence based therapies offer practical methods to balance planning and action. Khangarot says, “From Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, use time-limited thought: give yourself 10-15 minute to plan, write pros/cons and then commit to a small step. Behavioural Activation helps break inertia through scheduling manageable tasks. Gradual exposure builds confidence by taking small steps instead of waiting for certainty. She adds, “From ACT, clarify core values before taking ‘values based micro-actions,’ even when anxiety or perfectionism is present. DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) teaches a skill called the Wise mind — pause and regulate emotions by breathing or grounding. Then decide using logic and feelings. The combination of thoughtful reflection and small, consistent actions prevents both impulsivity as well as paralysis.

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Kalki Koechlin’s battle with insomnia. Source: Express photo by Nirmal harindran. Heartbreak is often described only as an emotional experience. But its effects can go beyond feelings. When the mind is stressed, sleep is one of first things that is affected. Kalki Koechlin, an actress, recently discussed her experience on a podcast. She described how heartbreak caused months of insomnia, and how she struggled to feel grounded. Her nights became difficult, marked by repeated wakings and an inability of falling back to sleep. “I could not sleep. I would wake up around 2 or 3 am and play the guitar or do something to occupy me, because there was just no way to go back to sleep,” shared she. Over time, the lack rest began to blur boundaries between sleepiness and exhaustion. She described feeling disoriented, even during the day. This was especially true when her work required her full attention. “On days when I had to go to work, I felt like I was in a state of dream or awake. I was confused and wondered, “Is this happening, or am i still asleep?” It went on for about four months,” said she. The brain interprets loss as a reason to remain alert. Stress hormones are released, the system remains on and the natural drift to sleep is interrupted. Sleep is dependent on a feeling of safety. Heartbreak takes away that sense of safety. “What keeps people stuck, is the mind’s unwillingness to let go. “There’s constant replaying and questioning to try to make sense of the situation. In the clinic people often complain that they are tired but can’t’shut their heads’. That’s exactly what’s happening. He explains that the mind is still trying resolve something that feels incomplete. Over time, he has noticed that sleep itself becomes lighter. “Deep restorative sleep reduces. This is not an easy thing to correct for some, especially those who are already sensitive to stress. The night begins to feel more like a place of tension than rest. The second layer is the worry about not being able to sleep. Then, insomnia is not just about heartbreak. It becomes a pattern that the system has learned. Sleep cannot be forced. The more you try and control it, you become more alert. Raj stresses that the focus must be on calming down the system that is preventing sleep. He mentions that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia remains one the most effective approaches. It resets both habits and anxiety about not sleeping which often keeps the loop going. “How you end the day is equally important. A predictable wind-down is important. It is important to reduce stimulation, avoid emotionally heavy conversations at night and create a routine that signals the system to go to sleep. By setting aside time to write down or process your thoughts in the evening, you can prevent them from spilling over into the night. Consistency is the key. Even after a bad night, waking up at the same hour every day helps to reset the rhythm. The expert concludes that sleep returns when the body feels stable again, and not when it’s pushed.

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Many people take supplements without a prescription from a doctor. Do men need them in their 30s in order to remain healthy in their 50s? Dr Ramita Kour, a maternal-child nutritionist, says that men should start taking supplements in their 30s in order to stay healthy into their later years. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine. She listed the following on Instagram.
How much should I take?
When to take
Omega 3
250-500 mg (EPA+DHA)
With meals (breakfast/dinner).
Magnesium
400-420 mg
Evening
Probiotics
1-10 billion CFU
On an empty stomach
Vitamin D3
600-800 mg
Milk is rich in healthy fats
Curcumin
500-1000 mg
Zinc is found in milk and other healthy fats.
Zinc
11 mg
At least 2 hours before or after meals
CoQ10
100-200 mg
Milk is a good source of healthy fats.
Edwina Raj, the head of clinical nutrition and dietitis at Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore, says that there is no universal rule that all men require supplements to be healthy. Priority should be given to healthy eating and exercise. The need for supplements must be determined on an individual level. A registered dietitian can determine whether supplements are needed by calculating nutritional deficiencies, analysing symptoms or performing a biochemical analysis. Edwina said that qualified health professionals strongly discourage generalised advice about supplements without guidance regarding duration. Men can preserve heart health and avoid early-onset diabetes by eating foods rich in fibre and minerals such as magnesium. These are found in fish, nuts, oilseeds and traditional fermented food. Edwina said that eating a variety fruits and vegetables will also improve gut health.
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Avoiding unhealthy processed food can reduce inflammation markers in the body. Edwina says that natural sources of nutrients tend to be safer than supplements. “For instance, excessive calcium intake can lead to bladder stone formation and clogged vessels. Poor-quality Omega-3 supplements can carry the risk for mercury toxicity. Sadhguru recommends these therapeutic supplements as they ‘are rich in antioxidants’Seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals who use an evidence-based approach.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine.