​Located in the heart of Punjab, one of India’s most historically and culturally significant cities, Amritsar has long been a gateway to remarkable journeys. Beyond its spiritual and historical landmarks, the city also serves as the starting point for routes that connect travellers to important religious sites, historic borders, and scenic hill destinations. Here are three historic journeys that begin from Amritsar, each offering a glimpse into India’s heritage and geography.. The spiritual journey to the Golden Temple. Golden Temple, Amritsar, has one of the largest community kitchens in the world (Photo: Wikipedia). For millions of visitors each year, the most profound journey in Amritsar begins at the Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib — the holiest shrine of Sikhism. Founded in the late 16th century by Guru Arjan Dev, the temple represents ideals of equality, devotion, and community service.. Pilgrims from across the world arrive in Amritsar to walk through the temple complex, listen to the continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, and partake in the langar, one of the world’s largest community kitchens. The experience is not just religious but deeply cultural, reflecting Sikh traditions of hospitality and humility. For many, visiting the Golden Temple marks the beginning of a meaningful spiritual journey.. The historic border retreat at the Wagah Border. BSF personnel during the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar on Tuesday (PTI). About 45 kilometres from Amritsar, the road to the Wagah Border offers one of the most dramatic experiences of modern Indian history. Wagah marks the crossing point between India and Pakistan and has been a symbol of the two nations’ shared yet complex past since the time of the Partition of India.. Every evening, crowds gather to watch the Beating Retreat ceremony, a highly choreographed display by the border security forces of both countries. The event blends patriotism, spectacle, and history, as flags are lowered simultaneously before the gates are shut for the night. For travellers, the journey from Amritsar to Wagah is not just a short drive but a powerful reminder of the subcontinent’s past.. ALSO READ | Exploring India’s most significant dark tourism sites. The scenic route to Dharamshala and the Himalayan foothills. Amritsar also serves as a convenient starting point for journeys toward the Himalayan foothills. One of the most popular routes leads to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, located about 200 kilometres away.. The drive gradually transitions from the plains of Punjab to the forested hills of Himachal. Dharamshala is globally known as the home of the Tenzin Gyatso and the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile. The nearby town of McLeod Ganj attracts travellers with its monasteries, mountain views, and Tibetan culture.. 📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram. © IE Online Media  

 ​Hardik Pandya’s positive energy secret: Why the Hanuman Chalisa is his go-to Ferrari playlist. (Source: Instagram/@hardikpandya93). Athletes live a high-octane life, and their playlists generally match the energy required to juggle rigorous training sessions, challenging tournaments, and public events and campaigns. You would think Hardik Pandya is no different, but during a recent promotional event for his Indian Premier League team, the Mumbai Indians, the athlete opened up about his love for calming, devotional music.. In a video going viral on X, the Indian cricketer could be heard saying: “I have a Ferrari, but I still listen to Hanuman Chalisa in it. Everyone will agree as well, no song can give you the kind of positive energy than what the Hanuman Chalisa can.”. The power of music is such that it can not only elevate mood but also lower stress levels and improve your cognitive function. Prakriti Poddar, Global Head, Mental Health & Wellbeing, RoundGlass Living, explained that sound has a deep impact on our body and mind, and different sounds evoke different reactions.. “The roar of the traffic can make us edgy and anxious, but playing a piece of classical music can have a calming effect on our frayed nerves. Have you noticed how you reach out for your favourite song or playlist when you are feeling low or sad? That’s because certain frequencies can alter our mood and lift our spirits on the most difficult of days,” she said.. Understanding the impact of calming music. “Listening to calming music, just like Hardik Pandya, synchronises certain vibrational frequencies with our brain waves. These frequencies encourage the brain to produce certain brain waves– through a process called brainwave entrainment,” said Poddar. Brainwaves then go on to create different states of mind and being, leading to desired outcomes such as deep relaxation, rejuvenation and healing, sharper focus and attention, and better sleep,” she added.. ALSO READ | Hardik Pandya shares how much protein he has in a day: ‘Main humesha apni calories count karta hoon’. Giving examples, she also shared that some frequencies can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for the body’s rest-and-digest state), helping the body’s organs and tissues rest, heal, and regenerate. Other frequencies can make us more alert and focused, thereby improving our performance at work.. Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Senior Psychiatrist and Founder of Manasthali, further added that, on a neurological level, music can activate various regions of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for problem-solving and decision-making. It can also stimulate the limbic system, which regulates emotions. By activating these brain regions, music can help reduce symptoms of mental health issues and provide relief from distress.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health prac  

 ​While occasional eye twitching is fairly common, persistent twitching can understandably cause concern. One such distressed person turned to online forum Quora, sharing his query: “My left eyelid has been twitching for about a month now. What’s wrong with me?” To understand what might be happening and whether it’s something to worry about, we reached out to eye specialists for medical insight.. According to Dr Jhanvi Mehta, Consultant Ophthalmology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, eyelid twitching, also called as myokymia, is most commonly triggered by stress, lack of sleep, caffeine, or excessive screen time. All these activities can overstimulate the nerves that control the eyelid muscles and lead to repeated twitching.. “Sleep deprivation is one of the strongest triggers. When you don’t sleep enough, the nervous system becomes overstimulated, and the eye muscles get fatigued,” she tells indianexpress.com while adding that twitching can persist until sleep normalises.. When sleep-deprived, many people resort to coffee, but the caffeine can worsen muscle twitching, especially if someone is sensitive to it. Meanwhile, long screen exposure can lead to eye strain, reduced blinking and dry eyes.. “Signs it’s screen-related include twitching that becomes worse after phone or laptop use and improves after eye rest,” Dr Mehta adds.. Lifestyle habits often play a major role. Inadequate sleep can disturb the normal functioning of the nerves and muscles controlling the eyelids: Dr Poninder Kumar Dogra (Image: Pexels). Dr Poninder Kumar Dogra, Senior Consultant – Ophthalmology & Vitreoretina, ShardaCare – Healthcity, agrees with Dr Mehta and notes that eyelid twitching is extremely common and is usually linked to lifestyle factors rather than a serious medical issue.. “When the muscles around the eye become tired or overstimulated, they may start twitching repeatedly.” He also blames prolonged screen exposure, fatigue and dry or irritated eyes as frequent contributors.. Story continues below this ad. “While most twitching episodes last for a few minutes or days, sometimes they can continue for several weeks, especially when certain triggers are present in daily life,” the ophthalmologist notes.. Adding to Dr Mehta, Dr Dogra explains, “When a person is under stress, the body releases stress hormones that can increase nerve activity and muscle tension. Similarly, lack of sleep prevents the muscles and nerves from properly recovering, which may lead to twitching episodes that last longer than usual.”. When should you see a doctor?. Both doctors recommend seeking medical attention if the twitching lasts longer than three to four weeks, spreads to other facial muscles, or is accompanied by symptoms such as eyelid drooping, redness, swelling or vision changes.. “If you notice twitching in the cheek, lips, or other side of the face, it could indicate hemifacial spasm, which needs evaluation,” Dr Mehta cautions.. Story co  

 ​Alaya F does aerial yoga. (Source: Instagram/@alayaf). Alaya F has started her week upside down once again, this time hanging from the ceiling with resistance bands as support. “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s just me being silly again😛” she mentioned in the caption of her Instagram post, while getting the benefits of aerial yoga.. Prashant Singh, a certified Iyengar Yoga practitioner in Bengaluru, shared that aerial yoga, blending elements of traditional yoga, Pilates, and dance with the support of a hammock, offers a range of benefits that can enhance both physical and mental well-being. “The bands allow for deeper stretches and more effective muscle engagement, leading to improved flexibility and strength. This can be especially beneficial for those in rehabilitation, as the support helps in executing movements safely,” he said.. He added that aerial yoga is excellent for spinal health. Inversions and hanging poses relieve pressure on the spinal discs, which can reduce back pain and improve posture. This is particularly advantageous for those with chronic back issues.. According to Singh, the varied movements and inverted poses in aerial yoga enhance blood flow, he states, promoting cardiovascular health and reducing swelling in the lower extremities. The mindfulness required in aerial yoga helps reduce stress and anxiety. “Focus on balance and controlled movements encourages a meditative state, improving mental clarity as well,” he suggested, adding that aerial yoga also helps you lose weight because it engages your muscles to complete the yoga poses while you are in the air.. This can help you build toned and lean muscles while you burn body fat. The practice challenges your whole body to do more. Slowly and gradually, it will improve your metabolic rate. “Regular practice will keep your metabolism high and will maintain it throughout the day,” he told indianexpress.com.. View this post on Instagram. What should you keep in mind?. Safety is paramount, especially for beginners. Singh shared some key considerations to keep in mind:. Proper Setup: Ensure the hammock is securely installed using strong anchor points and appropriate rigging equipment. Regularly check the fabric’s integrity and weight limits.. Professional Guidance: Start with a certified instructor to learn proper techniques and transitions. This reduces the risk of injury and helps build confidence in using the bands.. Story continues below this ad. ALSO READ | Alaya F started the week ‘upside down, unhinged and unstoppable,’ served massive fitness goals. Warm-Up: A thorough warm-up is essential to prepare the muscles and joints. Incorporate dynamic stretches and gentle yoga poses to increase blood flow and flexibility.. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals. Avoid pushing through pain and take breaks as needed. Aerial yoga can be intense, and it’s important to progress at your own pace.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on  

 ​New study reveals metformin targets the brain to fight diabetes. (Source: Freepik). A study has uncovered a brain-related pathway for how metformin — the first-line treatment for diabetes for over 60 years and not considered to target the brain — regulates blood sugar, opening the door to more targeted therapies.. “It’s been widely accepted that metformin lowers blood glucose primarily by reducing glucose output in the liver. Other studies have found that it acts through the gut,” author Makoto Fukuda, associate professor of pediatrics-nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine, US, said.. “We looked into the brain as it is widely recognised as a key regulator of whole-body glucose metabolism. We investigated whether and how the brain contributes to the anti-diabetic effects of metformin,” Fukuda said. Metformin’s use in humans for treating diabetes was first reported in 1957 in France.. While diabetes medications are not considered as targeting the brain, the study, published in the journal Science Advances, shows that metformin has been influencing brain pathways all along, the researchers said. “These findings open the door to developing new diabetes treatments that directly target this pathway in the brain,” Fukuda said.. Researchers focussed on Rap1, a protein located inside the brain’s ventromedial hypothalamus, which is critical for regulating satiety and sensing glucose.. They found that suppressing activity of Rap1 in the specific brain region helped metformin reduce blood sugar in a meaningful manner. The team tested the result by observing genetically engineered mice who lacked Rap1 in the ventromedial hypothalamus.. The treatment led to a marked reduction in blood sugar levels. (Source: Freepik). The mice, placed on a high-fat diet to model type 2 diabetes, were treated with low doses of metformin and their blood sugar levels did not improve. However, other diabetes treatments such as insulin and GLP-1 agonists remained effective, the researchers said. The brains of the diabetic mice were then delivered metformin directly.. Even at doses thousands of times lower than those typically taken orally, the treatment led to a marked reduction in blood sugar levels, the team said.. “We also investigated which cells in the VMH (ventromedial hypothalamus) were involved in mediating metformin’s effects. We found that SF1 neurons are activated when metformin is introduced into the brain, suggesting they’re directly involved in the drug’s action,” Fukuda said.. Story continues below this ad. Analysing brain tissue samples, the researchers measured electrical activity of the SF1 neurons — metformin increased activity in most of them, but only when Rap1 was present. Among mice that lacked Rap1 in SF1 neurons, the diabetes drug was seen to have no effect, demonstrating that Rap1 is required for metformin to activate the brain cells and regulate blood sugar.. “This discovery changes how we think about metformin. It’s