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Smriti’s latest trip to Europe’s winter wonderland, aka Switzerland, is every travel enthusiast’s dream. The stifling heat of the city can be replaced by the beauty of snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. If you are planning a summer getaway, take note of these destinations that offer breathtaking beauty and unforgettable experiences for every nature lover and wanderer.GornergratWith its sunny observation platform accessible all year, the Gornergrat, at an altitude of 3,089 m, has been one of Switzerland’s top excursion destinations since 1898. The adventure begins on the Gornergrat Railway which offers spectacular views of the Matterhorn. The panoramic views are stunning: mountains and glaciers all around. In summer, enjoy scenic hiking trails that lead to the Alpine Garden and the famous Valais Blacknose sheep. Winter offers a beautiful tobogganing path from Rotenboden up to Riffelberg. The lake is shared by Switzerland and France and is a popular destination because of its many sights and activities. The picturesque mountain lake empties directly into the Rhone. The winegrowing region of Lavaux, with its charming winegrowing towns, is well-known as are the mountains Mont-Pelerin, and Rochers-de-Naye. You can spend a day sailing, skiing or hiking on and around Lake Geneva. In the evening, enjoy the sunset along a lakeside promenade. Smriti Mandhana visited Switzerland. Old TownZurich’s historical center is an interesting mix of old and modern. It is home to iconic churches such as the twin towers Grossmunster and Fraumunster which are famous for their stained glass windows. The Old Town of Geneva is the largest historic city centre in Switzerland, located on a left bank hill. It is characterized with cobbled streets and 16th-century architecture. Key landmarks include the St. Peter’s Cathedral, Place du Bourg-de-Four and Maison Tavel. It is a popular spot for dining,, shopping, and experiencing Geneva’s history.MatterhornRecognised worldwide as the mountain on the Toblerone chocolate bar, the Matterhorn sits on the Switzerland-Italy border. It is a popular spot for dining, shopping and experiencing Geneva’s history.MatterhornThe Matterhorn is the mountain on the Toblerone chocolate bar. It sits on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Mount Rigi Known as the “Queen of the Mountains”, Mt. Rigi is a great day trip from Lucerne. You can visit a dairy farm, hike, visit the Kanzeli view point, or go skiing or sledding during the winter.

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Hansika Motwanni finally spoke out about her divorce with Sohael Khturiya. She chose to speak on her terms and address the noise surrounding her personal life. In a recent Hauterrfly interview, she made it clear to the public that speculations about her personal life are of little value to her. She said, “People wanted clickbait and they got it.” They wanted headlines and they got them. I will never clarify it because it does not matter to me. It’s fine. I have no regrets. It’s better to leave the train if it turns out you were on the wrong one than to suffer. My family has been a great support. I have no regrets. I am very happy with where I am.” She also spoke about her immediate family’s role during a difficult time, emphasizing the importance of emotional supports systems. “Both my brother and mother said, ‘If it’s not comfortable, then don’t do it.’ They have seen me in an extremely dark place. I am a very happy and jolly person. It was a little alarming for me to enter a dark place. They said, “Whatever you decide.” And to this day, no one knows the truth about what happened between us. I always say what happens between two individuals is only known by them. It is impossible for anyone else to comment or say anything about what happens between two people. “What are signs that it is better to ‘get of the train’ than continue to suffer emotional distress?” According Athul Raj, a counselling psychologist, indianexpress.com: “What I most often see in my practice is quiet resignation, not loud conflict. The body language of people who come in to see me tells a different story. They may say that everything is fine, but the words they use are not true. There is a feeling of fatigue, an emotional dullness. It is not a good idea to dismiss a relationship that consistently makes you feel smaller, more anxious or unnoticed as merely an adjustment. If you are constantly calculating your words, anticipating reaction, or avoiding conversation to keep things stable, then you are not being yourself in the relationship. You are managing the relationship. Over time, this takes a toll. The same hurt, same apologies and the same promises of doing better. When nothing fundamental changes, the psyche begins to register that it is a dead-end. The reason for staying becomes less about love, and more about the fear of leaving. Raj explains that boundaries are important when dealing with scrutiny surrounding personal relationships. In our social context everyone has an opinion, and feels entitled to an answer. A boundary can be as simple and straightforward as deciding what you won’t discuss, and sticking to that decision even if others are uncomfortable. It could mean limiting your access, saying less or stepping away from conversations that feel intrusive. Story continues below this advertisement. You don’t have to justify the end of something for it to be valid. You will be less likely to need to convince others when you are clear about what happened and why. It’s okay if not everyone agrees. Raj concludes that protecting your peace can sometimes mean allowing this distance.

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Overthinking is almost second nature in a world where notifications are constant and mental clutter is everywhere. There’s no quick fix, but certain Japanese philosophies, practices, and techniques can help you to calm down, gain clarity, or quieten the noise inside your head. These philosophies encourage simplicity, acceptance, and presence. They don’t eliminate overthinking overnight, but they help you respond to your thoughts rather than getting trapped in them,” she explains.Here are five Japanese techniques that can help you manage an overactive mind more effectively.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. IkigaiAt the core of Ikigai, it is about having a purpose, a reason for getting up in the morning. “Concepts such as Ikigai give a sense direction to everyday life.” When your actions feel meaningful, there is less space for the mind to spiral into overthinking,” says Dr Shankar.Instead of constantly questioning your choices, aligning your day with what matters to you can create a sense of calm and focus, she adds.Wabi-SabiPerfectionism often fuels overthinking, endless loops of “what if” and “what could have been better.” Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese philosophy of embracing imperfection, offers a way out.Story continues below this ad”When you stop striving for perfection and begin to accept situations as they are, you naturally reduce mental resistance,” explains Dr Shankar. “This shift allows you to appreciate the present moment instead of overanalysing it.”ALSO READ | The Japanese swear by these 5 habits to live a long, healthy lifeHere’s how Ikigai calms an overthinking mind (Photo: Freepik)Shinrin-yokuAlso known as “forest bathing,” Shinrin-yoku encourages spending mindful time in nature, and its benefits are backed by science.”Shinrin-yoku has been shown to lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and ease anxiety,” says Dr Shankar. It regulates the nervous system and reduces cognitive overload. Story continues below this adEven a short walk in green spaces without distractions can help reset your state of mind, she says. It may seem unrelated, but it has a subtle but important role in mental health. Dr Shankar says that “Hara hachi ba promotes mindful eating, and prevents the sluggishness which often follows overeating.” “When your body feels lighter, your mind tends to feel clearer and less overwhelmed.”Kintsugi and OubaitoriKintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold, symbolises embracing flaws, while Oubaitori encourages individuals not to compare themselves with others. “These ideas reduce the self-criticism that is a major cause of intrusive thoughts and repetitive thinking,” explains Dr Shankar. “You might still have these thoughts, but with time you will become less reactive. That’s when real change occurs.”

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Dhurandhar singer Jasmine Sandlas speaks out about alcoholism (Source : Instagram/Gulabi queen)Singer Jasmine Sandlas has been enjoying the success of Dhurandhar, The Revenge. She worked on a music project composed by Shashwat Sasdev. She also shared a personal side of her life in a podcast interview with Ranveer Allahbadia. Childhood and discovering myself as a young girl. Growing up as a woman and as an artist. Eldest daughter. Child of immigrants. Punjabi. American. On my journey, I’ve seen and experienced a lot of things that weren’t easy. It wasn’t comfortable, was it? Let’s be honest sometimes. On one side, everything and traumas from family members. Everything. I used to be very mischievous. The quest for adventure. I used to run in the streets. I used to make mistakes in class and at school. I was a good student and a good child. But I had no interest in studies. Where is the fun? I used to ask myself. Where is my enjoyment?”Reflecting on when she had her first drink, Sandlas shared, “I think. I used to not drink. In America, the drinking age is 21. I didn’t start drinking until then. I was probably 22 or 23. I didn’t drink. I abstained because drinking was going on in my home. My father used to be a drinker. When you have a drinking father, two things can happen. Either you are an alcoholic. Or you say, “I can’t drink.” It’s the worst. I did both. Alcohol is bad. Alcohol is bad. It’s not good. She continued, “When you are really hit by life, you seek some kind of support. I regret some of the things I did in those 2-3 years… I was famous, I felt certain things, family dynamics were broken, my father had died, and I was very successful. I drank a lot more than I should have. I regret it. But it was important to me at the time. There is resentment because they broke my heart many times without knowing it. I love them but a child’s broken heart will remain broken. I did that all my life, just yearning and finding home.” ButStory continues below this adBut how do unresolved childhood experiences shape coping behaviours like substance use in adulthood? I did that my whole life, just searching for home.” ButStory continues below the adBut, how do unresolved experiences in childhood shape coping behaviors like substance abuse in adulthood? Neha Cadabam is a senior psychologist and executive Director at Cadabam’s Hospitals. She tells indianexpress.com: “Unresolved experiences in childhood often shape how individuals regulate stress and emotions in later life.” When emotional safety and stable attachment are missing during formative childhood, the brain tends towards emotional dysregulation or heightened vigilance. Clinically, this is not a random behavior, but an adaptive response which has continued, even if over time it has become maladaptive. Practical steps to build internal security and healthier support networksThe search for a feeling of home externally can often point to an internal gap. Cadabam explains, “Clinically, the focus shifts from strengthening external anchors to strengthening internal ones.” This includes developing self-awareness through reflective practices, establishing consistent routines that create predictability, and engaging in therapy to process unresolved emotional experiences.”Building healthier support systems also means cultivating relationships that are stable, nontransactional, and emotionally safe, rather than those driven by dependency or validation seeking. Cadabam concludes that this process helps people to stop seeking security from outside and start experiencing it inside.

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Weight-loss medication has quickly become a hot topic in discussions about obesity management and metabolism health. While the number on the weighing scale may go down, not all weight loss will be the same. Some of the weight loss may be from fat, while some may also be from lean muscles, which play a crucial role in strength and metabolism. This has led to a growing concern over how these drugs will affect body composition. This article is based solely on information that was obtained from public sources and/or experts. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine. Factors such as diet, protein intake and resistance training can also affect how the body reacts to these medications. Dr (Prof) Raju Vasishya, senior orthopaedic consultant at Indraprastha Hospitals in New Delhi, told indianexpress.com that with modern weight-loss medications, such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, most weight loss is fat. However, a significant share of weight loss is lean mass, which includes muscle, water, and organ tissue. Clinical studies indicate that between 65-85% of fat is lost and 15-35% of lean mass, although individual variations are wide. Learn how weight loss medications affect your muscle mass. (Source: Freepik). “Age and hormonal status are also important, with older adults being more susceptible to muscle loss. These drugs suppress appetite, which can lead to a reduction in overall calorie intake and protein intake. This can unintentionally increase lean mass loss. The balance of lean mass loss is largely determined through protein intake, physical activity, particularly resistance training, baseline mass, and overall calorie deficit. Individuals who do not actively support muscle preservation through diet and exercise tend to lose a higher proportion of lean mass.”Do weight loss drugs accelerate muscle loss vs diet/exercise?”Weight-loss drugs do not inherently cause more muscle loss than traditional calorie restriction–the key driver is the calorie deficit itself,” says Dr Vaishya, adding that when people lose weight through diet alone, lean mass loss typically falls in a similar range (about 20-30%). “With medications such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide the proportion of lean weight loss can appear higher in certain studies, but that is because the total weight loss is faster and greater, not because the drug directly breaks down muscle. In fact, when combined with structured exercise and adequate protein, muscle preservation can match–or even outperform–diet-only approaches,” suggests the expert.Compared to structured weight loss through diet and exercise, Dr Reddy stresses, where protein intake and resistance training are typically emphasised, medication-driven weight loss can sometimes be less controlled. If not managed carefully, this can lead to a higher proportion of lean body mass loss, especially in individuals who aren’t physically active. Dr Vaishya says, “The concern arises if patients rely on medication alone without lifestyle measures leading to a reduced protein intake and minimal training.” Drugs are best viewed not as selective drivers of muscle losses, but as amplifiers of weight-loss. The outcome is largely dependent on how they are used, and not just the pharmacology.Prioritise protein intake – generally 1.2-1.6g/kg/day (adjusted for age and kidney function)– to support muscle protein synthesizing.

-Incorporate resistance exercises (2-4 sessions/week), as this is the best way to signal your body to retain muscle when you are in a calorie deficit. Even simple strength exercises that are progressive can make a big difference.

Avoid rapid weight loss. A gradual pace will help preserve lean tissue.

-Maintaining adequate micronutrients and hydration (vitamin D, Calcium) is important. Regular monitoring of body composition can guide adjustments. In some cases, doctors may prescribe adjuncts such as protein supplements or tailored exercise prescriptions. The combination of pharmacotherapy, structured nutrition, and strength training can transform weight loss from a merely lighter weight into a healthier body composition,” concludes Vaishya. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine.