Relaxed and Ravishing: Juhi Chawla Makes the Best Out of Quiet Days

Veteran actress Juhi Chawla was all set to start an innings on the OTT platforms with a new web series in January this year. However, owing to the pandemic, everything came to a standstill, and Juhi is looking to restart life back as an actress this year. In a chat with Lipika Varma, Juhi opens up about what she learned during 2020, Ayurvedic healing, her connection with God, and shares some ingenious fitness tips…

What has the pandemic taught you?

The year 2020 taught me to take full benefit of the quiet times. I have started doing Ayurveda detox. I’ve learnt that we should make full use of the time that God has given us. Work has suffered for everybody, but at one level, we have also spent quality time with family, taking meals at home with them, and realising that we can forego a lot of things that we’ve been doing. I am enjoying this simpler living.

After the difficult year that we all have had, what do you value the most? 

 I have known all along that health is wealth, but given what went down last year, I’ve embraced it even more. Health is everything. I think this has been a time of patience. And it’s fine, we need to wait it out and relax.

Juhi Chawla over the years

Shooting for your web series was put on hold during the lockdown. What reflections did you have during that time?

We have to slow down and look at ourselves a little. Films weren’t being shot in 2020, and that gave me the opportunity to do just that, and work on some other things. In our Gurukul(Juhi is on the board of trustees of the AryaKanya Gurukul in Gujarat), we have the time to sit down, discuss, rejuvenate, rethink, re-plan. We are working online on the same level but you can’t replace that human interaction. It’s just helping us complete our work but finally it’s not the same when we go to school. We participate manually in arts, dance, singing, and culture. Whenever Gurukul opens it will be with a new beginning.

On helping the environment heal: “A beautiful thing happened during the lockdown. Our entire environment started healing on its own because we sat in our homes. I feel God has his way of keeping nature intact. One way we can maintain that state is to promote cycling. It is eco-friendly, and I believe yellow lanes should be incorporated in our cities.”

Even today, you look ravishing, simple and beautiful. What is your health mantra?

I will share what I started a few months ago, but to be honest, they don’t taste all that great, in case anyone’s going to try it(laughs) I have started taking what I call Red Juice and Green juice. In the last couple of months I have had a lot of hair fall problems. My hair was just falling. It was alarming. My masseuse/therapist had amazing thick hair. Turns out, her secret was ingesting these juices. The green one is a mashup of amla, bitter gourd, some green veggies such as coriander, spinach, Broccoli, and cucumber. The red one contains pomegranate, beetroot, carrot, amla and aloe-vera. They don’t taste too good, but they keep my hair from falling, and help my skin glow.

Juhi Chawla

Have you tried anything else to help you stay healthy and mentally relaxed?

I got two weeks free in between visits to Delhi and Dubai. I was looking for a good way to detox, and thought Ayurveda would be a good option. Ayush Shakti, the therapist, comes home and treats me under Dr. Hemang Parikh and Sita Narang with whom I have been having conversation on Zoom. They have advised me on a certain programme, which is customised to suit my requirements. I must say, I have been feeling quite relaxed, and my body feels light and healthy.

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Zodiac & Wellness: What Your Sign Says About You

Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. While one person finds joy in running marathons, another prefers quiet meditation with incense and a cup of herbal tea. What if your approach to self-care, health, and healing could be traced back to your zodiac sign? Here’s a zodiac-based guide to aligning your wellness rituals with your sun sign’s unique energy. Aries (March 21 – April 19) Element: FireVibe: Energetic, bold, competitiveWellness Style: Action-oriented and driven, Aries thrives on intense physical activity. Think HIIT workouts, CrossFit, or competitive sports. Tip: You need to burn off excess energy, but remember to balance high-intensity routines with rest. Try yoga or guided breathing exercises to avoid burnout. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Element: EarthVibe: Grounded, sensual, indulgentWellness Style: Taurus finds joy in slow, luxurious rituals—think spa days, nature walks, and nourishing meals. Tip: Indulgence is great, but be mindful of comfort eating. Incorporate grounding foods and create a soothing bedtime routine for deep, restful sleep. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Element: AirVibe: Curious, communicative, restlessWellness Style: For Gemini, wellness is all about variety. You might switch between cycling, dancing, or journaling based on your mood. Tip: Focus on mental clarity. Practice breathwork or join group classes that stimulate both mind and body—like barre or Pilates. Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Element: WaterVibe: Emotional, intuitive, nurturingWellness Style: Cancer nurtures others naturally—but don’t forget to care for yourself. Warm baths, emotional check-ins, and comfort food are your go-tos. Tip: Create a “feel-good” routine with calming rituals like chamomile tea, moon journaling, or meditative cooking. Leo (July 23 – August 22) Element: FireVibe: Confident, expressive, vibrantWellness Style: Leos thrive when the spotlight is on. Group workouts, dance classes, and stylish active wear keep you motivated. Tip: Channel your high energy into movement that feels creative—like Zumba or hot yoga.

Morning Rituals Win the Morning Win The Day

Modern lifestyles are often dominated by work, causing us to overlook essential routines that form the foundation of a healthy life. In the constant hustle whether driven by work pleasure or pressure we tend to neglect the growing importance of our well-being. As MANOGNA REDDY reminds us, taking control of our mornings is the first step toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Enough of the hustle it’s time to prioritise yourself. Mornings offer the perfect opportunity to engage in rituals that energise and ground you for the day ahead. Begin your day with intention, and you’ll start to see meaningful and lasting changes. Do Not Snooze Waking up early grants you precious time to focus on personal health, wellness, and hygiene often the first things we sideline on a busy day. Hitting the snooze button may offer a few extra minutes of rest, but it often steals away time, leaving behind guilt and a rushed start. Embracing an early start not only adds structure to your day but also brings a sense of clarity and control that sets the tone for everything that follows. Hydrate Begin your day with a hot glass of water. This as a practice flushes out toxins from our body and helps aid digestion. You may also add lemon, ginger, or tulsi leaves depending on what suits your body best. Hydrating first thing in the morning awakens your internal system and gives a fresh kickstart to your metabolism. Exercise Give your body the movement it deserves. You don’t need a full gym session just 10 to 20 minutes of stretching, yoga, or a brisk walk can work wonders. Exercise not only strengthens your muscles but also refreshes your mind and uplifts your mood. It also helps you stay disciplined and keeps laziness at bay throughout

Ayurveda Silence and Stars: A Journey Back to Self at Santani

They say just five minutes in nature can start healing your body. At SANTANI WELLNESS Resort, Kandy, it takes even less. Tucked away in the lush hills of Sri Lanka, four hours from Colombo, this isn’t just a resort it’s a sanctuary where modern stress is gently undone by ancient wisdom. When I was invited to review Santani, I was simply expecting a luxurious break. What I received was a transformation of body, mind, and rhythm. Join SINDURI VUPPALA on her journey into one of the world’s most conscious wellness destinations.  When the invitation arrived in my inbox to review Santani Wellness Resort, I paused. The name itself intrigued me. Santani a Sanskrit word meaning “in harmony with” immediately hinted at something deeper than just another luxury spa retreat. As a journalist constantly on the move, my mind cluttered with deadlines and devices, the promise of “balance” sounded too good to be true. I needed it more than I realised. Getting to Santani isn’t a spontaneous affair. It’s a four-hour drive from Colombo airport, winding through misty hills and sleepy villages. But every mile feels like a slow unravelling of the stress that city life knots into your body. As we drove up the final stretch, literally skimming the edge of a mountain range, I rolled down the window and inhaled deeply my first real breath in weeks. The view: endless, green, alive. I didn’t know it yet, but I was already beginning to heal. We were welcomed not with cold towels or champagne flutes, but with something far rarer genuine silence. No music. No chatter. Just the soft murmur of wind through the trees and the gentle bow of a staff member who led us directly to lunch. The chef greeted us personally. “Tell me what your body feels

Rice as Medicine: Choosing the Right Grain for Your Health Needs

Rice isn’t just a staple food—it’s a healing grain that’s been part of Indian diets for centuries. Different varieties offer different nutrients and health benefits, making it possible to tailor your rice intake to combat specific diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Hashtag magazine tells you how different Indian rice types support various health conditions: 1. For Diabetes Best Rice: Black Rice, Brown Rice, Red Rice, Sona Masoori (semi-polished) Why? Tip: Avoid highly polished white rice. Pair with pulses or vegetables for a balanced meal. 2. For Heart Health Best Rice: Red Rice, Brown Rice, Matta (Kerala Red Rice) Why? Tip: Use these for regular meals instead of white rice to protect your heart long-term. 3. For Iron Deficiency / Anemia Best Rice: Black Rice, Red Rice, Bamboo Rice Why? Tip: Cook with jaggery or dark leafy greens for added iron absorption. 4. For Bone Strength & Joint Health Best Rice: Matta Rice, Bamboo Rice Why? Tip: Serve as a porridge (kanji) with ghee for enhanced benefits. 5. For Weight Management / Obesity Best Rice: Brown Rice, Sona Masoori, Red Rice Why? Tip: Try portion control with hand-pounded rice + salads and protein for effective weight loss. 6. For Digestive Health Best Rice: Gobindobhog, Indrayani, Kalajeera Rice (Baby Basmati) Why? Tip: Use these for curd rice or lightly spiced khichdi. 7. For Antioxidant Boost / Anti-Ageing Best Rice: Black Rice, Red Rice, Wild Rice (where available) Why? Tip: Great for beauty diets and detox routines. 8. For Pregnancy & Lactation Support Best Rice: Parboiled Rice, Gobindobhog, Kalajeera Rice Why? Tip: Make porridge with these during third trimester and postnatal period. 9. For Mental Well-Being & Sleep Best Rice: Kalajeera Rice, Indrayani Rice Why? Tip: Light evening meals using these rice types can aid better sleep and relaxation. 10. For Protein Deficiency (Supportive) Best Rice: Bamboo Rice, Brown Rice (paired with dals/legumes) Why? Tip: Always combine rice with dals or fermented foods for

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