Exercise of the Year: Chair Yoga and Chair Pilates
Jobs that cause us to sit extensively take a toll on posture and overall health, too. If you can’t get up, walk and stretch, the alternative is chair yoga, or chair pilates — whatever suits you. Just 20 minutes a day is enough to help increase blood flow, keep your joints active, strengthen your muscles and boost your mood. Senior citizens in particular can benefit from chair exercises if walking or gymming is not an option. “Chair Yoga is beneficial for upper body activity and for people with less lower body mobility, and those who struggle to sit down on the floor. Chair Yoga is not just for the elderly, it has gained popularity among the young as well. You don’t need to buy an expensive chair for it. It’s better to take the guidance of a coach. Right coach can modify exercises according to your weaknesses and strengths,” says Bipin Salvi, ACSM and Yoga Alliance certified personal and group trainer.
Mineral of the year: Magnesium
Everyone’s talking about magnesium, and that’s because it’s crucial for brain and body. It helps combat depression, improves sleep, regulates blood sugar and blood pressure, relieves PMS, and may prevent migraine. General practitioner, Dr Hetal Panchal explains that we need to eat more nuts and leafy greens to increase our magnesium intake. Other good sources are avocados, bananas and dark chocolate. 2024 saw magnesium take center stage in many ways than one. Gummies, supplements… it was everywhere. Body lotions with magnesium as key element are a rage. They are supposed to help get rid of insomnia if applied before going to sleep.
Spiritual mantra of the year: Walk Away
It’s an extension of the Letting Go principle: If you find yourself in a clash with someone or in a stressful place, just walk away. It doesn’t mean giving up — it means choosing not to let this particular thing take up space in your head without bringing you any benefit. In fact, you will be avoiding negative fallouts of the incident or situation if you just turn your back. Weigh the cost of the conflict and the benefit of leaving. Set boundaries, and say no to an emotionally draining situation. Focus on the future, it’s more important than the past.
Hobby of the year: Reading
People dabble in pastimes like puzzles, trekking, painting and craft, but the end of the year brought reading into the spotlight with a bang, when a “Books Secret Santa” event at Cubbon Park in Bengaluru was stopped by authorities due to lack of permission. Apparently, too many people turned up at the event — which we think is a great thumbs-up for reading! Well, you don’t need an okay to dive into a book; and it’s a truly portable hobby, specially if you e-read. It takes you on a journey of your choice anywhere, any time. So join a library, browse among the new and second-hand bookstalls in your area, or trawl through the offerings online.
Diet of the year: Moderation
Yes, you heard right. People are not fretting about what to eat — instead, the principle is that “Moderation is Key”. Remember to have a little of everything, and exercise in moderation, too. Dr Hetal Panchal explains that every part of your meal is important — your brain needs carbs, your muscles need proteins, and vitamins from milk, vegetables and fruits are essential for fighting infection, strengthening bones and regulating hormones. An occasional binge is fine but don’t go overboard with anything and avoid fads, which may end up depriving you of essential nutrients and affect your health. So bookmark those reels that showcase the best Thali meals in town — the old-fashioned way of eating is ideal, as it turns out.
Drink of the year: Negroni
Surely Negroni! This dark nectar has gained popularity and how. Cocktail is dedicated to Count Camillo Negroni and his family in the Negroni district of Italy. Count Negroni, according to the legend, requested hi bartender to add gin to his then popular Americano, instead of soda because he was in a mood for something strong. Equal parts of Campari, Gin and Sweet Vermouth is the traditional way to make this drink. However, the creative bartenders of Mumbai have come up with varied versions and infusions to make Negroni palatable for more than just connoisseurs. Coffee Negroni and fruit infusions ruled. Negroni bars, exclusive Negroni menus at high-end and local bars clearly indicate that Negroni ruled 2024. Shahrom Oshtori, partner Sixteen33, said, “Negroni is simple, classy and deliciously strong. It has ruled 2024 in India as discerning guests have shifted to more classy and clean drinks. Since negroni is pure alcohol with no additives of syrups, etc. that makes it a perfect choice.”
Beauty & skincare trend of the year: Korean
2024 saw Korean skincare and beauty products maintaining their dominance in the global beauty industry. From innovative formulations to eco-conscious packaging, K-beauty brands solidified their reputation for setting path-breaking global trends. The year saw the rise of skinimalism — a minimalist approach to skincare that champions fewer yet more effective products. Several Korean brands came up with multi-tasking solutions such as serum-moisturiser hybrids and SPF-infused BB creams, to streamline skincare routines while preserving skin health. K-beauty’s ‘glass skin look’ garnered global attention. Meanwhile, the ‘blush bomb’ trend— concentrated blush application for a youthful glow — gained traction.
