India's first Social Network for Health.

Actress Nandita Das thinks healthy and defines her own rules.

Nandita Das, one of India’s most talented actors is also a social activist and writer. The energy she brings to her work (and everything else) is infectious. We found out how she does it.

How do you keep your energy up?
Life and work are not separate things for me. The fact that I enjoy what I do does not let tiredness or fatigue set in. My work is not a chore for me, so I don’t need to take long holidays or breaks to re-energise. My work keeps my energy up.

There must be some stressful moments. How do you cope?
Music relaxes me. Since childhood I have been exposed to various forms of music from Hindustani classical to World and Bollywood. Otherwise, I like catching up with friends and people whom I like and share vibes with.

Do you always draw your energy from people?
I am an open and friendly person but need my ‘me-time’. The fact that I stay alone allows me that. Also, I never feel bored in my own company. There are hundreds of things I can do alone. Earlier I was involved in pottery which is very therapeutic. It helped centering me.

You look chilled. Have you learnt it or is it you?
I don’t think you can learn to be chilled out. You just have to be comfortable in your skin and speak out with conviction to achieve it.

Any health mantras that you follow?
Not really. I lead an active life overall. I am not paranoid about food either. I eat what I want to and don’t count calories when I eat. This, metaphorically speaking, helps food go down well with your body. In fact, I even indulge in desserts once in a while. There is too much focus on ‘looking’ healthy, but for me it goes deeper. It cuts across physical health to emotional, mental and spiritual well being.   

By Ankita Agarwal at