Healthshots - she-slays

'Cancer graduate' Lisa Ray shares hard truths, says 'It doesn't have to represent an end'

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:28:00 +0530

Indo-Canadian actor Lisa Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009. Three years after her recovery, she relapsed around the time of her marriage ceremony in 2012. It took her months to beat cancer once again, and now the 53-year-old is sharing the “hard truths, soft landings, and stubborn hope” about her journey. As she …

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32-year-old entrepreneur Maitri Boda on living with endometriosis: 'I learned to listen to my body'

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:00:45 +0530

In every woman’s life, there comes a moment when she realises that her pain deserves to be heard. For Maitri Boda, a 32-year old Indian entreprenur, that point came after years of silently enduring intense cramps, fatigue and a body that felt like it was always at a war with itself. In 2020, a diagonosis …

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Your imperfections don't define you; you do: Prableen Kaur Bhomrah on PCOS, skin positivity and embracing her body

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 21:27:50 +0530

One of the hardest things one can say—truly, unapologetically—is “I love myself.” In a world where women are often told to be thinner, clear-skinned and flawless to be worthy, embracing oneself can become difficult. This Women’s Day, Health Shots celebrates a woman—Prableen Kaur Bhomrah—who has turned her struggles into a movement, proving that self-love is …

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Kat-Katha: How one dream, one life sparked Gitanjali Babbar's fight for sex workers

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 23:02:50 +0530

Dim lights, shady corners, and unspoken fears—these images often come to mind when we think of a red-light area. But is that all there is to it? Beyond all these stereotyped notions, there exist stories of women who once had dreams, who never chose this life, and who still hope for a different future for …

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Mini Mathur is all for 'positive ageing': 5 fitness tips for women over 40

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:39:11 +0530

If you are in your mid-forties, you may have already entered the menopause phase. It is a stage where periods stop permanently, and there is a decline in reproductive hormones. You may experience vaginal dryness, hot flashes, weight gain, and muscle loss. But this phase does not mean that you are past your “physical prime.” …

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Reality Ranis' Sifat Sehgal on battling anorexia and body dysmorphia: 'I wanted nothing more than to be normal'

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 15:52:18 +0530

Sifat Sehgal, a rising star in the entertainment world, is not just known for her television appearances and modeling career but for her incredible story of overcoming anorexia and reclaiming her life. From her early struggles with body image and eating disorders to her journey towards self-acceptance, Sifat’s candidness in sharing her story is both …

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Weight loss transformation: This 24-year-old corporate professional lost 26 kg by making smart choices

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:37 +0530

Weight loss is not just a battle against the scale, but also against society’s harsh judgment. This was the case with Huda Bushra, a PR professional, who was subjected to the harsh words of society for her body. Criticised and labeled “fat” by people she knew, Huda refused to let their words define her. With …

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Neha Dhupia on embracing motherhood, normalising period talk and breaking taboos

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:45:36 +0530

From embracing her grey hair to normalising breastfeeding in public, Neha Dhupia has always been unafraid to discuss topics that society often considers taboo. Recently, Neha has taken another step by discussing menstrual health, hygiene, and women’s overall fitness. In a Health Shots interview, she openly talked about periods and menstrual health, subjects that are …

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Chandni Bhabhda's brave battle against PCOD tells us how small lifestyle changes make a big difference

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 19:38:45 +0530

Social media influencer Chandni Bhabhda a.k.a “Chandnimimic” is lauded for her hilarious mimicry, especially her spot-on impersonation of Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt. However, behind the laughter, she has been on quite the health rollercoaster with her Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) being misdiagnosed as appendicitis recently. The influencer, who was diagnosed with PCOD at the age …

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Ayurveda Day: 7 Indian influencers who promote this ancient wisdom for modern well-being

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:17:40 +0530

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, is experiencing a vibrant resurgence as more people seek holistic approaches to health and wellness, especially after the Covid-19 outbreak. Rooted in the belief that well-being is a harmonious balance of body, mind, and spirit, Ayurveda offers invaluable insights into our daily lives. This Ayurveda Day, know some …

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Meet Dr Nivedita Pandey, who left US to make medical care accessible in Bihar

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 15:00:39 +0530

With the rapid rise in health concerns, it’s crucial to focus on improving medical facilities in India, particularly in rural areas where access to quality healthcare may be limited. In these communities, the challenges can be significant, leaving many without essential care. Recognising this gap, Dr. Nivedita Pandey, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist, left the United …

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World Mental Health Day: Anshula Kapoor says, 'Seeking help doesn’t make you weak, it’s an act of courage'

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:30:45 +0530

Sometimes, seeking external help to calm your internal chaos can be the best decision you make in your life. Body positivity and mental health advocate Anshula Kapoor vouches for it. As someone who was once cocooned by “self-limiting beliefs”, experienced the emotional upheaval of grief and loss early in her life, and struggled with self-acceptance, …

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Anshula Kapoor on PCOS struggle: My mom helped me accept that facial hair wasn’t the end of the world

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:08:35 +0530

At 14, an age when most young girls begin to explore beauty and fashion trends, Anshula Kapoor was caught up battling Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The insecurities that stemmed from the physical symptoms of this hormonal condition, made her teenage years worse, pushing her into a cocoon. As a public figure who is open about …

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World Lymphoma Awareness Day: 25-year-old Tanisha Mahanta on how lymphoma taught her to value life

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 18:00:55 +0530

Life often throws good and bad surprises in ways we least expect. For many, the word lymphoma brings a sense of dread. For 25-year-old, Tanisha Mahanta, it became a chapter of her life that tested her strength, courage and resilience. At that age, when girls go about their lives, enjoy college, make friends and have …

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Debina Bonnerjee's advice to Gen-Z: Freeze your eggs while you have the chance

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:00:20 +0530

Embracing motherhood is often regarded as one of the most joyful experiences in a woman’s life. But it can also come with its share of challenges. Imagine the hope of waiting for a positive test, only to face the silence of a negative result or the letdown of a failed IVF cycle. This is a …

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Independence Day Special: Celebrity chef Sarah Todd reveals her life lessons from India

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:59:57 +0530

India is celebrated globally for being a vibrant melting pot of cultures and experiences. It was an attraction that even pulled celebrity chef Sarah Todd into opening her first restaurant in India a decade ago. The Australian chef who won hearts by cooking Indian aloo gobi on Masterchef Australia back in 2014, says her bond …

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Paris Olympics 2024: From Manu Bhaker to Simone Biles, 11 women who defied the odds

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 08:59:25 +0530

It has been a long since the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris when women competed for the first time in the games across 5 sports. It was only in the 2012 Games that women competed in all sports, and women’s boxing made it to the Olympic plan. Ever since then, the Olympics is known for …

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Priya Malik, who faced a silent miscarriage before giving birth, says 'Motherhood is messy but magical'

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:38:03 +0530

Motherhood is a journey, which is woven with the threads of hope, resilience and love. But for some women, this joyous experience often takes an unexpected turn, bringing a sudden stillness. This is what popular Indian actress and poet Priya Malik also went through when she suffered a silent miscarriage. But it was her faith …

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Riya Agrawal on living with vitiligo: Self-acceptance is the beginning and end of feeling empowered

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 10:30:32 +0530

Society has a set feminine beauty ideal. Over the decades, glossy magazine covers and carefully crafted social media feeds have idolized an unrealistic singular image of perfection that rarely exists. Thankfully, the wind is changing as we stand at the precipice of a new era, where people are being real on social media and standing …

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Debina Bonnerjee on managing endometriosis relapse: I've changed my entire lifestyle

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 12:35:45 +0530

Women are conditioned to endure the pain and suffering that may come with menstrual health issues, until they begin to impact their reproductive health. That is mostly when they go for a deeper diagnosis and consider lifestyle changes that can empower them to reproduce. Popular Indian television actress Debina Bonnerjee, who has recently spoken about …

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Meet sex and trauma therapist Neha Bhat, who heals abuse victims through art

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 12:56:53 +0530

Art can be emotionally liberating. Ask Neha Bhat, a licensed sex and trauma therapist, writer and educator who uses the power of art to heal from their sexual abuse experiences, transforming deep wounds created by abuse into a celebration of life. The desire of helping others to deal with the emotional trauma that follows any …

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Celebrity nutritionist Shweta Shah says thyroid diagnosis became the turning point in her life

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 19:12:12 +0530

Shweta Shah was just a teenager when she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It is a condition in which the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone due to which the heart rate, and all the aspects of metabolism get disrupted. She says the diagnosis was a turning point in her life, as experiencing …

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Anusha Attree: This 20-year-old changemaker aims to break the stigma around menstruation

Mon, 27 May 2024 22:41:24 +0530

While growing up, hearing of taboos like ‘girls should not go to the kitchen’ or ‘girls should avoid going to the temple’ during their monthly menstrual cycle, was common for Anusha Attree. It is these experiences that eventually made it impossible for the New Delhi-based girl to ignore the struggles that many women, especially those …

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How yoga guru Hansaji Yogendra managed menopause: Wellness secrets for every woman

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:14:32 +0530

Menopause, which marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, hits women between the ages of 45 and 55 years as a natural process of biological ageing. Perimenopause or the phase before menopause, puts women on a roller-coaster of hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, palpitations, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, sleep disturbances and more. It …

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Once told she was 'too thin' to play badminton, Anupama Upadhyaya went on to become Junior World No.1

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 17:56:57 +0530

Anupama Upadhyaya was born with the silver spoon of sports genes. Her father is a former cricketer who always wanted his children to pursue a sport. Anupama started swimming. She enjoyed it and hoped that she would make a career out of it. But a coach told her that she neither had the height nor …

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