Actress Jaya Ahsan inspires fans not only with her acting but also with her youthfulness, fitness and healthy lifestyle. Her lively presence and good health despite her age make many curious, and many assume she spends hours in the gym. The reality is different: the big secret of Jaya's fitness lies in staying close to nature, farming and eating vegetables she grows herself.

In an interview with Indian media, Jaya said that a few months before a film shoot begins she goes to the gym as needed and does Pilates, a mind-body exercise. This keeps her body flexible and helps burn extra calories. But she does not go to the gym all year round.

She believes there is no single path to staying healthy. Everyone can choose something that suits their lifestyle and keeps both body and mind well, and for Jaya that path is farming.

Jaya grows vegetables at home whenever she gets the chance. She does not stop at planting: she prepares the soil, digs it with a spade and tends the plants herself. For her these tasks are not just a hobby but a kind of natural exercise. Moving the body for long periods keeps it active even without the gym.

Vegetables from her garden often find their way into Jaya's kitchen. In her view, the advantage of home-grown vegetables is that the risk of chemical fertiliser or excess pesticide is much lower, so she prefers to eat her own produce as much as possible. This awareness of healthy food is an important part of her life.

Jaya does not think a healthy lifestyle means giving up all favourite foods. She admits pizza is one of her favourites; she eats it occasionally, not regularly, whenever she feels like it, and does not feel guilty about it. In her words, the mind also needs pleasure now and then, and following strict rules all the time takes the joy out of food.

According to nutritionists, regular farming or garden work is very good for the body. Digging the soil, using a spade, watering plants, weeding or planting seedlings engage almost all the major muscles at once. This naturally burns calories, strengthens muscles and increases flexibility, while also exercising the arms, shoulders, back, waist and legs.

Another benefit of working outdoors is exposure to sunlight, which lets the body make vitamin D naturally, important for bones, muscles and immunity. It refreshes the mind as well as the body.

Spending time in nature is also effective in reducing stress. Research has shown that caring for plants or gardening increases the release of feel-good hormones and can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, improving mood, reducing anxiety and bringing peace of mind.

Not everyone can farm a large plot, but nutritionists advise that, where possible, a small vegetable garden can be made in the yard or on the roof. If even that is not possible, regular walks in open spaces, caring for plants or active garden work also help. The most important thing is to keep the body moving regularly.

Jaya Ahsan's lifestyle is a reminder that staying healthy does not always need an expensive gym or hard exercise. Staying close to nature, doing physical work, eating healthy food you grow yourself and enjoying life's small pleasures can be a simple formula for long-term health.

The article cites Anandabazar Patrika as its source.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.