This marks my 37th book review, indicating more than three years of reading, learning and unlearning. Over time, I have explored various genres, from business and marketing to philosophy and biographies. If you were to ask me about my preferred genre for reading and reviewing, it would undoubtedly be self-help books. They offer more than just jargon; they impart life lessons that foster personal growth and professional development. It’s often said that optimal physical, mental, and emotional well-being empowers individuals to conquer challenges and overcome obstacles with strength and resilience.
I came across Sandeep Mall’s book during his conversation at Spectra. He came across as a lean, youthful individual (though he is nearing 60), embodying simplicity in his approach to life—a quality that resonates throughout his book. While his work shares common ground with other self-help books, what sets it apart is his personal journey and narrative. Mall recounts how he overcame health challenges through simple yet effective measures, emphasising prioritising family time and personal well-being over financial pursuits or corporate deals.
What does the book cover?
An accident that changed his life and his outlook towards what is it that we pursue the most. The book is a testimony to his journey and struggles. The book’s central theme revolves around the idea that health is core to all things good and important.
The book is structured into six sections. It begins by highlighting the conventional health practices that we follow which is more reactive than proactive. It then explores steps for taking control of our health, emphasising nutrition, metabolism, balanced diet, and mindful eating. Mindfulness occurs throughout, urging readers to live in the present and underscores the importance of exercise and sleep. Section 3 talks about emotional health, addressing the impact and management of stress. Section 4 focuses on mental clarity and owning our happiness. Spiritual health is discussed in Section 5, distinguishing between religion and spirituality. Lastly, Section 6 examines our immediate environment, including family, society, hobbies, networking, and relationships.
Interesting aspects from the book (chosen randomly)
- Embrace life outside your comfort zone: Embrace the unfamiliar to grow: face your fears head-on and acknowledge them. Start with small steps to build confidence. Embrace novelty by welcoming new experiences and breaking routines. Stay open to possibilities and uncertainties, surrounding yourself with positivity. Celebrate every milestone achieved along the way.
- Unravelling Resistance for Exercise: Resistance often stems from past negative experiences, discomfort, pain, or a skewed perception of exercise, entwined with one’s identity. Transforming resistance into motivation involves several strategies. Firstly, selecting activities that bring enjoyment can shift perspective and foster a positive attitude toward exercise. Redefining personal fitness goals ensures they are realistic and attainable, reducing intimidation. Creating a supportive environment—be it through friends, family, or a fitness community—can provide encouragement and accountability. Starting with small, manageable steps allows for gradual progress and builds momentum over time. Additionally, integrating mindfulness techniques into workouts enhances the mind-body connection, making exercise more fulfilling and less daunting. By addressing these facets of resistance, individuals can overcome barriers and cultivate a sustainable exercise routine aligned with their well-being goals.
- Acknowledge our wellness: Recognise that our overall well-being encompasses more than just physical fitness, nutrition, and medical care. It involves nurturing our mental health, feeding our spirits, fostering healthy relationships, and caring for our environment.
What’s in it for me?
As always, I find great value in self-help books. These books have enriched various facets of my life – financially, emotionally, and in terms of fitness. I particularly enjoy reading and learning from people’s stories. This book has Sandeep’s life, intertwined with experiences from friends, colleagues, and family, significantly enhances the worth of this book.
My recommendation
This book is genuine and straightforward. It won’t demand much of your time to read and grasp its contents. If the recommendations resonate with you, consider adopting them, but you are free to disregard them if they don’t. However, I highly recommend giving this book a read and then taking a moment to ‘Pause and Reflect – Like we do after every chapter of the book.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
Sarika has previously had stints with with Weber Shandwick as Vice President - Client Experience, Adfactors PR, Text100 (now Archetype) and Perfect Relations. With keen observation and analytical skills, Sarika has successfully led PR campaigns for key brands across multiple sectors by leveraging her strength and expertise in the communications arena.
She is a post graduate in communications from Xavier Institute of Communications. She is based in Mumbai and in her free time loves to spend time with her daughters, play with her dogs, read and travel.
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