Prakriti is your unique mind-body constitution, formed at the time of conception and made up of the three doshas — Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Every person has all three in a different proportion, and this natural balance decides your body type, digestion, sleep pattern, energy levels and even emotional responses. Knowing your prakriti helps you choose the right food, daily routine and lifestyle for long-term health.

You can identify your prakriti by looking at lasting traits such as your body frame, skin and hair type, digestion, appetite, sleep quality and natural temperament. Vata-dominant people are usually light-framed, quick and prone to anxiety; Pitta-dominant people are sharp, warm-bodied and intense; Kapha-dominant people are calm, sturdy and slow to change. Since self-assessment can be confusing, a structured prakriti analysis with a trained guide is the most reliable way to confirm your constitution.

Prakriti analysis in Ayurveda is the method of assessing an individual's natural constitution by studying physical characteristics, physiological patterns and psychological tendencies. The practitioner evaluates features like body build, weight tendency, digestion, pulse, skin, hair, sleep and emotional behaviour to work out your exact Vata-Pitta-Kapha combination. The result becomes the foundation for a personalised diet, daily routine and healing plan.

A prakriti analysis test usually begins with a detailed prakriti analysis questionnaire covering your digestion, sleep, energy, food preferences and stress responses, followed by an observation of physical traits such as body frame, skin, hair and eyes. Some practitioners also read the pulse to confirm the dominant dosha. The whole process generally takes 30–45 minutes in a one-to-one session, after which you receive your dosha combination along with suitable lifestyle recommendations.

Prakriti analysis online is offered by Ayurvedic wellness practitioners through video consultations, where a guided questionnaire and visual assessment are used to determine your dosha balance. Online sessions work well because most of the assessment is based on your answers and clearly observable traits, and you receive a personalised diet and routine plan afterwards. Pick a practitioner who explains the findings in detail instead of handing you a computer-generated report.

The stress management techniques that consistently work are deep breathing exercises, regular physical activity, fixed sleep timings, limiting caffeine, journaling your thoughts and taking short breaks away from screens. Ayurveda adds simple daily habits — waking early, warm oil massage and eating meals at regular times — to keep the nervous system settled. The key is consistency with two or three techniques rather than trying everything at once.

To manage stress in the workplace, start by organising tasks into a realistic priority list, taking short breaks every 90 minutes, and setting clear boundaries around emails and messages after work hours. Keep a steady lunch routine, stay hydrated, and use two minutes of slow breathing before important meetings. If work stress is regularly disturbing your sleep, digestion or mood, treat it as a signal to seek structured guidance instead of pushing through.

In simple words, stress management means recognising what is bothering you and using healthy habits — rest, movement, breathing, talking and better planning — so that pressure does not damage your body or mind. It is not about removing all stress, but about keeping your response to it under control. Done regularly, it improves sleep, focus, digestion and mood.

For students, the most effective methods are a fixed sleep schedule, revising in focused 25–30 minute blocks with short breaks, 20–30 minutes of daily physical activity, and eating proper meals instead of surviving on snacks and caffeine. Writing down worries before study sessions and doing a few minutes of slow breathing before exams also lowers anxiety noticeably. Support from family, friends or a mentor makes a big difference during exam season.

Taking care of your mental health starts with the basics: 7–8 hours of sleep, daily movement, sunlight, balanced meals and staying connected with people you trust. Add one calming practice such as journaling, meditation or an evening walk, and keep screen time low before bed. Just as important — talk about your feelings instead of suppressing them, and seek professional guidance when low mood, anxiety or sleeplessness persist for weeks.

To start a mental health journal, pick a simple notebook or notes app and write for 5–10 minutes daily — what happened, what you felt, and what triggered those feelings. Use easy prompts like "What drained me today?", "What calmed me today?" and "What do I need tomorrow?" Do not worry about grammar or length; reviewing your entries after a few weeks reveals patterns in your stress, sleep and energy that you can actually act on.

Mental health is your emotional, psychological and social well-being — how you think, feel and handle daily life, relationships and stress. A widely used mental health definition describes it as a state of well-being in which a person can cope with normal life pressures, work productively and contribute to their community. It is not just the absence of illness; it changes with time and needs the same regular care as physical health.

The Government of India runs Tele-MANAS, a free 24x7 mental health helpline number — 14416 (or 1800-891-4416) — where trained counsellors provide support in multiple Indian languages. Helplines like this are meant for immediate emotional support and crisis situations. For long-term issues such as ongoing stress, lifestyle imbalance or low energy, scheduled one-to-one consultations with a wellness practitioner can give you continuous, personalised guidance.

Mental health awareness means understanding that emotional well-being is as important as physical health — recognising signs of stress, anxiety or burnout in yourself and others, and knowing when and where to seek help. It also involves talking openly about mental health to remove stigma at home, in college and at the workplace. Awareness days and the annual mental health awareness month campaigns help take this conversation into the mainstream.