Bengaluru Neurosurgeon Shares 3 Simple Habits for Healthy Ageing
Just 20 Minutes, 8 Hours and a Kitchen Could Help You Stay Young
Can a few small lifestyle changes alter the way we age? Dr Prashant Katakol, a Bengaluru-based neurosurgeon with over 33 years of experience in neuroscience, believes they can. In a video message shared on Instagram on October 1, Dr Katakol outlined three simple habits that, if practised consistently, can improve circulation, boost brain health, and reduce the risk of age-related decline.
“As a neurosurgeon in my 50s, here’s what I wish I had done in my 30s and 40s,” he wrote in his caption. “Stress, poor sleep, and processed food wear you down long before symptoms show up. Start early; your future self will thank you.”
Dr Katakol’s first suggestion is a 20-minute daily walk. Beyond improving circulation and keeping the body active, he explained, it also enhances mental agility and may help delay cognitive impairment. His second recommendation is ensuring 7–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, which he said is essential for recovery and long-term nervous system health. Finally, he emphasised the importance of eating simple home-cooked meals instead of relying on processed foods.
“These three things—walking, good sleep, and home-cooked food—are not complicated, but they are powerful,” Dr Katakol noted. “If I could go back, I would start them earlier.”
The neurosurgeon urged people in their 30s and 40s to adopt these practices now to safeguard their health later in life.
About The Author
