Stress-busting takes a step beyond shopping

To beat the problems of stress associated with an executive lifestyle, Gurgaonites are taking to a more extrovertish activities than just sedentary shopping.
A large number of double income families are seen joining different types of clubs — from laughter clubs, book reading groups, cycle clubs, drummers’ club, meditation clubs or simply groups of people who believe in Karmic retribution coming together to share their thoughts, residents have a variety of options to choose from.
It is not only the stressed-out working professionals or students, even housewives in Gurgaon, who often find themselves home alone, are eagerly lapping up the myriad options like dance, music or are just joining a spiritual groups like Bharat Soka Gakkai.
Then there are the avid readers who love to share their ideas and thoughts after reading a book with like-minded people.
Rita Mehta, an investment banker living in DLF phase I, said, “Going to mall or visiting a pub have become a routine affair. Once in a while, you can enjoy these things, but it hardly gives you any peace of mind. You need to do something fruitful which is both enjoyable and satisfying, something that you will look forward to after a hard week’s work. So I have joined a book club as I love reading.”
Pooja Sethi, founder of one such book club in Gurgaon, ‘Everything And a Book Club Too’ said, “People increasingly prefer creative and stimulating activities like reading instead of going to pubs or bars.” Reflecting similar sentiments, Sumant Bhattacharya, an advertising professional and a resident of Sector 56, said, “I would prefer doing activities which enhance my knowledge and at the same time, help me deal with my stress level. Gruelling work schedule makes it necessary for people to develop an interest that is inspiring and rejuvenating.”
Book clubs are not the only ones that are finding takers in Gurgaon. There are others like Kuldeep Rai, founder of Orchid Garden laughing club, who believes that in today’s stressed out lives, laughing has now become like an obligation for people and they often need a reason to laugh. So joining laughter clubs can be a good stress buster for the over-worked, over anxious urban population.
Cycling and walking are other popular stress-busters for Gurgaonites who remain cooped up in offices or homes most of the times, and many residents are joining clubs that encourage these activities. It helps them discover their surroundings, nature and most importantly gives them time to reflect.
Sehba Imam recalled how she started her romance with the nature. She said: “I have always loved walking. I wanted to explore areas of Gurgaon, even its concrete jungles. But as everyone knows, it is never safe to go these places alone. Hence I became a part of a walking group in Gurgaon.” However, she experienced her first moments of serendipity when she visited the Biodiversity Park and, since then, there has been no looking back.
Reading can also be fun
Gurgaon has seen a rise in the number of book clubs in recent times. Book lovers get to meet like-minded people and discuss something they have read which, members say, have often helped them re-discover the meaning of books.
However, book clubs are not about just academics. Pooja Sethi, founder of the city-based book club, “Everything and a Book Club Too”, said, “Book clubs are about recreation too. We don’t just read and discuss but we also socialise and catch up with people over a coffee. This way, it relieves people of their daily stress. It also serves as a great therapy and helps one build their personality.”
Keshav of another book club, “The Gurgaon Friends Meetup”, echoed similar views: “A book club is one place where people can be themselves. It is just the love of books that bring people together.” The common perception that a book club is equivalent to the serious atmosphere of a library is wrong. Members say that in most of the clubs, the timings are flexible and the venue can be anything from a garden in your backyard to a coffee shop in your neighbourhood.
Delving into your inner self
At a time when the cacophony of busy, urban lives is taking a toll, sometimes people need to look within themselves to find peace. With the anxiety levels rising at home and work place with each passing day, an increasing number of Gurgaon residents are joining spiritual groups to take part in their discourses.
One such group in Gurgaon is the Bharat Soka Gakkai, a part of the Soka Gakkai International — a spiritual group which talks about the philosophy of Buddhism, especially the one preached by Nichiren, a 13th-century Buddhist monk who lived in Japan.
People from all walks of life in the city are taking up the philosophy to “deal with their challenges” and their various problems. Poonam Menon, a member and one the leaders of the group said, “This philosophy gives one hope and courage to find happiness within one’s own heart. Faith is the key. The philosophy teaches one to never give up and it helps develop a healthy attitude towards life.”
As residents say, many take to these spiritual groups to change their monotonous way of life, others hope to transform their personality while for some, spirituality itself ultimately becomes a way of life.
Cycling to greener pastures
If walking does not appeal to you that much and travelling long hours to and fro from work has made you allergic to driving, cycling can just be your thing.
It’s a good exercise and will take you to hitherto unexplored parts of the city.
Manish Gehlaut, a member of a cycling club in Gurgaon, Pedalyatri, said, “It is a great stress buster. Plus it helps you enjoy your surroundings and also helps in reducing carbon footprints. We go for long distance rides, short distance rides and have trail rides as well.”
Another member, Bindu Krishnan, said “It helps you remain fit, relieves stress, and most importantly lets you get closer to the nature.”
Laugh your way to health
One of the best options available to people to relax is the laughing clubs. Almost every third society in the city has a laughing club which helps people to exercise and maintain their “sanity” the fun way.
Members of Gurgaon Laughter Club, DLF Phase, among others, agree that joining these clubs has been the best thing that they have done in some time now.
As one of the members said, “Whether you are keen to maintain your physical fitness or mental agility, laughter takes care of all.” Kuldeep Rai, the founder of the Orchid Garden Laughing Club in Sun City, said, “Laughing builds up your immune system, helps you fight diseases, and above all gives you an opportunity to laugh, especially in today's times when people find more reasons to cry than smile,” said a member.
However, there can be exceptions to joining these clubs and this is determined by the level of fitness of a person. For example, high blood pressure patients are advised against joining such clubs.
Walk the walk
If you often feel bored and lethargic, take to walking as it’s not only a good exercise, but it lets you de-stress and relax like never before. Walking clubs encourage their members to explore the city on their feet — a hobby which requires no expenditure, no effort and gives an opportunity to interact and socialize.
Achal, a member of “Lets Walk Gurgaon (LWG)”, a walking club, said, “Whatever of Gurgaon I know today, I discovered 99% of it as a part of LWG.” Sehba Imam, one of the co-founders of the LWG, said “Adults especially have a very limited option for entertainment in the city. Thus, an activity like walking comes as a refreshing change.”
“Get Alive Gurgaon” is another walking club in the city and as members point out, apart from being fun, walking is also good for health, especially for a generation which is bearing the brunt of a sedentary lifestyle.