Can small daily habits really slow down ageing and reduce the risk of diseases?
According to Dr Prashant Katakol, a Bengaluru-based neurosurgeon with over 33 years of experience in neuroscience, the answer is yes.
On October 1, Dr Katakol took to Instagram to share three simple lifestyle habits that, if practised consistently, can have a lifelong impact on your health and brain function.
In his caption, he wrote: “As a neurosurgeon in my 50s, here’s what I wish I had done in my 30s and 40s… Stress, poor sleep, and processed food wear you down long before symptoms show up. Start early; your future self will thank you.”
The 3 Habits Dr Katakol Recommends for Healthy Ageing:
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20-minute daily walk – Improves circulation, boosts brain health, and may help delay cognitive decline.
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7–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep – Essential for vital recovery and nervous system health.
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Simple home-cooked meals – Protects long-term health by avoiding processed food and ensuring balanced nutrition.
In his video message, Dr Katakol explained:
“Your nervous system is the foundation of how you age. Stress, poor sleep, and bad food wear it down long before the symptoms show up. If I were to go back, here are three things I would do — walk daily, sleep well, and eat simple home-cooked food. Start these habits in your 30s and 40s, and your 50-year-old self will thank you.”
While these are simple steps, he emphasised that their long-term benefits on brain health and ageing are profound.
Note: This article is based on user-generated social media content. The claims have not been independently verified by HT.com.
