Workplaces in 2025 are evolving, but certain challenges remain persistent. Issues such as office politics, trust gaps with managers and teammates shirking responsibilities are formidable challenges for any organisation.

Here are five practical steps to address these challenges and infuse joy into work life:

1. Tackle Office Politics with Mindful Communication

Office gossip and politics can breed negativity and mistrust. Research from Harvard Business Review reveals that 47% of employees report experiencing office politics frequently, which contributes to lower job satisfaction, increased stress levels and reduced productivity. Office politics can lead to unhealthy competition, favouritism, and a breakdown of trust among colleagues, ultimately creating a toxic work environment.

The Solution:

Mindfulness for Introspection: Conduct guided mindfulness workshops that encourage employees to reflect on their insecurities and scarcity mindset. Questions like, "Why do I feel the need to be better than others?" or "What am I afraid of losing?" can help individuals identify and address their inner fears. You can also spend a few minutes daily practising Ustrasana or Camel Pose. This asana encourages introspection and mental clarity.

• Conflict Resolution Training with the use of "I" statements and active listening techniques to resolve misunderstandings without escalating tensions.
• Create transparent team rules such as "We will prioritize collaboration over competition" and "We will address issues openly rather than gossiping.

2. Bridge Trust Gaps with Managers Through Authenticity

Employees often feel disconnected or mistrustful of their managers. Rahul, a software developer, felt his manager rarely acknowledged his contributions and suspected favouritism during performance reviews. This eroded his trust and engagement in his work.

The Solution:

• Introduce a monthly "Ask Me Anything" session where employees can anonymously ask managers questions.
• Managers can adopt the principle of Satya (truthfulness) in their leadership—being honest yet compassionate in their interactions and in their decision-making.
• Practise Bhujangasana or cobra pose daily as it helps open the chest, fosters confidence and opens the mind to honest communication.

Also Read: 5 Stages Of Burnout: How To Identify And Prevent Exhaustion

3. Address Responsibility Issues with Shared Accountability

This is a very pertinent modern workplace issue where some teammates fail to share responsibilities, leading to frustration for those who do the actual work. For instance, Ananya, a project lead, found herself taking on extra tasks because her team members often missed deadlines or avoided complex work, leaving her feeling overwhelmed.

The Solution:

• Collaborative Workouts: Introduce team-based yoga sessions focussing especially on Naukasana as it is a great metaphor for collective accountability. Asanas practised together can lay the first step towards building trust and cooperation.
• Introduce weekly performance audits of low-performers with transparent steps to be implemented for improving performance and contribution.
• Activity: Create a "Responsibility Map" during team meetings where everyone visually marks their roles and contributions.

4. Combat Burnout

Tackle stress with restorative Practices so that employees don’t often feel overworked and mentally drained.

The Solution:

• Mindful Lunch Hours: Encourage tech-free lunch breaks and provide a quiet space where employees can practice meditation or simply rest.
• Breathing Exercises: Teach simple pranayama techniques like Bhramari (humming bee breath) to reduce stress instantly during high-pressure moments.

5. Foster Connection and Joy

Through Shared Purpose because a lack of camaraderie can make work feel transactional and uninspiring.

The Solution:

• Seva Projects: Organize community service days where teams come together to contribute to a cause, inspired by the yogic principle of selfless service.
• Gratitude Practice: Start team meetings by sharing three things you appreciate about your team-members.
• Joyful Movement: Introduce weekly laughter yoga sessions to break the monotony and strengthen bonds among coworkers.

In 2025, addressing employee well-being is about more than just benefits. It’s about creating a workplace where people feel valued, connected, and inspired. By addressing real workplace challenges with solutions rooted in Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, organizations can cultivate environments where employees don’t just work but they thrive.

Going through chemotherapy can be very difficult for one’s body. To get better, chemo patients get sick regularly to ensure they get better. The Cleveland Clinic explains that side effects of chemo happen as the medicine used to destroy cancer cells can also often affect healthy cells. People experience extreme fatigue, nausea, hair loss, loss of appetite, weakened immune system etc. One of the reassurances is that normal cells can repair themselves allowing your body time to recover.

Another side effect of the treatment is the ‘brain fog’. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is characterized by trouble thinking and creating memories during and after the treatment. Some other symptoms of brain fog include trouble recalling what you’ve said to others or seen particular images and short-term memory loss issues. Experts do not know the cause of this side effect.

However, a new study revealed that having a loving and devoted partner can drastically improve brain fog symptoms in chemo patients.

A Partner’s Role In Chemo Management

Published in the Psychoneuroendocrinology journal, the research found that patients who reported having a fulfilling and happy intimate relationship were more likely to maintain their cognitive abilities and experience less of the mental fogginess often associated with chemotherapy treatment.

Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that therapy focused on strengthening the quality of a patient's relationship with their partner might be a helpful way to improve how well they handle the impact of chemotherapy on their thinking and memory skills.

For the study, researchers followed 48 women with breast cancer who were participating in a larger investigation looking at how chemotherapy affects the gut and brain. These patients underwent tests to assess their verbal skills, attention span, and short-term memory both before and after chemotherapy.

Satisfied Relationship = Preserved Brain Function

The key finding was that the more satisfied patients were with their relationship with their partner, the better their brain function held up while they were undergoing chemotherapy. This suggests a strong protective effect of a positive intimate connection on cognitive abilities during this challenging treatment period.

While general social support from friends and family also seemed to offer some benefit, the researchers noted that the link between a highly satisfying relationship and protected brain function was stronger and more consistent. This led them to believe that the intimate partnership is the most crucial social connection for cognitive well-being during chemotherapy.

Love Can Affect Chemo Treatment

The study also revealed that chemotherapy has an impact on the hormone oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone." Researchers found that levels of oxytocin in the blood significantly decreased while patients were receiving chemotherapy but returned to normal after the treatment was completed.

This temporary drop in oxytocin levels suggests that chemotherapy might be affecting the hypothalamus, which is the area of the brain responsible for producing this hormone that plays a role in social interactions and various other bodily functions.

Overall, the researchers concluded that supporting the intimate relationships of cancer patients through couples therapy could be just as important as providing other forms of support, such as support groups specifically for chemotherapy patients.

Incorporating enough fruits and vegetables into your daily meals can be a challenge—especially for those with picky palates. Yet, these plant-based foods are nutritional powerhouses, and one often overlooked leafy green in particular may deserve a second look: turnip greens.

A cup of cooked turnip greens contains fewer than 60 calories, but don’t let that fool you. This humble vegetable delivers an impressive 4.87 grams of protein, 5.05 grams of fibre, 39.1 milligrams of magnesium, 209 milligrams of calcium, and 29.7 milligrams of vitamin C. Despite this, its naturally bitter taste can be off-putting for many.

Kathleen Benson, a registered dietitian-nutritionist with Top Nutrition Coaching, says preparation is key. “You can toss turnip greens into soups or add them to a grain bowl with a tangy dressing to balance out the bitterness,” she suggests. A little creativity in the kitchen can go a long way in making these greens more palatable—and more beneficial to your health.

Why bother with turnip greens? Beyond their robust nutrient profile, they belong to the Brassicaceae family, also known as cruciferous vegetables. This puts them in the same league as kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts when it comes to health benefits. Among the most noteworthy is their potential to prevent cancer.

The cancer-fighting power of turnip greens is attributed to their glucosinolate content—naturally occurring compounds that can interfere with cancer development. A 2023 review in Medical Oncology emphasized their usefulness for both cancer prevention and treatment. Another review published in 2009 in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research noted a decreased cancer risk among people who regularly consumed these sulfur-rich compounds.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The calcium and magnesium in turnip greens support strong bones and play a vital role in maintaining healthy muscles, circulation, and nerve function. A 2011 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also found that eating cruciferous vegetables like turnip greens may lower the risk of cardiovascular death for both men and women.

Vitamin C, another major nutrient found in turnip greens, is known for boosting immune health and aiding in tissue repair. This makes the vegetable an excellent ally in fighting off illness and helping the body heal from injury.

To make turnip greens more enjoyable, Benson recommends cooking methods that enhance their taste while preserving nutrients. Acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice can "cut the bitterness." Garlic and olive oil not only add flavor but help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as A and K. While cooking may slightly reduce the greens’ vitamin C content, Benson has a fix: "Adding a squeeze of lemon at the end can brighten the flavor even more and help preserve some of the vitamin C in the dish."

Turnip greens might not be the first vegetable that comes to mind, but with the right preparation, they can be both delicious and incredibly good for your health.

Flying was once a distant dream, but with the invention of aeroplanes, it has become a routine and widely accessible means of travel. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), nearly 100,000 flights take off around the world each day. In 2024 alone, an estimated 4.4 billion passengers flew globally. In the United States, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) recorded a historic peak of 848 million passengers in the same year.

The popularity of air travel has not only grown in volume but also in safety. The IATA reported that the global accident rate in 2023 was just one accident per 1.26 million flights — the safest it has been in decades. Research consistently shows that air travel is statistically safer in terms of fatalities than any other common mode of transport.

Yet for some, flying remains a source of significant distress. Known as aviophobia, the fear of flying is a persistent and intense anxiety that goes far beyond typical nervousness. People with aviophobia often dread flying days or even weeks in advance, and their fear can become overwhelming.

How To Manage Aviophobia

If you suffer from a fear of flying, several techniques may help ease your discomfort.

Stay Centered

Try deep breathing exercises—inhale for four counts, then exhale for six. Repeat a calming mantra, such as reminding yourself that air travel is the safest form of transportation. Reframe your focus by thinking about the excitement awaiting you upon arrival instead of dwelling on your fears.

Find A Focus

Engage in grounding techniques, such as crossing your arms and ankles while breathing deeply. Use your senses: observe five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. Hold a comforting item like a stress ball or smooth stone. Listening to calming audio, like music or meditation, and visualizing peaceful places can also help.

Reduce External Stressors

Pull down the window shade to avoid watching the scenery fly by. Use noise-canceling headphones to block out cabin noise, and wear an eye mask to minimize bright lights.

Prepare For Anxiety

Practice mindfulness or meditation for a week or two before your flight. If needed, speak to a therapist before flying. If possible, visit the airport in advance or visualize the process of checking in and boarding to feel more in control.

Distract Yourself

Load your device with movies or shows, bring a book, work on puzzles, journal, listen to a podcast, or play a mobile game to occupy your mind during the flight.

Avoid Added Anxiety Triggers

Steer clear of caffeine, sugary snacks, and energy drinks before flying, as these can increase feelings of anxiety.

Understand Your Specific Fear

Pinpoint what aspect of flying scares you. If it's the fear of losing control, reading about aviation safety might help. For claustrophobia, consider booking an aisle seat or requesting early boarding.