​A combination of healthy habits, proper nutrition, and regular eye examinations is the most sustainable approach to preserving vision (Images: Freepik). Recently, on Quora, a user asked whether it’s possible to improve eyesight naturally. So, we reached out to Dr Jayashree K Bhat, Consultant – Ophthalmology, Aster RV Hospital, seeking answers, and she said that while refractive errors like myopia or hyperopia usually need glasses or medical treatment, natural methods can still play a big role in keeping eyes comfortable and healthy. Certain natural practices and dietary/lifestyle choices can help support eye health, reduce strain, and slow age-related decline.. “Natural methods are highly effective in supporting eye health and reducing strain, but they do not replace corrective lenses or medical treatment when required. A combination of healthy habits, proper nutrition, and regular eye examinations is the most sustainable approach to preserving vision,” the eye specialist told indianexpress.com.. A long screen exposure strains the eye muscles and dries the eyes (Image: Unsplash). Eye specialist-approved tips to naturally improve eyesight. Dr Bhat recommended the following ways to keep the eyesight in check naturally:. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: A long screen exposure strains the eye muscles and dries the eyes. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to relax the focusing muscles and reduce digital eye strain.. Blink more often: Blinking helps lubricate the eyes and prevent dryness. When using screens, people blink 60% less. Make a conscious effort to blink every few seconds, especially when working on a computer or phone.. Get Proper Sleep: Your eyes need rest to repair and regenerate. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep every night. Lack of sleep can cause dry eyes, twitching, and blurred vision. Keep your sleep environment calm, dark, and screen-free to support deep, restful sleep.. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can lead to dry eyes and blurry vision. Ensure you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to keep your body and eyes hydrated.Limit caffeine and alcohol, as they can dehydrate your body and affect your eyesight.. Story continues below this ad. Protect eyes from UV exposure: Wearing UV-protected sunglasses outdoors reduces long-term damage and lowers the risk of cataracts and retinal degeneration.. Maintain proper lighting and posture: Reading or working in poor lighting or incorrect posture increases eye strain. Proper ambient lighting and screen positioning at eye level help reduce eye strain.. Exercise Regularly: Eye exercises do not permanently correct vision, but they improve flexibility, focus, and comfort, especially for people with screen-related strain.. Blinking more often helps lubricate the eyes and prevent dryness (Image: Freepik). Also Read | Ophthalmologist details case of young boy who ‘went to party in a club and lost my vision the next day’, shares diagnosis. Which exerc  

 ​Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar’s Epic Holi Swim (Source: Instagram/@milindrunning). Milind Soman and wife Ankita Konwar’s Holi plans were not your usual gulaal-and-pichkari games. The fitness enthusiast couple decided to go long-distance swimming in Goa, with Soman completing 15 km while Konwar finished 4.5 km. “15km swim yesterday in Goa! 4.5km for @ankita_earthy and a big thank you to @goaowsclub 🤪 Happy Holi to everyone!!!!!” he mentioned in the caption of his Instagram post.. Listing out the benefits of this form of workout, Utsav Agrawal, fitness coach, FITTR said that swimming engages multiple muscle groups throughout the body, including the arms, legs, core, and back. It offers a comprehensive workout that can help you burn a significant number of calories.. Swimming is a low-impact activity, meaning it puts minimal stress on your joints. This makes it an ideal option for individuals with joint pain or those who are overweight, as it reduces the risk of injury compared to higher-impact exercises like running or jumping.. At its core, a cardiovascular exercise, it elevates your heart rate and boosts metabolism. It can help you burn a substantial amount of calories during a session, depending on the intensity and duration of your swim. Agrawal said swimming is not only a great calorie-burning exercise, but also helps build lean muscle mass. “As you swim, you’re continuously pushing against the resistance of the water, which strengthens and tones your muscles,” he clarified.. Despite being low-impact, swimming is a high-intensity exercise that can burn a significant number of calories. But the best part of it is that swimming can be a lifelong activity. It is enjoyable and refreshing for many people, which increases the likelihood of maintaining a consistent exercise routine. Regular swimming can contribute to sustainable weight loss and overall fitness.. Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar celebrated Holi. (Source: Instagram/@milindrunning). What to note before attempting long-distance swimming. Fitness expert Garima Goyal explained that the key to long-distance swimming is pacing and recovery. According to her, hydration, electrolyte balance, and post-workout protein intake are essential for supporting muscle repair and preventing fatigue. Swimming for sustained durations is one of the most effective full-body aerobic exercises, engaging the shoulders, back, core, hips and legs simultaneously while placing minimal stress on joints.”. If you can’t do long durations, a 60- to 90-minute steady swim significantly improves cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart muscle and enhancing the efficiency of oxygen delivery. “It boosts lung capacity and improves overall stamina. Because water provides natural resistance, muscles work harder without the high-impact strain seen in activities like running, making swimming especially joint-friendly,” she said. In fact, from a metabolic standpoint, such sustained aerobic effort s  

 ​At 37 years old, most horses are long retired from active life. But Fancy isn’t just enjoying her senior years — she’s officially the world’s oldest living horse. Recently recognised by Guinness World Records, the Virginia-based Quarter Horse earned the title at 37 and is set to turn 38 in April 2026. For context, the average lifespan of a horse is between 25 and 30 years, making Fancy’s age especially remarkable.. Her story is even more touching because of her lifelong bond with owner Paige Blumer, who was just eight when she first met the horse. She then named it Josey Wales at a training barn near her home. “She had this very motherly energy,” Blumer recalled while speaking to the Washington Post. “I just always felt like she was going to take care of me.” The two even share the same birthday — April 1.. When the horse was put up for sale in 2000, Blumer begged her parents to buy her. They surprised her that June, and she promptly renamed her “Fancy,” saying she was “too fancy to be called anything else.”. A filmy human-horse bond. Fancy and Blumer have been living together since the latter was 8 years old (Image: Instagram/guinnessworldrecords. Over the next 25 years, the pair grew up together, competing in equestrian events and forming a deep connection. Horses are highly social, intelligent animals known for strong memory and emotional awareness — traits that often allow them to form lasting bonds with their caretakers.. It wasn’t until a family member suggested applying for a record that Blumer realised Fancy might be the oldest living horse. The previous record-holder was 36. With official documentation from the American Quarter Horse Association, her application was approved.. Also Read | Do vets approve keeping rats as a pet?. Fancy now lives at a retirement farm just minutes from Blumer’s home. She hasn’t been ridden in years and faces age-related challenges, including equine Cushing’s disease — a common endocrine disorder in older horses — and near blindness. Despite this, she continues to thrive with careful nutrition, regular veterinary check-ups and specialised hoof care.. Blumer, who works in veterinary care, credits that consistent attention for Fancy’s longevity. She recently adopted a senior donkey named Rosie to keep her company. Blumer hopes Fancy’s recognition sends a message: with proper care, horses can live long, comfortable lives well beyond their riding years. “A horse’s useful life is not just for being ridden,” she said. “They have so much more purpose and so much more worth.”. Story continues below this ad. At nearly 38, Fancy may hold a world record — but to Blumer, she’s simply family.. View this post on Instagram  

 ​Indian sportsperson Smriti Mandhana has been honoured with a Barbie doll of her own, making history as the first woman cricketer to receive this tribute.. “Still processing this moment… Seeing a one-of-a-kind @Barbie doll inspired by my journey is something I never imagined growing up. Cricket has given me so much, and if my story helps even one girl believe she belongs on the field, that means everything,” she mentioned in the caption of her Instagram post, further adding: “Honored to be part of Barbie’s Dream Team alongside incredible women from around the world who are breaking barriers in their own fields. When girls see what’s possible, they dream bigger.”. Anita Dongre’s Barbie (Source: Instagram/@anitadongre). This is not the first time Barbie has spotlighted Indian representation on a global scale. The year before last, Anita Dongre and Mattel came together to unveil a Diwali-inspired Barbie, dressed in a traditional Rajasthani ensemble. With a blue sleeveless coatee and a moonlight bloom lehenga featuring intricate floral motifs, the design felt true to Dongre’s signature style. The design incorporated elements of Pichwai, a traditional Indian art form known for its intricate floral patterns.. ALSO READ | Badshah becomes first Indian to own ultra rare Rolex ‘Barbie’ Daytona — one of the 10 pieces available worldwide. “Designing the Barbie Diwali doll has truly been a fun and fulfilling experience. This Barbie Diwali doll represents the fashion-forward modern woman, who wears India on her sleeve with pride. I’m honoured for this opportunity to represent contemporary Indian fashion on a global platform and hope that it inspires kids across the world to connect with their culture and heritage,” the designer wrote on her Instagram, announcing the doll’s launch.. Diwali Barbie’s accessories included chandbali earrings, bangles, a bindi, and stilettos. Her hair was styled with a middle part and a ponytail.. View this post on Instagram. First Indian Barbie. The very first Indian Barbie doll was inspired by Deepica Mutyala, founder and CEO of Live Tinted, a company that put brown skin makeup on the global map. Launched in 2022, Mutyala became the muse for the collaboration between Live Tinted and Barbie Style (Mattel).. “Her skin is TINTED, her eyes big, and brows bold. She wears her jhumkas & bangles proud with her power suit. She is ready to take on the world. Her identity is hers,” Mutyala took to Instagram to introduce the doll to the world.  

 ​I was 14 when I sensed the fire for journalism in me. Growing up in small-town Bihar, women are born with a fixed template, which doesn’t ask for much. The big gorilla in the room is the government job, which parents want their daughters to pitch for. While my sister submitted to these, getting married at the “right” age, pursuing stable government jobs, and, most importantly, “behaving like a woman”, I became the first in my bloodline over time to defy these societal expectations, without taking the tomboy route.. I traded the complacency for the woman I wanted to become: one with a voice, without a man/a partner/husband to speak for me. It wasn’t just about financial independence; having a voice leads a woman to her destiny against every grain of expectation.. As the world observes International Women’s Day, these journeys reflect a broader reality for women pursuing their independence, leaving the expectations baggage by the roadside. Across the world, women who break barriers — in war zones, workplaces, or digital spaces — continue to face threats, harassment, and suppression despite what they have done.. The ‘First in My Bloodline’ series highlights these experiences, bringing together women who have challenged limitations and reshaped possibilities for those who come after them.. In India, the trend snowballed after a 23-year-old Kerala woman posted a photo of herself on a solo trip with the caption, “First in my bloodline to travel without a husband”. The post, at the time of writing this article, has over 36 million views.. The ‘First in My Bloodline’ trend isn’t limited to urban households where women may have greater freedom or support. It also resonates in small villages where women carve out their own path instead of sticking to their set roles. Devki Didi, colloquially known as ‘Solar Didi’, is one such example.. A resident of Ratanpura, Bihar, Devki became the first woman in her “khandan” to become an entrepreneur. With no formal education or exposure, she was married off at the age of 15. Devki joined a local self-help group, where she learned about a solar irrigation pump scheme. Her grit and hard work brought her into the national limelight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed her in ‘Mann Ki Baat’.. “No one believed in me. But, I was determined to work for a better life,” Devki told indianexpress.com. It is about a woman from a village in Bihar — with little institutional or social support — refusing to be weighed down by society.. Story continues below this ad. “I wanted to study beyond Class 5, but my father did not send me to school. I got married and came to my husband’s house. But, things were not very good here too,” she said.. Still, Devki pressed on with her never-give-up attitude. She saw an opportunity in solar pumps and helped farmers irrigate land through them. “I am the only woman in my family who have come this far,” she said.. Today, Devki continue