Hello! My name is Lavanya, though it still feels surreal to say Dr. Lavanya. But yes, I am a doctor! I recently graduated from medical school, and I’m eager to see where this journey takes me.
I also recently turned 25 and it has been a time of reflection. Interestingly, research suggests that 25 is the peak of brain maturation and marks the completion of “rewiring” in the brain.1 Ironically, it feels like this is exactly the time I need to start rewiring my habits—unlearning patterns that no longer serve me and embrace new, healthier ones.
As a child and teenager, I was naturally skinny and fairly active, blessed with a metabolism that seemed unstoppable. But like many of us, life caught up with me. In college, I gained several kilos while exploring my city and enjoying time with friends. The shift became especially noticeable earlier this year when I lived alone for a few months. Carrying groceries while walking a mile left me huffing, puffing, and needing frequent breaks along the way.
It hit me then: I need to make a change.
As I prepare my application for a residency in Neurology, I realize it’s not just my mind that needs to be ready—my body does, too. Looking back, I can see how I’ve been going against everything I learned in medical school: not eating well, not sleeping properly, and not exercising enough. It’s time to realign.
The idea of this blog is to document my journey of breaking old patterns and relearning healthier ones. Some key areas I’m focusing on include:
- Mindfulness in everyday life, especially with nutrition and meals
- Building better sleep hygiene
- Incorporating exercise and strength training for stronger bones and muscles.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that I’m not perfect—and that’s okay. My goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency.
This past week, I’ve been experimenting with a simple habit: waking up earlier and taking a morning walk to soak up some sunshine. The first three days took effort, but by the fourth, I woke up with more ease and actually looked forward to it. That small win was thrilling and reaffirmed my belief in the power of intentional changes.
I’m excited to explore the potential of my brain as I take on this new chapter. Along the way, I’ll share research-backed insights from what I learn, my favorite recipes, tips for better sleep, stories from my life as a doctor, and all the highs and lows of adulting.
Thank you for reading this introduction. I hope you’ll stick around and join me on this journey to a healthier, more mindful life. Stay tuned!
Acknowledged Literature
- Arain, M., Haque, M., Johal, L., Mathur, P., Nel, W., Rais, A., Sandhu, R., & Sharma, S. (2013). Maturation of the adolescent brain. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 9, 449. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S39776
- Baranwal, N., Yu, P. K., & Siegel, N. S. (2023). Sleep physiology, pathophysiology, and sleep hygiene. Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 77, 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2023.02.005
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